BUILDER’S EDITION 652CE

Compared to the many Taylors we’ve reviewed in years past, this instrument is a timely reminder of just how much the Californian company’s guitars have changed. Things have mellowed considerably, but rather than dispense entirely with the elements that have been so successful, it feels like there’s been a natural but rapid evolution.

The vibe remains contemporary but the softened look complements a refined feel that Taylor’s master guitar designer Andy Powers has achieved by attending to a host of fine details. Most obvious here on this Grand Concert Builder’s Edition 12-string is the way the body edges are rounded over – a feature made possible