Taylor Guitars 412

Taylor 412 grand concert acoustic produced at the El Cajon, CA factory in 1993. Solid spruce top with solid mahogany sides and back. 1 piece mahogany neck with ebony fingerboard (20 frets) and pinless saddle. Satin finish with original grover tuners. No pickup, no electronics or cutaway. The 412 is a no frills acoustic, what it lacks in fancy inlays and appointments it makes up for in sound and playability.

This instrument is perfect for fingerpicking and light strumming, for recording or small live performances it sounds incredible through a condensor microphone into a small acoustic amp or directly to a mixer. The sound is difficult to describe, it has a richness that really emphasizes single notes during finger picking. The only downside is that with its small body it definitely can't project very well and without the onboard electronics there is absolutely no way this guitar could compete with other instruments. Still based on pure unadulterated acoustic sound this guitar gets a 10.

Purchased the guitar used so I cannot comment on the factory set-up. Assuming the previous owner(s) didn't do much adjusting the instrument arrived in my hands with a decent set-up. The action needed to be slightly lowered for my taste. The instrument itself is appears to be holding up well for an instrument nearly 16 years old. It has its share of bumps and bruises, but no wood or finish cracks as of yet. The guitar sings with it's current set-up.

This 412 clearly has the battle scars to prove it can withstand 16 years of playing. Everything about the instrument seems to built to last. With the satin finish there are definitely nicks and a few surface scratches, there are some areas of major contact where the finish is either starting to polish a bit or wear away. Nothing that one wouldn't expect from an older player's guitar. Very solidly buil and very dependable. I have faith that with proper humidity control and care this instrument will last another 16 years.

Never dealt with Taylor's customer support, although it is nice that you can register a used instrument and receive the accompanying subscription to their in house magazine.

I've been playing close to 10-12 years, mainly acoustic rock. In addition to the Taylor 412 I own a Martin JC-1E, Takamine EAN40C, Gibson Chet Atkins SST and two older Hofner archtops. The Taylor 412 is the instrument I take everywhere because of its incredible sound and also that since it isn't in pristine condition I'm not worried about another nick or scratch on the finish. I absolutely love the grand concert size and the incredible sound of this little guitar. Sound and finish wise I have to admit Taylor does a better job than either Martin or Gibson. At times I do wish it had onboard electronics and have considered installing a system, but in the end I'm afraid that any alterations will disrupt what is already a fantastic instrument. I highly recommend anyone who is considering an older Taylor 412 to consider it, I know if mine were ever destroyed or stolen I'd search for a new early 90's model (I've played some of the more recent 412ce and they don't compare).

I don't know the features, I am still trying to figure out what I got!

I don't know much about this guitar are playing in general I have only played for about two years, but nonetheless I like the tone of the guitar but I feel that the notes don't carry all the way through. I have a Tacoma that sounds real full.

When I pulled the guitar out of the case I was astounded at what I had. I think it is beautiful and close to flawless. The wood on the top looks more like my cheapy guitar but inly if you look closely.

I have only played with this guitar for a few months and I have had no problems with it so-far.

I had no warranty I bought it from a tow company who found it in a vehicle they towed. They never even looked in the case.

The size and sound of this guitar are great. My Tacoma is huge and bulky, while this Taylor is small and I can play in my chair with out being uncomfortable. Cant beat this product!

This is 1995 Taylor 412,Small body Grand Concert. 20 frets, Non cutaway, All solid 2 pieces (aging look) Spruce top tiny flaw ( 2 pieces Mahogany side, 1 piece Mahogany back,1 piece Mahogany neck (no finger joint),Ebony fret broad with large abalone dot inlay, Ebony pinless bridge, Indian Rosewood head overlay,Tasq nut and bridge, black binding body,3 black & white plastic ring around sound hold, Chormed Grover tuners,no strap pin on base of the neck, plastic tortoise pickgard, Top gloss finish, satin finish body,The neck widge incredible easy for fingerpicking, perfect intonation for bar chord and Capo, Fishman active piezo,Original brown leather hardcase,the leather is worn out vintage look, satin redish- purple clothe lining.

It's for finger style. Very balance warm and clear and crisp not to much bass. Not many feedback. I plugged into LR.Baggs PADI - Trace Acoustic Ta100R and LR.Baggs PADI. This guitar was stored in the case for along time. The first time when I plugged and played for 2 minutes it the battery was out of power . After switch to new battery. The sound is indcredible. It's very sweet sound.

Small body guitar easy to hold in my arms. I like the neck very much.It easy to play fingerpicking. Grover tuner look brand new in tune all the time.

It's used. No warranty.

I play guitar for along time for relax and in the party. The next guitar I will buy Rosewood body Taylor guitar.The other gears I owned are
1970 Yamaha FG 110 Nippon Gaki Red label laminate Spruce top & laminate Maple body
1996 Gibson les paul standard honey brust
2004 Taylor 420ce-L5 Tasmanian blackwood body

Guitar was made in 1993 in the USA. According to Taylor its a Rare model that was made for about 1 year. It has Rosewood Fretboard and Bridge as opposed to Ebony. Solid Wood throughout. Sitka Spruce over Mahogany with a Satin Finish. Pinless Bridge has to Increase the Sustain.

The Sound is just Fabulous, Sustain is Incredible Fingerpicking , Chords or Strumming. Very Delicate with the sound. Weather Changes the sound of course. Clear Sunny Day and it sounds like Angels Singing, Rainy Day kinda restrained. I Love this Guitar.

Beautiful set up at the Factory, Bookmatched Wood, No Flaws anywhere. Beautifull Well Fitted and Satin Finished, Quality all the way.

This is a Plain looking Professional Guitar. Would work Very Well in the Studio or on the Stage. Excellent Grover Tuners. Finish is Satin but seems tough enough to las over the long haul. Very Dependable .I would use it on a gig without a back up.

Friendle and Very Helpful, even though I am not the original owner and I did not get a Warrenty. Answered every question. Very Courteous and Friendly.

I have been Playing Pro and retired for 35 years and If this was stolen, Yes I would go out and get another Taylor. This is a Working Man guitar, Made to Play, Made to be Played and Perform

Plain vanilla, pretty standard set of features. Koa sides and back, single-piece neck, not like the post-1999 Taylors which have the finger joint on the neck and headstock, and a stacked heel. The fretboard is pristine and very precise. The neck is light and fast. If this guitar were a car, it would be a coupe. The sound chamber is shallower than I'm used to, but it makes it easier to play standing up because you don't have to reach over it so much. There's no cutaway, so the upper register is pretty much off limits unless you don't mind bending your wrist all out of shape. No electronics, either.

I'm going to be harsh here. I played a lot of guitars and I decided that I liked this one the best when I played it in the store. However, when I got it home and I played it over the weekend, I started to realize its limitations. The shallow sound cavity makes the sound hollow and tinny. When compared to other Taylors in the same price range, I think this particular guitar is pretty weak. There's a lot of brightness to the sound, but there's no bottom. There's no full-bodiedness like you get with a Gibson or Larivee dreadnaught. I think the fundamental problems this guitar has come down to the materials and the body dimensions. It might just be a matter of personal taste, but it sounds nowhere near as rich and robust as a Guild, for example.

The intonation, however, is pretty good. It's as good as you would expect with a Taylor. When capoed, it only needs minor adjustment to get it in tune. When tuned, it stays in tune.

The only flaw with this guitar was that the last fret wasn't glued right to the neck. Once while I was playing capoed at the fifth fret, the top sting got caught underneath it while I was playing and it sounded like my smoke alarm went off. Otherwise, I have to give this guitar a ten because it's really been precisely made. The fit is superb and as I said before, the neck is super clean.

I can't really comment because I've only owned it for two days at this point. It *seems* like it will last. Not many people complain about their Taylors falling apart.

The sound really got to me and I eventually decided to take the guitar back. Honestly, I think it sounded worse than my old Fender DG-10. It plays a lot nicer, though, but for how much I paid for it, it should sound a lot better. Perhaps its the Koa or a matter of personal preference, but I just didn't click with this guitar.

The guitar was made in 1995 and i bought it used in 2004. The instrument is in perfect conditions so the time it has been palyed has only enhanched its response. It has all solid wood construction and it is made of american mahogany back and sides and sitka spruce top. It had no electronics but I applied a B-Band transducer on it which works fine but you need a good acoustic amplifier to obtain a natural sound. If you haven't one I suggest the Baggs amplification with condenser mic. Satin finish; pinless bridge; ebony bridge and fretboard. For me it's defenetly a good looking guitar.
I often play in alternate tunings but the tuners aren't the best quality since I always break the G string (but perhaps the problem involves only one tuning machine that I'd rather adjust). Hard shell case included (very nice).

I play figerstyle and the guitar seems very good to do that. But I don't know how another Taylor 412 made in 1995 owned by a friend of mine sounds all different: boxy sound, no separation of notes... ugly.
So I suggest to try always your guitars even if they are the same model that you have already played because everyone is different. I'll give a ten to the sound of this instrument, for the bass response and the treble defined sound, but keep in mind that it is given to this one in particular and not to the other models of the same maker and kind that I tried.

Perfect action. No finish flaws even if I find the finish very delicate, but perhaps this is good for the guitar overall volume, very high.

Perhaps the instrument will last a long time but not with the satin finish on it. Only a little touch with a table and the guitar is signed. I just don't explain to myself how the seller could keep it in the condition I received it for so long time.

I haven't dealed with the company.

I think the guitar deserves a 9 for the playability and the full sound. I would have liked a more complex sound with more harmonics but for the price I think it's a good compromise compared to other guitars. For exaple I think the Tacoma pm15 also made of solid mahogany and sitka spruce doesn't even compare to the Taylor even if made of the same materials or the Lowden S-12 (if I'm not wrong also mahogany and spruce) only has a undefinible sound that aches my head (it's a personal opinion).

My 412 is mahogany back and sides but is much prettier than
a similar Lowden that I have. Top is solid
spruce, finger board is ebony and is bound. I like the pin-less bridge.

I bought this guitar because it sounded much better than anything
else I tried in the under a kilo-buck class and sounds as good
as my Lowden which would cost twice as much I think.

I have not noticed any lack of quality in materials or workmanship.
The best value Ive seen.

Everything seems very solid

When I start wishing for a cutaway, pickups, larger body etc I
start creeping up into the very expensive guitars and thats what
I like about the 412 - its simple and sounds great and is a bargain.

Mine is a '97 which I bought new in '98. I think it was the least expensive Taylor at the time. I really like the satin finish, though Taylor's gloss finishes are beautiful. It's a very basic concert-body guitar, especially nice for playing at home alone. The pinless bridge is weird but it works fine and I never break strings, so maybe it's a good idea.

The sound is very well balanced which is one of the advantages of a concert versus dreadnaught or jumbo size. If you like a big bass it won't work for you, get a 410 or whatever you like in a dreadnaught.

Beautufully made for a bottom-of-the-line guitar from a top maker.

I play this at home only for my own amusement and to write. I mostly play bass. The guitar player I play with uses a 512 with a Fishman and it has a fabulous, full sound, so I imagine the 412 would be nearly as good. Concert size bodies really have a wonderful sound on gigs; let the bass player take the bottom end.

I have no experience with Taylor repair but they keep you on a mailing list and send info pretty regularly.

I have been playing for 30+ years and my acoustics have mostly been Martins, Gibsons, etc. Seems like Taylor really figured out how to get a lot of sound and quality for the money. I would recommend this guitar to anyone who wants a smaller, high-end guitar at under $1000. I doubt I'd ever sell it as it's so simple and has such a sweet sound.

My Taylor 412, purchased in May 1996, is the small Grand Concet body style, solid mahogany sides, back and neck, Sitka spruce top, ebony fretboard and pinless bridge. It came with a hardshell case. It has Grover tuners which I replaced with locking Govers. It has the satin finish. It is a plain, elegant little guitar with all the features I want. Made in the USA.

When I play my electric I will use a few effects. When I play my Taylor I just want to play the guitar. A mic in front with reverb is all I require, if anything. I play this guitar by myself 99% of the time. The bass is not as loud as a dreadnaught body style but I don't like "box guitars". On a typical night I might sit around and play Riders on the Storm, Year of the Cat, Watching and Waiting (Moody Blues) Jindalee Jindalie (Masters of Reality)and Desparado (Alice Cooper). Playing this guitar beats the hell out of watching TV. I refer to this guitar as my home entertainment center.

I was drawn to my Taylor because of the small body style and strings smaller than those necessry to tether a blimp. Seriously, this guitar is the best playing acoustic I've seen. The light D'Addaario strings,.012-.053, and low action make this 412 very fun to play.
Construction leaves no faults. Since it is solid wood you get great sound but you must treat it right. This means LEAVE THE GUITAR IN ITS CASE, NOT ON THE WALL OR A STAND & WATCH THE HUMIDITY! I have had no trouble with mine after 4 years, not even a truss rod adjustment.
I love the pinless bridge and the satin finish (clean with a damp cloth)

I don't play this guitar on stage very often, just at home or out in the woods (on full moon nights). I have had no problems with any aspect of the guitar. It is solid and well crafted. I will do my part and treat it right. (In case you didn't know, Taylor uses bolt on necks.)

I asked for tech sheets and help with installing a front strap button.
Customer support is very friendly and prompt. Warranty to original purchaser is a limited lifetime warranty. I have not needed repairs. I like Taylor's quarterly magazine too.

I've played for 33 years, mostly electric. I bought this guitar because it sounds great and is very easy to play for an acoustic. I made 3 round trips of 160 miles before deciding to purchase this model. It was the least expensive Taylor I tried but pleased me most.
It is the only acoustic I own and I don't plan to get another. My favorite features are the small body style, pinless bridge and low string action. It smells good too. There is nothing I would really change. IF I could have one thing different it might be abalone dots on the fingerboard. This was an expensive guitar for me, but well worth the money. I don't trade instruments much and this will probable do me for life.

My model is an 88.It was made in the U.S.A. It has a solid sppruce top
with 20 frets (15 playable).

I really like the sound it is really good for lead blues.I mean if you like to play fast you would like how this guitar sounded.The sound is bright but yet really rich so chords really sound good.

I got mine used and the action was way to low for me. I was getting a lot of fret buzz.

The finish I think will last for quite a while. This guitar seems fairly tough

I got mine from Guitar Gallery in Birmingham Al. I would have to say the support was really good. Since mine was used I did not get a
warranty.

I have been playig for three and a half years and this is by far the
best acoustic i have ever had. I love the size of the guitar (small)
and the sound and definatley the way it plays it is afast little guitar. I wish it had electronics and yes I would get another one if it was stolen.

Ovangkol back and sides, Ebony fingerboard, Mahogony neck, Spruce top

Dynamic, expressive, smooth and slick, perfect for my style of acoustic jazz. (Very similar to the Taylor used by my main influence Antonio Forcione and so I suppose it makes sense that it's right for me.)I would have bought this guitar (if I could afford it) even if the price was'nt reduced.

The action was slightly high, and the strings (Elixier) were not to my personal liking but were fresh and sounded lively. After having my pickup fitted (a Fishman Rare Earth Blender) and the strings changed to Martin .012 and the action lowered, it was a pure pleasure to play. My only minor misgiving is that the bridge pins were not quite routed deep enough to accept the .054 6th string without being slightly reised from the others, and therefore overly tight (though the guitar was reduced from #1200 to #830 so this is ok with me.) The finish on the guitar was superb, the wood is beautiful, the neck smooth and I love the classy design of the scratchplate.

I have had no problems with this guitar, and Antonio's been using a very similar model for years and it still sounds and looks immaculate.

Never dealt with them!

I honestly can say that there's nothing I hate about it, only the bridge pin for the 6th strings is a minor problem, but if it were stolen I'd get another. I've never played a guitar that I preferred at any price (including other Taylors, Martins, Collings, Normans etc). I play it through a Fishman Rare Earth Blender to a Hughes and Kettner Montana amp (which i'll give a 9/10) and It's great for my style.