Taylor 254ce-K DLX 12-string - Rosewood Back and Sides Reviews

So After a few Martins and other guitars, I finally have gotten a couple of Taylors. First picked up the 210e DLX. I love it, easy to play and sounds so sweet. I have a Martin D12X1AE 12 string and love it and was looking to add one more 12 to my stable of guitars. So I was considering the 150e Taylor which is a dreadnought, and that's kind of what I wanted in a twelve - was that size, but after some financial considerations I decided to go with the 254ce DLX. I couldn't be happier making the choice. It is a Grand Auditorium size, but it really sounds sweet, not the umph as the Martin with the dreadnought volume, but loud enough.

Now come the real sweet part of the review. The action on this Taylor is amazing, pulled it out of it's included case and was blown away at how easy it was to play. Unless I do some additional tweaking on my 210e DLX and the rest of my guitars, this 12 is the easiest guitar to play of all my ten guitars. It is simply amazing that a 12 can play this easy! And I though my Martin DX121AE was easy to play, and it is, but this guitar plays like butter.

And as usually when taking out the Taylor from the case when I got it, just as others have mentioned, the smell of Spruce and the other woods is so captivating. When I put my two Taylors side by side now they look so sweet. Both Solid spruce tops, layered Rosewood back and sides, diamond fret markers, pearloid rosette. They look like they were made to be together. In the city where I live I had a chance to play the 150e, but not the 254ce. I was impressed to say the least with the 150e, but not having had a hands on look and feel of the 254 I was apprehensive. But I went for it and I am so glad I did. The 254ce DLX by a far stretch exceeded my expectations.

Now for my buying experience with Sweetwater, since this is the 5th guitar I have purchased from Sweetwater in less than a year, I guess you might know by now how pleased I am with Sweetwater, especially my sales rep Enej Begovic! Enej has helped make things happen, and happen right every time. Thanks Enej.

Moral of this storied review is, You will love this guitar if you purchase it! The construction is simply flawless, the sound crisp and sweet, and play-ability well, let's just put it this way, I was BLOWN away!

Rockriley

Had been wanting to upgrade my 12 string for some time. After several trips to Sweetwater comparing models I was convinced to go with the Taylor 254ce. Absolutely no regrets.
The Taylor quality is there, set up was on. Beautiful sound.
The sales rep (Mitch) was a great help.
Living close to Sweetwater is a bonus..
It doesn't matter if I'm buying a set of strings or a new Taylor, the attention you receive is the same.
Outstanding!

Could not be happier with my 254ce-DLX Taylor 12 string guitar. I have had the opportunity to own several name brand 12 strings, but what I like most about this guitar is the balanced tonal properties. The bass, middle and treble are all present without over powering or holding back their sonic properties. I found this balanced tonal response evident with or without the Expression System 2 electronics.

Taylors have always been known for a clear tonal response. The comfortable body size and looks of the layered rosewood back and sides, solid Sitka spruce tops makes for a guitar you can be proud to play. The mahogany neck, with a scale length of 25.5, is very comfortable allowing for both open and barre chords. What is also great is my matching Taylor 214 CE 6 string has a big brother to keep it company. If you are thinking about a 12 string guitar, at this price point, do yourself a favor and check this one out; I bet you will not be disappointed.

Thank you Ted Hunter and the other Sales/Tech associates at Sweetwater. Every time I have called to place an order, ask a question, or seek technical support, you have treated me like I am your most important customer. Sweetwater has it all, name brand gear, great prices, fast shipping, and superior customer service. Thank you.

Great, excellent sounding 12 string guitar!

Very happy with this purchase. The guitar was shipped fast. The set up was perfect right out of the box. I played a session with it the day I got it and didn't have to even tune it. I'd like to thank Sweetwater for stepping up the inspection processing. This is a good company and I want them to be around so I can get more toys the very same way I got this one.
Now about the guitar; I've never played a bad Taylor. I own several and this one lives up to their reputation. It's loud and easy to play all the way up the neck. The expression 2 system sounds amazing through a basic amp. My only real complaint is that it did not come with a truss rod wrench . Really?!?! That's messed up. $1299.00 for a great guitar but no $3 tool to adjust it. A lot of cheap guitars come with a truss rod wrench, why not this one? Not saying Sweetwater is at fault for this, but Bob Taylor needs to rectify this. My GS mini came with one, hope it works on this 12 string.

i recently took a chance again with ce series . first one was 214 ce 6 string , sent it back , reason Expession 2 electronics . I then bought the Taylor 114 ce , after minor ajustment on saddle - PERFECT sound and play ability ! the original expression electronics - Perfect ! any way again with the Taylor 254 ce 12 string . I'M GETTING RID OFF IT ! same on going problem with this annoying squelching sound on the high g-string especially if you use any effects like chorus etc.. they should have stayed with the original fishman pick up systems !