Introduction
Taylor Guitars has built a reputation over decades for being one of the world’s premier acoustic guitar manufacturers. Founded in 1974, the California-based company combines cutting-edge technology with old-world craftsmanship to produce instruments known for their outstanding tone, playability, and build quality.
The Taylor 700 series sits at the upper end of their lineup, showcasing the very best Taylor has to offer. The 756ce is the flagship Grand Symphony 12-string model, exemplifying Taylor’s pursuit of excellence. Its combination of premium tonewoods, immaculate attention to detail, and top-tier electronics make it one of the most coveted 12-strings on the market.
This in-depth review will examine what makes the Taylor 756ce such an exceptional instrument. We’ll look at the guitar’s specifications and features, evaluate its construction and aesthetics, analyze its unique tonal qualities, assess playability and feel, determine its value for money, discuss ideal players for the 756ce, compare it to similar models, highlight pros and cons, and provide a final verdict on this iconic 12-string acoustic-electric. Read on to discover why the 756ce stands out as Taylor’s crowning achievement in 12-string design.
Taylor 756ce Specifications & Features
The Taylor 756ce showcases Taylor’s renowned Grand Symphony body shape, featuring a width of 15 inches across the lower bout and 20 inches from the bottom to the neck joint. This gives the 756ce a bold, balanced tone with plenty of warmth and resonance.
For tonewoods, the 756ce utilizes a solid Sitka spruce top paired with Indian rosewood back and sides. The spruce provides crispness and articulation, while the rosewood offers a rich, deep low end with sparkling overtones in the highs. Together, they produce the 756ce’s complex and versatile voice.
Electronics come in the form of Taylor’s Expression System 2, or ES2. This is a revolutionary pickup and preamp system designed to faithfully reproduce the 756ce’s natural acoustic tone when plugging in. It utilizes three uniquely positioned behind-the-saddle pickup sensors to capture the guitar’s dynamic range.
Other key specifications of the Taylor 756ce include its 25.5 inch scale length, 1.75 inch nut width, ebony fretboard, 20 frets, abalone rosette, and multiple binding options. It comes equipped with Taylor Deluxe tuners and Elixir Phosphor Bronze strings.
Build Quality & Aesthetics
The Taylor 756ce showcases the impeccable build quality and attention to detail that Taylor is renowned for. Each guitar is constructed by master luthiers at the company’s factory in El Cajon, California using premium solid tonewoods hand-selected for their acoustic properties.
The back and sides are made of gorgeous Indian rosewood, which lends the 756ce a rich, warm low end with excellent note definition. The Lutz spruce top further enhances the sparkling highs and adds vintage-inspired aesthetic appeal. Together, these tonewoods provide a beautifully balanced and articulate tone across the entire frequency range.
The guitar features a high-gloss Vintage Sunburst finish, with abalone purfling and rosette adding an elegant touch. The chrome Taylor tuners maintain tuning stability during performances, while the ebony fretboard and bridge offer smooth playability.
The all-solid-wood construction gives the 756ce the volume and projection needed for stage use, while also ensuring it will stand the test of time. Each guitar comes protected in a quality Taylor hardshell case, so you can be confident your investment will arrive and remain in pristine condition for years to come.
Overall, the 756ce clearly demonstrates Taylor’s commitment to flawless workmanship using only the finest materials. This exceptional craftsmanship translates directly into the instrument’s stunning visual aesthetics and rich musical voice.
Sound & Tonal Characteristics
The Taylor 756ce’s Grand Symphony body shape is designed to produce a rich, balanced, and dynamic range across the tonal spectrum. The larger body size results in impressive volume and sustain, while still retaining the sparkling trebles 12-strings are loved for.
The all-solid wood construction also contributes to the 756ce’s stellar toned. The Indian rosewood back and sides have a warm, rounded low end with plenty of complexity in the mids. The overtones have an almost shimmering quality. The Lutz spruce top provides crispness and articulation to balance out the lows. There’s a three-dimensionality to the 756ce’s tone that needs to be heard to be fully appreciated.
Despite having twice the strings of a 6-string, the 756ce has remarkable note separation and clarity. Chords ring out with definition, allowing you to hear each string’s unique voicing. Single note runs are articulate without muddiness. There’s no "strumming mush" that can plague some 12-string acoustics. This makes the 756ce excel for fingerstyle playing, where its tone truly comes alive.
The Taylor Expression System 2 electronics faithfully reproduce the 756ce’s unplugged acoustic tone. It’s very responsive across the tonal spectrum, with the EQ giving you flexibility for dialing in your amplified sound. Whether practicing at home or plugging in at your next gig, you can be confident the 756ce will sound fantastic.
Playability & Feel
The Taylor 756ce’s playability makes it a joy to play for extended periods. The wider 1.75" nut width provides a nice spread for the 12 strings that many players find more comfortable compared to narrower alternatives. This extra space allows for cleaner fingering between the strings.
The neck profile is slim and smooth, making it easy to navigate up and down the ebony fretboard. The action is set low from the factory, so minimal effort is required to fret notes and chords. String tension is also optimized for playability without compromising tone.
The Venetian cutaway provides excellent access to the upper frets, enabling you to easily hit melodic runs and high notes. The ergonomic body contours and compact depth create a nice balance on your knee or strap. At around 4.7 lbs, the 756ce is lighter than many all-solid-wood 12-strings.
Overall, the 756ce provides top-notch playability and feel that enhances the playing experience. The combination of nut width, neck profile, action, and body shape create an acoustic that you can comfortably play for hours without fatigue.
Value for Money
With an MSRP of $5,499 for the Vintage Sunburst model, the Taylor 756ce sits at the upper end of the pricing spectrum for acoustic guitars. However, this premium price tag is justifiable given the 756ce’s impeccable craftsmanship, top-tier tonewoods, and overall performance as Taylor’s flagship 12-string.
While not inexpensive, the 756ce offers excellent value considering the quality of materials, precision build, and rich sound. The guitar can be viewed as a long-term investment that will retain its value and potentially appreciate over decades of ownership. Many players report their Taylor instruments aging beautifully over many years of playing.
For guitarists with the budget, the 756ce represents a smart purchase that can become a cherished lifetime instrument passed down through generations. The exemplary tone and playability make it well worth the premium pricing for discerning players who refuse to compromise. While not an impulse buy, it rewards patient savers willing to invest in their ultimate dream 12-string.
Who is the Taylor 756ce Best Suited For?
The Taylor 756ce is the ideal 12-string guitar for experienced players looking to upgrade to a professional-grade instrument. Its premium appointments, rich tone, and top-notch playability make it a perfect fit for certain playing styles, experience levels, and musical genres.
Best Playing Styles
The 756ce’s dynamic range, note separation, and crisp articulation make it an excellent choice for fingerstyle guitarists who want to explore complex arrangements on a 12-string. The smooth neck and comfortable 1.75” nut also accommodate intricate fingerpicking.
Strummers will appreciate the 756ce’s balanced tone, warmth, and excellent projection when rhythmically accompanying vocals or playing chord-driven songs. The jangle and chime really shines through on strumming patterns.
Its clear note definition also suits advanced flatpicking techniques like crosspicking and hybrid picking. The cutaway access allows for solos up and down the fretboard.
Experience Level
The Taylor 756ce is best matched to intermediate players on up to advanced/professional-level guitarists. Beginners will likely find the wider neck width too challenging starting out. The premium price tag also positions it more as a lifetime investment for established players.
Experienced hobbyists will appreciate the upgrade in sound, playability, and aesthetics compared to lower-cost 12-strings. Serious amateurs can grow with the 756ce for years.
Working musicians will benefit from its reliability and stage-worthy voice, whether recording in studios or performing live gigs. The 756ce is built to withstand the rigors of frequent use.
Genres It Excels In
The Taylor 756ce is versatile enough to sound fantastic across genres like folk, rock, country, bluegrass, and more. Players who need a great-sounding 12-string for covers, songwriting, jamming, or recording will find it handles a wide range of musical styles with ease.
Its warm, rich voice is an ideal fit for folk fingerpicking, adding dimension to the classic sounds of artists like James Taylor or Carole King. For rock and country, it provides the sparkling tone sought after by artists from the Eagles to Bruce Springsteen. Bluegrass flatpickers will appreciate the note clarity when blazing through solos and leads.
No matter your preferred style or influences, the 756ce aims to deliver pro-level 12-string sound and playability for any genre a player could desire. It’s built to inspire your best possible performances.
Comparing the Taylor 756ce to Other 12-Strings
The Taylor 756ce stands out when compared to other 12-string acoustic guitars, including models from the Taylor lineup and competitor brands.
Vs. Other Taylor 12-Strings
Compared to other 12-strings in Taylor’s range like the 300 series 652ce, the 756ce clearly represents the pinnacle. The 756ce’s Grand Symphony body produces a richer, more balanced and articulate tone. The all-solid wood construction with premium tonewoods also gives it a noticeable edge over the 652ce’s layered rosewood back and sides. The 756ce’s Expression System 2 electronics also capture the acoustic tone more accurately. However, the 652ce provides an impressive value at a much lower price point.
The Taylor 150e 12-String has a similar electronics system but lacks the 756ce’s solid wood body. It has laminate back and sides, producing a thinner tone. The 756ce’s tonewoods give it more warmth, sparkle and nuance. The 756ce’s build quality and playability are also more refined. However, the 150e offers an affordable option under $1,000.
Vs. Competitor 12-Strings
The Martin D-12X1AE is a leading 12-string competitor with a solid wood Sitka spruce top and mahogany back and sides. It produces a balanced tone but lacks the bass resonance of the 756ce’s rosewood. Martin’s Fishman electronics don’t have the dynamic responsiveness of Taylor’s ES2. Playability favors the Taylor’s 1.75" nut width vs. the Martin’s 1.6875".
Gibson’s Hummingbird Original and J-45 12-String are also competitors. They offer rich mahogany and spruce tone but the 756ce has more shimmer and sparkle. The Hummingbird’s wider 1.725" nut helps playability. The Gibson 12-strings feel more vintage in style while the Taylor has a modern, refined playing experience.
The 756ce compares well and holds its own against other industry-leading 12-strings. Its unique voice, playability and electronics give it an edge in many regards.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Warm, balanced, articulate tone from Grand Symphony body
- Premium solid tonewoods (Indian rosewood and Lutz spruce)
- Flawless Taylor craftsmanship and attention to detail
- ES2 electronics faithfully reproduce acoustic tone
- Playability enhanced by neck shape, nut width, and cutaway
- Durable road-worthy construction
Cons:
- Premium pricing as Taylor’s flagship 12-string
- Wider nut width takes adjustment for some players
- Larger Grand Symphony body may be cumbersome for smaller players
The pros highlight the 756ce’s strengths like its warm, balanced tone, premium build materials, top-notch craftsmanship, quality electronics, comfortable playability, and robust construction.
The cons mention the higher price point due to its flagship status, the wider nut width that some may need to adjust to, and the larger body size that could be awkward for smaller players. But overall the pros seem to outweigh the cons for players willing to invest in this premium instrument.
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Final Verdict
The Taylor 756ce 12-string acoustic-electric guitar should be at the top of the list for any seasoned guitarist looking for a premium, professional-grade 12-string instrument. Its perfect balance of warm, articulate tone, flawless playability, and next-level craftsmanship make it one of the finest 12-string guitars money can buy.
This guitar is ideal for fingerstyle players, flatpickers, and strummers looking to add the rich, chiming sound of a 12-string to their recordings and live performances. The Grand Symphony body shape projects beautifully, with the Indian rosewood and Lutz spruce tonewoods combining for complex overtones, sparkling highs, and excellent note separation even when strumming full chords. The Venetian cutaway and ergonomic neck design also make the 756ce extremely comfortable and playable up and down the fretboard.
Working musicians in need of a road-ready 12-string can rely on the 756ce’s sturdy construction and electronics to deliver gig after gig. The ES2 pickup system accurately captures the 756ce’s nuanced acoustic tone, making this an extremely versatile guitar ready for studio work or live amplification. And the premium appointments like abalone binding and rosette give it an elegance befitting the Taylor name.
Any player willing to invest in a lifetime guitar that will only improve with age should have the Taylor 756ce at the top of their wishlist. It outperforms competitors, inspires creativity and confidence, and provides an elite 12-string experience that discerning players dream of. For those seeking one of the world’s finest acoustic 12-string guitars, look no further than the Taylor 756ce.