Taylor 312ce 12-Fret

Taylor introduces the 312ce 12-Fret, featuring a grand concert body with traditional 12 fret neck joint.

This guitar is part of Taylor's recent release of multiple 12-fret guitar models across their acoustic guitar line, as they take advantage of the public's renewed interest in classic guitar designs.

According to Taylor, the 312ce 12-Fret combines old school design with modern playability and reliability. Rather than going for period-correct reproductions, they refined the 12-fret design and imbued it with their brand of quality and playability, giving today's players a chance to enjoy the voicing and playing feel of 12-fret guitars in a modern day instrument.

The main difference of modern 14-fret design and 12-fret neck joint is how it adjusts the bridge position closer to the more flexible center of the lower bout. This subtle adjustment results in more midrange and warmth that works really well with small body guitars like the Grand Concert, which is Taylor's smallest full-size acoustic shape.

The story goes that most guitar neck joints are set at the 12th fret before the 1930s. This was changed to 14 fret partially due to the popularity of the banjo, which featured longer necks and more higher notes to play with. Now 14-fret neck joints are the norm, with 12-fret designs now limited to parlor guitars and other small body acoustics.

Taylor Master Guitar Designer Andy Powers said, "The 12-fret is very accommodating of many styles. It’s comfortable, and there’s a nice singing quality that you can get out of that guitar. I like the vibrant character of the midrange. This design is very physically efficient, so it has strong projection. Despite its smaller physical size, it sounds like a huge instrument. I like that I can get this husky power from a compact guitar."

The 312ce 12-Fret exemplifies what Powers said, with its shorter 24 7/8" scale length, and small Grand Concert body. This allows the guitar to be easy on the hands while having a cutting midrange emphasis. Even with its familiar solid sapele and sitka spruce body combination, it sports a different vintage voice, while still retaining the punch and balance expected of the tonewood combination.

Andy adds, "The unique geometry of the 12-fret paired with Taylor’s design nuances, including the company’s patented, precision-fit neck, gives the guitars more midrange swagger. There’s a little more attitude. By moving the bridge to a more central location in that lower bout, we get more warmth and power because the top is being articulated from a more flexible spot. At the same time, there’s a sleek handfeel due to the way the top is flexing and responding every time a string is struck."

Being part of Taylor's "ce" line, this guitar features a soft rounded Venetian cutaway for comfortable upper fret access. It also denotes the use of built-in electronics, which in this guitar's case is the Taylor patented Expression System 2. This features the company's special behind the saddle design that places three piezo sensors behind the saddle to produce the characteristically articulate sound expected of amplified Taylor guitars.

Other features of the Taylor 312ce 12-Fret include a nice looking slotted headstock, satin finish back and sides with a gloss top, black binding, Italian acrylic small diamond fretboard inlays and a 3-ring rosette.

The new Taylor 312ce 12-Fret is currently retailing for online for $1,949.00, with deluxe hardshell case included. For more information and other details you can head over to Taylor Guitars.

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