
( Brand: Taylor ), ( Manufacturer Part Number: 552CE ), ( Country/region Of Manufacture: United States ), ( String Configuration: 12 String ), ( Dexterity: Right-handed )
The Taylor 552ce 12-Fret Grand Auditorium is an exquisite acoustic-electric guitar that masterfully blends the rich history of Taylor's acoustic craftsmanship with innovative modern advancements. This particular model, featuring a 12-fret design, offers an exceptional playing experience for both beginners and seasoned musicians in search of a versatile and inspiring instrument.
Body and Construction:The body shape of the 552ce is the classic Grand Auditorium, which is widely favored for its balanced tone and versatile sound. Acoustically, it delivers a powerful, vocal presence with clear, articulate highs and a robust, resonant low end. The guitar's solid Sitka spruce top allows for excellent projection and response, while its layered Indian rosewood back and sides provide the warm, rich tones that rosewood is known for.
The Taylor 552ce is an electrified variant, ensuring maximum versatility for live performances and recording sessions. To achieve a natural, true-to-wood amplified sound, Taylor outfits the 552ce with their Expression System 2 (ES2) pickup, offering a frequency response similar to a microphone, accurate amplification of the guitar's unique tonal characteristics, and excellent feedback rejection.
12-Fret Design:The 12-fret design of this Taylor series is a contemporary take on the classic Grand Auditorium. Instead of placing the twelfth fret on the traditional location on the 14th fret, this design shifts the neck joint to the 12th fret. By doing so, it results in several notable benefits, such as:
- Reduced scale length: With a shorter scale length of 24.88 inches, this 552ce offers improved access to the upper frets, making it an excellent choice for those with smaller hands or a preference for a more comfortable playing experience.
- Enhanced midrange presence: The 12-fret design gives the guitar a more robust midrange sound, which many players find appealing for its ability to add warmth and fullness to the tone.
Additional Features: The Taylor 552ce 12-Fret Grand Auditorium comes equipped with several other highlights that enhance its overall performance and appeal:- The guitar features a Venetian cutaway and gloss body finish.
- Its standard Taylor nitrocellulose lacquer neck finish provides a silky, fast-playing surface.
- The ebony fretboard and bridge provide durability and a rich, dark aesthetic.
- The guitar ships with an Elixir Phosphor Bronze Light strings (11-49).
Conclusion:The Taylor 552ce 12-Fret Grand Auditorium is an exceptional acoustic-electric guitar that successfully marries Taylor's world-renowned quality and craftsmanship with modern design and functionality. Ideal for musicians seeking an inspiring, versatile, and comfortable instrument for any playing situation, this model offers a balance of tradition and innovation that is truly remarkable.
The Taylor 552ce 12-Fret is a popular choice among musicians for its unique tonal qualities and modern design. Let's examine the key advantages and potential disadvantages of investing in this acoustic-electric guitar.
Pros:1. Unique Tone: The 12-fret design offers a unique tone with enhanced bass response due to the shorter scale length and the closer positioning of the bridge to the equilibrium point of the strings.
2. Expression System 2 Electronics: The Taylor Expression System 2 electronics provide a superior amplified sound, with excellent dynamics, clarity, and volume control. This technology allows the guitar to retain its acoustic tone when amplified.
3. Versatile: Suitable for various genres, the Taylor 552ce 12-Fret is an excellent choice for singer-songwriters, jazz, folk, rock, and blues players due to its balanced and versatile tone.
4. Solid Wood Construction: Its solid Sitka spruce top and layered cocobolo back and sides ensure excellent sound quality, projection, and durability.
5. Playability: The compact neck profile and 24.88-inch scale length contribute to easy playability and make it a great option for players with smaller hands or those who prefer a faster playing experience.
Cons:1. Premium Price: The Taylor 552ce 12-Fret's price tag puts it in the range of higher-end guitars, making it a significant investment for many musicians.
2. Limited Fingerboard Radius: The 12-inch fingerboard radius may not offer as much curvature as traditional instruments for players accustomed to flatter fingerboard profiles, which can affect their playing style adaptation.
3. some users may find that the shorter 24.88-inch scale length takes some time to get used to, especially if they are transitioning from a standard scale length instrument, but this is a matter of personal preference.
Conclusion:In conclusion, the Taylor 552ce 12-Fret exhibits several benefits, including a unique and enhanced tonal character, state-of-the-art electronics, versatility, solid wood construction, and improved playability. However, these advantages come with a premium price tag and specific features tailored to the needs of certain players.
Recommendation:The Taylor 552ce 12-Fret is highly recommended to experienced musicians and collectors seeking a high-quality, tonally rich, and unique acoustic-electric instrument. For those on a budget or who prefer more traditional guitar designs, other Taylor or competing models might be more suitable. Ultimately, the decision to purchase the Taylor 552ce 12-Fret depends on individual preferences, budget, and needs.
Taylor performance bracing is optimized to boost the power and projection evenly across the tonal spectrum.
Players who find the traditionally bigger size of a 12 string body unwieldy will love the playing comfort of the 552CE 12 fret. Not only does it feature a compact grand concert body, but the scale length together with the 12 fret neck give players a slinky handful that make these among the most playable 12 strings Taylor has ever offered.
This ensures that you are receiving an acoustic guitar that is in the best possible condition.
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Body type grand concert 12 fret cutaway single cutaway top wood western red cedar back sides mahogany bracing pattern standard iii forward shift pattern with relief rout body finish gloss, medium brown stain back sides neck shape standard nut width fingerboard ebony neck wood mahogany scale length number of frets 18 neck finish satin pickup preamps yes brand Taylor configuration behind the saddle pickup head stock overlay ebony tuning machines Taylor nickel bridge ebony saddle nut McCarty saddle tusk nut number of strings 12 case included, deluxe brown hard shell casein 4 lbs. GSR veers 625 gs 6.