Taylor Academy 12-N Nylon String Acoustic Guitar - Natural Reviews

Great entry level guitar without breaking the bank. Exemplifies the quality that you expect from Taylor

i've owned a handful of low to medium end nylon string guitars over the years. a yamaha traditional classical guitar which was alright. i have a washburn acoustic-electric nylon string now which is fun to play. the taylor is too, but the tone on the taylor is to die for compared to those two others and the couple other cheaper no-name-brand nylon string's i've had. and the taylor's not that expensive, especially compared to other taylor guitars. not sure why they're not charging an arm and a leg. i'm glad they don't. solid top produces pronounced tone i didn't find in the yamaha. neck isn't as wide as a traditional classical, so it's an easier transition to nylon string for someone who may be used to playing electric or acoustic guitar necks. get this before taylor realizes they should be charging more! thanks, chris!

This is the first guitar I've ever purchased, and I love it. I wanted to be able to play my lovely soft Indie songs on it and sing along, and it's perfect for just that.

When I first got this classical guitar and tuned it, it sounded a little dull and well, below average. I stuck with it. After a month or so, it mellowed out and sounds absolutely wonderful. I really like the beveled edge for resting your arm. Very pleased with this classical guitar!

This is my cheapest guitar by far but at the moment at least it's the one I play the most.

The sound is beautiful.

The playability is as good as any classical guitar I've ever played.

The intonation is excellent.

It's not a great beauty but on the other hand, it's not ugly.

This guitar is great. It has become my go to for practice of classical and jazz as well as the one I pick up for all round noodling. The feel is perfect. Places without stress. Highly recommend.

Been playing guitar for 3 years. Own a nice steel string acoustic-electric but it's obviously harder on fingers playing it fingerstlyle than when strumming. Also Taylor 12-N is perfect for smaller hands because nut is narrower than most nylon string guitars. The tone is terrific. The body size is narrow because it's built along Taylor's Grand Concert models, plus a shorter fret board makes is easier to play for someone with shorter arms as well.

An added feature is the arm rest which is only available on much more expensive Taylor guitars. Having said all that, it's just a fun guitar to pick up and play anytime I hear a tune that sounds like one which I would like to play myself and just noodle around with it until I get it. The Taylor neck used for this also is more comfortable than a traditional nylon string flat back neck. My hard goes around it easily.

Taylor recommends the Academy 12-N for beginners and I'm not that far away from one. But in combination with my steel string guitar this allows me to play great strumming songs as well as comfortable fingerstyle songs.

I was very happy with the time it took to get it in my hands from the time I ordered it online. It came very well packaged. I checked the tuning with a Peterson strobe clip on it al, strings were near perfect. The guitar was free of cosmetic flaws and everything looked good Taylor's Andy Powers is right. It even smells good!

I wanted a nylon string guitar that didn't play like a classical and that's what I got. It is much easier to play and has the tone and volume that is perfect for recording. This is my third Taylor and I have never been disappointed with one. They are set up right from the get go and their design and construction is impeccable.

I travel often to a place called Surprise Arizona to visit my son. I don't like traveling with my Taylor 814eN so I thought I would buy and leave a guitar in Arizona just to have something to play. Please keep in mind I have been very spoiled by the 814 nylon so I was not expecting the joy this Academy 12-N would bring. Not only will I have something to play here in Surprise but I will always be looking forward to visiting this sweet little guitar. I brought my tool kit and adjusted the truss rod a bit to bring the action down a little. Bam! So nice to play!

I'm a beginner so I don't know much, but from what I can tell so far, it doesn't get much better than this. Notes really sustain nicely. Fit and finish is top notch. There is a slight curvature to the back to the instrument, but I'm pretty sure that's by design. Just thought I'd mention it in case any one was wondering about theirs.

As for the service, Sweetwater really went above and beyond. Guitar Gallery is awesome. The package arrived a day early and was packed carefully with lots of padding. Thank you!

I use the Academy 12-n when I want a more intimate accompaniment. It is easy to play and has a sweet sound. This hit me even more when a friend played it. Maybe this is true of many guitars, but this one sounds gorgeous a few feet in front. In addition, it is light as a feather and even smells great--like fresh sawn pine. I wish I had gotten the electronic version, but alas!

This is my first nylon string guitar and I sure wish it had been my first. It plays and sounds like a dream.
The playability of this guitar will take your playing to the next level , it even let's my 70 year old fingers preform well.
And the sound is so sweet and very pleasing.

This is a wonderful guitar. With the not as wide fretboard and super comfortable arm carve, for a Fender electric player like me this is the perfect classical guitar. It sounds fantastic and the Ebony fretboard is amazing. They skimp in other non critical areas, and you even get a great gig bag. A+ For the price point.

I have looked at this Guitar for some time now.I knew I didn't need it but then played one at my local guitar center(they had the EN model) and realized then :)I needed it! Was going to order in June but it got hot and didn't want to have a guitar shipped thousands of miles in the extreme heat.Finally the heat let up and placed my order.I Had ordered a Taylor 717 last year From Sweet water and was extremely happy on how well the guitar was packed and The great customer service.Any way the Guitar is just plain fun to play ,sounds great,is comfortable to play ,besides the arm rest cut I love the fact that this little classical is in the grand concert size and shape,Perfect.I feel this little Gem is a real value and expect to get years of constant use from it.I have (4) Taylor's now and find each one to have such a unique voice of its own that I am inspired to create the music that is waiting to come out.If your looking for a classical guitar that won't break the bank and will motivate you to play look no further.Also the resale on these are very good and sell quickly on eBay but you won't be letting one of the go once you own it.I knew what I would get by ordering with Sweetwater. They made it easy (again).

my go to axe always close by and liked it so much I bought the Multiax ACS Nylon SA

I purchased this guitar back in March of this year, and up until then, I had always had an interest in classical guitars - because they're just, fun - but never wanted to drop a lot of money on one, and never found one in the $400-$600 range that I liked or trusted enough. At least, not until I got to try this guitar in person, and I was instantly in love: it's neck profile is far more comfortable than any others at this price point that I've tried, it's construction is solid from the slotted headstock to the comfortable body armrest, it's made from quality tonewoods such as lutz spruce, west African Ebony, Tusq nut & saddle, has very nice tuners for the price, and it sounds very nice and plays effortlessly due to these appointments and construction.
In other words, the quality shows in the sound and playability. This guitar gives you so much more than you can ask for at this price in terms of a nice sounding and comfortable-playing guitar that you can trust will last forever as long as you treat it right. Also, it's a nice looking guitar for how simple the design is compared to its more extravagant and higher priced siblings; a testament to Taylor's ability to always make a beautiful guitar, no matter the price.
The "Academy Series" by context suggests these guitars are for beginners, but is far from the truth, as they're good enough for anyone at any level, period. I've been playing for around 10 years, and I find this guitar to be of high enough quality to keep forever; I honestly can't see myself ever getting rid of this guitar. If you've been playing for 20 or 30 years or more, I can almost guarantee you won't disagree.
I do plan on purchasing a hard case for it. The gig bag is handy, and built well, but the guitar is awfully loose in the vertical direction once inside, and I feel that this guitar deserves a bit better than that.
Other than that, I have zero complaints about the guitar and it has exceeded my expectations in every way. I've played many expensive, 4-figure priced Taylors, and always find myself impressed and mesmerized, and it's so nice and relieving to know that you can pick up a Taylor at the lower end of the price spectrum and still get blown away by high quality sound, construction, and beauty. Hats off to Taylor on this guitar, and the whole Academy Series in general. I don't just highly recommend this guitar for beginners, I highly recommend for anyone. I'd give it 6 stars if I could.

So I got this guitar... when I bought a Taylor 414ce-R. I was not expecting much, just planned on re-selling it since I already have a very nice solid rosewood and cedar classical. What a surprise; I absolutely love this guitar! It isn't fancy, just really good. The guitar is very balanced and has amazing resonance. The neck profile is comfortable ( much more so than my classical) I just can't put it down. Andy Powers should be very proud of what he has created in a minimalist, affordable design. At any rate, I have not received my 414CE-R yet, but if it is as good, in proportion to the price, as this guitar, I will probably play my fingers down to the bone; can't wait to get it. On a side note, my Sweetwater Sales Engineer, Cassie O'Hanlon, has been as accommodating and wonderful to work with as I could ask for; befitting of an (I assume) Irish lass.

Always wanted a decent classical guitar but they can be expensive. When the Academy series came out I started looking close at the 12-n as a possibility. After trying out the electric version locally I was sold. Thanks to SweetWater they had the 12-n in stock. So I've had this one for a week now and I'm pleased. Sound is very good with lots of sustain. Intonation is right on. Comfortable to hold in your lap and plays easily. The slotted headstock is really clean and the tuners seem upscale for a guitar at this price point. I also own an older Taylor 315-ce which sounds better with age. I don't doubt the 12-n will do the same. By the way I got to tour the Taylor factory a couple years ago...if you can you gotta go...just amazing!

I really love this guitar, I have discover my passion and very excited to learn with this amazing guitar. Taylor never dissapoint.

I couldn’t be happier with this purchase. Some may call it a beginners guitar and it would be in spades. But that description doesn’t do it justice. I have been a Taylor guitar lover for many years and have purchased several models from the baby Taylor to their 700 series. I enjoy them all for different reasons. I recently decided I wanted a guitar that checked several boxes... Taylor quality, not crazy expensive, grand concert size, nylon string but with 1 7/8 neck. Solid spruce top, no glam. This model checked them all and SOUNDS GREAT! I have picked it up and played it every day since I got it. No, it’s not just a beginners guitar. Thanks to Sweetwater for their great website and their fantastic customer service. You folks rock. I have absolutely no complaints with the product but if I did, I am convinced Sweetwater would be there to make it right.

First I"d like to thank Brent Leuthold and Chris Sanders for making it happen. Chris has always helped to get the gear to me on my day off which is important to me. He has always worked with me on deliveries and payments. He always follows up on how the product is doing for me. Great customer service.
The Academy 12n being a nylon string guitar is somewhat new to me. I had to get used to the sound of it. Once I did, I found myself really liking the sound. Because of design of the Academy series I found it easy to play ( easy to hold, easy to fret, etc.) I think if you are just looking for a guitar with a different sound or a guitar that is easy to play you will be very happy with that Academy 12n.

I love playing this guitar. Wanted something to play that is a little easier on my finger tips than my acoustic steel string. This nylon string guitar is fun and easy to play, has warm tones and looks quite nice! It suits my finger picking style well.
The purchase process was also simple and very professional. The guitar arrived just as promised, in perfect condition.

I own and have played an Academy 12 string (steel string) guitar for a few years now. I love that guitar, so when I was in the market for a nylon string guitar, I figured, heck-this is probably just as awesome.

I really like this guitar. The fit and finish are fantastic. The neck is a bit wider and shorter than the steel string version, but that's pretty normal for nylon/classical style guitars.

It is a fantastic guitar, and if you are in the market for one-consider it!

The only "con's" I have at this stage is that it doesn't project as loudly as some of the cheaper Cordoba's I've heard others play. I became interested in this guitar because a student that takes lessons from the same instructor I use, had a $300 Cordoba Nylon guitar. It sounded so melodic and beautiful and LOUD! This one isn't as loud. Perhaps as I break it in, different strings will make the difference?

At any rate this is a great guitar, and I am glad I have it-and am curious to see what different strings could mean.

This guitar is nice but the sound is pretty mediocre. And the harmonics don't work on the 7th fret. It's a good guitar for a beginner.

I got this guitar on a promotional deal when I bought a 414CE-R, paid $ for it. I never particularly cared for the esthetic, although I understand it. The guitar sounds very good and plays well, however, the top has a reverse belly, and the bridge is starting to pull lose; had I paid full retail for the thing, I would be very disappointed. As it is, I would say that it is only marginally better than a Chinese-made guitar, perhaps more tuning stability. I would not recommend buying one. I have had good luck with American-made, Spanish-made, and Japanese-made guitars, other than that, I'm not buying anything else imported.