Taylor 355

[Jon..S]

Folks,

can anyone give me an opinion on the 12 string Taylor 355.

Or would anyone recommend another 12 string costing the same.

 

Regards.

[knockwood]

I'm not a huge fan of the Taylor sound or look, but I do think their workmanship is first rate and IMO the price on the 355 is excellent.

 

Here're a few more possibilities - just in terms of price (I haven't played any of these):

 

http://www.martinguitar.com/guitars/choosing/guitars.php?p=z&g=n&m=J12-16GT

 

http://www.martinguitar.com/guitars/choosing/guitars.php?p=z&g=n&m=J12-15

 

http://www.guitaradoptions.com/store/product.php?productid=18218&cat=257&page=1

 

http://www.guitaradoptions.com/store/product.php?productid=17795&cat=257&page=3

 

http://www.guitaradoptions.com/store/product.php?productid=18192&cat=257&page=3

 

http://www.seagullguitars.com/productm12gloss.htm

 

http://www.elderly.com/fmic/items/GADG212-NAT.htm

[Freeman Keller]

I don't own one but I have played several Taylor 12's and I think they are some of the best 12 strings available today. Many people think the 355 is one of the best bang for the buck twelves around. I do have a 314 so I am familiar with the Taylor build quality - the 355 has the added advantage of all the Kottke influence.

 

I personally like the sound of 'hog over r/w in a twelve (and Sapele is a 'hog sort of wood). I'm not crazy about satin finished guitars but it is pretty easy to polish a 3xx to "semi gloss".

 

If I didn't already own a 12 a Taylor would be my choice. Also ping Terry Allen Hall - he has both a 355 and some Guilds (my second choice in a 12'er). Larrivee has something that competes but I'm more familiar with the Taylors.

 

This is the git that I recommend when someone starts GASing for a 12 string.

[Jon..S]

I probably should have been more specific and asked about the playabiity of this guitar at the higher reaches of the fretboard and the ability that the tuning pegs/machine heads have in keeping the guitar in tune.I don't want to be re-tuning every two bars!

Anyone have any experience?

 

Regards.

[knockwood]

I owned a 310 for about a year. I cannot speak to 12'ers, but if there is one thing I miss about that guitar, it's the playability on that thing. IMHO, Taylor's workmanship in the neck/fretboard area (excluding the whole issue of fingerjointed headstocks - don't want to get bogged in a flame war here) is simply excellent. Not everyone loves slim necks, but if you do, Taylor will not disappoint you in that department.

 

The tuning machines on my 310 were smooth and accurate and held tune as well as any I've encountered.