Pricing and availability

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Average Price: $1,799

High-end/Boutique

$200

$1001+

Price Tier

Budget

Standard

High-end

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Description

The Taylor 520e is a masterful blend of craftsmanship and innovation, designed to captivate both the seasoned professional and the aspiring musician. With its iconic dreadnought body, this acoustic-electric guitar offers a robust and resonant sound that appeals to bluegrass lovers, folk enthusiasts, and modern rock players alike. The secret to its lush tone lies in its all-mahogany construction, which provides a warm, full-bodied sound that is both rich and harmonically complex. The marriage of solid tropical mahogany for the top, back, sides, and neck ensures that every note you play is filled with depth and character.

What sets the 520e apart is its integration of Taylor's renowned Expression System electronics. Engineered in collaboration with the legendary Rupert Neve, these electronics capture the essence of the guitar's natural sound with unparalleled precision. Whether you're playing unplugged or plugged in, the Taylor 520e delivers an authentic acoustic experience that resonates with clarity and balance.

Complementing its tonal excellence is an ebony fretboard and bridge, offering exceptional note definition and smooth playability. The Taylor 520e is not just an instrument; it's a statement piece that enhances any guitarist's collection and performance.

Key Features:

  • Dreadnought acoustic-electric guitar
  • All-mahogany top, back, sides, and neck for rich, deep tone
  • Ebony fretboard enhances clarity and note definition
  • Expression System electronics for clear, dynamic amplification
  • Includes hard case for protection and portability

Product specs

Brand Taylor
Model 520e
Finish Natural, Shaded Edgeburst, Sunburst
Year 2014 - 2017
Made In United States
Categories Acoustic-Electric Guitars, Dreadnought Acoustic Guitars
Active Preamp Yes
Back Material Mahogany
Body Shape Dreadnought
Color Family Brown, Natural
Finish Pattern Sunburst
Finish Style Gloss
Fretboard Material Ebony
Model Family Taylor 520
Model Sub-Family Taylor 520e
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 Mahogany
Wood Top Style Plain

FAQs

What type of wood is used for the Taylor 520e, and how does it affect the sound?

The Taylor 520e features a mahogany top, back, and sides, which provide a warm, rich tone with strong midrange emphasis, ideal for strumming and fingerstyle playing.

Does the Taylor 520e come with built-in electronics for amplification?

Yes, the Taylor 520e is equipped with an active preamp and an internal piezo pickup, allowing for easy amplification and clear sound reproduction when plugged into an amp or PA system.

What is the neck profile of the Taylor 520e, and how does it affect playability?

The Taylor 520e has a comfortable neck profile that is easy to play, making it suitable for both beginners and experienced guitarists who prefer smooth playability across the fretboard.

Is the Taylor 520e suitable for live performances?

Yes, the Taylor 520e is well-suited for live performances due to its built-in electronics, which offer excellent amplified sound, and its dreadnought body shape that provides robust projection.

How many frets does the Taylor 520e have, and what is its scale length?

The Taylor 520e features 20 frets with a scale length of 25.5 inches, offering a standard range and comfortable spacing for various playing styles.

Taylor Guitars

Taylor Guitars

Taylor Guitars "520e" - Guitar Demo

Video thumbnail for Taylor Guitars "520e" - Guitar Demo by Taylor Guitars

Taylor Guitars "520e" - Guitar Demo

Taylor Guitars

Taylor Guitars

Video thumbnail for Taylor - 520e All Mahogany Dreadnought Demo at GAK by GAK

Taylor - 520e All Mahogany Dreadnought Demo at GAK

GAK

GAK

Video thumbnail for Taylor 520e Mahogany Dreadnought Acoustic-electric Guitar Review by Sweetwater by Sweetwater

Taylor 520e Mahogany Dreadnought Acoustic-electric Guitar Review by Sweetwater

Sweetwater

Sweetwater

Video thumbnail for 2016 Taylor 520E Mahogany with Expression II by Scott Robbins (G-Brat's Guitars)

2016 Taylor 520E Mahogany with Expression II

Scott Robbins (G-Brat's Guitars)

Scott Robbins (G-Brat's Guitars)

Video thumbnail for Taylor 520e Mahogany by napervillemusic

Taylor 520e Mahogany

napervillemusic

napervillemusic

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Taylor 520e.

Comparisons

  • Owners highlight that the Taylor 520e offers bass response comparable to guitars twice its price, alongside balanced brightness.

    Source
  • The Taylor 520e offers a mellow, woody tone distinct from the darker J-45 or the overtone-rich Martin D-28.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • The Taylor's bolt-on neck design allows for easier, less expensive neck adjustments compared to traditional glued necks.

    Source

Build quality

  • Taylors are often strung with higher-quality Elixir strings from the factory, contrasting with lower-quality strings commonly found on Martins.

    Source

User experience

  • Players accustomed to intricate fingerstyle music often prefer Taylor for its top-end sparkle and crispness.

    Source
  • Owners describe the Taylor 520e as feeling great and looking stunning, indicating high satisfaction with both playability and aesthetics.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The Taylor 520e is favored for fingerstyle and experimental playing due to its responsiveness and clarity on higher frets.

    Source
  • A user noted their Baby Taylor as a reliable sketch pad for song ideas, suggesting the 520e may serve a similar creative role.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • A Taylor 520e was found with a significant £900 discount, bringing it into the same price range as high-end models like the D-28 and J-45.

    Source

Based on 0 Reviews and 0 Ratings

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Artist usage

Add artist
See how Emma Ruth Rundle uses Taylor 520e

Emma Ruth Rundle

Singer, Guitarist

Red Sparowes

...
Verified via YouTube

Emma can be seen using the Taylor guitar throughout the whole video of "Your Card the Sun / Run Forever".

See how Clark Beckham uses Taylor 520e

Clark Beckham

Singer, Keyboardist

...
Verified via Getty Images

In the attached image, Clark is playing a Taylor guitar performing live on American Idol. Based on the guitar body's shape and the design of the fret inlays, I've deduced it's the 520e model by Taylor.

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 520e, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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