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Builder's Edition 717e (2019)
6-String | Torrefied Spruce Top | Indian Rosewood Back and Sides | Tropical Mahogany Neck | West African Crelicam Ebony Fretboard | Expression System® 2 Electronics | Non-cutaway
6-String | Torrefied Spruce Top | Indian Rosewood Back and Sides | Tropical... More
Series:
700
UPC: #00887766093909
Note: Each guitar has unique visual traits due to differences in wood grain. Guitars ordered through this website or found in stores may feature minor visual variations from the ones pictured here.
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Left!
Preorder Today
Coming Soon!
Call to order!
For model availability, check with an authorized Taylor dealer near you. (See local options below.)
Get It Today Locally
Responsibly Sourced Materials
Materiales obtenidos de forma responsable.
Taylor está comprometido con el abastecimiento ético de materiales y la búsqueda continua de prácticas más sostenibles.
Deluxe Hardshell Case Included
Estuche rígido deluxe incluido
Protective and durable Deluxe Hardshell Case included at no extra charge.
Estuche protector rígido deluxe y duradero incluido sin cargo adicional.
Lifetime Warranty with Registration
Garantía de por vida con registro
Factory Expert Service & Support
Servicio y Soporte Técnico de Fábrica
Responsive customer service from factory experts trained to help you get the most out of your guitar.
Expertos en servicio al cliente de fábrica capacitados para ayudarte a aprovechar al máximo tu guitarra.
Overview
- Includes premium Builder's Edition comfort features
- Rosewood/torrefied spruce for seasoned, warm tone
- Grand Pacific dreadnought with clear low-end power
- V-Class bracing increases volume and sustain
- Ships with hardshell case and built-in ES2 pickup
Overview
Builder's Edition 717e
Watch VideoBlending a traditional look and sound with a modern, relaxed feel, the Builder's Edition 717e serves up a seasoned tone that will remind players of vintage acoustic recordings. Indian rosewood and torrefied Sitka spruce deliver clear bass-range power and pristine trebles, resulting in a richly textured sound with lush overtones and a dash of extra sweetness from the specially roasted top. The Grand Pacific body features V-Class bracing for greater volume and sustain, along with chamfered edges to provide a more comfortable feel. A compound carve neck profile accommodates your hand as you move down the neck, and the Silent Satin finish reduces incidental noise. The Builder's Edition 717e ships with ES2 electronics and a hardshell case.
“It is reassuring to note that a human armed with a chisel and old-fashioned ingenuity is capable of making waves—waves of both surf and sound, perhaps the biggest revolution in acoustic guitar architecture since the dawn of X-Bracing.”
Features
Grand Pacific
A round-shoulder body with a warm, blended voice, strong low-end power, and versatile tone suited for many playing styles.
Indian Rosewood
The tonewood superstar. Popular, traditional, and versatile, Bob Taylor puts Indian rosewood among the greatest tonewoods ever.
Torrefied Spruce
Treated with our special roasting process, torrefied spruce tops deliver all the clarity, balance and projection you’d expect from a traditional spruce top with an extra dash of warmth and played-in depth.
Expression System® 2
The Expression System® 2 captures more of a guitar’s dynamic properties using a breakthrough behind-the-saddle design.
V-Class Bracing
Our patented V-Class bracing is a revolutionary new pattern — a new sonic engine — that marks a major shift away from traditional steel-string bracing patterns.
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Questions & Answers
Preguntas frecuentes
14 questions
What is the scale length on the 717?
25 1/2"
Is this model available without the electronics?
Yes. It would be the 717 and can be ordered form our authorized retailers.
Will this take the TaylorSense?
Yes.
Since Taylor is switching to D'Addario strings and the original strings for this guitar is Elixers, is it recommended to switch and if so to what model?
A player's string choice is completely subjective. If you want to try the D'Addario strings we are currently using for this model, they are XS mediums .013-.056
Do you recommend trying Martin Liquid Metal bridge pins? How would I correctly size the pins for my 99' 714 Cedar top.
We're happy with the ebony pins but there's no harm in trying other designs. The diameter of the top of the tapered section of our ebony pins is .207".
Show all 14 questions
Will it fit a 4” soundhole plug?
Yes, the soundhole is 4" so that'd be a perfect fit.
What kind of finish for this model? Satin? Matt?
Taylor Satin Guitar Cleaner
Silent Satin finish.
Do the models with WHB (wild honey burst) finish sound different than a natural finish?
No, the finish process is the same except the WHBs have stain applied. This doesn't add mass or weight to the top so it sounds the same as a natural top model.
Can I get this with a glossy finish?
Sorry, this Builder's Edition model is only available in the silent satin finish.
Could I get this with a cutaway?
No, this model is only made as a non-cutaway.
What case do these come with?
Most 700 series models ship in a deluxe brown hard shell case made by Taylor for optimal fit and protection. The exception is the 717 which ships in a hardshell case with brown western floral covering.
Are 700 series guitars all solid wood?
Yes - all 700 series models are solid wood construction.
Where are these guitars built?
700 series models are made in our factory in San Diego, California, USA.
Do guitars in the 700 series have real ebony fretboards and bridges?
Yes, all guitars in the 700 series have genuine West African Crelicam ebony fretboards and bridges.
Reviews
Rated 4.7 out of 5 from 9 ratings
Amazing Guitar!
I purchased my Taylor Builder's Edition 717e Grand Pacific about three years ago from Guitar Center. I originally planned to purchase a Martin D-28, but absolutely fell in love with the Taylor 717e.
The tone, balance, and feel of this guitar will suit the wants and needs of players of all skill sets.
The case really nice and unique, and is an unexpected but added bonus to owning the beautiful instrument.
The tone, balance, and feel of this guitar will suit the wants and needs of players of all skill sets.
The case really nice and unique, and is an unexpected but added bonus to owning the beautiful instrument.
- How I Use It
- Home/Recreational
- How I Use It
- Stage/Live Performance
- Describe Yourself
- I've been playing for a while now
- Describe Yourself
- Mostly acoustic player
Surprising pick wear
I love this guitar, it’s sound its looks and its playability. But as a musician that plays two or three gigs a week, this guitars finish is not holding up at all. I’m a flat picker and the pick wear has almost worn a hole through the guitar in less than nine months of playing. I’ll soon have a Willie Nelson guitar which I did not expect or want at all. I own an older Taylor GS 800 series without a pick guard and it’s holding up superbly compared to this 717e. I’ve actually stopped playing it and switched back to my GS to stop the wear and hopefully figure out a repair plan. Just beware, if you plan to actually play this guitar much.
- How I Use It
- Stage/Live Performance
- Describe Yourself
- I've played for many years
- Describe Yourself
- Mostly acoustic player
Taylor Builder’s Edition 717e
I love this guitar. It is everything I hoped it would be. The sound is rich, full, and balanced. And it is so beautiful to look at, really like a piece of art in the house.
- How I Use It
- Home/Recreational
- Describe Yourself
- I've been playing for a while now
Love it
Love it love the sound that's why I bought it
- How I Use It
- Home/Recreational
- Describe Yourself
- I've played for many years
Love it.
I truly appreciate the quality that Taylor produces. The Builder’s Edition is no exception. I’m not in to the flashy guitars that seem to be the only ones that are high quality with other brands. The 717e is simple in appearance and amazing in sound. You always no a Taylor by it’s sound.
- How I Use It
- Studio/Recording
- How I Use It
- Stage/Live Performance
- Describe Yourself
- Mostly acoustic player
Best. Guitar. Ever.
This is by far the best guitar I have ever played, and I have been playing for 60 years. The build quality is superb, and the guitar has a rich, resonant quality that I really like. I am primarily a finger picker, and the definition of individual notes really stands out when the instrument is played finger style. The bass is nice an boomy, but not overpowering.
First Taylor Guitar - I’ve Been Ruined for Life!!!
My Taylor 717e Builder’s Edition is my first Taylor guitar, and as the title says, I think I’ve been ruined for life regarding other guitar brands! I’ve always known that Taylor makes great guitars; you don’t get to where they are today without quality product. But I also am aware of the name-brand stigma that follows the big guitar companies. I’ve tried many different brands over the last 23 years I’ve been playing guitar, and I’ve always had a respect for Taylor but figured that other companies can make guitars just as good for a lower price point. And many would argue that this is true.
But I’ve owned some other brands, and some things here and there would just be off. Nothing is perfect, even this Taylor as i’m sure I’ll find out over the next few decades. I won’t name names here, but I’ve had some frustrating experiences longterm regarding playability and repairs with a few other brands, so I started researching the 717e. It ticked all the boxes I was looking for.
Finally getting to play one for the first time at a local guitar store sold me. I knew I was walking out with it. The tone is so crisp and clear, and balanced too, even with rosewood back & sides. The playability is about as good as I could hope for. The neck is a little chunkier from other Taylors I’ve tried, but it’s not quite as chunky as some vintage dreadnoughts I’ve played. It’s right in the middle somewhere. The fit and finish on this guitar is immaculate, and for the price I would hope so. And I have to say I’m a huge fan of the Grand Pacific body shape. I prefer a less “boxy” shape from traditional dreds, but something a little larger than an auditorium. Sure, it’s personal preference, but this is the best slope shoulder dred shape I’ve found.
One thing that took me by surprise was the case. I knew it would be a little fancy based on research online, but it really complements the simple beauty of the guitar itself.
Overall, it’s difficult to review a guitar I’ve only had for a month. Time will tell how well everything holds up. But Taylor is known for their build quality, so I don’t expect any longterm quality issues on their part. And I can’t wait for this guitar to open up fully and see what she sounds like in the next decade.
I never thought I would own a high end Taylor, but I bought one, and I’m not looking back. The 717e is every bit as good as some of the best guitars I’ve ever tried, and better than 99% of them. It’s an investment, but one that’s well worth it for me. And if you’re still reading this admittedly lengthy review, maybe it will be worth it for you too. If you’re in the market for a rosewood dred that doesn’t have a certain “M” name on it, you could do so much worse than the 717e. After 23 years of playing, I found the one I’ve been looking for all along.
But I’ve owned some other brands, and some things here and there would just be off. Nothing is perfect, even this Taylor as i’m sure I’ll find out over the next few decades. I won’t name names here, but I’ve had some frustrating experiences longterm regarding playability and repairs with a few other brands, so I started researching the 717e. It ticked all the boxes I was looking for.
Finally getting to play one for the first time at a local guitar store sold me. I knew I was walking out with it. The tone is so crisp and clear, and balanced too, even with rosewood back & sides. The playability is about as good as I could hope for. The neck is a little chunkier from other Taylors I’ve tried, but it’s not quite as chunky as some vintage dreadnoughts I’ve played. It’s right in the middle somewhere. The fit and finish on this guitar is immaculate, and for the price I would hope so. And I have to say I’m a huge fan of the Grand Pacific body shape. I prefer a less “boxy” shape from traditional dreds, but something a little larger than an auditorium. Sure, it’s personal preference, but this is the best slope shoulder dred shape I’ve found.
One thing that took me by surprise was the case. I knew it would be a little fancy based on research online, but it really complements the simple beauty of the guitar itself.
Overall, it’s difficult to review a guitar I’ve only had for a month. Time will tell how well everything holds up. But Taylor is known for their build quality, so I don’t expect any longterm quality issues on their part. And I can’t wait for this guitar to open up fully and see what she sounds like in the next decade.
I never thought I would own a high end Taylor, but I bought one, and I’m not looking back. The 717e is every bit as good as some of the best guitars I’ve ever tried, and better than 99% of them. It’s an investment, but one that’s well worth it for me. And if you’re still reading this admittedly lengthy review, maybe it will be worth it for you too. If you’re in the market for a rosewood dred that doesn’t have a certain “M” name on it, you could do so much worse than the 717e. After 23 years of playing, I found the one I’ve been looking for all along.
It is perfect
- How I Use It
- Home/Recreational
- How I Use It
- Studio/Recording
- How I Use It
- Stage/Live Performance
- Describe Yourself
- I've played for many years
- Describe Yourself
- I'm a professional musician
- Describe Yourself
- I play both acoustic and electric
Beautiful instrument
This guitar is amazing, the sound is so rich, it can be played hard and bright or soft and mellow and it still rings and resonates beautifully. It plays buzz free all the way up the fretboard and the action is perfect right out of the box. Very well constructed and a cool appearance too. I'm not a professional musician but this is a professional instrument which has enabled me to improve my technique as its much easier to play. Highly recommend Taylor guitars.