The Taylor Builder’s Edition 652ce acoustic-electric is one of the latest models in master designer Andy Powers’ ultra-premium class of guitars. In designing the models in his Builder’s Edition collection, Powers exercised full creative freedom, and we here at Musician’s Friend couldn’t be more excited about the four new models. The 652ce is the first 12-string model to join the Builder’s Edition collection. With its compact body, electric-guitar inspired contouring, shorter scale length and 12-fret neck, this Taylor acoustic-electric will appeal to electric players.

Compact body and Sleek Contouring

With the Builder’s Edition 652ce, Taylor once again levels up their reputation for crafting ultra-playable 12-string guitars. This model pairs big leaf maple with torrefied Sitka spruce for a model that will appeal to electric players. Features that electric players will find appealing include the compact Grand Concert body, sleek contouring such as the beveled cutaway and armrest, a shorter 24-7/8” scale length and 12-fret neck.

Reverse-strung Configuration for a True Electric Feel

What electric players will find most attractive about the 652ce is its reverse-strung configuration. This reverse-strung orientation emphasizes the fundamental note, creating a slightly fuller, meatier 12-string sound. With double-mounted string anchoring, each string pairing shares the same bridge pinhole. This design creates a consistent break angle and produces a more even response. When you add in Taylor’s V-Class bracing, this guitar sounds clean and focused, incredibly in tune, and articulate in its low-end response.

Innovative Electronics and V-Class Bracing

The 652ce is equipped with Taylor’s innovation Expression System 2 electronics. This pickup design features three uniquely positioned and individually calibrated pickup sensors. As the pickup isn’t designed to sit under the saddle, the bottom of the saddle comes in full contact with the bridge. This design allows for all the nuance of the guitar’s tone to come through clearly, whether you’re playing acoustically or plugged-in.

Topping off this incredibly sounding instrument is Taylor’s award-winning V-Class bracing system—a fundamental innovation in acoustic guitar design. V-Class bracing improves an acoustic guitar’s fundamental sound, creating better volume, sustain and intonation. Its architecture can also be modified and integrated with other design elements to create dramatically varying tonal flavors.

An Ultra-playable 12-string for the Electric Player

With the Builder’s Edition 652ce, the comfort, precision and utility of an electric guitar is brought into the organic, acoustic musical space. With its compact body and reverse-strung 12-string design, electric players will find this guitar to be comfortable, and a joy to play. It also amplifies well, powered by Taylor’s ES2 electronics, which makes it a super stage-friendly guitar.

More on the Builder’s Edition

Andy Powers’ Builder’s Edition collection originally debuted in 2018 to introduce Taylor’s new V-Class bracing system. This line of Taylor acoustic-electric guitars offers the most player-friendly experience in both sound and feel. Taylor’s Builder’s Edition collection is essentially like Powers’ “director’s cut” version of a V-Class guitar. But with the Builder’s Edition models, Powers applies refined craftsmanship details not typically offered on standard Taylor models. All of this is done to ultimate elevate your playing experience when holding a Taylor.