Unofficial Taylor Guitar Forum - UTGF

Taylor Acoustic & Electric Guitars => Taylor Acoustic & Electric Guitars => Topic started by: Freddy3rd on June 21, 2021, 08:58:27 PM

Title: Taylor large body 12 string USA built guitars.
Post by: Freddy3rd on June 21, 2021, 08:58:27 PM
Sorry for asking this again, but it has now been some years since Taylor listed a USA built 12 string guitar larger than the concert size. Does anybody know if they will be re introducing them some time in the future?  or are they not compatible with the V class bracing.  Perhaps they might consider a custom build although I guess the wait time is much longer now.
Thanks in advance for any comments.
Title: Re: Taylor large body 12 string USA built guitars.
Post by: Strumming Fool on June 21, 2021, 09:02:53 PM
I believe that you can still order a larger 12 string through Taylor's custom build program, but it would be best to ask them. Why not contact Taylor and ask them?
Title: Re: Taylor large body 12 string USA built guitars.
Post by: Freddy3rd on June 21, 2021, 09:58:57 PM
Thanks SF. I have taken your advice and emailed Taylor.
Still curious to know if there is a chance they might be re introduced.
Title: Re: Taylor large body 12 string USA built guitars.
Post by: donlyn on June 24, 2021, 12:10:14 AM
Freddy3rd,

As far as I can tell, there are still Grand Auditorium, Grand Symphony, Grand Orchestra, and Jumbo versions popping up on the used market. I have a 355 Jumbo I got new 20+ years ago, and a more recent 458e-R (rosewood) Grand Orchestra I got used a few years ago. Patience and perseverance are your watchwords. In my case I had looked at an 858 and liked it, but really couldn't justify the cost. Then one day the used 458 popped and I got it. My 355 has been in DADGAD interval tuning for a while. I keep both based on D# and use a G7th Newport 12 string capo with the compensated string pad when needed. 

Still a fan of large body guitars, but very glad for my short scale 412e-R.

Good luck and good hunting,
Don
Title: Re: Taylor large body 12 string USA built guitars.
Post by: Freddy3rd on June 27, 2021, 11:44:00 PM
That's true Don.  I did actually manage to pick up two used early version jumbos some time ago, a 755 and a 355
I think they are less deep than the new grand orchestra and so are very easy to hold and play.
It seems that Taylor will indeed make the larger body 12 stringers in their custom shop.
Title: Re: Taylor large body 12 string USA built guitars.
Post by: jamesepowell on June 28, 2021, 04:38:51 PM
When I bought my 2015 458e earlier this year, there were several on reverb available for around the same price.

I hasten to add that I am extremely happy with it and not at all bothered by the large body size.
Title: Re: Taylor large body 12 string USA built guitars.
Post by: donlyn on June 28, 2021, 04:45:18 PM
F3d,

Yes, the older Taylor Jumboes are shallower than a Grand Orchestra. But it has been my experience that all jumboes of whatever depth are very easy to play in a seated position due to the narrow waist in their design. And many Taylor designs like the GC, GA, GS, and GO are designed like they are close relatives to a basic Jumbo shape.

And I would define a basic jumbo shape as a Gibson J-200, the original Jumbo.

And allow me to add my satisfaction with a 458 12 string to jamesepowell's. Mine is a 458e-R, which means it has a useless-to-me pickup and rosewood back and sides which I love.

Well, good luck whatever path you choose to follow.

Don