700 Series 2014 712ce Grand Concert 12-Fret Acoustic-Electric Guitar

On Taylor's 700 Series 712ce Grand Concert 12-Fret Cutaway ES2 Acoustic-Electric Guitar, the neck meets the body at the 12th fret rather than the 14th, and the bridge position is closer to the center of the lower bout. The result is a splash of extra tonal depth. The classic pairing of rosewood and spruce yields a full-range acoustic voice, while the smaller body keeps the overtones in check and fits nicely in a mix with other instruments. A short scale 24-7/8" neck adds comfort to the playing experience, while a Venetian cutaway invites players up the fretboard. A Vintage Sunburst top and neck, ivoroid binding and rosette, and ivoroid Heritage Diamond fretboard inlays evoke an old-soul persona. Stage-friendly Taylor Expression System 2 acoustic electronics translate the acoustic dynamics and tonal detail into exceptional amplified tone.

Grand Concert
Taylor's small-body Grand Concert debuted in 1984 to meet the needs of a new wave of adventurous acoustic fingerstyle players. In contrast to the traditionally darker, boomier voices of bigger body styles like dreadnoughts and jumbos, the GC's compact size and tapered waist kept the overtones in check. It was also more comfortable to play while sitting down, and the guitar's slightly wider neck gave players more room for complex fingerings. The GC's smaller sonic footprint also fit cleanly in a mix with other instruments when tracking in the studio and with a band on stage, making it a useful tool for professional session and side players. Our current generation of GC models continues to accommodate fingerstylists with finger-friendly traits like a shorter 24 7/8" scale length, which makes fretting easier and adds a slightly slinkier feel on the strings due to the lighter string tension. If you feel more comfortable with a small body or favor controlled overtones, a Grand Concert is a great option.

Indian Rosewood
The 712ce 12-Fret features one of the most popular and traditional guitar woods of all time, rosewood, which takes the basic sonic thumbprint of mahogany (which has a strong midrange) and expands it in both directions. Rosewood sounds deeper in the low end and brighter on the top end (one might describe the treble notes as zesty, sparkly or sizzly, with more articulation). If you look at its frequency range visually, rosewood would appear to be more scooped in the middle, yielding less midrange bloom than mahogany. Like mahogany, rosewood's vintage heritage has helped firmly establish its acoustic legacy. It's a great sound in part because we know that sound. In some music circles in which preserving the traditional sound helps bring a sense of authenticity to the music - certain strains of Americana, for example - rosewood has an iconic status. Also like mahogany, rosewood is a versatile tonewood, which has contributed to its popularity. One can fingerpick it, strum it and flatpick it. It's very consistent, so players can usually rely on it to deliver.

If you like a guitar with fuller low end and brighter treble (bluegrassers, for instance), rosewood will do the trick. Its high-end sizzle and clear articulation will benefit players with "dark hands".

12-String Bracing
Twelve-strings generally employ heavier braces than 6-strings in order to handle the increased tension of twice the number of strings, and to prevent the top from being overdriven. Taylor 12-strings have thicker tops, thicker pin plates, and heavier, non-scalloped bracing, to support the top and adequately amplify the tone of the guitar.

Expression System 2
The Taylor Expression System 2 (ES2) is a revolutionary pickup design that delivers the latest in Taylor's ongoing innovation in acoustic guitar amplification. The heart of the Expression System 2 is Taylor's proprietary behind-the-saddle pickup, which features three uniquely positioned and individually calibrated pickup sensors. The location of the sensors enables a more dynamic range of acoustic sound to be captured than ever before. Together with Taylor's custom-designed "professional audio"-grade preamp, this system produces exceptional amplified tone and responsiveness. On stage through a PA, plugged into your favorite acoustic amplifier, or direct into recording software, the Expression System 2 faithfully conveys the voice of your Taylor guitar.