Anyone Plan on Getting the 2014 812E 12-fretter?

[StratLovesLenny]

With Taylor's new 800 series comes the guitar with possibly the least demand - the 812E 12-fret (no cutaway).

Without the cutaway and with the new looks/build ideas, Taylor has caught my eye fully with its new 800 series. Something about the proportions of the 812 versus the larger body styles seems really aesthetically "right" to me. I feel like this is by far the most aesthetically balanced guitar in the new 800 series and am sort of disappointed that this particular model is extremely rare at the moment. I know the fact that it's a 12-fretter AND no cutaway can seem technically limiting, but maybe coming from someone who is primarily a Martin player, the vibe is there.

Is anyone planning on getting the 2014 812E 12-fretter? Here's a quick demo of it from the one and only Andy Powers with commentary from Greg Koch:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBWELj29kQg

[Gutch]

I own a Fall Ltd. Quilted Sapele/Euro Spruce from 2012.  There's plenty of real estate between the nut and 12th fret to keep me happy!  That new 812 does sound mighty sweet...

[SugarmillMan]

I was considering a 2012 812e with 14 frets exposed.  What was your reasoning for the 12 fret package?

[Gutch]

I was considering a 2012 812e with 14 frets exposed.  What was your reasoning for the 12 fret package?

Shorter scale of the 12 fret makes it a little easier to reach further on the fretboard;  The shorter scale also reduces the tension of the strings a bit.  Finally, the 12 fret scale moves the bridge a bit more into the belly of the guitar, which gives it a different tonal feel than the 14 fret.


I also have a 14 fret GC and it is a great sounding and playing guitar as well.  The 12 fret is just a different approach...

[jerrytubes]

If I bought one, I would have to have an un-"marbled" fret board.

[StratLovesLenny]

I was considering a 2012 812e with 14 frets exposed.  What was your reasoning for the 12 fret package?

There are a few reasons why I want to get the 12 fret instead of the 14 fretter:
1) Most importantly, the tone - I like the deeper tone of a 12 fretter with the bridge moved.
2) I like the look of a slotted headstock a lot more than the typical Taylor headstock shape.
3) For me, I really like open gear tuners. Second choice would be Gotoh 510s as on the 900 series...and lastly would be the closed gear tuners that Taylor has on the 800 series. Will all due respect, I think typical the Schaller-styled closed gear tuners are really bad looking all around on acoustics.

[Jersey tuning]

I own a no-cutaway GC 12-fret which took one further step for maximum oldvibe esthetics: electronics but with no controls. On the rare occasions I plug it in I use a V-cable to adjust the volume and rely entirely on my amp to shape the tone.

[Scriptor]

I have put a deposit on an 812ce 12-fret First Edition expected to arrive in the next 4 weeks or so ... it will have the cutaway of course ... I have been in the market for a Taylor 12-fret for quite a while and now just seemed the right time to pull the trigger ...

I have a 414ce (Sitka/Walnut) and an 814ce (Sitka/Rosewood) which will remain in the stable but I'm enchanted by the smaller, more intimate feel and the vintage tone of the 12-fret ... seems like the perfect addition for a fingerstylist ...

I'll let you know what I think when it finally becomes part of the "family" ...

[StratLovesLenny]

I have put a deposit on an 812ce 12-fret First Edition expected to arrive in the next 4 weeks or so ... it will have the cutaway of course ... I have been in the market for a Taylor 12-fret for quite a while and now just seemed the right time to pull the trigger ...
...
I'll let you know what I think when it finally becomes part of the "family" ...

Cool! Please do so. I'm guessing the cutaway and the non-cutaway don't sound way different. I wish Taylor had started to produce them way before they announced them so that I'd be able to have that non-cutaway 12-fretter in my hands already, haha. Maybe it has something to do with testing the waters for demand before really getting the manufacturing rolling.

[ctkarslake]

I was considering a 2012 812e with 14 frets exposed.  What was your reasoning for the 12 fret package?

Shorter scale of the 12 fret makes it a little easier to reach further on the fretboard;  The shorter scale also reduces the tension of the strings a bit.  Finally, the 12 fret scale moves the bridge a bit more into the belly of the guitar, which gives it a different tonal feel than the 14 fret.


I also have a 14 fret GC and it is a great sounding and playing guitar as well.  The 12 fret is just a different approach...

Bear in mind that ALL Taylor Grand Concert guitars since at least 2007(?) are short scale, whether it's 14 fret or 12 fret.  No complaints here, I love short scale being a Les Paul player at heart...

[StratLovesLenny]

Mid-May can't come quickly enough. -___-

I'm either getting this, or a Martin OMJM with nice wood (hard to find one without end-grain runout AND straight/tight rosewood grain). Whichever comes first. Hurry up, Taylor!

[Dulcilo]

Wondering what you ended up with? I got to play the 812 at a Taylor Roadshow and really liked it, but it was hard to hear with everyone else playing instruments in the room. One thing that surprised me is that the 812 was heavier than the larger body shapes. All the new 800 series felt incredibly light, except the 812. I didn't have a chance to ask the Taylor rep about the difference.

[ataylor]

There are a few reasons why I want to get the 12 fret instead of the 14 fretter:
1) Most importantly, the tone - I like the deeper tone of a 12 fretter with the bridge moved.
2) I like the look of a slotted headstock a lot more than the typical Taylor headstock shape.
3) For me, I really like open gear tuners. Second choice would be Gotoh 510s as on the 900 series...and lastly would be the closed gear tuners that Taylor has on the 800 series. Will all due respect, I think typical the Schaller-styled closed gear tuners are really bad looking all around on acoustics.

Amen to all three of those.