Introduction to the Taylor 526ce
Taylor Guitars has built a reputation for quality craftsmanship and attention to detail since the company was founded in 1974. The 526ce model exemplifies Taylor’s commitment to premium tonewoods and playability, offering an all-mahogany acoustic-electric guitar with a rich, balanced tone.
The Grand Symphony body shape produces full low-end and sparkling highs, while the shaded edgeburst finish adds vintage appeal. With a retail price of around $1,999, the 526ce hits a sweet spot between Taylor’s 500 and 700 series guitars, appealing to intermediate and advanced players.
Key specs like the Venetian cutaway and Expression System 2 pickup make the 526ce a versatile choice for both stage and studio. Players looking for warmth and articulation from an all-mahogany acoustic will find their match with the Taylor 526ce.
Build Quality
Taylor Guitars are renowned for their attention to detail and high-end craftsmanship, and the 526ce certainly lives up to that reputation. This all-mahogany acoustic-electric is built to the same exacting standards that Taylor is known for. Only the best tonewoods and materials are used in construction, from the solid Sitka spruce top to the mahogany back and sides. Even small details like the Micarta saddle and Tusq nut are specially selected for optimal intonation and sustain. The build quality is evident the moment you pick up the 526ce – it simply feels like a premium instrument. From the smoothly finished neck to the immaculate gloss top, it’s clear that no corners were cut. Even the shaded edgeburst finish, which fades from dark brown to caramel, shows off the work of Taylor’s master craftspeople. Simply put, the 526ce meets the expectations you’d have for a Taylor guitar, with the look, feel, and attention to detail that the brand is famous for. This is an exceptionally crafted instrument that displays Taylor’s commitment to quality.
The 526ce’s All-Mahogany Construction
The 526ce features an all-mahogany construction, with a solid mahogany top, back, and sides. Mahogany is a highly resonant tonewood that produces a warm, balanced sound with a strong midrange focus. The smooth and mellow tone of mahogany makes it a versatile choice well-suited for various musical styles.
Compared to spruce or cedar tops, the mahogany top of the 526ce delivers a rounded tone with exceptional warmth. The mahogany back and sides further enhance these tonal characteristics, allowing the guitar to achieve excellent resonance and natural sustain. When strummed, the 526ce has a pleasing warmth that flatters the midrange frequencies. For fingerstyle playing, the mahogany construction provides a refined and nuanced response. Overall, the all-mahogany build highlights the 526ce’s rich, organic voice.
The Grand Symphony Body Shape
The Grand Symphony is one of Taylor’s biggest body shapes, with dimensions of approximately 20 inches long, 16.5 inches wide, and 4.75 inches deep. This large body size gives the 526ce impressive projection and volume, easily filling small to medium sized venues when played unplugged.
The Grand Symphony’s deep body produces rich, booming bass tones thanks to the increased airspace inside the guitar. The mahogany back and sides have more room to vibrate and resonate, emphasizing the low end while still retaining excellent clarity in the midrange. Strumming chords on the 526ce really comes alive, with the Grand Symphony body adding lush, full-bodied character to each chord.
Single note runs and fingerstyle playing also benefit from the size of the Grand Symphony. Notes have space to bloom and sustain, with the body shape highlighting the mahogany’s natural resonance. Whether you’re playing driving rhythms or intricate melodic passages, the 526ce’s Grand Symphony body provides the robust tonal support needed for versatile acoustic performance. Musicians who need a bigger, bolder acoustic sound will appreciate the volume and projection unlocked by the Grand Symphony body shape.
The 526ce’s Florentine Cutaway and Playability
The Taylor 526ce features a stylish Florentine cutaway design that provides excellent upper fret access for lead playing and soloing. The cutaway allows you to easily reach those high notes on the lower strings without straining your fretting hand.
Compared to other cutaway styles, the Florentine has a sharp and sweeping contour that opens up the upper register of the fretboard. This gives the 526ce a very playable feel across the entirety of the neck.
The guitar’s slim mahogany neck has a fast yet comfortable profile that makes it easy to play complex chords and quick lead lines. The nut width measures 1 11/16", providing ample room for fingerstyle playing while still feeling intimate for strumming.
Whether you’re a fingerpicker or a flatpicker, the 526ce promotes fluid playability. The low action and medium jumbo frets combined with the slick ebony fretboard facilitate smooth and even string bending. Overall, the 526ce is an exceptionally comfortable guitar for long practice or gigging sessions.
Taylor’s ES2 Electronics
One of the key features that makes the Taylor 526ce an appealing choice for gigging musicians is its high-quality ES2 onboard electronics. The ES2 system utilizes both an undersaddle piezo pickup and a discreet internal microphone to accurately capture the guitar’s true acoustic tone when plugged in.
The piezo pickup is positioned just under the micarta saddle to pick up the guitar’s vibrations and string movement. This allows it to recreate the guitar’s natural resonance and body response. The internal mic, meanwhile, captures the top end sparkle and percussive elements from the soundboard.
Together, these two sources create an exceptionally true-to-life amplified sound. There’s none of the quackiness or harshness you may get from cheaper piezo-only systems. Just warm, balanced mahogany tone that translates beautifully through an amp or PA.
Taylor also equipped the ES2 system with simple but effective onboard tone controls. The easy-access volume knob allows the player to dial in just the right output level, while the tone control provides +/- 3dB of adjustment to shape the EQ. It’s even possible to blend between the pickup and mic, adding or reducing top end presence to taste.
With the 526ce’s natural acoustic dynamics and the ES2’s authentic amplification, Taylor has created an acoustic-electric that excels both on stage and in the studio. The guitar’s amplified performance belies its classy looks – this is truly a gig-ready grand symphony.
Sound Profile
The 526ce’s all-mahogany construction gives it a balanced, articulate tone with a strong midrange focus. The mahogany top produces a warm, rounded sound with pleasing overtones in the mids and highs. It lacks some of the shimmer and sparkle of a spruce or cedar top, but makes up for it with rich harmonic content.
When strummed, the 526ce has a punchy attack and full low end, thanks to its large Grand Symphony body shape. Notes ring out with a satisfying bloom and resonance. The mahogany back and sides reinforce the prominent midrange, allowing melodies and vocals to cut through a mix. Treble tones have enough crispness for articulation and definition, without getting overly bright or harsh.
The 526ce also excels with fingerstyle playing, where the dynamic range can really be appreciated. Softer strokes elicit a sweet, mellow character, while digging in firmly produces a round, throaty bark. The notes swell beautifully, with the body projecting the mahogany’s natural sustain. Whether gently picked or aggressively strummed, the 526ce remains balanced and responsive across its tonal spectrum.
The all-mahogany construction provides a versatile platform for different playing styles, while retaining a pleasing organic quality. The 526ce flatters lead lines with its pronounced midrange, while also offering strong rhythmic strumming with low end punch and shimmering highs. Overall, it’s an extremely well balanced instrument.
Who the 526ce is Best For
The Taylor 526ce is an ideal choice for certain players and musical applications:
-
Fingerstyle players will appreciate the dynamic range and harmonic complexity from the all-mahogany construction. The balanced EQ with clear midrange allows intricate picking patterns to shine through beautifully. The large lower bout and waist of the Grand Symphony provides comfort for complex fingerstyle arrangements.
-
Recording musicians can take advantage of the ES2 pickup system to easily capture studio-quality acoustic tones, without sacrificing the guitar’s unplugged resonance. The onboard tone controls also make it easy to dial in sounds for layering tracks.
-
Intermediate to advanced players looking to upgrade will find everything they need in the 526ce. The quality tonewoods and attention to detail provide pro-level sound and playability. While not a beginner’s guitar, the slim neck profile and low action facilitate smooth playing for those beyond the novice phase.
The 526ce’s expansive mahogany voice, singing sustain, and natural amplified tones cater to fingerstylists, gigging musicians, and experienced players looking for their next level Taylor. While versatile for various techniques, the all-mahogany spec most benefits those who crave the midrange-focused voice.
Alternatives
When considering the Taylor 526ce, it can be helpful to compare it to other similar models in Taylor’s lineup as well as comparable options from other top acoustic guitar brands. Here are some alternatives guitarists may want to check out:
Other Taylor Grand Symphony Models
-
Taylor 516ce – This Grand Symphony model has a solid Sitka spruce top rather than mahogany. The spruce provides a brighter, more articulate tone that many players prefer. The back and sides are still mahogany.
-
Taylor 518e – Another spruce top Grand Symphony. The 518e features rosewood back and sides which add warmth and richness to the spruce top’s crispness.
-
Taylor 716ce – A step up to Taylor’s 700 series, this guitar has a Western Red Cedar top with rosewood back and sides. The cedar produces a sweet, nuanced tone.
Comparable Models from Other Brands
-
Martin D-18 – An all-mahogany dreadnought guitar with a similar warm, balanced tone. The D-18 has a slightly bigger, boomier voice than the Taylor.
-
Guild F-30R – Guild’s mahogany orchestra model with a rich low end and clear treble notes. The F-30R has a slightly smaller body than the Taylor 526ce.
-
Seagull Artist Mosaic – An all solid wood acoustic-electric with a cedar top and mahogany back and sides. The Seagull offers an excellent value alternative.
-
Breedlove Discovery Concert CE – Breedlove’s mahogany Concert body style produces comparable warm, rounded tones at a lower price point.
Testing out some of these other models can help players determine if they prefer an all-mahogany sound or the added crispness of a spruce or cedar top. The Taylor 526ce holds up well against others in its class and price range.
Conclusion
The Taylor 526ce is an excellent choice for players looking for a premium all-mahogany acoustic-electric guitar. Its Grand Symphony body produces a robust, balanced tone with a pleasing midrange focus thanks to the all-mahogany construction. The guitar’s playability is also a strong point, with a comfortable neck profile and the Florentine cutaway providing easy access to the upper frets.
For gigging musicians, the ES2 pickup system accurately captures the 526ce’s natural acoustic tone and allows easy plug-and-play live performance. While it may lack some features like an onboard tuner, the guitar’s clear and balanced amplified sound is sure to please.
Overall, the Taylor 526ce offers fantastic value for money. Players get the quality craftsmanship and attention to detail that Taylor is known for, along with versatile electronics and an expansive voice – all for a reasonable price. If you want the classic warmth of mahogany in a stage-ready package, the 526ce is easy to recommend.