GTE URBAN ASH

Despite the many challenges facing the world of music and beyond, this year has seen a flurry of new designs from Taylor Guitars. Some of these, including the soundport-equipped Builder’s Edition 816ce, blur the boundaries between production-line models and luthier-built custom instruments. Others, such as the recent American Dream guitars, have instead adopted a more utilitarian aesthetic that chimes with the adversity of the times. But Taylor’s final reveal of the year is something quite different.

In previous years, Taylor has unveiled new models at media launch events in San Diego and Nashville. Because that isn’t an option right now, the brand opted for a live video stream instead. Squinting at a laptop screen on a rainy autumn day in South Wales isn’t quite as glamorous as the aforementioned stateside jaunts but there was a fun and interactive twist to keep