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Taylor Gold Label 717e: A Deeper Take on the Grand Pacific
When Taylor introduced the Grand Pacific body style in 2019, it marked a clear shift in their acoustic lineup—one that leaned into warmth, depth, and a more traditional dreadnought-inspired voice. With the Taylor Gold Label 717e, that concept is taken even further, resulting in one of the most powerful and character-rich acoustics Taylor has ever built.
This isn’t just a cosmetic or spec-sheet update. The Gold Label 717e represents a meaningful evolution of the Grand Pacific design, delivering added depth—both literally and sonically.
What Sets the Gold Label 717e Apart?
At the heart of the Gold Label Collection is a newly developed body shape: the Deep Grand Pacific.
Taylor originally designed the Grand Pacific as their interpretation of the classic slope-shoulder dreadnought—an acoustic format prized for its warm, dry response and midrange focus rather than booming lows and glassy highs. Legendary slope-shoulder guitars have long been favorites of songwriters and strummers for exactly that reason.
With the Gold Label models, Taylor refined that recipe. The Deep Grand Pacific keeps the familiar Grand Pacific outline but increases the body depth by 3/8", resulting in a full 5" deep body compared to the standard 4-5/8". The width and length remain familiar, though the waist is slightly wider.
That extra depth has a noticeable impact. The guitar feels more substantial in hand and produces a stronger, more authoritative low end. While larger players will feel right at home, the tonal payoff makes the added depth worthwhile for anyone chasing a fuller acoustic voice.
Taylor Gold Label 717e – Key Specifications
Body: Deep Grand Pacific
Top: Torrefied Sitka Spruce
Back & Sides: Indian Rosewood
Neck: Neo-Tropical Mahogany
Neck Profile: Taylor Standard Carve
Scale Length: 25.5"
Nut Width: 1.75"
Fretboard: West African Crelicam Ebony
Bracing: Fanned V-Class
Electronics: LR Baggs Element VTC
Finish: Gloss (Natural or Sunburst)
Additional premium touches include a Honduran rosewood Curve Wing bridge, Crest inlays, white Micarta saddle, Tusq nut, and an exclusive Gold Label “British Cocoa” hardshell case.
Electronics: A Thoughtful Shift
One of the most interesting choices in the Gold Label Collection is the use of the LR Baggs Element VTC pickup system instead of Taylor’s Expression System. While the Expression System remains one of the strongest proprietary acoustic pickups available, LR Baggs is widely regarded as an industry benchmark.
The Element VTC delivers a natural, transparent amplified sound, with discreet soundhole-mounted volume and tone controls. An onboard compressor subtly manages low-end response, making the guitar equally well-suited for stage and studio use.
How Does It Sound?
The torrefied Sitka spruce top plays a major role in the Gold Label 717e’s voice. Torrefaction often enhances responsiveness and clarity, particularly in the upper mids and high end—but this guitar also delivers a surprising amount of low-end authority.
Despite the generous bass response, the tone remains remarkably balanced. The mids stay focused and articulate, while the highs bloom with complexity and sustain. The result is a sound that feels both powerful and refined—rich without becoming muddy, bold without sacrificing clarity.
The neck offers the familiar, effortless playability Taylor is known for. The wider nut width favors fingerstyle players, while the full 25.5" scale length keeps string tension snappy for aggressive strumming. The Crelicam ebony fingerboard feels smooth and premium, reinforcing the overall sense of quality.
Whether played softly or driven hard, the Gold Label 717e responds dynamically and projects with ease. Plugged in, the LR Baggs system captures the guitar’s natural character with impressive realism.
Final Thoughts
The Taylor Gold Label 717e feels like a bridge between worlds. It offers the warmth and depth traditionally associated with classic dreadnoughts, paired with Taylor’s modern build precision and playability.
Players who love the Grand Pacific sound but want more low-end presence will find exactly what they’re looking for here. While the deeper body and rosewood construction add a bit of size and weight, those traits directly contribute to the guitar’s commanding tone.
It may not chase the ultra-polished aesthetic of models like the 814ce, but the Gold Label 717e hits a sweet spot—delivering vintage-inspired depth with contemporary clarity and consistency.
Inspired by the past, built for today—and one of the most compelling acoustics Taylor has produced in recent years.
If you’d like to experience the Gold Label difference in person, stop by Vera Guitars in Charlotte, North Carolina, and spend some time with this exceptional instrument. Once you hear what it can do, it’s hard not to be impressed.
Gold Label 717e - Sunburst
$2,999.00
Taylor Gold Label 717e Grand Pacific • Indian Rosewood & Torrefied Spruce The Taylor Gold Label 717e reimagines the round-shoulder dreadnought with vintage soul and modern craftsmanship. Built with a deeper 5" body, this limited-run Grand Pacific delivers enhanced low-end… read more
