Overview

For a while maple might have been a bit misrepresented in the acoustic world, developing a reputation for being too bright for some, and lacking the richer character of other classic tonewoods. But historically, maple has actually been one of the classic tonewoods for other stringed instruments in the violin family. Taylor has revoiced its maple 600s to re-introduce its true voice to guitar players, and the results have been amazing. If you have preconceptions about maple, check them at the door, because these guitars deliver plenty of the warmth, depth, richness and sustain your ears crave in an acoustic guitar, without losing the clarity and transparency that allows maple to reflect the player and fit into a mix with other instruments.

Grand Concert
Taylor's Grand Concert is slightly smaller that its Grand Auditorium and yields controlled overtones, so the sound won't occupy a lot of sonic space. This is often a key consideration when other instruments are in the mix, such as in a performance or recording environment, and it allows the guitar to be heard more clearly. The Grand Concert pairs well with both 14-fret and 12-fret neck-to-body construction, and offers an articulate voice with top-end chime. It's perfect for fingerstyle players and light strummers, though flatpickers are known to enjoy its tonal character too. Its intimate size makes it lap/couch-friendly, and a great fit for players who find smaller instruments more physically comfortable.

Tonewoods
A guitar's top is the primary filter and distributor of vibrating string energy through the guitar, which means it has a huge impact on its sound. Sitka Spruce is the most prevalent guitar top wood of the modern era. It blends stiffness and elasticity in just the right proportions which translates into broad dynamic range with crisp articulation. 600 Series guitars feature a special seasoning process for the spruce top called torrefaction, a method of roasting the wood to produce an aged tonal character with greater acoustic resonance and responsiveness.

Traditionally known for having a focused tone with a fast note decay that cuts through a mix, Taylor's maple (back and sides) guitars have been voiced to produce greater warmth, complexity, volume, sustain and responsiveness, while retaining maple’s naturally clear, linear qualities. The clarity of the high end is still there, but the bottom end has been extended. The result is a more multi-dimensional sound that gives players the kind of musical versatility of other classic tonewoods, making our maple models a compelling choice as a primary guitar, not just a stage guitar. Taylor's maple guitars are voiced to be very reflective of the player’s technique, so a player with a dynamic playing style or someone who likes to vary their picking attack will appreciate how easily those playing nuances come through in the tonal response.

Expression System 2 Electronics
Taylor's 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 patented behind-the-saddle pickup, which features three uniquely positioned and individually calibrated pickup sensors. Because the pickup doesn't sit under the saddle, the bottom of the saddle comes in full contact with the bridge, allowing all the nuance of the guitar's tone to come through clearly whether playing acousticly or plugged-in. The location of the sensors enables a more dynamic range of acoustic sound to be captured than ever before while playing plugged-in. 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. The Taylor Expression System 2 operates through a proprietary 9-volt battery compartment and easy-to-use volume, and active bass and treble controls.

Other Features
Premium features and appointments include: custom-calibrated wood thicknesses/bracing for each body shape, torrified top, hand-rubbed Brown Sugar stain (back and sides), protein glue (bracing and bridge), grained ivoroid purfling, ebony backstrap with grained ivoroid "wings" inlay, side braces, and a striped ebony pickguard.

The Taylor Difference
What sets Taylor Guitars apart? Unmatched build quality, the most stable and playable necks, a vast array of tonal options, eco-conscious and ethically-sourced raw materials, and a lifetime of service and support.

Features

Body

Body type: Taylor Grand Concert
Cutaway: Single
Top wood: Solid Torrified Sitka Spruce
Back & sides: Solid Maple
Bracing pattern: 600 Series Advanced Performance Sitka Grand Concert Bracing with Relief Rout
Body finish: Gloss 3.5 with Hand-Rubbed Brown Sugar Stain
Orientation: Right-Handed

Neck

Neck shape: Taylor Standard Profile
Nut width: 1.75 in. (44.5 mm)
Fingerboard: Genuine African Ebony
Neck wood: Solid Hard Rock Maple
Scale length: 24.8 in.
Number of frets: 20
Neck finish: Satin

Electronics

Pickup/preamp: Yes
Brand: Taylor
Configuration: Behind-the-Saddle Transducer with Adjustable Sensors
Preamp EQ: 2-band
Feedback filter: Phase
Tuner: No

Other

Headstock overlay: Genuine African Ebony
Tuning machines: Taylor Nickel Tuners with Nickel Buttons
Bridge: Genuine African Ebony
Saddle & nut: Micarta "Wave" Saddle; Tusq Nut
Number of strings: 6
Special features: Numerous; see "Other Features" above
Case: Deluxe Hardshell Case
Accessories: None
Country of origin: United States

Taylor 612CE 12-Fret Grand Concert Cutaway Acoustic Electric Natural