Sweet Dreams

TAYLOR AD17 BLACKTOP

- Chris Gill

BAD TIMES CAN lead to great instruments. During the Great Depression, com panies like Gibson and Martin built acoustic guitars with dedicated commitment to the highest possible quality that extended to even the lowest price entry level models, and today that period is considered the Golden Era for flattop acoustics. Taylor’s statement that its new American Dream series is designed to “meet the needs of everyday musicians even in historically difficult times” certainly brings to mind that era’s mentality, with a similar focus on keeping prices as affordable as possible while still delivering outstanding tone and comfortable playability. With its voluptuous rounded body shape, large soundhole and blacktop finish, the Taylor AD17 Blacktop evokes a certain Golden Era aesthetic that’s reminiscent of Gibson’s flattop L models from the early Thirties (albeit in a larger format), but it’s a genuinely modern acoustic with simple yet highly attractive style.