Sitka spruce and V-Class bracing

For maximum tonal performance, Taylor uses Sitka spruce for the top, providing both defined mids and refined treble. Supported by the innovative V Class bracing, the top vibrates two dimensionally with every strike, allowing every note to develop quickly and sustain evenly across all registers. A wafer thin finish and lightweight construction further enhance this effect, making the 854ce 12 String ideal for both fingerstyle and expressive strumming. Framed by maple binding with rosewood edge trim, the evenly grained top is beautifully highlighted and contrasts tastefully with the body woods. Matching the elegant inlays and the high quality single ring rosette, the top is fitted with a generous rosewood pickguard that gives the guitar a distinct touch.

Indian rosewood for additional saturation

To enrich the tone with strong bass and ample volume, the back and sides are made of coarsely grained Indian rosewood. This premium wood also enhances the guitar's fast response and lets notes ring out with long, complex overtones. The bookmatched back is separated by a maple backstripe that subtly emphasizes the symmetry of the grain. Fine maple bindings frame the back and provide a gentle contrast to the dark rosewood. The thin finish also plays a key role here, allowing the tone to unfold fully even with a light touch. The medium sized Grand Auditorium body thus proves to be a true all rounder that works in many styles while remaining comfortable to hold.

An incomparable playing comfort

For outstanding playability, Taylor uses a slim mahogany neck paired with an ebony fingerboard. Together with a nut width of 47.6 mm, this setup offers excellent grip and clarity across all 20 frets. The nut, made of black GraphTech TUSQ, works perfectly with the compensated Micarta saddle to ensure accurate intonation along the entire 648 mm scale length. The signature headstock features smoked nickel tuners that guarantee precise tuning and complement the intricate Element fretboard inlays. The guitar is completed by Taylor's Expression System 2, which captures the acoustic tone in a remarkably natural way.

Expression System 2

The Expression System 2 represents a major step forward in acoustic guitar amplification. Three piezo sensors mounted behind the saddle capture the vibration of each string pair directly, delivering a remarkably natural and uncolored tone. Three discreet controls for volume, bass and treble allow precise adjustment to any environment or personal preference, with the knobs mounted unobtrusively on the side.

Sustainable ebony cultivation in Cameroon

As ebony is particularly finger-friendly due to its hard, supple texture, it has long been the preferred choice for the production of fingerboards. Its attractive appearance is also extremely popular for bridges, headstock overlays, bridge Pins and Bindings . However, the high demand and the flourishing black market outstripped the stocks, so that ebony ended up on the Red List of endangered species in 1994. In addition, only the deep black heartwood, which makes up only a fraction of the tree, was used, resulting in a disproportionately large amount of waste in production. To protect the forests, Taylor has been working with the Crelicam Wood Mill in Yaoundé, Cameroon, since 2011 to promote controlled consumption by processing waste products. Thus, Taylor guitars not only contain black ebony elements, but also the different colored, more clearly grained parts of the tree. This complete recycling is an effective method of preserving the stocks and successfully counteracts their dramatic decline and the associated negative ecological effects.

"We need to use the ebony that the forest gives us" - Bob Taylor