{"product_id":"taylor-benchmark-custom-gold-label-grand-concert-western-red-cedar-and-hawaiian-koa-06098","title":"Taylor Benchmark Custom Gold Label Grand Concert Western Red Cedar and Hawaiian Koa #06098","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTaylor Benchmark Custom Gold Label Grand Concert Western Red Cedar and Hawaiian Koa\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eSerial Number 1207306098 | Deep Body Grand Concert | Western Red Cedar top | Hawaiian Koa back and sides\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThis is an easy guitar to connect with. Western red cedar responds almost immediately under a light touch, and the Hawaiian koa back and sides add focus and a gentle sweetness through the midrange. The result is warm and colorful, but never overly soft or dark. A deeper Grand Concert body gives the notes a little more room to bloom, while the 24-7\/8-inch scale keeps the feel relaxed and inviting for fingerstyle playing and expressive chord work.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eFanned V-Class bracing and the thin high-response varnish preserve the quick, intimate response that makes this wood pairing so appealing. The four-piece koa back with Simons wedge gives the guitar a visual identity all its own, complemented by Continental inlays and Gotoh 510 tuners. Hand-fitted bone components round out a build that feels thoughtful rather than showy.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAbout Taylor Benchmark Custom:\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA Sound First Approach\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTaylor Benchmark Custom is a new class of ultra-premium guitar shaped by Chief Guitar Designer Andy Powers’ experience building bespoke instruments for individual musicians. Each guitar begins with a specific musical objective rather than a list of premium features. That intended voice and feel guide the selection of the body shape, soundboard, braces and tonewoods, with every component considered as part of a complete musical system. A Custom Shop Luthier oversees the guitar throughout the build, working with Taylor’s most experienced craftspeople to preserve that original vision through final setup and inspection. Empire Music is the official launch partner with Taylor for the introduction of the Benchmark Custom program.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaterials Voiced to Work Together\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Benchmark process places as much emphasis on how materials work together as it does on the quality of the individual pieces. Soundboards are evaluated for characteristics such as stiffness, weight and grain structure, then paired with braces selected to complement the top and the natural response of the body shape. Additional hand-sanding and precision fitting create closer connections between the soundboard, braces, kerfing and body. Traditional hot hide glue is used at key structural joints, including the bracing and bridge, where its hard, thin bond helps transfer vibrational energy efficiently through the instrument.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTaylor High Response Varnish\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTaylor developed a proprietary high-response varnish specifically for Benchmark Customs. This ultrasoft, low-density gloss finish is applied exceptionally thin to preserve flexibility and minimize damping, contributing to a warm, open response. The finish is then hand-leveled, polished and burnished for a sleek luster and an exceptionally smooth feel. Hand-applied, multi-color stains give each instrument additional depth and individual character.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRefined by Hand\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThat level of attention continues through final assembly. The nut, saddle and bridge pins are individually fitted and detailed. The fretboard edges and frets receive additional handwork for a softer feel and smoother string bending. Each completed guitar is inspected by the Custom Shop Luthier who oversaw its construction and includes a handwritten Certificate of Authenticity signed by Andy Powers. These details work together to give a Benchmark Custom its immediate response, dynamic range and distinctly refined connection between the instrument and the player.\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSerial #: 1207306098\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNumber of Strings: 6 String\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBody Shape: Grand Concert (Deep Body)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCutaway: None\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eElectronics: No Electronics\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTop Wood: Western Red Cedar\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRosette: Honduran Rosewood and Paua Single Ring, Bound Sound Hole\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBody Binding: .080\" Grained Ivoroid, Round Over Edges\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTop Finish: High-Response Varnish\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNeck Wood: Neo-Tropical Mahogany\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNeck Profile: Standard Carve\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBackstrap: None\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFretboard Wood: West African Crelicam Ebony\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFretboard Inlay: Mother of Pearl Continental\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFretboard Binding: West African Crelicam Ebony\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNeck Finish: High-Response Varnish\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBridge: Honduran Rosewood - Dark, Glued with Hot Hide Glue\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBridge Pins: Bone\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePick Guard: Ivoroid\/Tortoise with Engraving\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eStrap Pin: Black\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOrientation: Right Handed\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBracing System: Fanned V-Class with Tonal Rout\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eColor: Natural\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCase \/ Bag: British Cocoa Bronco Taylor Deluxe Hard Shell Case\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBack \/ Side Wood: Hawaiian Koa\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBack Configuration: 4-Piece, Simons Wedge\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eArmrest: None\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBack \/ Side Finish: High-Response Varnish\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNut Width: 1-3\/4\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eScale Length: 24-7\/8\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePeghead Type: Paddle\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePeghead Veneer Wood: West African Crelicam Ebony\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePeghead Inlay: Mother of Pearl Continental\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePeghead Binding: None\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePeghead Finish: High-Response Varnish\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNut \u0026amp; Saddle: White Bone Nut, White Bone Saddle\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eStrings: D'Addario XS Coated Phosphor Bronze Light (.012 - .053)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTuners: Gotoh 510 Antique Chrome with Ebony EN01 Buttons\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eEnd Pin: Black\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eWeight: 4lbs 1oz\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eWe are proud to include a full professional setup to factory spec before delivering your new Taylor Benchmark Custom. Our world-class techs will dial in your guitar to make sure the playability is maximized!\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Taylor Custom Shop","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46193304633391,"sku":"1207306098","price":8599.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0642\/1161\/5791\/files\/12TaylorCSBenchmarkGoldLabelGrandConcertCedarKoa_12073060983lbs12ozFront-copyclose.jpg?v=1789590194","url":"https:\/\/empiremusic.com\/products\/taylor-benchmark-custom-gold-label-grand-concert-western-red-cedar-and-hawaiian-koa-06098","provider":"Empire Music","version":"1.0","type":"link"}