Any Taylor Twelve Strings In The House?

[Tammany Tiger]

I played a 356ce today that was luscious. I've been thinking a little about a BTO 12er but am not sure I want to devote that many dollars to a niche guitar, especially if a stock guitar at this price point sounds so good.

Does anyone have experience with Taylor 12s?

[TaylorGirl]

I have a 355. I LOVE IT. A very reasonably priced Taylor 12 string. Sounds wonderful.

[Judson H]

I just got my GA3-12 last week.  Can't imagine needing anything more in a 12-string!

[Tammany Tiger]

I just got my GA3-12 last week.  Can't imagine needing anything more in a 12-string!

Yes, that GA shape suits me better. Is yours a cutaway? Electronics?

[Tammany Tiger]

I have a 355. I LOVE IT. A very reasonably priced Taylor 12 string. Sounds wonderful.

Is this jumbo shape a load to play? I agree that they sound wonderful but even the GS is a handful for me after anhour or so.

[M19]

See my Avatar? Maple rocks in a 12-er. Don't play it as much as I should.

And I may have to sell it to fund the BTO I'm contemplating.

[BigSkyTaylorPlayer]

I have been thinking about doing a BTO 12'r but I need to take another look at the 356 and 656.  They played very well last time I played one and they don't cost as much.

Anyone know anything about the LKSM?

[Tammany Tiger]

See my Avatar? Maple rocks in a 12-er. Don't play it as much as I should.

And I may have to sell it to fund the BTO I'm contemplating.

I love maple. Is that a jumbo?

[TaylorGirl]

I have a 355. I LOVE IT. A very reasonably priced Taylor 12 string. Sounds wonderful.

Is this jumbo shape a load to play? I agree that they sound wonderful but even the GS is a handful for me after anhour or so.

Not for me, it isn't. But I'm a 5'9" woman, so the jumbo is not a problem. It's got a nice loud voice. I could see a GA if you are a smaller person or like the size of a GA. I have a GA for my 6 string, which I really like too. So, get the body shape that you like the feel of best. I think there are stock 12 strings from Taylor that would be everything you are looking for in a 12 string.

[M19]

See my Avatar? Maple rocks in a 12-er. Don't play it as much as I should.

And I may have to sell it to fund the BTO I'm contemplating.

I love maple. Is that a jumbo?

Yup. I use med string tuned down a step, and it's an "orchestra in your lap!" I really need to find a way to keep it.

[Judson H]

No cutaway .... I added Fishman Matirix Infinity after market.

I just got my GA3-12 last week.  Can't imagine needing anything more in a 12-string!

Yes, that GA shape suits me better. Is yours a cutaway? Electronics?

[Gutch]

Two in the house here. A K65ce made from the "Killer Koa" log.  Amazing tone. A friend compares it favorably to an Olson 12 string that his father owns.

The other is a T5-12 string. If you do any 12 string playing on stage, you gotta try it!  Just a Great sounding guitar and so easy to play...

[Edward]

FWIW, I've played (incidentally) 12 stringers for decades.  I've always wanted one but never owned one for one simple reason: action/feel.  Wide, thickish necks, action requiring gorilla grip at higher frets, many of old required tuning 1/2 step down, and also built heavy.  Could never get myself to love one beyond an hour to "convince" me to get one.  And yes, throw in the much-beloved Guilds.  Gone through a bunch and I loved the idea of owning a 12 more than the actuality of it. 

Enter Taylor.  Wow.  All those obstacles thrown out the window; Taylor absolved it all for me.  No hyperbole.  I bought a gorgeous 655ce from a forumite and that was my keeper guitar.  Played easy at concert pitch, sounded gorgeous with superb note definition, and the jumbo body did not at all impede with playing one iota nor ever feel bulky (I'm not a big guy either).  Just a great 12er that sold me!  I eventually tried a 3-series 12 and found the same superb action/feel: yep, Taylor simply got the 12-string formula right ...dead-on, for me.

And I'd have kept the 655 forever were it not for a certain RTaylor that crossed my path.  Style 1 GS body, 12 strings resonating in the most figured flamed maple you could imagine, and a bottom end that was bigger and deeper than any 12 I've ever played.  All the attributes of a quality Taylor 12, with extra bottom and depth, lighter weight, and crazy-beautiful aesthetics.  Um ...I had to have it.

So there you go. You wanted a Taylor-12 opinion, and you got my unvarnished love fest.  But if I may say, I am pretty good at being critical and objective, and am not bowled over by any pretty faces.  Function definitely trumps all in my book, and no "pretty guitars" or gear ever stays in my possession if it can't deliver the goods.  And if I were to recommend a 12, not only would it be a Taylor, it would be in GS body as I feel it offers all the attributes of a Jumbo bod with greater comfort and "familiarity" in feel ...IMHO of course.  Hope that helps you a bit.

Edward

[Tammany Tiger]

FWIW, I've played (incidentally) 12 stringers for decades.  I've always wanted one but never owned one for one simple reason: action/feel.  Wide, thickish necks, action requiring gorilla grip at higher frets, many of old required tuning 1/2 step down, and also built heavy.  Could never get myself to love one beyond an hour to "convince" me to get one.  And yes, throw in the much-beloved Guilds.  Gone through a bunch and I loved the idea of owning a 12 more than the actuality of it. 

Enter Taylor.  Wow.  All those obstacles thrown out the window; Taylor absolved it all for me.  No hyperbole.  I bought a gorgeous 655ce from a forumite and that was my keeper guitar.  Played easy at concert pitch, sounded gorgeous with superb note definition, and the jumbo body did not at all impede with playing one iota nor ever feel bulky (I'm not a big guy either).  Just a great 12er that sold me!  I eventually tried a 3-series 12 and found the same superb action/feel: yep, Taylor simply got the 12-string formula right ...dead-on, for me.

And I'd have kept the 655 forever were it not for a certain RTaylor that crossed my path.  Style 1 GS body, 12 strings resonating in the most figured flamed maple you could imagine, and a bottom end that was bigger and deeper than any 12 I've ever played.  All the attributes of a quality Taylor 12, with extra bottom and depth, lighter weight, and crazy-beautiful aesthetics.  Um ...I had to have it.

So there you go. You wanted a Taylor-12 opinion, and you got my unvarnished love fest.  But if I may say, I am pretty good at being critical and objective, and am not bowled over by any pretty faces.  Function definitely trumps all in my book, and no "pretty guitars" or gear ever stays in my possession if it can't deliver the goods.  And if I were to recommend a 12, not only would it be a Taylor, it would be in GS body as I feel it offers all the attributes of a Jumbo bod with greater comfort and "familiarity" in feel ...IMHO of course.  Hope that helps you a bit.

Edward

Thanks, Edward. This is a great report and is very helpful.

I have had the same general experience with 12 strings with one exception. The Seagull S-12 also has conquered all of the problems and the straight acoustic sells at an unbeatable price point. I think that all of the Taylors are better guitars for a variety of reasons but the Seagull is a reasonable option.

I love the idea of the new 754ce. That's a great look in a comfortable, great sounding guitar.

[Judson H]

I had no desire to own a 12-string for all the reasons mentioned ... that is, until I happened to play a Taylor GA3-12 at GC one day and it dispelled all my prejudices instantly!! 

Still, I wasn't convinced that I wanted to spend that much on a 12-string, so I tried several lower priced makes and models. 

In the end it came down to Taylor or the Seagull.  The Seagull Coastline Cedar 12 is a very, very nice instrument, especially for the money.  I am a huge fan of Seagull guitars, but, the Taylor was just in a league by itself. 

And the fact that it has the NT neck while the Gull has a set neck, making neck adjustments easy on the the Taylor and all but impossible on the Seagull made me more confident that for the very long haul, the Taylor would serve me best

FWIW, I've played (incidentally) 12 stringers for decades.  I've always wanted one but never owned one for one simple reason: action/feel.  Wide, thickish necks, action requiring gorilla grip at higher frets, many of old required tuning 1/2 step down, and also built heavy.  Could never get myself to love one beyond an hour to "convince" me to get one.  And yes, throw in the much-beloved Guilds.  Gone through a bunch and I loved the idea of owning a 12 more than the actuality of it. 

Enter Taylor.  Wow.  All those obstacles thrown out the window; Taylor absolved it all for me.  No hyperbole.  I bought a gorgeous 655ce from a forumite and that was my keeper guitar.  Played easy at concert pitch, sounded gorgeous with superb note definition, and the jumbo body did not at all impede with playing one iota nor ever feel bulky (I'm not a big guy either).  Just a great 12er that sold me!  I eventually tried a 3-series 12 and found the same superb action/feel: yep, Taylor simply got the 12-string formula right ...dead-on, for me.

And I'd have kept the 655 forever were it not for a certain RTaylor that crossed my path.  Style 1 GS body, 12 strings resonating in the most figured flamed maple you could imagine, and a bottom end that was bigger and deeper than any 12 I've ever played.  All the attributes of a quality Taylor 12, with extra bottom and depth, lighter weight, and crazy-beautiful aesthetics.  Um ...I had to have it.

So there you go. You wanted a Taylor-12 opinion, and you got my unvarnished love fest.  But if I may say, I am pretty good at being critical and objective, and am not bowled over by any pretty faces.  Function definitely trumps all in my book, and no "pretty guitars" or gear ever stays in my possession if it can't deliver the goods.  And if I were to recommend a 12, not only would it be a Taylor, it would be in GS body as I feel it offers all the attributes of a Jumbo bod with greater comfort and "familiarity" in feel ...IMHO of course.  Hope that helps you a bit.

Edward

Thanks, Edward. This is a great report and is very helpful.

I have had the same general experience with 12 strings with one exception. The Seagull S-12 also has conquered all of the problems and the straight acoustic sells at an unbeatable price point. I think that all of the Taylors are better guitars for a variety of reasons but the Seagull is a reasonable option.

I love the idea of the new 754ce. That's a great look in a comfortable, great sounding guitar.