Battle of the USA-Made Acoustics! - Taylor American Dream Series Vs Taylor Builder’s Edition

The links below may be outdated, use the links above to start browsing the website.

Named after the shop where Taylor Guitars started back in 1974, the American Dream series is a perfect entry-point for anyone wanting a USA-Made All-Solid acoustic guitar. Featuring Taylor's innovative V-Class bracing, rich wood tone and ES2 Electronics, the American Dream series is an excellent introduction to the craftsmanship of Taylor guitars without busting the bank.

🎥 Looking to watch something else? Check out our previous episode!

↪️ Episode Guide ↩️
» 0:00 Intro Playing
» 1:10 Taylor American Dream Series
» 2:14 How Does It Compare to the Builder's Edition Acoustic?
» 6:02 How Does It Sound Mic'd Up?
» 6:57 Taylor Builder's Edition 517E Mic'd Up
» 7:44 Taylor American Dream AD17E Plugged In
» 9:02 Taylor Builder's Edition 517E Plugged In

📱 Why not give us a follow on our social channels?

You've watched the videos & seen the store, now join the Andertons Family with our exclusive, official merchandise! With free UK delivery on all orders containing only a T-Shirt, Hoodie or Jumper & super low international shipping costs, there is no better time to be an Andertons fan than now!

Interested in other Andertons YouTube channels? Click on one of these links to find out more…

#Andertons #TaylorGuitars #AcousticGuitar

[the-creech]

Welcome back Ben! You look great! We've missed your playing.

[davidhotson]

Lived Ben since he joined but he definitely seems to have been growing in confidence. His playing is so expressive which shows in the body language and facial expressions . He literally pours himself into his playing. Great work

[dxcman]

I played one of the American Dream guitars and they are lovely. It really is a nice guitar. The one thing I didn't like on it and on the Taylor I own was the plastic truss rod cover. I mean you have this wonderful guitar, but it has a plastic bit right on top. I searched high and low for a replacement and ended up calling Taylor. They will sell you a wood one for 9 dollars and ship in a day or 2. The rep I talked to said they aren't on the website, but just call and they can sell you one in multiple woods. FYI :-)

[fuzzydude]

Ben, nice to have you back dude! Monday's are so much more enjoyable with your great reviews and amazing jams.

[WahrheitMachtFrei.]

Could I suggest a better way to do the A-B comparison, when you're playing the same tune, just have one rendition and switch between the two guitars at random. The back to back play throughs are fine but why not take advantage of the technology (a simple bit of editing)?

[chrisggoodwin]

Warwick uses ovangkol as a neck wood quite frequently. I've had three German-built basses, including one custom shop, which all have ovangkol necks. It seems sturdy and has a great feel to it. It should make for a resonant body wood

[truthstillmatters]

I was ready to upgrade to a new guitar and had it down to 2 finalists: A Martin D28 and a Taylor 717e Builder's Edition. I opted for the Taylor. I have only had it for a few days and am convinced I made the right choice. The tone from it is absolutely beautiful. It is the best sounding guitar I have ever owned and hope to play it for many, many years.

[richsadowsky]

HI Ben, I bought a Taylor AD12e Blacktop last week. It has solid spruce top, solid West African ebony back, sides, fingerboard/bridge/peghead in the Grand Concert smaller body shape. It feels unique. It's the most expensive guitar in the American Dream series. I went to several Guitar Centers in Boston area looking for Epiphone Inspired By Gibson or the less expensive American Dream models. Only Epi IBG found the J-45 and was underwhelmed. It sounded plastic even though I can't explain exactly what that means. Then I asked about American Dream because none were out in the showroom. There were $2500 and $2700 USD Taylors on the wall. I didn't love them and was trying to keep my budget under $2000. They handed me this gorgeous AD12e. After playing it for 15 minutes I knew I was holding my next guitar. And it fit my budget, but only by 1 penny. The price was 1999.99 (or something like that). It is so beautiful in its light finish and the unique flaws in the Ebony around the headstock. It's like a fingerprint with nice patterns with three shades of color in the headstock. There's something special and unique about the AD12e. I've heard some reviews saying it lacked bottom end and was bright. I have found if I point the mics from the soundhole down to 12th fret and blend, I need to eq out some of the bottom end. It has a darkness to the sound that fits the West African ebony and the blacktop finish. This new AD12e is much more comfortable and intimate. I had a 714ce about a decade ago that was just about the most perfect guitar I've played. This is different but also amazing. This is first V bracing guitar and 4th Taylor. The tuning machines are very nice allowing for fine pitch tuning due to the gear ratio. Right out of the box it sounded amazing. And that "soft" case is fantastic with plush velvet and snug fit exactly fitted to the Grand Concert body shape. And Taylor ES2 expression system but I generally prefer mics in a studio setting but might use ES2 at a live event. I suppose the reason this is the most expensive guitar in the AD series is the difference in cost between the West African Ebony vs Ovangkol or Mahogany. I am so pleased I met the AD12e before I bought something else.

[rartnga]

Great playing and Ben is one of the reasons I got me a Gibson G 45 from Andertons last year! Liking Taylor now, too!

[honeyyeti]

Awesome to have Ben back....Move over Captain, Pete and Rabea...😉

[dannylamb]

Why hasn't this guy been making more videos ?? He's great

[martintaylor]

"This week's nails are green sparkle." How many of you play with nails and how many are like me in just using fingertips for fingerstyle?

[Bossanovawitcha]

AD17 compares more with the 717, ovankol spruce v rosewood spruce while the ad27 w the 517, all play like erm a dream

[johnjgibson]

Beautiful Guitars and Awesome Jam Session 👍👍🎶🎶🎸

[Mboogie]

The 517 sounds much warmer. I play an 810ce and had a buddy with a 510 years ago and you can just hear the difference from the 500 & up series over their less expensive models. The new one sounds great on its own though.

[IndigoJo]

V-bracing is indeed specific to Taylor; it's patented by them so no other builder could use it without paying them royalties (not sure if it applies outside the US).

[XLTBlarg]

I work so close to their Santee shop every day😊

[mishad]

The AD 17 is impressive. That is a lot of guitar for the money.

[carolinapalaciosokamura]

I loved the AD17E!
PS: Im waiting for the KLON VIDEO!

[american-professor]

The direct out from more expensive guitar sounded better to my ears. Also, I felt like the more expensive one had a more balanced tone, not overly harsh highs, over the mic