Visually, the Taylor 816ce acoustic-electric guitar is an instrument of subtle beauty, that reveals its numerous luxurious appointments upon closer inspection. Its voice, however, simply must be heard to be believed. It shimmers with rich and complex overtones, to which its thick Grand Symphony body lends tons of throw and range. The Taylor 816ce has a Venetian-style cutaway, with fret access up through the 17th. Taylor's Expression System, designed in collaboration with Rupert Neve, gives you a great way to amplify your guitar quickly and dial up a great sound in plugged-in situations.

An Entire Symphony in a Single Guitar

The Grand Symphony shape itself was designed to bring out extra power from Taylor's popular Grand Auditorium design. Its dimensions are only slightly greater than the GA, but by placing these expansions in the right places, Taylor has created a guitar with considerably more throw and punch. The fullness and sustain on this instrument will amaze you the first time you strum a chord. This guitar doesn't sacrifice anything by way of bass, however. Its low end is thick and meaty, with unmatched definition on the low E string. Like all Taylor guitars, its strong voice is supported by a bracing system that balances its tone perfectly across its entire frequency spectrum. The sound has been described as "lush" and "potent" -- and if you play one, you'll find out why readers of Guitar Player magazine voted the 816ce the overall Best Acoustic-Electric back in… read more 2009!

A Revolutionary Acoustic-Electric System

The Expression System was another of Taylor's great innovations. In collaboration with the legendary audio engineer Rupert Neve, Taylor was able to create an internal preamp capable of reproducing the Taylor's incredible natural sound -- but without adding the noise or coloration created by most drop-in pickup systems. Taylor did so with a hybrid system that functions more like a series of tiny microphones. Multiple body sensors, inserted into critical points inside the guitar, work together to deliver a complete and accurate acoustic image. The ES's brilliance is completed with an audiophile-grade Class A preamp with 2-way Bass/Treble EQ and balanced line output! This makes an excellent way to work with your guitar in the studio. It is powered with a 9-volt battery.

Beauty in the Details

The Taylor 816ce's gorgeous curly maple binding and unique diamond-like dot fretboard inlays make for a guitar that is elegant, but doesn't try to hide its own luxury. Its sheen is completed with a set of super-high-quality gold-plated tuners.

Features:

- Grand Symphony with Venetian-style cutaway
- Indian Rosewood back and sides
- Sitka Spruce Top
- Tropical Mahogany Neck and Heel
- Taylor Expression System for electric playing
- Curly Maple Binding
- Ebony Fretboard Wood
- Diamond-style Fretboard Inlay
- Tortoise Pickguard
- Indian Rosewood Headstock Overlay
- Black Bridge Pins
- Tusq Nut and Saddle
- Taylor Gold Tuners
- Indian Rosewood Truss Rod Cover
- Hard bag included

The Taylor 816ce acoustic-electric guitar is one the most beautiful and finely crafted instruments made by this great American company. Its rosewood back and sides and style pay tribute to some of the first rosewood instruments that Bob Taylor ever built -- while also adopting some of the great design innovations that Bob has introduced since then. read less