
Gear Review: Taylor Grand Pacific 717 and 517e Builder’s Editions
Both guitars will surprise longtime Taylor players, who’ll certainly recognize the premium build quality, firm intonation, and note integrity on the Grand Pacific.

Both guitars will surprise longtime Taylor players, who’ll certainly recognize the premium build quality, firm intonation, and note integrity on the Grand Pacific.

The Rayco has a warm and brilliant tone, drenched with harmonic color. It’s an impressively loud and lively instrument that almost sounds like multiple guitars played at once.
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When I first played Breedlove’s new Journey Concert, I was reminded of the depth of sound that a set of Brazilian rosewood back and sides lends to a steel-string acoustic guitar.

This 14-fret Orchestra cutaway model—a total winner for the price—has an easy playability and a tight, focused sound that lends itself equally well to strumming and fingerpicking.

These all-solid instruments are anything but whimsical. All three models feel and sound robust: more appropriate choices for the stage or studio than the beach.
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Michael Kelly’s Rick Turner S6 and N6 models make smart choices for the acoustic-electric player on a fixed budget.