Taylor Custom #34: Hot Rod 3.0 Grand Auditorium

Only 100 units worldwide: the Taylor Hot Rod 3.0 revives a NAMM legend

In 2003, the Taylor Hot Rod debuted as a NAMM Special Edition that surprised the guitar world with its flame inlays and unmistakable character. Twenty years later, Taylor brings this icon back as the Hot Rod 3.0, and this particular instrument is one of only 100 units built worldwide. The combination of a Bearclaw Sitka Spruce top with Figured Big Leaf Maple on the back and sides gives this instrument a look that is as impressive as its sound.

The Bearclaw Sitka Spruce top has a distinctive grain that already visually sets the guitar apart, but it is the sound that truly lingers. Bright, articulate, and with a fast attack typical of maple, complemented by the open resonance of Sitka Spruce. The V-Class bracing ensures perfect intonation and a sustain that resonates for a long time. The ES2 pickup accurately translates that sound for amplified playing.

The Hard Rock Maple neck flows into a West African Crelicam ebony fingerboard with the iconic Hot Rod Flame inlays in satinwood yellow, surrounded by bloodwood purfling in red. The Taylor Satin Black tuners give the instrument a tough, modern look that perfectly matches the Hot Rod character. The Florentine cutaway provides access to the high positions, the scale length is 25.5", and the instrument comes in a brown deluxe hardshell case.

The Taylor Hot Rod 3.0 is a collector's item that also wants to be played. With only 100 copies worldwide, this is an opportunity that won't come around again anytime soon.