Introduction
The Taylor 250ce-BLK DLX is a premium 12-string acoustic-electric guitar that delivers exceptional tone, playability, and aesthetics. As part of Taylor’s Deluxe Series, it incorporates high-end features and appointments not found on their standard models. This includes an all-solid wood construction with a Lutz spruce top and layered maple back and sides, which provides warmth, clarity, and excellent projection. The Venetian cutaway adds upper fret access, while the onboard Taylor Expression System 2 electronics accurately capture the guitar’s rich acoustic tone when plugged in. Visually, the 250ce-BLK DLX stands out with its elegant jet black finish. For players seeking a finely crafted 12-string with deluxe specifications, the 250ce-BLK DLX is an excellent choice.
Specs & Features
The Taylor 250ce-BLK DLX has a dreadnought body shape with a Venetian cutaway for easy upper fret access. The top is made of Lutz spruce, which provides warmth and clarity, while the back and sides utilize layered maple for enhanced projection and focused midrange.
The jet black finish gives the guitar a sleek, modern aesthetic. Electronics come in the form of Taylor’s proprietary Expression System 2, complete with onboard tone and volume controls.
Other appointments include an ebony fretboard and bridge, bone nut and saddle, and stylish abalone rosette, binding, and fretboard inlays. The guitar comes with a deluxe hardshell case for protection and storage.
Tonewoods & Sound
The Taylor 250ce-BLK DLX utilizes premium tonewoods that produce a rich, balanced acoustic tone. The Lutz spruce top provides warmth and clarity, with enough headroom and projection for the robust 12-string format. The layered maple back and sides offer focused midrange and crisp highs that cut through the mix.
As a 12-string dreadnought, the 250ce-BLK DLX delivers impressive volume and projection. The large body shape and additional string resonance allow it to hold its own in any ensemble situation. It has a bold, vibrant voice that fills the room.
The 12-string configuration creates a distinctive "octave shimmer" effect, with each plain steel string paired with a thinner octave string tuned an octave higher. This adds depth, complexity and an almost choir-like richness to the guitar’s natural acoustic voice. From shimmering highs to growling lows, the 250ce-BLK DLX showcases the unique tonal palette that only a quality 12-string can produce.
Playability
The Taylor 250ce-BLK DLX offers excellent playability and comfort thanks to its thoughtfully designed neck profile and string spacing. The neck has a smooth satin finish that allows for fast, frictionless movements up and down the ebony fretboard.
The neck profile is what Taylor refers to as their "Standard" shape – moderately slim without feeling thin or flat. It’s a very comfortable and familiar feeling neck that most players will find easy to adapt to. The nut width measures 1 11/16 inches, providing substantial room between the strings for clear note definition without feeling too wide.
With 12 strings in play, string spacing is an important consideration. Taylor has optimized the string spacing on the 250ce-BLK DLX for clear articulation of chords and single note lines without buzzing or muting. The strings have sufficient breathing room while still feeling intimate enough for fingerstyle work.
The Venetian cutaway provides ample access to the upper frets, allowing the player to easily hit melodic lines and solos high up on the neck. The cutaway is elegantly sculpted to balance playability with aesthetics. Overall the 250ce-BLK DLX offers a very playable and comfortable experience ideal for both rhythm and lead playing across various styles.
Electronics & Plugged-In Tone
The 250ce-BLK DLX is equipped with Taylor’s proprietary Expression System 2 (ES2) electronics, designed specifically to amplify their acoustic guitars. The ES2 utilizes a patented behind-the-saddle pickup along with 3 uniquely positioned body sensors to capture a balanced, detailed representation of the guitar’s true acoustic tone.
When plugged in, the 250ce-BLK DLX retains the articulate 12-string jangle and shimmer effect beautifully. The ES2 electronics and onboard preamp provide a clear amplification without excessive modeling or alteration of the guitar’s inherent acoustic sound. Single note lines ring out with warmth and clarity, while strummed chords project fullness without muddiness. The tone controls allow fine sculpting of bass, mid and treble response to suit any live or studio setting.
Overall, the 250ce-BLK DLX’s ES2 system makes plugging in seamless, delivering a quality amplified acoustic tone on par with its impressive unplugged voice. The guitar’s premium woods and construction shine through accurately when performing live or recording in the studio.
Aesthetic & Build Quality
The 250ce-BLK DLX sports a beautiful jet black finish that really makes the layered maple back and sides pop. The satin finish has a smooth, velvety feel that won’t stick to your clothing while playing. It also does a great job of showing off the wood’s grain pattern and visual depth.
The overall build quality and attention to detail is outstanding, which is expected for a high-end Taylor guitar. The fretwork is immaculate with smoothly finished frets and perfect intonation up and down the ebony fretboard. The body binding and rosette are made from high quality abalone that reflects light beautifully.
Other appointments like the bone nut and saddle, ebony bridge, and black tuners help elevate the refined aesthetics. The deluxe hardshell case included with the guitar is also beautifully made, providing exceptional protection during transport and storage. The plush interior keeps the guitar safe while the sturdy exterior withstands bumps and dings.
Value & Verdict
The Taylor 250ce-BLK DLX carries a premium price tag, but it delivers premium performance to match. At around $2,500, it sits at the upper end of the 12-string acoustic-electric market. However, its all-solid wood construction, expert craftsmanship, and top-notch electronics justify the investment for serious players.
The ideal buyer for this guitar is an intermediate to advanced acoustic player looking for the ultimate 12-string experience. The rich, complex tone and smooth playability make it well-suited to any style, from folk and country to rock and pop. The Venetian cutaway and ES2 pickup system also make the 250ce-BLK DLX stage-ready for live performances.
Overall, the 250ce-BLK DLX is an exceptional instrument that lives up to Taylor’s reputation for quality and innovation. While not cheap, it provides incredible value by combining the bold, octave-rich voice of a 12-string dreadnought with easy playability and stage-worthy plugged-in tone. Players looking for the best possible 12-string in this price range need look no further.
Ideal Buyer
The Taylor 250ce-BLK DLX is an exceptional 12-string acoustic-electric that will appeal to a wide variety of players. Here are some of the ideal playing styles, environments, and genres for this guitar:
Playing Styles
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Fingerpicking – The balanced and clear tone of the 250ce-BLK DLX makes it a great fingerpicking guitar. The crisp high end allows complex fingerstyle arrangements to shine.
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Strumming – With its projection and volume, this guitar can hold its own for aggressive strumming in a full band mix. The 12-string shimmer adds richness to strumming patterns.
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Solo Performer – The onboard ES2 electronics provide the amplifcation needed for solo gigs. The guitar has the tonal complexity to accompany vocals beautifully.
Environments
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Studio – The 250ce-BLK DLX records beautifully in the studio. Its balanced tone and ES2 system provide excellent direct and amplified tones for tracking.
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Stage – Thanks to the ES2 preamp, this guitar can be plugged straight into a PA system for live performances. The projection can fill small-to-medium sized venues.
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Home – For practice and leisure playing at home, the 250ce-BLK DLX provides a full 12-string experience at comfortable volumes.
Genres
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Folk – The chime and shimmer of the 250ce-BLK DLX suits folk styles perfectly. It has the punch to drive rhythms in a folk ensemble.
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Country – The warmth of the spruce and maple make country-friendly tones. The projection carries lead lines through a mix.
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Rock – From indie rock to heavy rhythms, the 250ce-BLK DLX has the power and electronics for rock band settings.
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Bluegrass – The maple back and sides provide the snap and twang sought after in bluegrass. It can keep up with fast tempos.
Competitor Comparison
The Taylor 250ce-BLX DLX occupies a fairly unique niche as a premium 12-string acoustic-electric, but it does face some competition from similar high-end models.
Martin D-12X1AE – This 12-string dreadnought from Martin’s X Series features solid spruce and mahogany construction with Fishman electronics. The Martin produces a slightly brighter, more articulate tone thanks to its solid mahogany back and sides. It also comes in around $500 less than the Taylor. However, the Taylor has more premium appointments like ebony fretboard, abalone inlays, and deluxe hardshell case.
Guild F-51212E – Guild’s take on the 12-string dreadnought acoustic-electric also provides all solid wood construction with a spruce top and rosewood back and sides. The Guild excels at reproducing the octave shimmer effect and produces a balanced, ringing tone. The Taylor edges it out when it comes to electronics and overall refinement and attention to detail. But the Guild costs several hundred dollars less.
Taylor 150ce-12 DLX – This is a more affordable 12-string counterpart to the 250ce-BLX DLX. It features layered walnut back and sides instead of maple, simpler cosmetic appointments, and lacks a cutaway. However, its solid Lutz spruce top and Taylor ES2 electronics still deliver excellent amplified and acoustic tone. The 150ce-12 DLX makes a great value alternative for players who don’t need all the premium bells and whistles.
Overall the Taylor 250ce-BLX DLX compares favorably to competitors in its class in terms of tone, playability, aesthetics, and electronics. The premium price tag brings justifiable value for discerning players seeking the ultimate 12-string acoustic-electric experience.
Recommended Pairings
The Taylor 250ce-BLK DLX can be enhanced with some complementary gear choices. Here are some recommendations:
Acoustic Amplification
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Fishman Loudbox Artist – A premium acoustic amp with enough power and tone-shaping for live gigs.
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AER Compact 60 – A lightweight but powerful amp ideal for amplifying the 250ce on stage.
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Taylor T5z – Taylor’s hybrid amp with acoustic and electric channels is a great match.
Strings
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Elixir Phosphor Bronze 12-String – Long-lasting coated strings that preserve the 250ce’s bright tone.
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D’Addario EJ39 – Uncoated phosphor bronze 12-string set with warm, vintage tone.
Accessories
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Taylor Neotech Straps – High-quality wide straps to make playing the 12-string more comfortable.
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Dunlop Primetone Sculpted Plectra – Custom sculpted picks provide great tone and grip.
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Planet Waves Humidipak – Help keep the 250ce at optimal humidity levels.
Pairing the 250ce-BLK DLX with a quality acoustic amp, long-lasting strings, and some useful accessories will help maximize its performance potential. The guitar is versatile enough to sound great through a variety of gear.