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Looking for reviews on Taylor 562ce (12 string)
I am looking for a 12 string to add to my guitar arsenal. I already have Martin D28, Taylor gs mini, Cordoba Protege 1/2 size, and a Westburn Rover (travel guitar). The guitars I use the most are the Taylor mini and the Cordoba because they are such a easy size to pick up and play. Even thou the Martin has a strong booming sound, it’s a lot of guitar to wrap your arms around, so, I don’t use it a lot. Most 12s are big, and I don’t really want another guitar that sits in the corner. I have been online and I found the Taylor 562ce has a smaller body and supposed to have a great sound. But, it doesn’t seem like anyone carries them in the store near me. I have watched a number of videos on youtube and they look and sound great. I was just wondering if any of you have one to give me a review? Thanks in advance.
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11 Replies
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Hey Cadgirl,
Sorry, I don’t have any experience with the Taylor 562ce, but I do have quite a bit of experience with 12 strings. If I were to get another 12 string it would be an Ovation. The bodies are smaller, like OM size and they have great necks and electronics in them. I’ve had 2 (Ultra and Custom Legend) and they were both excellent. If you could get an Adamas (made by Ovation) that would be even better. I had a Melissa Etheridge 6 string Adamas at one time and it was surprisingly nice. You should be able to find an Ovation 12 string in a store locally to try out. I don’t think you would be disappointed.
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Thanks @GuitarGeni. I had a 12 string about 30 years ago. It had a cheap tinny sound and hard to play, sold it and never thought about it again. Lately thou… I like to give it another try. I’m going to check out the guitars you mentioned. Thanks again.
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Hi @GuitarGeni , I finally found a Ovation 12 string in our local guitar store. It was a used one. Wow! heavy, that surprised me, but that wasn’t an issue. I thought the sound was really nice but the neck depth was too deep for me. I could hardly get my hand around it. I’m going to keep on looking, but, now I won’t rule out the Ovation just have to try them out as I see them. Thanks for all the information.
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I’ve played one, and I briefly owned its 6 string brother, the 322. In my opinion they are wonderful instruments. I’m a mid-size person and they played really comfortably for me — noticeably smaller than my Guild dread, which is probably a fair comparison to your D28 in terms of size — and they have a really nice warm, balanced sound.
One thing, though — don’t let anybody tell you “they sound bigger than they are.” That always seems to come up with these guitars, and it just isn’t true. They sound exactly like what they are, so it’s not going to be a boomer like your dreadnought, but it is going to be lush, smooth, and noticeably richer, fuller, and more nuanced than your Mini. It will make good bass, but dig in hard and it will compress like any smaller guitar will.
I hope you get to play one and love it!
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Thank you so much for getting back with me. I figured it wouldn’t be a boomer which is ok with me. I don’t need a loud guitar. It’s just me that I’m playing for, for the most part anyway. I want a 12 with some mellow sounds and somewhat easy to fret. I owned a tinny, hard to play 12 string before and don’t want to go that road again. Here is what I’m thinking of doing… The Taylor 562 is the same price as I paid for my Martin D28. The guitar store will give me a decent mark-down % if I trade in another guitar, plus the store will give me a decent trade-in for the D28. So I won’t lose a lot of money in the transaction. If I get the 562 and really like it and play it more, it will all be worth it. My D28 just sits on the wall. The store said I could buy the 562 and try it out and see if I like it and see if it’s worth keeping otherwise I can return it to the store for full refund. I can’t find a 562 in any stores near me. That might be the route I will have to take. I hope all of this makes sense. Can’t thank you enough for your input.
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I’ve owned 4 different 12 strings over the years and played many more. Taylors are definitely the most playable. I don’t remember the model number but I played a Grand Concert sized Taylor 12 at Guitar Center a while back and it had a great, resonant, balanced sound. It was also very comfortable to hold and play. Like many guitars, I have since often wondered why I didn’t buy it 🙂
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THanks @David_Leo , The taylor 562ce 12 string is a Grand Concert size maybe you had the one I was thinking of getting. It’s on the pricy side is all. Decisions, decisions.
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The one I played back then was pretty reasonably priced. Maybe not the same one. It had a sapele back and sides with a spruce top. Maybe they don’t make it any more.
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Hey Cadgirl,
I ordered a 562ce last spring and received it over the summer. I will say it is worth the wait. I have owned Takamine and Alvarez 12 strings with standard scale/size dreadnought bodies and enjoyed the experience of the 12 string sound. After more than 20 years of guitar dormancy, I decided to learn again and have gravitated to smaller body guitars. Like you, I have a GS mini and Talyor GT, which is a smaller guitar, and I have a Taylor 322e, which is akin to the 562. The 12 string is my most recent purchase as I wanted the 12 string experience, but my taste in guitars had changed over the years.
My opinion is that if you like smaller guitars and want a 12 string to add to the guitar family, order one of these. It is easy to play, easy on the finger, sounds jangly, but because it is all hardwood, it is sweet-sounding and not tin-y. I am a Taylor enthusiast for my own reasons but the profile of the 562 is unique and you won’t find one like it on the market. Nice case too.
My only regret is that I did not know they would make it without the cutaway which would have been my preference, otherwise, I am very happy with mine.
I don’t think you will find one in a store so order from your reputable Taylor dealer and enjoy!
Michael
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Thank you so much for your input @Wanahini. Thanks for the input on not having to have a cut away too. I’ll call my store today and see if they can order without the cutaway otherwise I’ll order it with. I’m super excited, and just in time for Christmas.
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Sweet! Please let me know when you get it. I would like to hear your assessment.
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