Taylor TAYLOR 856CE WC 12STR AE CTWY SOLID SITKA SPRUCE TOP SOLID RW B&S  

I've never owned a 12 string before but when I started shopping for one I knew I wanted a full sound with plenty of low end.  I wasn't looking for a de-tuned, Leo Kottke growl (though I love Kottke's sound and playing) but wanted something like the sound of George Harrison's "My Sweet Lord".  I played a variety of guitars including the Martins, Guilds, a Breedlove, several Taylor 355 and 655 jumbos but they weren't quite what I was looking for.  I couldn't find an 855 or 856 locally to try so I called Taylor in California and based on my description they recommended the 856.  I was convinced that I wanted a jumbo but I had played an 816 and it certainly had plenty of low end.  My next dilemma was ordering an 855 (or possibly 856).  I called the Private Reserve line at Musicians Friend and a real person picked up the phone.  His name was Scott and I explained what I was looking for to him.  He gave me the same advice - the Taylor 856.  He convinced me that it had the full sound I was looking for with the combination of Rosewood and the Grand Symphony body style.  He snapped a bunch of photos of the actual 856s they had in stock,  emailed them to me and played each guitar to find the best sounding instrument.  He told me I could send it back if I wasn't happy with it so I took a chance and ordered the 856 that Scott  recommended.  When it arrived - it was packed so well that it could have survived a nuclear blast.  I took it out, tuned it up and there it was - the exact sound and feel I was looking for!  The GS body style is much more comfortable to play than a jumbo but it easily has as much bass and low-midrange as a jumbo.  And the tone of the rosewood was the perfect compliment to the 12 sting jangle.  The tone and volume are simply amazing - just like the sound of "My Sweet Lord".  Very full and rich without losing the crisp jangle.  In this price range you can buy just about any 12 string you want.  You could actually save money and buy a Guild F512 or a Martin D12-28.  Both are great guitars which  sound fantastic.  But the comfortable GS body, the very comfortable neck, the superb rosewood and the amazing tuning stability make the 856 well worth the extra cost.  And the sound is nothing short of amazing!  And if you are concerned about ordering a premium guitar without playing it first - call the guys at Private Reserve.  They're extremely helpful and a pleasure to work with.