The 2011 Spring Limited Edition series was a special run of distinctive Taylors, including this 12-fret Grand Concert built around a Cedar top and Macassar Ebony back and sides. With its 12-fret neck joint, slotted peghead, and compact Grand Concert body, the 12-Fret GC-LTD incorporates several traditional design elements into Taylor’s modern approach to construction and playability. With more refined features than the catalog models, this is an interesting guitar built during a period when Taylor was exploring different woods and more vintage-inspired designs within its limited-edition models.
The combination of Cedar and Macassar ebony gives this guitar a character somewhat removed from the brighter, more immediate voice associated with many Taylors. The Cedar top responds easily to a lighter touch, and the Macassar ebony contributes definition, sustain, and a solid low-end foundation. It's a delicate sound that shines with a light touch, and it tends to break up and get overpowered when you dig in. It's also dressed up with a tasteful Iced Tea edge-burst top, figured Koa binding, a Macassar ebony backstrap, and an abalone rosette, it has a slotted peghead and 12-fret construction with a cutaway and Taylor’s Expression System electronics under the hood.
The 12-fret layout places the bridge farther toward the center of the lower bout, which contributes the guitar’s responsive feel and balanced voice. Combined with the 24-7/8" scale and 1-3/4" nut, the compact Grand Concert body makes for a comfortable fingerstyle instrument while retaining enough body and headroom for strumming. The cedar top packs warmth and color that shines with lighter playing, and the Macassar provides enough clarity and separation to keep the guitar articulate across the register.
This 2011 Taylor 12-Fret GC-LTD shows some minor signs of play and use—the worst a two small bumps on the edge of the top (see photos). It has a super low setup, and it is a clean example of a relatively rare limited edition Taylor that includes its original hardshell case. This 12-fret offers an appealing combination of traditional design elements with exotic tonewoods and the comfortable playability that built Taylor’s reputation. A great choice for a player looking for a small-bodied acoustic with a warmer, more individual voice than the typical Taylor.