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

Try Before You Buy: take it home, commit only when it's right. Program details →

Sound Pure Studios Control Room A — Durham, NC

Sound Pure Studios · Durham, NC

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