Style: Jumbo
Top: Engelmann Spruce
Back: Brazilian Rosewood
Binding: Grained Ivoroid
Fretboard: Ebony with 'Byzantine' Inlay
Electronics: Active Pickup
Condition: Near-Mint (see description)

Taylor PS-15 Presentation Series Jumbo, Engelmann Spruce/Brazilian Rosewood

It's quite obvious when you look at this particular Taylor jumbo that no expense was spared in its construction. And playing it only serves to confirm that observation. This is a Presentation Series Taylor Jumbo - built in 2001, and in near-mint condition. The fantastic set of Brazilian Rosewood has stunning figuring - a pattern of light tan and chocolate-brown hues. The top is Englemann spruce, with a beautiful grain pattern - broader toward the bookmatch seam, and incredibly tight toward the outside of the set, with fine medullary rays all over. Superb!

There's Abalone all over on this guitar. A Green heart abalone rosette is almost crystalline in appearance, and the theme is extended with Abalone purfling on the top, back and sides, as well as around the fingerboard. Oh, and then there's a gorgeous "Byzantine" fingerboard inlay, also in Abalone - complex, but not overdone - elegant and classy. The Byzantine theme is quoted again in headstock & bridge inlays. The body is bound with Grained Ivoroid, as are the fretboard and headstock, and soundhole. The tuners are Gold Schallers with Ebony buttons, and the nut and saddle are bone. There is an active pickup installed, with a 9V battery holder mounted discretely inside the body. There are no onboard pickup controls, however.

This is a guitar with a sound that it at once huge and also delicate - an authoritative bass, sweet midrange and a clear, bell-like treble. In fact, the whole guitar chimes beautifully across the sound spectrum - it has the best aspects of the Jumbo body size in terms of power and depth of sound, coupled with a very articulate responsiveness to a lighter playing touch.

Condition is near-mint - there is hardly a mark on the guitar, and I have seen expensive Taylors in stores that showed more signs of play than this one. Includes the deluxe luggage-style Taylor hardcase, as pictured. If bought new, retail price for this instrument would currently be $10,998.