Sound Pure's Take

Conditon: Used, Very Good

This Grand Auditorium's tone has grown as deep, dark, and rich as the wonderful Shaded Edgeburst that graces the entire guitar!  All of the initial crisp, mid and high-heavy punch that Koa demonstrates in a new instrument has given way to a far more balanced, mature and sonorous tonality.  This is just a -great- example of why we love our trade-in/consignment program--the previous owner, through careful handling and ample playing, has developed the guitar's character to a point that can only be reached with time and attention.  And now we get to offer the curated results at a used price!  The 12 fret design supports and maintains the hyper-present response that Koa always brings to an instrument, lending the guitar an additional boost to presence and projection.  Whether you've always been a lover of Koa's unique tonal properties or if you're just now becoming interested in this special tonewood, this guitar is sure to delight longtime collectors and curious first-timers alike!

SP Luthier Notes: Setup

From Taylor Guitars

Koa Series

The flamey AA-grade koa earmarked for this series was so seductive we couldn't resist going all-koa (although a premium Engelmann spruce top is optional). Larry Breedlove's rosette design incorporates a serpentine swath of koa set against creamy boxwood. The koa/boxwood pairing carries over to the Engraved Twist fretboard inlay, in which the design's swirling complexity is tempered with the subtle, organic quality of thin wood lines. A shaded edgeburst around the entire guitar — including the neck — adds a touch of vintage Hawaiian charm that's complemented by rosewood binding, thin white purfling, and Gotoh tuners.

Tonally, a koa top should make koa's natural midrange sweetness even more pronounced, especially after the guitar has been played in. Koa guitars also tend to be well-suited for the stage because the initial attack is balanced and focused without being boomy.

The koa LTDs are offered in four model options: a cutaway Grand Auditorium and Grand Symphony, along with a pair of non-cutaway 12-fret models, a Grand Auditorium and Grand Concert. Players can expect a warmer, richer overall tone with the 12-frets due to the bridge’s more central placement on the lower bout.

Model: GA-LTD Koa Limited Edition

Serial: 1108031121

Year: 2011

Body Style: Grand Auditorium

Scale Length: 24 7/8"

Top Wood: Koa

Body Wood: Koa

Bracing: CV

Pickguard: None

Tuners: Gotoh

Electronics: Expression System

Body Width:

Nut & Saddle: Bone

Truss Rod Cover: Ebony

Number of Frets: 20

Body Length:

Body Depth: 4 3/8"

Binding/Edge Treatment: Wood

Back Config: 2-piece No Wedge

Rosette Size: 3-Ring

Back/Side Finish: Gloss

Backstrap Wood: None

Stain/Sunburst: Edgeburst

Armrest: None

Top Finish: Gloss

Backstrap Finish: None

Bridge Inlay: None

Armrest Binding: None

Rosette Material: Koa/Boxwood

Wedge: None

Neck Width: 1 3/4"

Fretboard Binding: Wood

Type of Neck Joint: Scarf

Fretboard Wood: Ebony

Heel Length:

Fretboard Inlay: Engraved Twist

Heel Cap Binding: None

Neck/Heel: Mahogany

Neck Finish: Gloss

Peghead Finish: Gloss

Peghead Type: Standard

Headstock Overlay: Ebony

Peghead Logo: Taylor Mother of Pearl

Peghead Binding: Wood

Peghead Purfling: None

Peghead Inlay: None

Bridge Pins: Black

Fingerboard Ext: None

Buttons: Gold

Edge Trim: None

Case: Hardshell

Warranty

This item is sold without the Sound Pure 3-year warranty (used / B-stock / dealer-exempt). Coverage terms for items in this category live in Terms & Conditions, Section 27.

Returns

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Sound Pure Studios Control Room A — Durham, NC

Sound Pure Studios · Durham, NC

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