Was It a 512ce?

[Go Navy]

A local music store had what he says is a 512ce in stock.  Having never touched or played a 12 series (grand concert) because there aren't any in the stores around here,  I went in today and played this one.  The bottom line is that I liked it.....a lot. I felt the tones were almost consistent across all six strings;  if anything, the low E string might have been a little less prominent than the other strings but that is likely due to the smaller body size. The action was very nice even though not quite set up for my arbitrary tastes! (Now I want to try a 612, 712, and 812 but there are none to be found right now. )

However, this one had a mahogany back and sides (check), but a spruce top (not?)....couldn't tell if it was Sitka or Englemann but probably the former.  In looking at the Taylor site just now, a spruce top on a 512ce is not a listed option.  It appears that the only combo available on the 512ce is mahogany/cedar.  He didn't have that combo in the store, nor any other 12 series Taylors.

So, what was I looking at?  What gives? Could this be a discontinued combination?  The store's tag on it was ignored by me and I didn't think to question the top wood until I got home and got on Taylor's site.

[thin.coyote]

 The 2011 512ce has an Engelmann top.  Wonderful guitar

[cjd-player]

The X12 series guitars are my favorite Taylors for solo finger style because of the balance across the strings.  The bass notes provide a firm floor but do not overwhelm the melody notes on the treble strings.

I believe that Taylor has made the 512 with different tops in different years, some englemann spruce and some cedar.   I don't believe they ever did Sitka spruce as standard though.  So it might depend upon how old the guitar is.

[michaelw]

if the 512ce you were looking at had an abalone rosette, rosewood binding, small MOP dot fretmakers &
chrome tuners, chances are it was a 07 - 11 model, which came standard with an engelmann spruce top -
01- 06 models had a standard engelmann top also, with koa rosette, chrome tuners & fingerjoint headstock

the 2012 model has faux 'tortoiseshell' binding, like the 98-00 models, updated
'deco diamond' fretmarkers (the 98-00 had slotted diamonds) & cedar top
http://www.taylorguitars.com/guitars/acoustic/512ce

here is a link to some hi-res pics of an actual 2012 512ce
http://www.myfavoriteguitars.com/product.php?productid=17365

[sachi]

I have a GC-5, the non-cutaway version. It has a cedar top, and I think Taylor does a great job marrying cedar with the mahogany.

[Cindy]

You could call the store and ask for the serial number. Then Taylor could tell you what it is.

[Go Navy]

Thanks for all that great info, friends.  It must be a 2011 512ce with Engelmann.  I'll go back and play it some more.  First x12 series I've had my hands on, and I like the feel of it.  I need to run it through an amp at the store next time, and see how that sounds.

Trouble is, I might like a cedar top better, or maybe the rosewood/spruce combo in another model series.  Nice choices to have.

[cjd-player]

...
Trouble is, I might like a cedar top better, or maybe the rosewood/spruce combo in another model series.  Nice choices to have.

They're all great.  Just different flavors of good tone.

Don't overlook the 312ce as well.  I was shocked by the voice of mine when I tried it in the store, and it just followed me home when I had no intention of buying a guitar that day.    It's just awesome in DADGAD tuning.

Enjoy the hunt.