Taylor Guitars DN-4

Standard Dreadnaught size acoustic with NO cutaway. Solid Sitka Spruce top with Ovangkol (oh-vang-call) back and sides. Ebony fingerboard & bridge, and a tropical mahogany 3 pc bound neck. Expression 3 sensor pickup system with on-board internal preamp with battery LED indicator and internal fuse protection (so the player doesn't die when a ground issue occurs with the P.A. system and guitar amp).

This review is primarily to explain how the Ovangkol back and sides of the Taylor DN-4 sound comparatively as opposed to other tonal woods on backs and sides of other guitar that use Sitka spruce tops as well.

Most good players and luthiers typically agree that, Sitka spruce tops coupled with a mahogany back & sides on a standard dreadnought-size acoustic guitar usually yields a boomy, loud guitar.

It can also be said that a rosewood b&s dread generally has thunderous bottom end and bell-like highs. The mids are quenched considerably by the lows and highs (but not always)

Maple b&s typically give a loud, brighter voice and the lows are quenched to some degree by the overall volume of the mids and highs

So where does Ovangkol rate in the way of tone and voice. How does it shape the sound?

While Ovangkol has been called "poor man's rosewood", I believe it actually crosses more into the voicing of mahogany and maple territory than rosewood (specifically on the DN-4).

The Ovangkol on the DN-4 gives good projection (volume) of the highs and mids, but as for the low end, I would have to say it's a lot like mahogany, but instead of having boomy characteristics, the high and mid volume project over the lows to quench the boominess. This is a good thing IMHO!

A different way to describe it would be that if for demonstration purposes, we could slice the DN-4's High end, Mid range, and Low end into 3 groups;

HIGH END= High-high, mid-high, low-high
MID RANGE= High-mid, mid-mid, low-mid
LOW END= High-low, mid-low, low-low

So using the example above, below is my personal tonal wood sound quality ratings from high to low end. (the Ovangkol is the DN-4).

Mahogany b&s yields Mid-high, mid-mid, low-mid
Rosewood b&s yields High-high, low-mid, low-low
Maple b&s yields High-high, mid-high, high-low
Ovangkol b&s yields Mid-high, high-mid, high-low

It is important to understand that each tonal slice also has its own volume level which can add a lot to each guitar's vocal mix. It can get confusing, but I think this is a good way to basically describe tonal wood voicing in acoustic guitars. Your results may differ.

Finish is flawless. Bracing, glue, binding head stock laminate, fret work, and bridge is flawless.

Three things I noticed...

1. Intonation on ALL the Taylors I tried had intonation issues, especially the D&G strings playing flat at different several intervals all the way up the neck. Intonation is of primary concern to me, so it took a while to find this guitar. It could be the Elixer strings they install at the factory.

2. The action at the saddle and nut were both high. I had to set this instrument up when I got it home.

3. This guitar's neck heel fit into the recessed body channel is a little off-center. No biggie, but it is a fit & finish issue, so I thought I'd mention it.

It should last a long time. I was NOT pleased to see such an expensive guitar utilizing a 3 piece neck made from "tropical" mahogany. What the heck is that?

It seems Bob Taylor has been messing with neck construction and neck woods for many years, from 1 pc necks to 3 pc. Maybe he can't find the wood he needs to build guitars, or he's trying to save the planet. I don't care... For $1350., I want a 1 piece neck with a double action truss rod!!!

I'm sure they have good service. I wish they had an email address for customer service.

The DN-4 sounds great. Lots of volume and not too bottomy. I wish the intonation and action were a bit better. The Expression pickup system is fantastic and is pro-ready. I like that. The guitar is a winner and is a great addition to my collection.

2007 model ,New to the Taylor line ,A more traditional Dreadnought,
no cutaway,Spruce top and Ovangkol back and sides,Ebony fretboard
with small pearl dots and neck binding.
This model has the electronics Taylor calls the expression system
with three controls,bass,mid and High.Comes with hard case
A well made Guitar ,The 9 is only because the guitar has no pickguard, it is no big deal to add one if you want.

This is a more Traditional model, really a flat pickers dream.
Unpluged it has a rich full sound, I hate to say this but I compared this to a new Martin D-28 That was about $500 bucks more and no electronics , To my ears the Dn-4 sounded better and played better. Sounds great pluged in to my Genz-Benz JR ,The taylor system is set up to sound good Flat, so What I do is set my amp up to sound good and the use the tone controls on the taylor to tweak my sound, and yes it sound great.

The factory set up was great, with med strings 13 to 54 the action was low with no buzz, and it played like butter,I,am not a heavey picker or strumer, I would say more in the medium range,neck relief was perfect, I had to fight to play the martin and I would have had
some work to do on the Martin to get it up to par.
Could not find a flaw anywhere just fingerprints.

This is a new Model and only time will tell

No contact

Been playing 30 years,and I own a martin,yamaha,and a garrison and they are all different. In fact I was in the market for an martin d-28 and played several at different stores, but then I walked in to a Taylor dealer and sat down and tried the DN-4 and I,am glad I did,I was sold on the sound the set-up and the electronics,The fit and finish was the best I have seen,And I am a die hard martin fan. for the money the sound and the electronics and the fit and finish It blew the D-28 out of the water. Don't misunderstand me I still love my Martin,But there is a new kid on the block .. Go take look at one and see if it is for you, let your ear and eyes be the judge this is just my opinion and I'am very happy with my choice.