Dark, dramatic and unmistakably bold, the Taylor 2026 Catch Custom #9 C17e Grand Pacific acoustic-electric guitar is a stunning showcase of rare figured tonewoods, all wrapped in a sleek translucent black finish. Part of Taylor’s ultra-exclusive Catch Custom series, it’s a masterful study in understated acoustic artistry, pairing a bearclaw Sitka spruce top with figured big leaf maple back and sides for a voice that blends warmth, clarity and remarkable projection. Beneath the surface, Taylor’s deeper-bodied Gold Label Grand Pacific platform delivers broad, powerful notes with a smooth, blended character, supported by Fanned V-Class bracing for improved sustain and pitch accuracy. A neo-tropical mahogany neck with Taylor’s Action Control design pairs with a genuine West African ebony fingerboard for smooth playability and precise adjustability. An intricate Italian acrylic Fishbones rosette and Engraved Victorian inlays add an elegant artistic flourish, completing a rare Catch Custom that balances bold design with refined acoustic performance.

Bearclaw Sitka Spruce and Figured Big Leaf Maple for Warmth and Clarity

The Catch Custom #9 C17e starts with a striking bearclaw Sitka spruce top, offering the familiar warmth and dynamic range of Sitka spruce with a distinctive visual texture created by the natural bearclaw figuring in the grain. Paired with figured big leaf maple back and sides, the guitar produces exceptional note separation and focused projection that allow chords and fingerstyle passages to remain clear and articulate. The deeper Gold Label Grand Pacific body shape adds greater air movement and low-end presence, while Taylor’s Fanned V-Class bracing with a tonal rout enhances sustain, volume and pitch accuracy.

Mahogany Action Control Neck and Ebony Fingerboard for Smooth Playability

A neo-tropical mahogany neck carved to Taylor’s standard profile provides a comfortable feel that suits a wide range of playing styles. The genuine West African ebony fingerboard offers a smooth playing surface and crisp note articulation that complements the guitar’s clear tonal voice. Taylor’s long-tenon Action Control neck strengthens the neck-to-body connection for improved resonance while allowing players to adjust string height quickly and precisely without removing the neck or loosening the strings.

LR Baggs Element VTC for Natural Amplified Tone

The LR Baggs Element VTC pickup system captures the C17e’s natural acoustic voice with exceptional transparency. Known for its warm, balanced response and minimalist design, the Element VTC preserves the natural character of the tonewoods while providing reliable performance for stage and recording environments. Soundhole-mounted volume and tone controls allow players to shape their amplified sound easily without altering the instrument’s clean aesthetic.

Elegant Italian Acrylic Inlays and Refined Catch Custom Details

Distinctive appointments enhance the visual character of the C17e while complementing its dramatic finish. Italian acrylic Fishbones rosette and Engraved Victorian fretboard inlays add intricate visual movement across the ebony fingerboard. The transparent black finish highlights the striking figuring of the maple back and sides, creating bold contrast against the lighter spruce top. Gotoh 510 antique gold tuners with black buttons provide smooth, precise tuning stability, while the ebony bridge and matching headstock overlay reinforce the guitar’s cohesive aesthetic.

Visual artistry takes center stage on the C17e through a suite of intricate Italian acrylic appointments. Engraved Victorian inlays add elegant movement across the ebony fingerboard, while a distinctive Fishbones rosette complements the guitar’s dramatic finish. The transparent black color treatment highlights the striking figuring of the tonewoods, creating bold contrast against the shimmering Italian acrylic flourishes. Gotoh 510 antique gold tuners with black buttons provide smooth, precise tuning stability, while the ebony bridge and matching headstock overlay reinforce the guitar’s cohesive aesthetic.

A Rare Expression of Refined Taylor Craftsmanship

Few instruments combine visual drama and tonal excellence as convincingly as the Taylor 2026 Catch Custom #9 C17e. The deep-bodied Grand Pacific platform delivers the warmth and power of a classic round-shoulder design while maintaining the balance and articulation that define Taylor acoustics. From its bearclaw Sitka spruce top and figured maple body to its intricate Italian acrylic appointments and modern neck architecture, this ultra-limited Catch Custom offers players a distinctive voice and visual presence that few guitars can match.