Taylor 812e 12-Fret Electro Acoustic Guitar - Natural

• Taylor Grand Concert body with advanced performance and relief rout
• Sitka spruce body top with natural finish delivers great projection
• Indian rosewood back and sides with 3.5mm gloss
• Tropical mahogany neck with satin finish for a slick playing feel
• Ebony fingerboard with element position inlays to guide you along
• Maple 0.080-inches body binding complements the Natural colouring of the guitar
• Taylor's Expression System 2 electronics amplify your acoustic timbre
• Includes Taylor case to protect guitar against damage

When it comes to high-end acoustic guitars, one name that is usually the first to be mentioned is Taylor. Having built an outstanding reputation for creating flawless instruments that are as beautiful to look at as they are to play and hear, Taylor continually pushes the boundaries and strives for perfection with every model they create. Not only that but their already amazing Expression System electronics - originally designed by none other than Rupert Neve - has received an update, such is their endless commitment to being the best. The 812e 12-fret electro-acoustic guitar is a perfect example of what Taylor are known for; combining superb tonewoods, solid build quality and an electronics system that compliments the timbre of the guitar perfectly, creating a sublime instrument that sets the standard for others to follow.

The 812e 12-fret is shaped to the Grand Concert body, slightly smaller when compared to a dreadnought but no less characterful. Fingerstyle players favour this shape due to its smaller size, but flatpickers and strummers will appreciate the tonal offering delivering by the Grand Concert. The sound produced is quieter than that of a dreadnought or jumbo, but thanks to a new slanted-bracing pattern, the lower frequencies are given a lift to create more linear response across the frequency range, giving it a complex and unique timbre. If you're a session player who needs a guitar that will sit perfectly within a mix between other instruments, yet still retain an individual voice amongst proceedings, then the Grand Concert shape may be just what you're looking for.

The Taylor 812e 12-fret's body back and sides have been crafted from Indian rosewood, a delightfully rich and complex tonewood that produces a full and robust mid to low-end force. The top is made from Sitka spruce - a Taylor favourite - due to its excellent resonant properties that enable it to project huge sounds with the greatest of ease. The bright-sounding spruce works wonderfully with the rosewood and body shape to create an incredibly complex tonal palette.

The body has been given a gloss finish to protect from unwanted nicks and scrapes that come through playing. It also enables the guitar to cope with changes in humidity and temperature capably, making this a fantastic touring and gigging partner. On this model Taylor have created an even slimmer coating of gloss - down from 6mm to 3.5mm - without sacrificing on its protective abilities. The natural resonant properties of the tonewoods sing more freely and deliver fuller sound than ever before.

The shortened scale length of the neck gives the guitar a much punchier sound, again emphasising the mid to low-end charge that is projected. The neck is carefully built using tropical mahogany, giving it a reassuringly sturdy feel in the hand. Married to the mahogany is a sumptuous smoked ebony fingerboard, giving a delightful surface to navigate along. The mahogany and ebony combine perfectly to create a highly resonant platform for the strings, guaranteeing that every note rings out with the utmost clarity. The neck has been treated to newly designed Mother-of-Pearl Element position inlays.

The 812e 12-fret electro-acoustic benefits from Taylor's newly designed Expression System 2 (ES2), their behind-the-saddle pickup and custom-designed ""professional-audio""-grade preamp. As part of their never-ending quest for better tone, they shifted their usual 'under-the-saddle' design as they found that by placing the pickup behind the saddle, a less brittle, brash and synthetic sound could be captured. This means that no matter how aggressively you play, the natural warmth produced by the tonewoods rings out beautifully without colouring the signal or blemishing the natural timbre of the 812e 12-fret in any way.

The control layout features the same volume and tone control knobs as on the original Expression System, with Taylor changing the gain structure of the preamp slightly to make it a little hotter. When playing live, this subtle adjustment gives the 812e 12-fret the boost you need to be heard loud and clear.

High-quality hardware is used throughout to ensure a professional-level finish is achieved. Taylor nickel tuners work in partnership with the Tusq nut and Miscarta saddle to ensure tuning integrity, string tension and the string's connection to the body is perfectly maintained. A pale maple binding, enhances the stunning natural grain of the tonewoods and protects the body's edges.

The impressive Taylor 812e 12-fret also comes with its very own case, perfect for transporting this beauty between your home, the studio and to gigs. If you're looking for a fantastic all-rounder that can produce enormous tones, then this is the partner for you!