An All-Koa Ukulele and Guitar Combo Usher in the Return of Taylor's Builder's Reserve Program

ANAHEIM, Calif. - January 19, 2012 - Riding a wave of creativity and fresh innovations, Taylor Guitars is  readying the release of a very special pairing through the company's  Builder's Reserve program: an all-koa tenor ukulele and full-sized  matching Grand Symphony guitar. The acoustic coupling offer players an  exclusive tandem of instrumental voices that celebrate the musical  heritage of the Hawaiian Islands.

Designed by senior  luthier Andy Powers, who has designed ukuleles for the likes of Elvis  Costello, Taylor Swift and many more, Powers has taken a classic,  hand-crafted approach to sharing his love of the ukulele with others.  The biggest fan of the uke may be Bob Taylor, who calls it a "guitar  player's uke. Anyone who plays guitar can just have fun instantly with  this."

With a limited  production of 30, each ukulele was hand-built by Powers and features a  body length of just over 12 inches and a scale length of 17.25 inches.  With its small size, equally diminutive appointments were needed to  complement the ukulele. The Taylor team took a page of inspiration from  the redesigned Koa series and has included a plumeria flower/island vine  fretboard and peghead inlay crafted from blackwood and maple, and  accented with a flamey maple rosette. The ukulele comes tuned GCEA for  tenor voicing but can accommodate baritone strings and voicing.

The matching  guitar in this Builder's Reserve special set is an all-koa cutaway Grand  Symphony, which features identical appointments to its smaller  counterpart but with one special tone enhancement: solid lining and side  braces instead of traditional kerfing on the interior of the guitar.  While decidedly more difficult to exact, the result is a guitar that is  more responsive and dynamic. The guitar comes equipped with Taylor's  Expression System® acoustic electronics.

The company's  Builder's Reserve program was started in 2008 to utilize unique,  ultra-limited wood sets, which the company has been accumulating in its  private reserves over its nearly 40-year history. Each of the all-koa  ukulele and guitar sets will come with a full-gloss finish and in their  respective cases. The pair will be available at select Taylor dealers as  a matched set beginning in late January.

To experience  the koa ukulele and Grand Symphony set during the NAMM show, please  visit us at the Taylor Showcase in room 213ABC of the Anaheim Convention  Center.     

For news from NAMM, please visit: www.taylorguitars.com/events/namm-2012

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