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“To us the Koa Series is almost like
the wood lover’s version of a Presenta-
tion Series guitar now,” Bob says. “It
has that level of elegance.”
Another area of focus within the
acoustic/electric line was the 700
Series, one of three series that feature
the classic rosewood/spruce wood
pairing. The design team saw an oppor-
tunity to better differentiate each rose-
wood series through the appointment
packages. The 900 Series has long
featured Taylor’s most sophisticated
appointments, and last year returned
to the popular “Cindy” vine inlay, with
abalone trim and rich red purfling. The
iconic 800 Series bears a lineage to
the models of Taylor’s early days and
has long anchored the line as the quint-
essential rosewood/spruce guitar. The
appointments were updated several
years ago to give it a more contempo-
rary flair with a stylish fretboard inlay
and figured maple binding. For the 700
Series, the design team envisioned a
more vintage aesthetic.
“We thought the 600 Series was a
great fit because it has a modern per-
sona and because it’s the perfect stage
guitar, between maple’s tonal crispness
and the way the light-colored woods
are compatible with all kinds of eye-
catching colors.”
A new design for the 500 Series
honors mahogany’s rich heritage as a
guitar wood, yet with a contemporary
twist. The Deco Diamond fretboard
inlay progresses from a square form
into a more elaborately flared diamond.
The pearloid inlay material (an Italian
acrylic that we first used with our 2010
Fall Limited Editions) was an appealing
alternative to traditional pearl because
it can be easily engraved with lasers,
enabling the inlay to have an extra level
of detail. Another aesthetic touch was
to visually interpret mahogany’s warm
GS Mini Mahogany
tonal character with a dark brown stain
on the back, sides and neck, accented
with faux tortoise shell binding.
The 400 Series also incorporates
a new, laser-engraved pearloid inlay.
The series has always projected a
clean, contemporary look, which was
enhanced with an engraved dot that
progressively flattens out into an oval.
The 300 Series welcomes a GS shape
and incorporates slightly smaller fretboard inlay dots.
Other minor appointment refinements to the acoustic/electric line
include an optional tobacco sunburst
top or all-black finish for the 200
Series, and an upgrade to an inlaid
rosette on the Baby Taylor and Big
Baby.
Nylon-Strings Join Steel-Strings
One of the most sweeping changes
to the acoustic/electric line is the
integration of our nylon-string models
into the line alongside our steel-string
models. As a result, the nylon-string
and steel-string guitars will now share
appointment specifications within each
series. New nylon-string models also
were added to make them available
from the 200-900 Series.
“After years of building hybrid nylon-
strings that are geared toward the mod-
ern steel-string player, we felt that they
belong together with our steel-strings,”
Bob explains. “Now you’ll have a choice
of more wood pairings and have all the
different visual aspects that relate to
the steel-strings.”
In the longterm, the nylon migration
also clears the way for the eventual
release of a pure classical guitar series,
a project currently in development.
Mahogany for the Mini and
Specialty Models
Several new acoustic models
expand the ranks of our more unique
guitar offerings. In response to the GS
Mini’s wildly popular reception since its
debut in 2010, a mahogany-top version
is now available. The design team is
excited about the new possibilities it
offers players.
“With the mahogany top, it might
take a little longer to play in, but you’ll
have this incredible blues machine,”
Andy says. “It’s like the old mahogany-top guitars from the Depression era,
