Taylor DN4E Ovangkol Spruce 2009

The 2009 Taylor DN4e is a dreadnought that naturally combines power and balance. With its solid spruce top and ovangkol back and sides, this guitar delivers an open, broad soundstage with a solid bass and a clear, well-defined top. Ovangkol sits somewhere between rosewood and mahogany in character, providing a warm undertone with sufficient sparkle and articulation. The scalloped X-bracing gives the top extra freedom of movement, which translates into a lively response and pleasant dynamics under the fingers.

In terms of playability, this Taylor feels exactly as you would expect: comfortable, direct, and reliable. The dreadnought body offers sufficient headroom for heavy strumming but also holds its own during more subtle playing. The built-in Expression System ensures that the acoustic character is convincingly conveyed when playing amplified, with a natural balance between warmth and definition. A versatile workhorse that feels effortlessly at home on stage, in the studio, or simply on the couch.

The guitar has a few dings on the top, along with some shiny spots in the matte finish of the body. Additionally, some air has gotten under the body finish on the treble side of the heel, the finish on the back of the neck has become shiny, and the headstock has collected multiple dings.

Overall, however, the guitar looks very neat and comes with a TFOA passport in a case.