Taylor 552ce 12-Fret Grand Concert Acoustic-Electric Guitar, 12-String (with Case)

Guitarists love the playing comfort of the compact Grand Concert body of the Taylor 552ce 12-string. The smaller body produces a wonderful focus and articulation that will sit well in an instrument mix.

Not only does it feature a compact Grand Concert body, but the 24-7/8-inch scale length together with the 12-fret neck give players a slinky hand-feel that make these among the most playable 12-strings Taylor has ever offered. The cedar top paired with mahogany back and sides produces a natural warmth that responds well to finger-stylists and other players with a light touch. Taylor's Performance bracing is optimized to boost the power and projection evenly across the tonal spectrum. Additional features include a Venetian cutaway and Taylor Expression System 2 electronics.

Expression System(R) 2

The Taylor Expression System(R) 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 patented 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… read more Expression System 2 faithfully conveys the voice of your Taylor guitar.

Behind the ES2 Design: Rethinking the Piezo Pickup

For decades, piezo-electric transducers have been positioned under the saddle of a guitar based on the long-held belief that the string and top vibration cause the saddle to "bounce" up and down. But Taylor's electronics team, led by developer David Hosler, discovered that the vertical movement is actually heavily restricted, and that the saddle gets "locked down" due to the string tension's downward pressure. That's why a traditional under-saddle pickup with piezo-electric crystals often responds with a sound often characterized as thin, brittle, brash or synthetic, especially with more aggressive playing.

The saddle's natural range of movement as the guitar is being played is actually back and forth like a pendulum. That revelation led Taylor's design team to relocate the crystals from under the saddle to behind it. The new positioning enables the crystals to respond more naturally to the guitar's energy as it is transferred through the saddle. Three pickup sensors are installed behind the saddle, through the bridge, with three tiny Allen screws that calibrate the position of the sensors in relation to the saddle.

Like the original Expression System, the ES2 features the same volume and tone control knobs. The preamp is similar but with a slightly different gain structure. As a result it will be about 25 percent hotter, which is more in line with other pickups. This makes it plug-and-play friendly both for artists and live sound mixers.

Features:

- Grand Concert body
- Tusq Nut/Micarta Saddle
- Taylor's Expression System 2 electronics
- Ebony fretboard
- Taylor Deluxe Hardshell Brown case included read less