Taylor Gold Label Guitars Have Arrived
A thing of absolutely beauty - the Taylor Gold Label 517e
When Taylor releases something under the Gold Label banner, it isn’t just another addition to the catalogue. It’s a tonal statement. A deliberate shift in voice. A nod to heritage wrapped in modern engineering.
The Gold Label Series represents Taylor leaning into a more seasoned, open, harmonically mature character — without sacrificing the precision and playability they’ve spent decades perfecting. These guitars are built for players who understand what torrefaction does to wood, who care about bracing architecture, who notice how a neck carve affects phrasing.
And right now, two exceptional examples are sitting in Musicmaker.
One of each. No repeats.
What Is the Taylor Gold Label Series?
The Gold Label Series is Taylor stepping slightly outside their traditional comfort zone — and guitar nerds everywhere noticed immediately.
Historically, Taylor guitars are known for clarity, balance and precise articulation. The Gold Label line introduces something subtly different: a more vintage-inspired warmth, deeper low-end push, and a slightly rounder, more seasoned voice, while still retaining Taylor’s signature playability and build quality.
At the heart of the Gold Label concept is:
- Torrified spruce tops (artificially aged for enhanced resonance)
- Premium tonewood pairings
- Vintage-inspired voicing
- Beautiful aesthetic flourishes
- Hand-finished details
- Stage-ready electronics
The torrified spruce is key. Through a controlled roasting process, the wood’s cellular structure changes in a way that mimics decades of natural ageing. The result? Faster response, increased resonance, a broken-in feel from day one.
These guitars don’t sound “new.” They sound like they’ve already lived.
And now, two absolute beauties are sitting in Musicmaker.
Understated cool with Vintage flavour. Check out the Gold Label 717e in Musicmaker now.
Taylor Gold Label 517e SB
Torrified Sitka Spruce / Mahogany – Sunburst
The Gold Label 517e SB is Taylor’s soulful reinterpretation of the Grand Pacific platform — and it feels like an instrument that has already lived a few stories before you even touch it.
The torrified Sitka spruce top is the centrepiece here. Through Taylor’s controlled torrefaction process, the spruce has been thermally aged to deliver that golden, broken-in character usually reserved for decades-old instruments. The result is warmth without muddiness, responsiveness without stiffness, and a mature resonance that blooms effortlessly under even the lightest touch.
Paired with solid mahogany back and sides, the tonal result is beautifully focused. Mahogany keeps the low end rounded and disciplined while pushing the midrange forward with woody clarity. This combination creates a guitar that records exceptionally well — articulate, balanced, and rich without being overly complex.
The slope-shouldered Grand Pacific body shape contributes to that controlled low-end authority. It doesn’t boom; it resonates. Chords feel cohesive and centred. Fingerstyle passages carry warmth and immediacy.
Inside, V-Class bracing plays a crucial role. By enhancing sustain and improving harmonic alignment, it allows notes to linger just that bit longer, with clearer intonation up the neck. You hear more overtone bloom. You feel more energy transfer.
In the hand, the satin-finished mahogany neck feels effortless. Taylor’s carve strikes that perfect middle ground — substantial enough to feel grounded, but never cumbersome. The West African Crelicam ebony fingerboard is smooth, precise and snappy under the fingers, offering clarity and definition in every position.
Aesthetically, it’s restrained but luxurious. Cream binding frames the sunburst top beautifully. The firestripe pickguard feels vintage without cliché. Crest inlays add just enough flash.
Plugged in, the LR Baggs Element VTC system delivers a remarkably faithful representation of the guitar’s acoustic character — particularly that warm, deep low-end foundation. There’s no brittle piezo edge here. Just clarity and honesty.
It ships in a luxe Taylor hardshell case.
Protection is everything. One only, the Gold Label 517e.
Taylor Gold Label 717e Blacktop
Torrified Sitka Spruce / Indian Rosewood
If the 517e is focused and woody, the Gold Label 717e Blacktop is expansive and orchestral.
The torrified Sitka spruce top once again provides that seasoned, expressive voice — but this time it’s paired with solid Indian rosewood back and sides, which shifts the tonal architecture dramatically.
Rosewood introduces depth and harmonic complexity. The low end extends further. The highs shimmer with greater overtone content. There is a piano-like dimension to the bass response that feels both powerful and articulate.
Taylor have deepened the Grand Pacific body profile here, increasing internal air volume and enhancing projection. The result is a fuller-bodied resonance with broader dynamic range. You strum lightly and it whispers. You dig in and it roars without collapsing.
The fanned V-Class bracing design enhances sustain and harmonic clarity across the fretboard. Chords feel alive. Single notes carry beautifully. It’s the kind of guitar that rewards expressive players.
The Action Control Neck with long-tenon design is another serious detail. This allows seamless neck adjustability over time — a nod to long-term ownership and tonal stability. It’s a luthier-friendly, forward-thinking design that serious players appreciate.
Like the 517e, it features a satin-finished mahogany neck and West African ebony fingerboard for smooth, precise articulation. The aesthetic is striking: a bold blacktop gloss contrasted with cream binding and firestripe pickguard, finished with crest inlays that glow subtly under stage light.
Amplification comes via the LR Baggs Element VTC system, offering natural, high-fidelity translation of the guitar’s rich acoustic voice. It retains the depth of the rosewood and the openness of the torrified spruce without flattening the nuance.
It includes a deluxe British Cocoa hardshell case — tour-ready and undeniably classy.
This is a rare and exquisite thing. Don't miss out on the Gold Label 717e Blacktop.
Gold Label Tonewoods: Why They Sound So Good
For the nerds (and we are nerds here):
Torrified Spruce
- Increased stiffness-to-weight ratio
- Quicker transient response
- Reduced moisture content
- Aged, broken-in character
- Enhanced resonance
Mahogany Back & Sides (517e)
- Focused midrange punch
- Warm, woody character
- Strong note fundamental
- Excellent clarity for strumming
Rosewood Back & Sides (717e)
- Deep extended bass
- Complex overtones
- Sparkling high-end
- Wide dynamic range
This is boutique-level tonal architecture.
Taylor Gold Label FAQ
What is the Taylor Gold Label Series?
The Taylor Gold Label Series features premium tonewoods, torrified Sitka spruce tops, V-Class bracing and vintage-inspired voicing. These guitars deliver a mature, broken-in tone with modern Taylor precision.
What does torrified spruce mean?
Torrified spruce is thermally aged using controlled heat treatment. This process mimics decades of natural ageing, resulting in enhanced resonance, quicker response and a warm, open tonal character from day one.
What body shape are the Gold Label 517e and 717e?
Both models are based on Taylor’s Grand Pacific body shape, offering a round-shouldered dreadnought-style voice with focused low-end warmth and balanced projection.
What is the difference between the 517e and 717e?
The 517e pairs torrified spruce with mahogany for focused midrange warmth and woody clarity.
The 717e pairs torrified spruce with Indian rosewood for deeper bass, shimmering highs and greater harmonic complexity.
Do these guitars use V-Class bracing?
Yes. Both models feature Taylor’s V-Class bracing, which improves sustain, harmonic alignment and overall tonal balance across the fretboard.
What electronics are included?
Both guitars are fitted with the LR Baggs Element VTC pickup system, providing natural, high-fidelity amplified tone suitable for live performance and studio use.
Are these limited stock in Ireland?
Yes. Musicmaker currently has only one 517e SB and one 717e Blacktop available in-store. Once sold, availability cannot be guaranteed.
Are Taylor Gold Label guitars suitable for professional musicians?
Absolutely. With premium tonewoods, advanced bracing and stage-ready electronics, the Gold Label Series is designed for serious recording artists, touring players and lifelong acoustic enthusiasts.
If You’ve Been Waiting…
These are not entry-level Taylors. These are statement instruments.
If you’ve been considering upgrading your acoustic, investing in a lifetime guitar, or stepping into something truly inspiring — this is it.
And when they’re gone, we can’t promise the next shipment will be anytime soon.
