Product Description

's sleek, ultra-playable necks make for an especially inspiring 12-string experience. With the mahogany 500 Series 566e Grand Symphony 12-String Acoustic-Electric Guitar, mahogany's meaty mids, coupled with the power and depth of the GS shape, produce a rich yet articulate tapestry of sound. Appointments include ivoroid for the binding, rosette and Century fretboard inlay. Proprietary Expression System 2 electronics bring all that musical detail into a clear, amplified acoustic sound.

Expression System 2
The Expression System 2 (ES2) is a revolutionary pickup design that delivers the latest in 's ongoing innovation in acoustic guitar amplification. The heart of the Expression System 2 is 's proprietary behind-the-saddle pickup (patent pending), which features three uniquely positioned and individually calibrated pickup sensors. The location of the sensors enables a more dynamic range of acoustic sound to be captured than ever before. Together with 's custom-designed "professional audio"-grade preamp, this system produces exceptional amplified tone and responsiveness. On stage through a PA, plugged into your favorite acoustic amplifier, or direct into recording software, the Expression System 2 faithfully conveys the voice of your guitar.

Behind the ES2 Design: Rethinking the Piezo Pickup
For decades, piezo-electric transducers have been positioned under the saddle of a guitar based on the long-held belief that the string and top vibration cause the saddle to "bounce" up and down. But 's electronics team, led by developer David Hosler, discovered that the vertical movement is actually heavily restricted, and that the saddle gets "locked down" due to the string tension's downward pressure. That's why a traditional under-saddle pickup with piezo-electric crystals often responds with a sound often characterized as thin, brittle, brash or synthetic, especially with more aggressive playing.

The saddle's natural range of movement as the guitar is being played is actually back and forth like a pendulum. That revelation led 's design team to relocate the crystals from under the saddle to behind it. The new positioning enables the crystals to respond more naturally to the guitar's energy as it is transferred through the saddle. Three pickup sensors are installed behind the saddle, through the bridge, with three tiny Allen screws that calibrate the position of the sensors in relation to the saddle.

Like the original Expression System, the ES2 features the same volume and tone control knobs. The preamp is similar but with a slightly different gain structure. As a result it will be about 25 percent hotter, which is more in line with other pickups. This makes it plug-and-play friendly both for artists and live sound mixers.

Shape: Grand Symphony Number of Strings: 6 Back/Side Wood: Tropical Mahogany Scale length: 25-1/2" Top Wood: Mahogany Body Length: 20" Electronics: Expression System 2 Body Width: 16-1/4" Cutaway: None Body Depth: 4 5/8" Nut & Saddle: Tusq Nut/Micarta Saddle Neck Width: 1-7/8" Neck/Heel: Tropical Mahogany Bracing: 12-String Bracing with Relief Rout Fretboard Wood: Ebony Fretboard Inlay: Century Headstock Overlay: Ebony Binding: Ivoroid Bridge Inlay: None Bridge Pins: Ebony Tuners: Nickel Truss Rod Cover: Ebony Back/Side Finish: Gloss Top Finish: Gloss Neck Finish: Satin Pickguard: Tortoise Case: Deluxe Hardshell Brown Number of Frets: 20 Armrest Binding: None Back Config: 2-piece No Wedge Backstrap Wood: None Backstrap Finish: None Brand of Strings: Elixir Phosphor Bronze Light Buttons: Nickel Edge Trim: None Fingerboard Ext: None Fretboard Binding: Ivoroid Heel Cap Binding: Ivoroid Heel length: 3-1/2" Peghead Finish: Satin Peghead Inlay: None Peghead Binding: Ivoroid Peghead Logo: Ivoroid Peghead Type: Standard Rosette Mat.: Ivoroid Rosette Size: Single Ring Stain/Sunburst: Medium Brown Stain Type of Neck Joint: Scarf Wedge: None

Enjoy improved tone with ES2 electronics. Order today.

Custom Guitar's Friend Gold Coverage

Gold Coverage goes above and beyond the manufacturer's warranty to protect your gear from unexpected breakdowns, accidental damage from handling and failures. This plan covers your product for one, two, three or up to five years from your date of purchase, costs just pennies per day and gives you a complete "no-worry" solution for protecting your investment.

Gold Coverage Includes:

Unexpected and unintentional spills, drops and cracks Normal wear and tear Power surges Dust, internal heat and humidity

Other plan features include:

For products over $200, No Lemon Policy applies. If it fails for the same defect 3 times, it is replaced on the 4th breakdown. (Does not apply to failures due to drops, spills, and cracks) For products under $200 experiencing the above failures, a Custom Guitar's Friend gift card will be issued for the full price of the product + tax. Shipping fees covered if required for repair or replacement Plans are transferable in the event merchandise is sold Plans are renewable on new gear

*Limitations and exclusions apply. See terms and conditions for program details

Term for New Gear begins on date of purchase but does not replace the store return policy or manufacturer coverage.