2020 Taylor AD17 Blacktop USA Grand Pacific Acoustic – LR Baggs M-80 – Original Taylor AeroCase

A very nice USA-made Taylor AD17 Blacktop, featuring Taylor's distinctive Grand Pacific round-shoulder dreadnought body shape and fitted with the excellent LR Baggs M-80 soundhole pickup system.

Part of Taylor's American Dream series, the AD17 combines a solid Sitka spruce top with solid ovangkol back and sides, a combination that delivers a wonderfully mature and characterful acoustic voice. The spruce top brings clarity, definition and sparkling upper frequencies, while the ovangkol contributes warmth, richness and a beautifully rounded midrange.

Taylor's V-Class bracing further enhances the instrument's tonal performance, providing excellent projection, impressive sustain and a pleasingly even response across the frequency range. The Grand Pacific body shape gives it a more traditional, rootsy dreadnought character, with a full, warm bass response, strong fundamental notes and a smooth, controlled top end. Equally at home with strummed chords, flatpicking or fingerstyle playing, it has a lovely balance and depth that works particularly well with vocals.

This guitar has seen some honest gigging use and is in good used condition, with the playing marks you would expect from an instrument that has been enjoyed and played. The good news is that it has opened up beautifully acoustically, developing a more mature, responsive voice with plenty of warmth and character.

We have given it a full workshop setup and fret dress, so it plays very nicely and is ready to go straight into service with its next lucky owner.

The LR Baggs M-80 is a particularly desirable addition. This highly regarded active soundhole pickup uses a sophisticated magnetic and body-sensing design to capture both string definition and the natural acoustic character of the instrument. It offers a wonderfully natural amplified sound, with excellent dynamic response and a convincing representation of the guitar's acoustic voice. Its feedback-resistant design makes it a superb choice for live performance, while its tonal sensitivity also makes it a useful studio companion.

Supplied with its original Taylor semi-rigid AeroCase, a lightweight yet protective case that is ideal for travelling musicians, regular gigging and keeping the guitar safely stored.

A very attractive, great-playing American-made Taylor with a distinctive look, a mature acoustic voice and a quality LR Baggs pickup already installed. A lovely working musician's guitar, ready for many more years of playing pleasure.

Taylor AD17 American Dream Grand Pacific 2020 With LR Baggs M-80 Pickup system "Blacktop"