An Acoustic Chorus
Written: Aug 30 '00 (Updated Sep 14 '00)
|
Product Rating:
|
|
|
Pros: Surgical craftsmanship; focused, chorusy tone
Cons: Maybe too bright for some, thoroughly modern sounding
|
|
|
| dperry9's Full Review: Taylor 855 Jumbo 12-String |
The Taylor model 855 jumbo 12 string guitar is reflective of the essential qualities that inhabit every Taylor instrument: namely, literally flawless build quality; posh wood selection; easy, fluent action, and a bright snappy tone with tight bass and treble that will reach forward through any mix.
Starting with construction, I've never seen a guitar that exhibits a greater sense of the "white glove" treatment. All joints are tightly glued with no residue, all edges are crisply cut, and the interior is clean as a whistle. The finish is also without flaw, as is the fretwork on the slick fretboard. Taylor uses extensive CNC electronic milling and some might find the "robot was here" craftwork a bit sterile, but no one can argue about it's relentless technical perfection.
This twelve string guitar has a nice, even feel thanks to the excellent setup and relatively thin neck. Like all twelve strings it punishes you for playing higher up on the neck (due to the extra tension of the second set of strings), but this one offers something closer to "tough love" than torture in that department. Tuning down is always a temptation, but go ahead; the jumbo body and deep sounding Indian rosewood can do justice to a Leo Kotke style dropped tuning. Intonation is always a losing proposition on acoustic twelve strings, due to the gross inconsistency in string gauges, but Taylor has done an admirable job here as well.
Now, sound. What springs to mind is this: chorus. If you could switch on a completely acoustic chorus effect on your acoustic six string, like the modern digital effects of that type, it would sound much like this. Shimmery, clearly voiced octaving and doubling radiate from the guitar unmistakably. The sound, overall, is bright but with a firm, punchy bottom. The guitar is, in a word, articulate, with a focused forward projection that makes micing and mixing it a breeze.
That brings me to my one quibble, which is that this is, like every Taylor I've played, a thoroughly modern sounding instrument; more or less the polar opposite of the aged cognac warmth of the Martin line. Taylor uses a modern sounding finish and bracing that brings out highs and sparkle, but these factors also make it easier to record and a stand out in any mix.
All in all, if you aren't strictly a traditionalist and you are looking for an intensely chorusy twelve string with friendly action and impeccable workmanship, do give the Taylor twelve string line a whirl.
Recommended:
Yes
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
dperry9
|
|
Reviews written: 49
Trusted by: 25 members
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.