Taylor Grand Concert 12 strings (Taylor 552ce cedar)

[ghostnote]

I bought a 362ce three years ago. I was actually looking at a different 12 string - not a Taylor - but not much of anything was available in those pandemic days, and a dealer had just this single Taylor. I grabbed it, and I’ve come to really like it. It doesn’t have the big, booming sound of a “typical” twelve, but it’s so extremely well made and comfortable that it immediately feels right in your hands. The mahogany over Tasmanian Blackwood has a nice tone and the Taylor neck is easy to fret and perfectly built. Rather than play songs that I’d normally consider for a twelve, I find myself playing my normal 6-string repertoire on it quite a bit. It really adds something different to those tunes, and when I’m recording a song that has both 6 and 12 string guitars, the huge bass that a 12 usually has is not missed - in fact, I find it better since there’s no conflict with the bass on the 6-string. This 362ce is the only twelve I have now, and I’m satisfied enough that I’ve never gone back to looking for another.

[Guitars44me]

Originally Posted by Dave Hicks

I have a 552 with the older bracing. I like it and use it a fair amount. It's great for atmosphere rather than rumble. 12 fret/small body is good for those of us with Short Arms Syndrome.

I've heard a number of Taylors that don't sound good through a PA IMO, but this is not one.

D.H.

I really like my 552 X brace. I am convinced the Cedar top helps a lot in taming the normal 12 string shrillness. Mind sounds really good tuned down to
D standard too! Even with the short scale.

Obvious VERY comfortable. It seems a lot like a small LKSM to me. (Now I have BOTH, and I tune the LKSM 12 all the way down to C.)

I had a 552 and sold it when carpal tunnel made any 12 string uncomfortable

Post surgery (left wrist only) I found I another and jumped on it!

Play what makes you happy and tune up often

Cheers

Paul

[LawrenceMollard]

I have a Taylor GA3-12, so basically an OM sized twelve string. It's a very nice guitar, I actually bought a Larrivee dreadnaught 12 but then strung the Taylor with heavier strings and realized what a good sounding and well balanced guitar it is.

[Doranged]

I have several Taylor 12s but the one I play the most is the 562ce with x bracing. It’s one you should try before purchasing!

[Glennwillow]

Originally Posted by Doranged

I have several Taylor 12s but the one I play the most is the 562ce with x bracing. It’s one you should try before purchasing!

Among the smaller Taylor 12-strings, I think the 562CE is the best.

- Glenn

[Guitars44me]

Originally Posted by LawrenceMollard

I have a Taylor GA3-12, so basically an OM sized twelve string. It's a very nice guitar, I actually bought a Larrivee dreadnaught 12 but then strung the Taylor with heavier strings and realized what a good sounding and well balanced guitar it is.

An OM is usually 15” at the lower bout. So is a x12 Taylor. (GC)

GA (x 14) is 16”

Hope this helps

Paul

[ellbailz]

A little update - I bought a Taylor 352ce X brace from 2017 which is on its way. I have a feeling that the small body will be good for strumming, which I’ve found to be not so good on the jumbo 355ce - it gets a bit messy and sounds a little middy/thin when strummed hard. 355ce sounds best with arpeggios.

[fazool]

Originally Posted by Dave Hicks

...I've heard a number of Taylors that don't sound good through a PA IMO, but this is not one....

I presume you are talking about with an ES pickup system and not talking about the actual sound of the guitar.

I'm mostly unhappy with any stock pickup.

I would change the pickup as the way it sounds through a PA has virtually nothing to do with the sound of the guitar and everything to do with the sound of the pickup.

[Dave Hicks]

Originally Posted by fazool

I presume you are talking about with an ES pickup system and not talking about the actual sound of the guitar.

I'm mostly unhappy with any stock pickup.

I would change the pickup as the way it sounds through a PA has virtually nothing to do with the sound of the guitar and everything to do with the sound of the pickup.

Correct, through the PA. To me (maybe not to others) the 552 sounds really good with the stock pickup, nice and airy. Most other Taylors with the ES that I've heard through a PA sound rather unenticing.

D.H.