Taylor Academy 12 Acoustic Guitar

Taylor’s Academy Series makes the playing experience more accessible in every way, packing signature Taylor playing features into an affordable package. With the Academy 12e, our compact Grand Concert body makes the perfect companion for fingerpicking or anyone with a lighter touch who craves the physical comfort of a small-body guitar. The guitar’s design specs are optimized for playing ease. Taylor’s patented, slim-profile neck features an array of hand-friendly touches: a shorter 24-7/8-inch scale length, 1-11/16-inch nut width, low action, and light gauge strings, all of which contribute to a slinky handfeel. The lightweight guitar body, featuring layered sapele back and sides with a solid Sitka spruce top, boasts an ergonomic armrest that enhances the playing comfort for one’s picking arm. The guitar was also voiced to be extra responsive to make the playing experience as relaxed as possible. The guitar comes with an onboard ES-B pickup that includes a built-in digital chromatic tuner, and comes with a sturdy lightweight gig bag.

Grand Concert

A smaller-bodied guitar ideally suited for fingerstyle.

 

Sitka Spruce

The soundboard choice for most guitars, Sitka spruce produces a broad dynamic range and accommodates a versatile range of playing styles.

 

Layered Sapele

Layered wood construction is used to offer attractive, durable and affordable models.

 

ES-B

This pickup/preamp combo includes a built-in digital chromatic tuner.

 

Non-cutaway

The clean, symmetrical look of a traditional acoustic guitar.

Specifications

Our commitment to a great playing experience covers every detail of a guitar.

Highlights
Scale Length:  24-7/8"
Nut & Saddle:  Nubone Nut/Micarta Saddle
Bracing:  Academy Series
Truss Rod Cover:  Black Plastic
Pickguard:  None
Number of Frets:  20
Tuners:  Chrome (100/200)
Case:  Gig Bag
Brand of Strings:  Elixir Phosphor Bronze Light
Body Length:  19 1/2"
Body Width:  15"
Body Depth:  4 3/8"

Body
Binding/Edge Treatment:  Black
Top Finish:  Varnish
Back Config:  Layered
Backstrap Finish:  None
Rosette Size:  Three Ring
Bridge Inlay:  None
Back/Side Finish:  Varnish
Armrest Binding:  None
Backstrap Wood:  None
Rosette Mat.:  Baltic Birch
Stain/Sunburst:  None
Wedge:  None
Armrest:  yes

Neck
Neck Width:  1-11/16"
Fretboard Inlay:  4mm Dot Italian Acrylic
Fretboard Binding/Edge Treatment:  None
Heel Cap Binding:  Black
Type of Neck Joint:  Taylor Neck
Neck/Heel:  Hard Rock Maple
Fretboard Wood:  West African Crelicam Ebony
Neck Finish:  Varnish
Heel Length:  3-1/2"

Peghead
Peghead Finish:  None
Peghead Binding:  None
Peghead Type:  Standard
Peghead Purfling:  None
Headstock Overlay:  Copafera
Peghead Inlay:  None
Peghead Logo:  Printed on Headstock Overlay

Other
Bridge Pins:  Black
Buttons:  Chrome
Fingerboard Ext:  None
Edge Trim:  None

*Models are subject to change without notice

Options
No "Additional Cost" Options Available

Reviews

"Historically speaking, student and budget guitars have hardly been known for their sound and playability. Taylor addresses this problem brilliantly in the Academy series."
Acoustic Guitar Magazine

"The 10e and the 12e are great-playing right out of the box, and their fine sounds should make it inspiring to learn any style on the instruments. At the same time, these smart guitars would be appropriate for a gigging or recording player on a tight budget."
Acoustic Guitar Magazine

"I can also attest that 20 years ago it was impossible to find a new guitar under $1,000 with tone as sweet as the 12e. This is a real honey for fingerstyle players with rich midrange, surprisingly voluptuous treble, and disciplined bass, but it’s also a great rhythm guitar for solo singer..."
Guitar World

"The 12e grand concert would be a great choice for a smaller player or someone playing primarily fingerstyle, while the larger 10e dreadnought offered more volume and low-end. Both instruments had the Taylor-typical tonal balance with a slightly bright sound."
Peghead Nation