Taylor 417e Review

Taylor’s 417e doesn’t look particularly modern at a glance. It looks fancy, certainly. But at most angles, the slope-shoulder Grand Pacific profile and tobacco sunburst finish make the Taylor look like a loving, upmarket homage to the Gibson J-45. Prominent as the J-45 influence is, it’s mostly skin deep. Taylor’s V-bracing instead ensures that the 417e tones shine with the modernity that sets many Taylors apart. And the combination of mid-century aesthetic, silky playability, and bright, lively personality make the 417e an inviting instrument that can be hard to put down.