Taylor are offering something a little unusual as part of their 35th Anniversary instruments. Take a look at that headstock. Yep, it’s a nine-string guitar.

Well, while it’s odd, and I’m at a loss to think of any other purpose-made nine-string acoustics, Taylor inform us (and it’s true) that the country scene have sometimes, down Nashville way, used a nine-string format (though generally utilising a 12-string instrument).

The idea is to get some of that 12-string vibe into the midrange without sending the instrument over the top into utter jangle. The D and G strings are each doubled with an additional octave string and the B is simply doubled.

Other than that, the XXXV-9 (or 35-9) is your everyday, snazzy Taylor. It’s got a Sitka spruce top and mahogany back and sides. It’s a cutaway, GS style and is fitted with Taylor’s Expression system pickup and preamp.

Perhaps not for everyone. Perhaps not for every song. But for the right person and the right number, it could be just what the doctor ordered.