MINT 2007 Taylor Custom Koa GA 12 String Guitar K54ce Breathtakingly Beautiful! Free Shipping w/ Buy It Now! Start Price USD 5,600.00 Current Price USD 5,600.00 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price USD 6,200.00 Reserve Price - Start Time Wednesday, October 08, 2008 End Time Wednesday, October 15, 2008 Location Rocky Mountains See more about 'MINT 2007 Taylor Custom Koa GA 12 String Guitar K54ce' Description Untitled Document Title:   2007 Taylor Custom GA Koa 12-String Guitar Description:   Reluctantly up for auction is the most beautiful Koa guitar I've ever owned, played, or seen. I commissioned the build of this Taylor Custom Grand Auditorium guitar in early 2007, taking delivery in early summer of last year. If you are looking at this auction you most likely know all you need to know about Taylor guitars, and understand that their custom guitars take the production quality up another notch. Among the most difficult acoustic guitar woods to procure is the unmistakable and irresistible Hawaiian Koa, prized for its stunning golden hues, bold grain figure, and sweet tone. The Koa back and sides on this custom Grand Auditorium are absolutely gorgeous (pictures below do not do it justice), highly flamed/figured with a 3-dimensional array of multiple colorations - among the best (tonally and visually) you can find anywhere. The sound is woody and punchy with a clear and open voice. Koa of this quality (or any quality for that matter) is becoming extremely rare and costly. The European Spruce top is extremely clear and bell-like, exceptional for light fingerstyle and medium strumming. Under heavy strumming it yields choir-like overtones, quite befitting a 12-stringer. Like most spruce species, the color of this top is fairly light with a grain pattern not unlike that of Sitka. Both the Koa back and sides and the Spruce top were selected from the best master grade woods Taylor had available. Premium-grade tonewoods make this guitar look amazing but, more importantly, this guitar sounds amazing as well. It is simultaneously rich and chimey when played acoustically and sounds just as good - if not better - amplified with the Expression System™ electronics. The sustain is great; the tone is sweet and warm, bright yet calming. This custom GA has the standard excellent Taylor action and, unlike most 12-strings, it plays as easily as most 6-strings. The Venetian cutaway gives plenty of access to the fingerboard and the 20th fret is easily attainable. It is, by far, the best Taylor guitar I have ever played - and I've owned and/or played dozens including several in the presentation series. Striped Ebony binding (including along the sides of the fretboard) and select abalone purfling on the top and adorning the soundhole complete the look of this beautiful instrument and give you a glimpse visually as to the attention to detail and overall quality of build. Adding to the visual appeal are the Koa series abalone inlays across the fretboard, the mother of pearl inlays on the ebony headstock, and the ebony bridge pins with abalone dots. Gold plated Taylor tuners (currently holding light gauge Elixir Nanoweb strings) round out this fabulous guitar! Also included is the original Taylor deluxe hard shell case with dark red crushed velvet interior, three extra sets of Elixir Nanoweb light gauge strings, several Taylor picks, a black suede guitar strap, the balanced amplifier cable, and all original paperwork. I commissioned the build of and purchased this guitar with the intention of keeping it for a lifetime, however, as life events and circumstances dictate I now find myself in the sad position of needing to sell. Due to some unexpected expenses, a move that cost more than I anticipated, and my wife and I expecting a new baby in late November I simply cannot afford to keep this unbelievable instrument. I trust the winning bidder will give it a good home. It has been kept in immaculate condition in my humidity-controlled, pet-free, smoke-free home. I have never gigged it or played it outside the home. I am very careful with use of the word "mint", but in this case it perfectly applies. There is not a scratch of mark on this beautiful instrument - it is just as it was when I took delivery from Taylor! I have inspected it thoroughly again, just to be sure, and there is no fretwear, scratches, pick rash, buckle rash, dents, etc. to be found anywhere on the guitar or the case. Please watch for some additional guitars as well in my upcoming auctions as I will be thinning out the collection significantly over the next two months or so. Here's the specs on the guitar. Features & Specifications Type/Shape: 12-String Grand Auditorium Back & Sides: eye-popping 3D Master Grade Koa Top: Master Grade European Spruce Soundhole Rosette: Select Abalone Neck: Tropical American Mahogany Fretboard: Ebony w/ Striped Ebony binding Fretboard Inlay: Select Abalone Koa series Headstock Overlay: Ebony; "Taylor" logo and Koa series inlay in Select Abalone Binding: Striped Ebony with Select Abalone purfling Bridge: Ebony Nut & Saddle: Bone nut and bone compensated saddle Tuning Machines: Gold plated Taylor tuners Scale Length: 25 1/2" Neck Width at Nut: 1 3/4" Number of Frets: 20 Pick-up/Electronics: Taylor Expression System™ Cutaway: Venetian Case: original Taylor Deluxe Hardshell case included Other: None Condition: Mint - Like New! With Christmas fast approaching this would undoubtedly make an awesome gift (either for yourself or someone else), so don't let this one get away! I've included lots of pics below to give you a comprehensive picture of the guitar and it is worth your time to let them all load. This guitar is used and is being sold "as is" in the condition as clearly stated here in this listing. The original warranty is not transferrable, however, this instrument has been immaculately cared for and should provide the new owner with a lifetime of enjoyment. Picture(s):   Auction Details:   Here is your chance to pick up a like new, custom Taylor guitar for thousands less than a new one. The retail price of this guitar on my invoice was $10,438 and I paid $7,699 for this beauty. The upcharge alone for the master grade Koa was $4,900! But, bidding begins here at only $5,600 or you can own this guitar without waiting by using Buy It Now for $6,200 and get free insured shipping to anywhere in the continental United States. Because a good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, I stand behind the items I sell, ensuring that they are in listed condition upon arrival. Please check my feedback for confirmation of this! If there are any questions, please email me and I will reply quickly with as much relevant information as I can gather. All items I sell have come from my smoke-free, pet-free home. PayPal is my preferred method of payment, however, I do also accept personal check, cashier's check, or money order. Due to the size of this item, the care required to package for safe transport, and the high insured value, shipping and handling (insured UPS Ground delivery) will be $65 to anywhere in the continental United States (free shipping for Buy It Now!). Additional shipping charges will apply to Alaska, Hawaii, or Canada. Items ship immediately upon payment verification/check clear. Failure to fully complete this transaction within 7 days will result in a non-paying bidder warning and can ultimately result in the suspension of one's eBay ID. Look at our 100% feedback and bid with confidence. Have a wonderful day and thanks for browsing this listing! And check out my additional collectable guitars in upcoming auctions! Place a Bid!