2014 812ce 12 Fret 1st Edition!

[werkout52]

My local shop just got a 812ce-12fret in. Much as I would like to get it, timing sucks.

[shorty]

Its OK MB...In a week or two you will be so glad you did it! You are just suffering from a little NG purchase... Give it a little time and you will feel at ease. Been through this sooooo many times myself! Enjoy...I am sure you have earned it!!!

[fretted]

I'm not that way with women, cars, phones, computers, clothes, shoes or anything else really. Why am i always hankerin' for another guitar and now ukuleles too.
     "Contentment is the treasure beyond price, but never will you find contentment." - Remembered from a Prince Valiant comic book from my youth. The wise man speaking to PV told it like it is . . . at least about me and guitars.

[cigarfan]

Congrats MB, on your acquisition. I think this new 812 just might be the best 12-fret Taylor has built yet. And I really love the look of the new rosewood pickguard. Look forward to your impressions.

[MB]

  HOLY SMOKES! THIS THING IS AWESOME!
Okay...so you can tell I'm a tad excited about this guitar....yes I am!

First off, I gotta hand it to the folks at Sweetwater. First class all the way with a tootsie roll to boot!
Cigarfan...you are exactly right. This may be the best 12 fret Taylor has come up with yet!
This is a first edition #14 of 50. Build date 1/14/14.
All the NGD details aside, here are my impressions:

The "smokey ebony" fingerboard is unreal. Just beautiful!
The new inlays in the neck are very classy...very classy.
The entire guitar wreaks of Taylor quality.
The ebony around the rosette is a very cool touch.
The combination of the new bracing and the thinner finish really makes this thing "lively" to say the least.
If you even look at it, it responds!
The piece of rosewood on the back and sides is spectacular!
The top has super tight grain and looks great.
The ES2 sounds awesome...a lot hotter signal than the previous system. Very natural sounding.

There were only 3 things that are not really complaints, just things I noticed.
1 - The rosewood pickguard, while it looks really cool, it feels different...the jury is still out on this.
It may be that it just will take some getting used to. OR...I might have to remove it!
2 - While I was playing and reached up into the cut away for a chord, the strap stopped my hand.
This may be typical on all Taylor 12 frets? I worked around it and it's no deal breaker, just something I noticed.
3 - The piece of mahogany they used for the neck was not as nice as the other Taylors I have, but I'm being VERY picky on this point.

Ironically, my copy of Wood & Steel arrived today too! I am super blessed today!

I recorded 2 pieces for you guys so you can hear what it sounds like.
The first piece is a finger style arrangement of My Favorite Things.
The second piece is my attempt at Tommy E's version of Classical Gas played with a pick.
Here are the links, and a few pics!

https://soundcloud.com/northland-jammer/my-favorite-things

https://soundcloud.com/northland-jammer/classical-gas-mstr




 

[crashcup]

I have had a 712 ce 12 fret since July and love it.  It wasn't love at first. Getting use to the shorter scale took some time and some adjustment in technique, but it is a sweet sounding guitar with a surprisingly resonant base.  So congratulations on your new purchase!

Related to this post, the latest edition of Wood & Steel introduced the new 800 line.  I noticed that the 812 12 fret is equipped with a special edition Elixir phosphor Bronze HD lights (see link below for more info). But then I went to the 712 ce 12 fret specs on the Taylor site and discovered that the new strings are now spec'd for the 712 too. 

They're basically bumping up the tension on the top three strings.  According to the Elixir String engineer, "The increased tension of the treble strings improves their articulation, balancing their voice within the mix," he says. "The interaction of the tension profile with the soundboard also adds to the harmonic content of the bass strings, creating a warmer, fuller sound." 

The site below says they will be available in March.  I can't wait to give them a try.

http://www.elixirstrings.com/hdlight/

Although I am intrigued by the new 800 series, unless and until I play one and Taylor agrees to take mine in trade dollar for dollar (Ha!), I won't be upgrading anytime soon.  With three Taylors I seem to be approaching the threshold of the limits of my wife's understanding. 

Anyway, congratulations--I know you'll love your new 12 fret, it sounds like you already are!

Cheers!

Bill

[cigarfan]

Thanks for the complete review Mike. Nice pics and playing my friend!

Sounds really nice. I like the tone of the new HD strings as well. May give those a shot on my 522 12-fret.

Congrats again!

[MB]

I have had a 712 ce 12 fret since July and love it.  It wasn't love at first. Getting use to the shorter scale took some time and some adjustment in technique, but it is a sweet sounding guitar with a surprisingly resonant base.  So congratulations on your new purchase!

Related to this post, the latest edition of Wood & Steel introduced the new 800 line.  I noticed that the 812 12 fret is equipped with a special edition Elixir phosphor Bronze HD lights (see link below for more info). But then I went to the 712 ce 12 fret specs on the Taylor site and discovered that the new strings are now spec'd for the 712 too. 

They're basically bumping up the tension on the top three strings.  According to the Elixir String engineer, "The increased tension of the treble strings improves their articulation, balancing their voice within the mix," he says. "The interaction of the tension profile with the soundboard also adds to the harmonic content of the bass strings, creating a warmer, fuller sound." 

The site below says they will be available in March.  I can't wait to give them a try.

http://www.elixirstrings.com/hdlight/

Although I am intrigued by the new 800 series, unless and until I play one and Taylor agrees to take mine in trade dollar for dollar (Ha!), I won't be upgrading anytime soon.  With three Taylors I seem to be approaching the threshold of the limits of my wife's understanding. 

Anyway, congratulations--I know you'll love your new 12 fret, it sounds like you already are!

Cheers!

Bill

Hi Bill,
I'm glad you mentioned this. In all the excitement, I forgot to address the new strings!
The HD strings are a bit stiffer on the 1st 2nd & 3rd strings. They are not quite as slinky...but not in a bad way.
The only time I really noticed it was while bending strings. I think they do sound nice.

[MB]

Thanks for the complete review Mike. Nice pics and playing my friend!

Sounds really nice. I like the tone of the new HD strings as well. May give those a shot on my 522 12-fret.

Congrats again!

Thank you Cigarfan!
By the way, how do you like that 522?

[cigarfan]

Thanks for the complete review Mike. Nice pics and playing my friend!

Sounds really nice. I like the tone of the new HD strings as well. May give those a shot on my 522 12-fret.

Congrats again!

Thank you Cigarfan!
By the way, how do you like that 522?

My thoughts, soundclip and pics in this post.

http://www.unofficialtaylorguitarforum.com/index.php?topic=4648.0

The 522 has a unique sound. Tayloresque but yet not. The balance is incredible. The mids just jump out and get you.

[TaylorGirl]

Awesome beauty! Congrats and enjoy!

[DennisG]

MB,

Not only does this guitar sound awesome, so does your playing.  Just excellent on both counts.

[MB]

MB,

Not only does this guitar sound awesome, so does your playing.  Just excellent on both counts.

You are very kind Dennis...Thank you so much for the compliment on my playing.
I must thank Bob Taylor and Andy Powers for the awesome guitar!

[Captain Jim]

Gorgeous, and sounds great!  Congrats!

[ksquared]

MB,
Thanks for posting an update. It sounds and looks beautiful!