Congrats on your new HOG Taylor! I have to agree with you on your impression that solid Mahogany boxes would have big bass. But I too have been wrong! There is a well recorded review on the 526e at the Acoustic Letter web site in case you haven't seen it:
http://youtu.be/hxHDyFEdFM8I think michaelw is correct about the production dates / strings. For me, I've stuck with the Elixirs on my Taylors. Haven't had any issues with them.
They sound good to me and seem to last longer than non-coated strings. The Nanoweb 80/20 bronze are the ones I've been using with the exception of the 812ce 12 fret I just got...that has the new HD phosphor bronze lights. I've only had this guitar for a few days but so far these strings seem fine. They are a tad stiffer than regular lights being that the 1-2-3 strings are 13-17-25 as opposed to lights 12-16-24. They seem well balanced on the 12 fret. Not sure how they will work on pre-2014 Taylors. Good luck with the 526...post some pics n clips when you can. That one is on my lust list!