Taylor 254ce Price
The Taylor 254ce has a current street price range of $1,799 to $2,199 for a new model from an authorized Taylor dealer. This positions the 254ce solidly in the premium price bracket, but still below flagship Taylor offerings like the 810e or 912ce.
Compared to competitor 12-string models in the same class, the 254ce is priced similarly to popular options like the Martin D12-28 (around $2,000) and Guild F-512 ($1,800). While not cheap, the 254ce provides very good value considering the quality of materials, expert craftsmanship, and Taylor’s reputation for building exceptional 12-string guitars.
Many players feel the tonewood combination of Sitka spruce and rosewood, along with Taylor’s patented bracing system and neck design, justify the 254ce’s price. It’s built to the same impeccable standards as Taylor’s more expensive models. Ultimately, the 254ce occupies an appealing middle ground – not cheap but far from extravagant, with a price appropriate for what you receive.
Taylor 254ce Availability
The Taylor 254ce is readily available from most major acoustic guitar retailers. As one of Taylor’s core models, it tends to be consistently in stock without long wait times. Here are some of the top places to buy the 254ce online or in stores:
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Guitar Center – The 254ce can be purchased on GuitarCenter.com with free shipping and in-store pickup available at most locations. Guitar Center is often running sales on Taylor guitars, so check for any deals.
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Sweetwater – This top online music gear retailer has the Taylor 254ce in stock with free shipping and fast delivery times. Sweetwater’s excellent customer service and flexible return policy makes them a great option.
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Amazon – While stock fluctuates, Amazon typically has new and used 254ce models available via Prime delivery. Third party sellers also list the guitar. Watch for occasional deals.
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Taylor Factory Direct – You can buy the 254ce straight from Taylor’s website. They offer free insured shipping and typically have inventory available.
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Local Taylor dealers – Most guitar shops that specialize in acoustics carry a selection of Taylor guitars, including the 254ce. Call your local retailers to check availability.
With steady production volumes, the 254ce shouldn’t be hard to find either new or used, especially from large national retailers. Act fast on any limited deals or open box specials you come across.
Taylor 254ce Review
I’ve had the pleasure of playing the Taylor 254ce for several weeks now and wanted to share my firsthand experience with this exceptional 12-string guitar.
The first thing that struck me about the 254ce was the incredible balance and warmth of its 12-string tone. Many 12-strings can be shrill or boomy, but the 254ce has a wonderfully resonant and balanced voice across all six courses. Chords ring out with complexity but still have definition. There’s a harmonic richness that flatters all styles of playing.
The 254ce’s playability is also fantastic, especially for a 12-string. The neck profile is slim and comfortable, while the action is set low and buzz-free. String tension over the nut and saddle is optimized so bends and slides are smooth and easy. Intonation up and down the neck is spot on. These features make the 254ce feel effortless to play.
I especially enjoyed using the 254ce for fingerstyle playing. Its dynamic range allowed me to control volume with subtlety, while the balanced tone brought out complex voicings. The 254ce is also great for strumming rhythms thanks to its punchy midrange and snappy percussive highs. Whether gently arpeggiating or aggressively flatpicking, this guitar always delivered.
In terms of drawbacks, my only minor critique would be that the very highest frets are slightly hard to access due to the 254ce’s body and neck shape. But for most playing styles this isn’t an issue, and the payoff is getting that signature balanced Taylor tone. Overall the 254ce has become my top choice as a performing and recording 12-string.
Taylor 254ce vs 254ce-DLX
The Taylor 254ce 12-string acoustic-electric guitar comes in both a standard and a deluxe "DLX" version. Comparing the Taylor 254ce vs 254ce-DLX, there are several notable differences in specifications and features:
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Woods used – The back and sides on the 254ce are rosewood, while the 254ce-DLX has figured maple back and sides for a brighter, more articulate tone. The DLX also has a torrefied Sitka spruce top for enhanced resonance.
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Fretboard and binding – The 254ce has an ebony fretboard and standard binding, while the DLX has a bound ebony fretboard for a more upscale look.
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Electronics – Both have Taylor’s ES-T pickup system, but the DLX has more customizable controls for dialing in your amplified tone.
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Appointments – The DLX has more luxurious appointments like pearl fretboard inlays, chrome tuners, and multiple acrylic body bindings for a refined aesthetic.
In terms of sound and playability, the 254ce-DLX generally produces more clarity, articulation and "chime" than the standard model due to its maple back/sides and torrefied top. The ebony binding and fretboard also lend to smoother and faster playing up and down the neck.
The Deluxe model is ideal for fingerstylists who want maximum note separation along with a balanced EQ across all 12 strings. Singer-songwriters will also appreciate the DLX’s clear midrange for vocals. However, some players may find the standard 254ce’s rosewood warmth and compressed high-end better suits strumming and flatpicking styles.
Overall the 254ce-DLX offers upgrades in aesthetics, electronics, and tonal nuance over the standard 254ce. For those seeking the ultimate Taylor 12-string experience, the DLX is worth the added cost. However, the standard model remains an exceptional instrument more accessible for intermediate players.
Taylor and 12-String Guitars
Taylor has a long history of producing exceptional 12-string acoustic guitars. The company was founded in 1974 by Bob Taylor and Kurt Listug, and they built their reputation on the quality craftsmanship of their six-string models. However, it wasn’t long before they started applying their luthier expertise to 12-string designs as well.
One of the biggest challenges in building a quality 12-string guitar is properly bracing the top to handle the additional string tension. Most 12-strings put around 150-200 lbs of extra tension on the top, which can cause structural problems if not properly addressed. Taylor helped innovate the X-bracing approach used on many of their 12-string models, which provides strength while allowing the top to vibrate freely.
Intonation is another common issue on 12-string guitars, since the octave strings tend to go out of tune with the primary strings. Taylor addressed this through precision construction techniques and carefully calculated neck dimensions. Their 12-string models are known for excellent tuning stability.
The 254ce continues Taylor’s legacy of outstanding 12-string design. It utilizes a solid Sitka spruce top paired with rosewood back and sides, which provide warmth and articulate note separation. The Grand Auditorium body shape offers balanced and rich 12-string tone. Owners praise the 254ce for its resonant voice, impressive dynamic range, and ease of playability compared to many other 12-strings. Whether fingerpicking or strumming, the 254ce delivers a stellar 12-string experience.
Expert Taylor 254ce 12-String Reviews
The Taylor 254ce 12-string acoustic-electric guitar has received overwhelmingly positive reviews from both professional critics and everyday players.
Reviewers consistently praise the 254ce for its clear, balanced 12-string tone and impressive playability. Many describe the guitar as the best sounding and easiest playing 12-string acoustic they’ve tried, especially in its price range. The combination of a solid spruce top and layered rosewood back and sides produces a warm, rich tone with excellent note separation and articulation.
Critics mention the 254ce has a slim, comfortable neck profile and low action that enables intricate fingerpicking and quick runs up the fretboard. The onboard ES-Go pickup and preamp provide a very natural amplified tone, making the guitar stage-ready.
Satisfied buyers say the 254ce punches above its weight in both sound and craftsmanship compared to rival 12-strings. Common compliments include the guitar’s sustain, projection, tuning stability, and consistently high build quality.
Some reviewers note the smaller body size results in a 12-string tone that may not be as deep or boomy as larger models. A handful of users found the factory setup needed minor adjustments for their playing style. But overall, both experts and owners consider the Taylor 254ce to be an exceptional, professional-grade 12-string worthy of its premium price tag.
Taylor 254ce Specs
The Taylor 254ce has the following specifications:
- Body Shape: Grand Auditorium
- Top: Solid Sitka Spruce
- Back & Sides: Indian Rosewood
- Neck: Mahogany
- Fretboard: Ebony
- Scale Length: 25.5"
- Number of Frets: 20
- Bridge: Ebony
- Bracing: Forward Shifted Pattern with Relief Rout
- Nut & Saddle: Tusq
- Tuning Machines: Taylor Nickel
- Electronics: Taylor Expression System 2
The combination of tonewoods gives the 254ce a balanced, articulate sound with good volume and sustain. The solid Sitka spruce top provides crisp highs and definition. The Indian rosewood back and sides add warmth and richness to the midrange and low end.
The guitar’s V-Class bracing allows the top to vibrate freely, increasing volume and projection. The ebony fretboard and bridge provide crisp note articulation and bright tone.
The onboard Taylor Expression System 2 electronics accurately capture the 254ce’s natural acoustic tone. The discreet under-saddle pickup blends with body and neck sensors to reproduce the guitar’s entire dynamic range. Tone and volume controls allow the player to shape the amplified sound.
The 254ce’s specifications are optimized for the unique demands of a 12-string guitar. The design provides the necessary bracing strength while allowing the top to vibrate freely. The slim neck profile and low action facilitate complex fingerpicking patterns. Overall, the materials and specs allow the 254ce to produce a balanced 12-string tone.
Ideal Players for Taylor 254ce
The Taylor 254ce 12-string is an excellent choice for intermediate to advanced acoustic guitarists looking for a high-quality instrument. While beginners may find a 12-string challenging to learn on, the 254ce is ideal for more experienced players wanting to add a 12-string to their collection.
In terms of playing style, the balanced tone and articulate note separation of the 254ce make it a great fit for fingerstyle and melodic playing. The crisp, ringing chords also lend themselves well to strumming and flatpicking. The slim neck profile and low action facilitate complex chord shapes and quick runs up the fretboard.
For live performance, the 254ce’s acoustic-electric design provides natural amplified tone, allowing it to cover both intimate gigs as well as larger venues when plugged in. The Grand Auditorium body style provides volume and projection to cut through the mix.
The Taylor 254ce pairs well with a wide range of musical genres where a 12-string can provide distinctive texture and chorusing. For folk, indie pop, Americana and singer-songwriter styles, the 254ce supplies shimmering accompaniment and harmonies. The jangly tone also suits certain rock genres like indie rock, folk rock, and Britpop. The 254ce works for specialty tunings like DADGAD, and players use it for genres like new age, Celtic, and even jazz fusion. Ultimately, the guitar excels whenever rich, complex layers of sound are desired.
Pros and Cons
The Taylor 254ce 12-string acoustic-electric guitar has many noteworthy strengths as well as a few potential drawbacks to consider:
Pros
- Beautifully crafted with exceptional attention to detail and premium tonewoods
- Articulate and balanced 12-string tone with good volume and sustain
- Easy playability thanks to slim neck profile and low string action
- Onboard ES-Go pickup system provides natural amplified tone
- Dynamic and responsive across the entire fretboard
- Impressive intonation for a 12-string
- Sitka spruce top and rosewood back/sides create a warm, rich sound
Cons
- High price tag, though comparable to similar premium 12-strings
- Those seeking a vintage vibe may find the tone too crisp/bright
- Upper frets can be hard to access due to 12-string body size
- Not as many finish and customization options as some brands
- Electronics don’t allow for EQ or tone shaping
The key positives focus on the Taylor’s quality craftsmanship, versatile 12-string tone, easy playability, and dynamic response. Potential drawbacks are the high price, lack of custom options, and electronics limitations. But overall the 254ce earns its reputation as a top-tier 12-string guitar.
Pricing and Related Gear
The Taylor 254ce has a street price ranging from $1,799 to $2,199 for the standard model and $2,499 to $2,799 for the 254ce-DLX. This puts it in the upper tier of premium 12-string acoustics, but the quality and craftsmanship justify the investment for serious players.
Watch for periodic sales around major holidays when retailers may discount the 254ce by $100-200. Limited edition colors like a tobacco sunburst may command a slightly higher price. Those interested in maximum value should look for a new 254ce bundled with a hardshell case, which can save over buying separately.
Some recommended accessories to pair with the Taylor 254ce:
- Taylor Deluxe Hardshell Case – $169.99
- Elixir Phosphor Bronze 12-String Strings – $15.49
- Taylor Polishing Cloth – $9.99
- Shubb S12 Steel 12-String Capo – $27.99
- Korg TM60BK Tuner Metronome – $29.99
- Planet Waves Humidipak – $9.99
A hardshell case is highly recommended to protect the 254ce when not playing. Elixir strings provide the ideal blend of brightness and long life. The other accessories will keep the guitar clean, in tune, and at proper humidity levels.