Taylor 712ce Grand Concert Cutaway Acoustic-Electric Guitar  

I bought my 712ce on the last day of 2003.  It had the Fishman blender piezo pickup system, Grover tuners and the old Grand Concert dimensions.  The Fishman unit was a piece of crap so I had it factory-upgraded to the ES system.  Since then, this has been my go-to stage acoustic.  It plays like an electric (and can handle some lead), has a great amplified tone and the combination of the small GC body and the ES system make it extremely resistant to feedback, always an issue with amplified acoustics. It's somewhat less impressive unplugged.  While the tone is classic Taylor and the rosewood gives it surprising bass for its size, the 712ce ain't gonna cut it with the big boys without juice.  A halfway-decent OM will blow this away acoustically unless you're both playing fingerstyle.  But it's really nice late at night in your living room. Taylor could've done a much better job on the case.  Admittedly, I can be tough on cases but the latches have always given me trouble and the case has slowly semi-disintegrated over the 7 years I've had it.  The handle came off and had to be re-attached, one of the latches broke entirely and the covering is very marred and torn in several places.  The quality of the case doesn't begin to match that of the instrument it's supposed to protect. But overall, this is a pretty fine guitar and the cheapest way to get a mid- to high-end Taylor.  Except for bling and the difference in top woods, this is the same instrument as the 812ce.  My cousin has one of those and the 712ce sounds just as good and costs considerably less.  Get this if you want a good stage workhorse and/or you're into a lot of fingerstyle.

I managed to get my hands on a Limited Edition 714ce: the difference being that it is constructed from Madagascar Rosewood (body) and Sitka Spruce (top).  As this was a major purchase, I "fretted" (pun intended) about the decision for several days,  but once I made the plunge I haven't looked back and did not suffer any buyer's remorse . . . at all. What can I say about this marvelous guitar?!!! It has inspired me all over again, just like when I was a hungry new player. I had somehow hit a lull in my creativity and this guitar has given me the inspiration and confidence to write new and creative material. The sound is simply amazing, very rich and melodic, very clean with incredible projection . . .  almost as if you are listening to a harp. You can thump out loud, thick, sparkling chords, or soft, intimate, finger picked notes.  The sustain and clarity are amazing throughout the entire fingerboard.  I compared it to top shelf Martins and Gibsons and I knew this was the tone for me. Before buying this I played it in a Guitar Center for my girl, and practically brought her to tears with an impromptu love song.  The emotional connectivity you can produce is unlike any other acoustic I have ever played. I later jumped into some funky "Red Hot Chili Peppers", and other guitarists in the store came over and commented on the sweet, rich tone.  I knew then if I put the guitar down that I might loose it to the competition LOL! There is a reason the Taylors sit in the fancy humidity controlled room at the store: You feel the Taylor quality through and through. Getting a solid case as part of the package is a definite plus as you will want to protect your new "baby".  Try it . . .  you'll fall in love, and you won't be left heart-broken, I promise.

Worth the money. Sounds great and has a smooth feel to it. Amazing wood and detail on the Abalone.