Taylor American Dream AD17 Blacktop – Grand Pacific – Includes Original AeroCase – Used Excellent
Taylor launched the American Dream series with a mission that was as straightforward as the guitars themselves — build a genuinely American-made, all-solid-wood acoustic at a price that working players could justify, and strip away every cosmetic nicety that doesn't contribute to tone or playability. The AD17 Blacktop is the most visually striking result of that thinking. The black top treatment is bold and immediately arresting, evoking the early Gibson flattop aesthetics of the 1930s while remaining entirely modern in its construction and voice. The body is Taylor's Grand Pacific — a round-shoulder dreadnought with a fuller, wider waist than a traditional dreadnought that produces a warmer, more balanced low end and a slightly more vintage-leaning character than Taylor's angular Orchestra and Dreadnought shapes. Solid Sitka spruce over solid ovangkol back and sides is the tonal foundation, and it is a combination worth paying attention to. Ovangkol is an African tonewood that Taylor has long used in their 400 series as a rosewood alternative — complex, warm, and richly figured, with pleasing midrange focus and a depth and harmonic richness that sits comfortably in rosewood territory while maintaining its own distinctive character. V-Class bracing extracts maximum sustain, volume, and consistent intonation from that combination in a way that traditional X-bracing simply cannot match. The tropical mahogany neck with eucalyptus fingerboard and bridge is fast and comfortable, the chamfered body edges are a genuine ergonomic improvement, and the ultra-thin 2.0-mil matte finish lets the wood breathe and respond freely. No binding, no ornament, just a beautifully made guitar built to be played. Made in El Cajon, California.
This one-owner example is in superb shape — given a clean bill of health by our Taylor-certified technicians and set up and ready to go. Minimal superficial fret wear in the cowboy chord area and some basic signs of play are the entire condition story. Not much between this and a new one, at a meaningful discount off new pricing. Comes with the original Taylor AeroCase.
- Make: Taylor
- Model: AD17 Blacktop
- Series: American Dream
- Country of origin: USA (El Cajon, CA)
- Body shape: Grand Pacific, round-shoulder dreadnought
- Top: Solid Sitka spruce, black top finish, ultra-thin 2.0-mil matte finish
- Back and sides: Solid ovangkol, matte finish
- Bracing: V-Class
- Body edges: Chamfered (no binding)
- Neck: Tropical mahogany, scarf joint, matte finish
- Fingerboard: Eucalyptus, 4mm Italian acrylic dot inlays
- Bridge: Eucalyptus
- Nut: Black Tusq, 1-3/4"
- Saddle: Micarta
- Scale length: 25.5"
- Frets: 20, minimal superficial wear in cowboy chord area
- Rosette: Single ring
- Pickguard: Black
- Tuners: Taylor nickel
- Electronics: None
- Modifications: None
- Condition: Used Excellent – minimal superficial fret wear in cowboy chord area, basic signs of play, clean bill of health from our Taylor-certified technicians, one adult owner
- Includes: Original Taylor AeroCase
Ships carefully packed and insured for full value. International buyers are welcome — please contact us for a shipping quote before purchasing.
About Mill River Music
Mill River Music is an independent, human-powered music shop located in downtown Northampton, MA, run by a team of players, enthusiasts, and certified repair technicians. Every piece of used gear we sell is personally inspected, tested, and set up before it ships — we don't list it until we'd be happy to play it ourselves.
As Martin and Taylor certified techs, we hold our guitar work to a high standard, and we're committed to full transparency about the condition of everything we sell. No surprises.
When you buy from Mill River, you're supporting an independent local business that genuinely cares — about gear, about players, and about doing things right. We're here every step of the way. Reach out anytime.
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