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Average Price: $2,064

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$1001+

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Description

The Taylor 510E Dreadnought Acoustic-Electric Guitar offers a harmonious blend of tradition and innovation, making it a quintessential choice for musicians seeking both acoustic warmth and amplified clarity. Crafted with a solid Engelmann spruce top and American tropical mahogany back and sides, this guitar radiates a rich, full-bodied sound with a crisp mid-high sparkle. The classic dreadnought shape is subtly refined for enhanced playability, providing a robust low-end tone paired with articulate mids and trebles.

What truly sets the 510E apart is the Taylor Expression System 2. This revolutionary pickup design features three individually calibrated sensors positioned behind the saddle, allowing the full resonance of each string to shine through whether you're on stage or in the studio. This system, developed with input from legendary audio pioneer Rupert Neve, ensures that the guitar's authentic voice is captured with exceptional clarity and dynamic range.

The neck, made of tropical American mahogany, supports an ebony fingerboard, ensuring smooth, comfortable play, while Deco Diamond inlays and gold-plated Taylor tuners add a touch of elegance. The environmentally-friendly UV-cured gloss finish not only enhances the guitar's aesthetic appeal but also provides durability and resistance against cold-checking. Whether you're a passionate strummer or a precise picker, the Taylor 510E is designed to meet the demands of discerning musicians.

Key Features:

  • Dreadnought body shape with onboard electronics
  • Solid Engelmann spruce top; tropical American mahogany back and sides
  • Tropical American mahogany neck; ebony fingerboard and bridge
  • Deco Diamond fingerboard inlays and gold-plated Taylor tuners
  • Taylor Expression System 2 electronics
  • Includes Taylor hardshell case for protection and portability

Product specs

Brand Taylor
Model 510e with ES2 Electronics
Finish Natural, Shaded Edgeburst, Sunburst
Year 2014 - 2018
Made In United States
Categories Acoustic-Electric Guitars, Dreadnought Acoustic Guitars
Active Preamp Yes
Back Material Mahogany
Body Shape Dreadnought
Color Family Brown, Natural, Tan
Finish Pattern Sunburst
Finish Style Gloss
Fretboard Material Ebony
Model Family Taylor 510
Model Sub-Family Taylor 510e
Neck Material Mahogany
Number of Frets 20
Number of Strings 6-String
Pickup Internal Piezo Pickup
Right / Left Handed Right Handed
Scale Length 25.5"
Series Taylor 500 Series
Sides Material Mahogany
String Type Steel
Top Material Spruce
Wood Top Style Plain

FAQs

What type of wood is used for the Taylor 510E Dreadnought's body and how does it affect the sound?

The Taylor 510E Dreadnought features a solid Lutz Spruce top and solid Tropical Mahogany back and sides. This combination offers a balanced tone with a strong midrange presence and clear, articulate highs, making it versatile for various playing styles.

Does the Taylor 510E Dreadnought have a cutaway for easier access to higher frets?

No, the Taylor 510E Dreadnought does not feature a cutaway. It maintains a traditional dreadnought shape, which provides a rich and full-bodied sound but may limit access to higher frets.

What electronics are included in the Taylor 510E Dreadnought for amplified performance?

The Taylor 510E Dreadnought is equipped with the Expression System 2 (ES2) electronics, which include a behind-the-saddle transducer and adjustable sensors for natural amplified sound. It also features onboard controls for volume, bass, and treble adjustments.

Is the Taylor 510E Dreadnought suitable for fingerstyle playing?

Yes, the Taylor 510E Dreadnought's balanced tone and 1-3/4" nut width make it well-suited for fingerstyle playing, offering ample string spacing and clarity for intricate fingerpicking techniques.

What is the neck profile of the Taylor 510E Dreadnought and how does it affect playability?

The Taylor 510E Dreadnought features a V-Carve neck profile, providing a comfortable grip that supports both chordal and lead playing. This profile offers a vintage feel with modern playability, appealing to a wide range of guitarists.

Alamo Music Center

Alamo Music Center

Martin D-18 vs Taylor 510e Comparison

Video thumbnail for Martin D-18 vs Taylor 510e Comparison by Alamo Music Center

Martin D-18 vs Taylor 510e Comparison

Alamo Music Center

Alamo Music Center

Video thumbnail for Acoustic Paradiso - Taylor Guitars 510e & 810e by Andertons Music Co

Acoustic Paradiso - Taylor Guitars 510e & 810e

Andertons Music Co

Andertons Music Co

Video thumbnail for 2016 Taylor 510e Demo from Peghead Nation by Peghead Nation

2016 Taylor 510e Demo from Peghead Nation

Peghead Nation

Peghead Nation

Video thumbnail for New N Cool - Taylor 510e Acoustic by KAOS MUSIC CENTRE

New N Cool - Taylor 510e Acoustic

KAOS MUSIC CENTRE

KAOS MUSIC CENTRE

Video thumbnail for 4Sound Gear Guide - Taylor 510e by 4SOUND OFFICIAL

4Sound Gear Guide - Taylor 510e

4SOUND OFFICIAL

4SOUND OFFICIAL

Video thumbnail for Taylor 510e by Haggerty's MusicWorks

Taylor 510e

Haggerty's MusicWorks

Haggerty's MusicWorks

Video thumbnail for Taylor 510e - Lutz Spruce/Mahogany (2016) by Organic Sounds Select Guitars

Taylor 510e - Lutz Spruce/Mahogany (2016)

Organic Sounds Select Guitars

Organic Sounds Select Guitars

Reviews

PROS

  • Exceptional build quality with top-notch materials and craftsmanship

  • Surprising complexity and balanced sound for a dreadnought

  • Unique combination of short scale, slotted headstock, and hybrid spruce top

  • Resonates well despite being heavier than expected

  • Fast-playing fretboard and neck design enhances playability

  • Sounds better than comparable guitars like the Martin D18 for some users

  • Produces rich overtones and complex harmonic layers when strummed

  • Praised for its versatility as a travel guitar

  • Offers a unique sound experience akin to having 18 strings

CONS

  • Low-end may not be as pronounced as some players prefer

  • Slightly heavier than typical dreadnoughts

  • String changes can be cumbersome due to tuner design

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Taylor 510E Dreadnought.

Comparisons

  • The 510E traditionally features mahogany wood, while the 414ce often uses rosewood or its substitutes, impacting tonal characteristics.

    Source
  • The Taylor American Dream series is noted for having a sound that closely resembles older Taylor models like the 510, with a nod to vintage tones.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The 510E uses performance bracing, which influences its sound differently compared to the X-bracing found in older 414ce models.

    Source
  • The dreadnought body style of the 510E is atypical for Taylor, known for concert bodies, offering a different tonal palette for enthusiasts.

    Source

User experience

  • The 510E is noted for its rarity compared to the more common 414ce models, making it a desirable choice for collectors.

    Source
  • Owners of older Taylor 510 models highlight the unique tonal character attributed to age, suggesting a distinct sound compared to modern Taylors.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The GA body of the 414ce is considered more versatile for various playing styles, but the 510E is favored for its dreadnought sound profile.

    Source

Build quality

  • An observed dark spot on the headstock of a 1988 Taylor 510 is suspected to be a cigarette burn, adding unique character to the guitar.

    Source

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Artist usage

Add artist
See how Bridgit Mendler uses Taylor 510E Dreadnought

Bridgit Mendler

Singer, Guitarist

...
Verified via YouTube

In the attached video, Bridgit Mendler is doing a live performance of her song "Atlantis" with a Taylor guitar with a slotted head. Based on the upload date of the video and the guitar's specifications, I came to the conclusion that the guitar is almost certainly Taylor's 510E Dreadnought guitar.

K

Kim Miller

Composer

Instant Funk

...
Verified via Npr

According to NPR, Miller's rig goes as follows:

Instruments: a hand made 2004 Collings Om1 acoustic guitar, a 1997 Taylor 510 acoustic guitar, a 1986 yamaha FS-350S acoustic guitar and a hand-crafted dulcimer. Sound Equipment: a Bose sound system w/Mackie board for submix, an L.R. Baggs para acoustic DI, a SansAmp para driver DI, a Sure Beta 87A mic and ALWAYS D'Addario strings (no promotional deal ,just love their strings).

Album Usage

The Taylor 510E Dreadnought has been featured on the following albums:

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Taylor 510E Dreadnought, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

Collings OM1A Acoustic
Collings OM1A Acoustic Steel-string Acoustic Guitars
1
Shure Beta 87A
Shure Beta 87A Condenser Microphones
1

Community setups

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john_h_reid

john_h_reid

Gear IQ 221

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