12 String Taylor...what are your preferences?

[Andromeda]

I have owned several Taylor 12 strings all jumbo models. 355, 455, 855 and the W65. I don't have a problem with the size of the jumbo. I thought they had great volume and marvelous tone. The  455, 855 and the W65 I had were spectacular.

But if comfort is an issue I would look at either GS5 or GS8 12 string versions. I am not a fan of maple for it is too bright for my tastes.

[jalbert]

i used to have  a 02 454ceLTD imbuia & i think as the body size increases,
to me, it seems to accentuate the chimey 'jangliness' & the GA size tends
to keep the balance more 'in check' (to my ear)

In my experience this is true. I tried one of those imbuia 454ce models back in the day, and was astounded by the sound. My current 12-ver is a GA8-12, which I suppose could also be known as an 854. It works well as a stage guitar. The only Taylor 12-ver I've heard that sounded/played better to my ears was a 1979 855 that I had the pleasure of playing at a recent AGF gathering nearby.

[Ed422]

Probably the best sounding Taylor I ever played was the '89 or '90 555 I had.  If I could play jumbos and 25.5" scale, I'd still have it.  These days, the GA3-12's are ok, but still too big and long scale for me.

Ed

[Redwood Tree]

Get yourself a big jumbo Koa K65 and let the sun shine in. a mgical blend of wood and steel.

[Gutch]

+1 on the K65ce.  Love mine. 

A road less travelled but a lot of fun for 12 stringers is the T5-12.  The neck is Taylor comfortable and the nut width is 1-11/16" (same as a standard electric guitar) which makes it easier for smaller hands.  Plugged in, the acoustic tone in position#1 is tremendously accurate and pleasing.  The bonus comes when you dig in and explore the other pickup switch positions and tweak the tone controls.  Really a blast to play!!!

[Iplay2]

Get yourself a big jumbo Koa K65 and let the sun shine in. a mgical blend of wood and steel.

I could have any 12 string, that would be what I would love to have.  If nothing else, I would just enjoy looking at it.

[Steely Glen]

i used to have  a 02 454ceLTD imbuia & i think as the body size increases,
to me, it seems to accentuate the chimey 'jangliness' & the GA size tends
to keep the balance more 'in check' (to my ear)

In my experience this is true. I tried one of those imbuia 454ce models back in the day, and was astounded by the sound. My current 12-ver is a GA8-12, which I suppose could also be known as an 854. It works well as a stage guitar. The only Taylor 12-ver I've heard that sounded/played better to my ears was a 1979 855 that I had the pleasure of playing at a recent AGF gathering nearby.

I had an 02 414ce LTD in imbuia and it was a great tonewood.  I'd love to play a 12er in imbuia. 

[Guitar Rodeo]

Another vote for Jumbo Taylor 12 strings. The Jumbo is perfect for handling all of that sound, as it is a "bigger speaker" which all those strings need. Better definition, bigger head room and enough power for anyone. Yes, they are big to hold but if you hold one comfortably you will be happy you can.

[jrporter]

My first Taylor was a 455. I agree with the poster who suggested keeping the cash outlay low unless you've had lots of 12-string experience and know what you're getting into...

[ctkarslake]

I recently picked up a '96 450 (been searching for a 12er dred for a long time since I was already used to the old square shoulder dred design) to compare to my '93 555.  They don't have the same strings yet but preliminary play suggests there is little to give up by stepping "down" to the dred from jumbo.  I've had the 555 a couple years and always felt it was a bit much to handle in body size for me but the sound is great.  You just have to look at it and starts to vibrate, I swear!  Still, having the body shape you prefer matters a lot.  In my case I think the 450 will win out.

[Herb Hunter]

I'm looking for a 12 string Taylor, but the selection of 12ers is very limited.  What is the best 12 for the money?

I'm partial to Maple, but I'm open to suggestions.

Thanks,
Boone

I count 25 Taylor 12-string models so I see plenty of choices. The best value is probably GA3e-12 but when it comes to a 12-string guitar, I'd rather have a jumbo or grand symphony body style so that would make the 356ce the best value in my mind. Nevertheless, I like the LKSM-12 so much that if I only had the money for a GA3e-12, I'd wait until I had saved enough money to by the Leo Kottke model.

[michaelw]

356ce, no e ...
waitin' on the revoiced jumbo -
i wonder how they're going to be released (acoustic electric & non-cutaway simultaneously, 500-800/up first
or 300/400, 900, koa & PS 'straight-out-of-the-gate' that'd be an awfully large number of new models

JM3-12, JM3e-12, JM4-12, JM4e-12, JM5-12, JM5e-12, JM6-12, JM6e-12, JM7-12, JM7e-12, JM8-12, JM8e-12, JM-K12, JM-Ke-12
355ce, 455ce, 555ce, 655ce, 755ce, 855ce, 955ce, K55ce, K65ce, PS15ce ... 24 models, not to mention florentine option on 5XX/up

a 355ce maple LTD would be pretty cool, imho - hoping the body & cutaway contour are 'GS-like', but with a 17" lower bout ... ka-boom