Head to head
Taylor 417e vs Taylor GTe Blacktop
The verdict
The Taylor GTe Blacktop comes out ahead overall — 62 to 59 on our estimated score.
Estimated from specs & owner reviews — a starting point, not a substitute for playing both.
Taylor 417e wins on
No standout advantage.
Taylor GTe Blacktop wins on
- Better value (60 vs 50)
- Lower price ($1,799 vs $2,999)
Scorecard
| Metric | 417e | GTe Blacktop |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 59 | 62 |
| Build | 61 | 61 |
| Playability | 64 | 67 |
| Sound | 60 | 60 |
| Value | 50 | 60 |
Full specifications
| Spec | 417e | GTe Blacktop |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Taylor | Taylor |
| Type | Acoustic-Electric | Acoustic-Electric |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | — | — |
| Body wood | Indian Rosewood | Walnut |
| Neck wood | Neo-Tropical Mahogany | Tropical Mahogany |
| Fretboard | West African Crelicam Ebony | Eucalyptus |
| Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Frets | — | — |
| Scale | 25.5" | 24.13" |
| Pickups | Expression System® 2 | Expression System® 2 |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $2,999 | $1,799 |
| Armrest | No | No |
| Back And Sides | Indian Rosewood | Walnut |
| Back Configuration | 2-piece No Wedge | 2-piece or 4-piece Simons Wedge |
| Back Side Finish | Gloss | Matte |
| Body Binding | White | None |
| Bracing System | V-Class Bracing | C-Class Bracing with Relief Rout |
| Bridge | West African Crelicam Ebony | Eucalyptus |
| Bridge Pins | West African Crelicam Ebony | Black Plastic |
| Controls | Expression System® 2 | Expression System® 2 |
| Cutaway | Non-cutaway | — |
| Fretboard Binding | Black | None |
| Neck Finish | Satin | Matte |
| Nut Saddle | Black Tusq Nut, Micarta Saddle | Tusq |
| Orientation | Right Handed | Right Handed |
| Peghead Binding | None | None |
| Peghead Finish | Satin | — |
| Peghead Type | Paddle, Standard | Standard T5z |
| Pickguard | Tortoise | Black |
| Scale length | 25-1/2" | 24-1/8" |
| Top Finish | Gloss | Matte |
| Top wood | Spruce | Spruce |
| Tuners | Taylor Nickel | Taylor Nickel Mini |
| Fretboard inlay | — | 4mm Dot Italian Acrylic |
| Peghead Inlay | — | None |