Small-Body, Big-Voice Design Debuts Across Five Models in the 500, 700, Koa and Presentation Series, Including a New 12-String
EL CAJON, Calif., Sept. 3, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Taylor Guitars, the leading global builder of premium acoustic guitars, today announced the release of five new Next Generation 12-fret Grand Concert models: the PS12ce 12-Fret, K22ce 12-Fret Special Edition, 712ce 12-Fret, 552ce (12-String) and 512ce 12-Fret. Spanning an array of tonewood pairings and appointment packages across Taylor's 500, 700, Koa and Presentation Series, the lineup pairs the exceptional playing comfort of the 12-fret design with a remarkably warm, articulate voice.
"The 12-fret Grand Concert has always delivered an incredibly intimate playing experience," said Taylor Chief Guitar Designer, President and CEO Andy Powers. "Bringing Next Generation features into that platform felt like the natural next step for players who want a full voice and effortless feel in one guitar."
Payoffs of the 12-Fret Design
Combined with the Grand Concert's compact body and 24-⅞-inch scale length, the 12-fret configuration — in which the neck meets the body at the 12th fret — creates a hand-friendly playing experience, with a more compact relationship between the player's hands, easier fretting, and a relaxed, responsive string feel. Because of the 12-fret connection, the bridge shifts closer to the center of the lower bout, changing how the soundboard responds to string energy and contributing to the 12-fret's distinctive tonal character.
"The bridge placement lets the soundboard move more efficiently," explains Powers. "That translates into a warmer tone, a stronger midrange, longer sustain and surprising projection, all wrapped in a compact, lap-friendly body that's comfortable enough for hours of playing and versatile enough for virtually any style."
Those benefits are especially pronounced in the 12-string/12-fret Next Generation 552ce, which is sure to impress players with its remarkably comfortable fretting. Likewise, Taylor's double-mounted string anchoring system for 12-string guitars (in which each string pair is secured under a single bridge pin) ensures a consistent break angle for the strings across the saddle, yielding a more consistent voice across each course.
Next-Gen Design Features
The Next Generation 12-fret Grand Concert models incorporate Taylor's latest Next-Gen design innovations: the patented Action Control Neck™, scalloped V-Class® bracing and Claria™ System electronics. (The 12-string 552ce features standard V-Class bracing to accommodate the added string tension.)
The Action Control Neck enhances sustain, warmth and resonance while allowing players and technicians to adjust string height on the fly, making it easy to dial in the perfect feel and adapt to changes in climate, specific musical applications or unique playing styles. Scalloped V-Class bracing bolsters sonic depth with improved open-string richness and enhanced low-end presence while preserving the hallmark pitch accuracy, volume and sustain of the original V-Class platform. The Claria System pairs a reimagined under-saddle pickup with a proprietary preamp to produce natural, reliable amplified tone in live settings, with intuitive soundhole-mounted controls that include a new Mid-Contour knob for effortless tone shaping.
All five models feature a 24-⅞-inch scale length and a cutaway body.
New Next Generation 12-Fret Grand Concert Models
NEXT GENERATION PS12CE 12-FRET (HONDURAN ROSEWOOD/SINKER REDWOOD)
The ultra-premium expression of the 12-fret experience, the PS12ce 12-Fret showcases Taylor's finest craftsmanship, tonewoods and visual artistry. Sinker redwood and Honduran rosewood combine for inspiring warmth, bold projection and rich harmonic complexity, pairing soft-touch sensitivity with plenty of headroom. A comfort-enhancing radiused ebony armrest and an extensive suite of mother-of-pearl and paua appointments make it an instrument designed to be played — and treasured — for generations.
- Ebony binding (body, fretboard, soundhole)
- Paua rosette
- Taylor slot-head nickel tuning machines, ebony buttons
- California Vine paua and mother-of-pearl inlays
- Indian rosewood pickguard
- Shaded edgeburst back/sides, gloss body finish, satin neck finish
NEXT GENERATION K22CE 12-FRET SPECIAL EDITION (HAWAIIAN KOA)
This all-koa Next-Gen 12-Fret Special Edition delivers a woody voice with loads of midrange swagger that opens up over time, rewarding players with added sweetness and resonance. Select-grade Hawaiian koa showcases striking grain and color variegation, complemented by iridescent shell appointments and a rich shaded edgeburst that wraps the entire guitar.
- Indian rosewood binding (body, soundhole), ebony binding (fretboard)
- Paua/Indian rosewood rosette
- Mother-of-pearl GA-LTD inlays
- Dark-stained sycamore pickguard
- Taylor slot-head nickel tuning machines, ebony buttons
- Shaded edgeburst gloss finish (entire guitar), satin neck
NEXT GENERATION 712CE 12-FRET (INDIAN ROSEWOOD/WESTERN RED CEDAR)
Pairing a Western red cedar top with Indian rosewood back and sides, the 712ce 12-Fret produces a richly textured voice with lush overtones, deep lows and piano-like trebles. From delicate fingerstyle to full, open-chord accompaniment, it offers a colorful tonal palette for players seeking depth, nuance and exceptional responsiveness in a compact form.
- White binding (body), black binding (fretboard)
- Green abalone rosette
- Green Abalone Reflections inlays
- Faux tortoise pickguard
- Taylor slot-head nickel tuning machines, ebony buttons
- Gloss body finish, satin neck finish
NEXT GENERATION 552CE (12-STRING; MAHOGANY/WESTERN RED CEDAR)
The most approachable and versatile 12-string in the Taylor lineup, the 552ce pairs a cutaway Grand Concert body with an accessible 12-fret design for a uniquely intimate, easy-playing experience. A cedar top lends warmth and touch sensitivity, while mahogany back and sides enhance the octave shimmer with focus and midrange clarity. Standard V-Class bracing dials up projection and sustain for a supremely balanced 12-string voice suited to songwriting, recording and live performance — and an inviting entry point for 6-string players curious about the 12-string sound.
- White binding (body), black binding (fretboard)
- Green abalone rosette
- Italian acrylic Meridian inlays
- Faux tortoise pickguard
- Taylor nickel mini tuning machines, paddle peghead
- Gloss body finish, satin neck finish
NEXT GENERATION 512CE 12-FRET (MAHOGANY/WESTERN RED CEDAR)
A must-play model for fans of mahogany and cedar, the 512ce 12-Fret pairs Western red cedar with mahogany for a warm, intimate voice with rich midrange focus and exceptional touch sensitivity. Cedar responds effortlessly to a light touch with sweetness and nuance, while mahogany adds woody definition and earthy character — a natural fit for fingerstyle, blues, roots music and singer-songwriters.
- White binding (body), black binding (fretboard)
- Green abalone rosette
- Italian acrylic Meridian inlays
- Faux tortoise pickguard
- Taylor slot-head nickel tuning machines, ebony buttons
- Gloss body finish, satin neck finish
The Next Generation 12-fret Grand Concert models are available now through authorized Taylor dealers worldwide starting at $2,999. All models include Taylor's Deluxe Hardshell Case. For more information on these new 12-fret guitars, visit taylorguitars.com. Follow Taylor Guitars on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and TikTok.
About Taylor Guitars
Taylor Guitars is a leading global manufacturer of premium acoustic guitars. Headquartered in El Cajon, California (San Diego County), the company was founded in 1974 and is widely known for its innovative manufacturing techniques and tone-enhancing designs, which have set new standards for playability, craftsmanship and musical performance. Driven by a passion for improving the guitar-playing experience, Taylor is equally committed to ethical environmental practices and has led the way with socially responsible forest management initiatives aimed at preserving our shared natural resources. These include groundbreaking forest restoration projects with West African ebony in Cameroon, koa and other native trees in Hawaii, and the urban canopy in Southern California. Taylor's diverse artist community includes the likes of Paul McCartney, Taylor Swift, Zac Brown, Billie Eilish and FINNEAS, U2's The Edge, Ben Harper, Jacob Collier and many others. Free weekly guided tours of the Taylor Guitars factory in El Cajon are open to the public, with reservations available at www.taylorguitars.com.
Media Contact
JESSUP PR, Taylor Guitars, 1 3235293541, [email protected]
SOURCE Taylor Guitars
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