With the Taylor 812ce V-Class, the U.S. manufacturer from San Diego, California, presents the flagship of its full solid Grand Concert models, which, in addition to its diverse sound characteristics, convinces with its decidedly accommodating playability. Equipped with a V-Class bracing that favors a two-dimensional vibration behavior of the Sitka spruce top, the guitar has a quick response and clean intonation across the entire tonal spectrum. Other highlights include the Radius-style Rosewood armrest, Taylor Expression System 2 pickup system, and Smoked Nickel tuners, making the instrument perfectly equipped for any situation and ensuring the player gets their money's worth. The scope of delivery includes a brown Taylor Deluxe hardshell case.
For a maximum sound experience, the manufacturer uses the wood of the Californian Sitka spruce for the top construction, which produces both defined midrange and fine treble frequencies. Supported by a cleverly designed V-Class bracing, the top is set into a two-dimensional oscillation with every stroke, which means that every note can unfold quickly and sustainably in all registers. This phenomenon is further enhanced by a paper-thin finish and lightweight construction, making the instrument suitable for fingerstyle, or light strumming. Bordered by a maple binding with a rosewood edge trim, the evenly grained top wood is perfectly accentuated and contrasts tastefully with the other materials of the body. Matching the fine inlays and the high-quality single-ring soundhole rosette, the top is equipped with a generous rosewood pickguard that gives the instrument an individual touch.
To enrich the sound with rich bass frequencies and the necessary volume, the back and sides are made of a rough grained rosewood. The fine tropical wood also provides a fast response and allows the individual notes to resonate long in the overtones. The opened back is separated by a backstripe of maple, which subtly brings the symmetry of the grain to the fore. Delicate bindings of maple separate the back of the 812ce from the rounded sides and provide a subtle visual contrast to the dark rosewood. The thin varnish also plays a decisive role for the back and the sides, because it allows a perfect sound development even with the lightest touches. Thus, the compact Grand Concert design turns out to be a versatile instrument that can be used in many areas and is also comfortable to hold.
For exceptionally accommodating playability, the manufacturer Taylor relies on a flat mahogany neck construction with an ebony fingerboard that, combined with a 44.5mm nut width, provides a perfect, clean grip across all 20 frets. Made of black GraphTech TUSQ, the nut is perfectly matched to the compensated Micarta bridge inlay, so that the 812ce intonates perfectly supported by the V-Class bracing on the entire scale length of 648 mm. The characteristic headstock is equipped with smoked nickel tuners, which on the one hand guarantee precise tuning of the 6 steel strings and on the other hand perfectly match the elaborate Element fingerboard inlays and round off the instrument in its value. The guitar is completed with an in-house Expression System-2, which also amplifies the acoustic sound in a very natural way.