Taylor announces nine-string acoustic

WTF? OMG? Shurely shome mishtake? Etc...

It´d seem not, as Taylor are bent on making their 35th Anniversary a celebration to remember. Nine strings aren´t as kerr-azy as they may sound as, instead of a nonet of individual wires, the XXXV-9 doubles up the treble D, G and B strings in a similar manner to a traditional 12-string.

Here´s the full release :

As part of the company's 35th anniversary celebration, Taylor Guitars is readying the next set of what the company is calling 'You Asked For It' models: guitars players have requested through the years that are first-of-a-kind for the company. The first to be announced is the XXXV-9: a nine-string guitar that blends the best of a six-string and a 12-string into a richly toned hybrid model.



The XXXV-9 takes the clarity and familiar feel of a six-string guitar and embellishes the sound with three additional strings, two of which are paired an octave higher, to add extra sparkle to the midrange tone. The nine-string will appeal to players looking for extra shimmer without compromising the fundamental focus of the bass strings. The XXXV-9 features a GS body shape with Tropical mahogany back and sides, a Sitka spruce top, and Taylor's Standard II soundboard bracing.



Other appointments include a three-ring abalone rosette, a ‘35´ anniversary logo between the 11th and 12th frets, and the company's Expression System pickup, for high-fidelity plugged-in playing. Chrome mini tuners and buttons grace the rosewood peghead veneer, along with a mother-of-pearl peghead 'Taylor' inlay

The XXXV-9 comes ready to play with Elixir strings and in a hardshell Taylor case, and includes a certificate of authenticity signed by Taylor Guitars co-founders Bob Taylor and Kurt Listug. The XXXV-9 will be produced in an initial run of only 35 guitars and offered at a suggested retail price of $4998 (UK RRP TBC...OK?).

All 35th Anniversary models, including those yet-to-be announced, are expected to be available in North America in early fall and internationally late winter.


For more...much more...cclick here

Simon Bradley is a guitar and especially rock guitar expert who worked for Guitarist magazine and has in the past contributed to world-leading music and guitar titles like MusicRadar (obviously), Guitarist, Guitar World and Louder. What he doesn't know about Brian May's playing and, especially, the Red Special, isn't worth knowing.