Taylor

"Our signature Grand Concert body shape brings our high standards of comfort and playability to the Academy Series, our line of budget-friendly guitars. Built with new players in mind, the Academy 12 incorporates a sleek body shape with our trademark neck design and an ergonomic armrest for a truly player-friendly experience. A slightly shorter, 24-7/8-inch scale length also contributes to the smooth feel of the Academy 12, making it easier to fret strings, hold chords, and bend notes as you learn to navigate the neck of an acoustic guitar. But the Academy 12 serves up more than just a comfortable feel, yielding a balanced, robust sound that mingles the sparkle of solid spruce with the punchy, responsive midrange of layered sapele. With that versatile sound and a forgiving, unintrusive design, the Academy 12  gives you the power to pursue your musical inspiration, whether it's your first guitar or a new addition for your collection." – From the Taylor website

The guitars that Taylor produces in their Tecate Mexico factory are widely regarded as some of the best values within the market for intermediate-level acoustic guitars. Of these, the recently-added Academy Series were a particularly welcome addition. Falling in between short scale models, like the GS Minis, Baby, Big Babies, and the full-scale guitars found in the 100 series, the Acadmey Series offer Taylor enthusiasts an excellent option for a full-scale guitar at a very attractive price point.  More importantly, the Academy 12 represents a new option for an inexpensive Grand Concert body—up until 2025, there were no Grand Concerts available in the 100 or 200 series.  We are particularly impressed with the addition of the comfortable arm bevel on the bass-side lower bout.  Otherwise, though the Academy series sparsely appointed, they deliver in terms of tone. The solid Sitka Spruce top offers excellent dynamic range, breadth of tone, and clarity. In concert with Taylor’s signature brilliance, these tonal attributes come together in the Grand Concert body to deliver an immediate voice that is direct, balanced, and very well-defined.

Condition

This Academy 12 E was very well maintained, and has no structural or cosmetic wear to note. EXCELLENT+ to NEAR MINT condition

• Grand Concert Body
• Solid Sitka Spruce Top
• Spruce X-Bracing
• Layered Sapele Back and Sides
• Three Ring Birch Rosette
• Built-In Beveled Arm Rest
• Satin Tung-Oil Body Finish
• Bolt-On Maple Neck
• Standard Taylor Neck Profile
• Ebony Fingerboard
• Italian Acrylic 4mm Dot Fingerboard Inlay
• Satin Tung-Oil Neck Finish
• Ebony Bridge
• NuBone Nut
• Micarta Saddle
• 1 11/16” Nut Width
• 24 7/8” Scale Length
• Factory-Installed Internal Piezo Pickup
• Original Taylor Gig Bag