Taylor Benchmark Custom Gold Label Grand Concert Western Red Cedar and Hawaiian Koa #06098

Taylor Benchmark Custom Gold Label Grand Concert Western Red Cedar and Hawaiian Koa

Serial Number 1207306098 | Deep Body Grand Concert | Western Red Cedar top | Hawaiian Koa back and sides

This 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.

Fanned 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.

A Sound First Approach

Taylor 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.

Materials Voiced to Work Together

The 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.

Taylor High Response Varnish

Taylor 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.

Refined by Hand

That 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.

Specifications:

• Serial #: 1207306098
• Number of Strings: 6 String
• Body Shape: Grand Concert (Deep Body)
• Cutaway: None
• Electronics: No Electronics
• Top Wood: Western Red Cedar
• Rosette: Honduran Rosewood and Paua Single Ring, Bound Sound Hole
• Body Binding: .080" Grained Ivoroid, Round Over Edges
• Top Finish: High-Response Varnish
• Neck Wood: Neo-Tropical Mahogany
• Neck Profile: Standard Carve
• Backstrap: None
• Fretboard Wood: West African Crelicam Ebony
• Fretboard Inlay: Mother of Pearl Continental
• Fretboard Binding: West African Crelicam Ebony
• Neck Finish: High-Response Varnish
• Bridge: Honduran Rosewood - Dark, Glued with Hot Hide Glue
• Bridge Pins: Bone
• Pick Guard: Ivoroid/Tortoise with Engraving
• Strap Pin: Black
• Orientation: Right Handed
• Bracing System: Fanned V-Class with Tonal Rout
• Color: Natural
• Case / Bag: British Cocoa Bronco Taylor Deluxe Hard Shell Case
• Back / Side Wood: Hawaiian Koa
• Back Configuration: 4-Piece, Simons Wedge
• Armrest: None
• Back / Side Finish: High-Response Varnish
• Nut Width: 1-3/4"
• Scale Length: 24-7/8"
• Peghead Type: Paddle
• Peghead Veneer Wood: West African Crelicam Ebony
• Peghead Inlay: Mother of Pearl Continental
• Peghead Binding: None
• Peghead Finish: High-Response Varnish
• Nut & Saddle: White Bone Nut, White Bone Saddle
• Strings: D'Addario XS Coated Phosphor Bronze Light (.012 - .053)
• Tuners: Gotoh 510 Antique Chrome with Ebony EN01 Buttons
• End Pin: Black
• Weight: 4lbs 1oz
  

We 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!