Pricing and availability
We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated .
Store
Reviews
Price
Average Price: $2,000
High-end/Boutique
$200
$1001+
Price Tier
Budget
Standard
High-end
* Product prices and availability are updated by Equipboard every 24hrs and are subject to change. Equipboard may receive compensation for purchases made at participating retailers linked on this site. This compensation does not affect what products or prices are displayed, or the order of prices listed. For more information, please refer to our affiliate disclosure.
Description
Discover the harmonious blend of tradition and innovation with the Taylor 855 12-String Acoustic Guitar, a masterpiece that enriches every chord with unparalleled depth and clarity. Crafted for the musician who seeks both the robust sound of a 12-string and the comfort of modern playability, this guitar stands as a testament to Taylor's commitment to quality. Featuring rosewood back and sides and a spruce top, the Taylor 855 elevates your music, ensuring each note resonates with pure, acoustic bliss. Whether you're serenading a sunset or leading a band, this guitar brings your music to life with its rich tonal palette and expressive dynamics.
Key Features:
- Rosewood back and sides for a rich, resonant sound
- Spruce top enhances tonal clarity
- Tropical American Mahogany neck for stability and comfort
- Ebony fingerboard for smooth playability
- Venetian cutaway for easy access to upper frets
- Taylor Expression System electronics for amplified true tone
- Scalloped X-bracing for added resonance
- Tortoiseshell pickguard and black plastic binding for a classic aesthetic
Product specs
| Brand | Taylor |
| Model | 855ce with ES1 Electronics |
| Year | 2003 - 2008 |
| Made In | United States |
| Categories | Acoustic-Electric Guitars |
| Active Preamp | Yes |
| Back Material | Rosewood |
| Body Shape | Jumbo |
| Color Family | Natural, Tan |
| Finish Style | Gloss |
| Fretboard Material | Ebony |
| Model Family | Taylor 855 |
| Model Sub-Family | Taylor 855ce |
| Neck Material | Mahogany |
| Number of Frets | 20 |
| Number of Strings | 12-String |
| Offset Body | Non-Offset Body |
| Pickup | Internal Piezo Pickup |
| Right / Left Handed | Right Handed |
| Series | Taylor 800 Series |
| Sides Material | Rosewood |
| String Type | Steel |
| Top Material | Spruce |
| Wood Top Style | Plain |
FAQs
-
What type of wood is used in the construction of the Taylor 855 12-String Acoustic?
-
The Taylor 855 features a spruce top with rosewood back and sides, providing a rich, full-bodied sound with excellent projection and clarity.
-
Is the Taylor 855 12-String Acoustic suitable for live performances?
-
Yes, the Taylor 855 includes ES1 electronics with an active preamp, making it well-suited for live performances with clear and natural amplified sound.
-
How does the jumbo body shape of the Taylor 855 affect its sound?
-
The jumbo body shape of the Taylor 855 enhances volume and bass response, offering a powerful and resonant sound ideal for strumming and fingerstyle playing.
-
What is the neck material of the Taylor 855 12-String Acoustic, and how does it affect playability?
-
The neck of the Taylor 855 is made from mahogany, providing a smooth playing experience with added warmth and sustain to the guitar's overall tone.
-
Does the Taylor 855 12-String Acoustic have an internal pickup?
-
Yes, the Taylor 855 features an internal piezo pickup, allowing for easy amplification while maintaining the guitar's natural acoustic sound.
Videos
Normans Rare Guitars
Guitar of the Day: 1995 Taylor 855 12 String | Norman's Rare Guitars
Guitar of the Day: 1995 Taylor 855 12 String | Norman's Rare Guitars
Normans Rare Guitars
Taylor 855 12-String Acoustic Guitar Demo
Jay Brokers
Reviews
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Taylor 855 12-String Acoustic.
Features and functionality
-
The Taylor 855 features both a Fishman Blender and an ES system, with a unique stainless jack installed into the ES battery holder.
Source
Setup and maintenance
-
A potential issue with the early ES system is the fragile 5 milliamp fuse, which can be temporarily bridged with a staple if it blows.
Source
Value and pricing
-
Left-handed Taylor 855s can vary in price perception; some believe they should sell for less due to a smaller buyer pool, while others argue their rarity can increase value.
Source
Use cases and applications
-
The guitar's dual pickup system is designed for live performance versatility, offering options for different tonal outputs.
Source -
Neil Young uses a Taylor 855, with one guitar tuned to standard and another in double drop D for live performances.
Source -
The Emerald X30 is noted for its deep low-end growl, while its jumbo size feels ergonomic, akin to a dreadnought, making it suitable for robust low-end applications.
Source
User experience
-
Owners have noted that left-handed high-end guitars like the Taylor 855 don't always receive significant price breaks in the resale market.
Source -
Owners describe the Taylor 855's tone as deep, punchy, and ethereal, as experienced in Neil Young's Thrasher performances.
Source -
Owners find the Yamaha LL-16-12 to sound almost as good as high-end models like the Guild 512 or Martin HD-12-28 but at a fraction of the cost, particularly when using a pick.
Source
Comparisons
-
Some users mistakenly think Neil's 12-string is a Taylor 858, but confirm it is the Taylor 855, highlighting the model's significance in live settings.
Source -
The Taylor LKSM (Leo Kottke model) is highlighted for its unique scalloped bracing, offering a clearer, more direct sound compared to traditionally braced models like the Taylor 555.
Source -
The Martin HD-12-28e is praised for its comfortable neck with a slim taper and shorter scale, offering less neck dive and a balanced sound compared to other 12-strings.
Source -
The Taylor 855, while known for its playability, is perceived to lack the bass depth compared to Guild's F512, favoring those seeking a more balanced or shimmering high-end tone.
Source
Based on 0 Reviews and 0 Ratings
Artist usage
Add artist
This is one of few Talyor acoustic guitar that Steve Vai has in his collection. It's usually placed in the studio.
This 12 string acoustic guitar was sold on Billy Corgan’s official Reverb.com shop. It was used both live and in the studio.
Neil Young is known to use a Taylor 855 12-String Acoustic guitar, as confirmed by Stefano Frollano, a leading Italian expert on Young's biography, in the article "These Old Guitars" on Altervista.
Taylor 855 de 12 cuerdas en el Tema "Lina de luto"
John Denver used a Taylor 855 12-String Acoustic guitar, as detailed by The John Denver Guitar Research Site. This 1994 model features a Sitka spruce top, Indian rosewood back and sides, a mahogany neck, and an Indian rosewood fretboard and bridge. It also includes Grover tuners, a 25 1/2" scale length, and a 1 7/8" nut width, with the serial number #940506119.
.png?v=1780435972)
Mauricio adquirió esta guitarra Taylor de 12 cuerdas con su banda "Lanza Internacional" o para proyectos ajenos con su hermano Francisco, y la volvió a usar para los conciertos del regreso de Los Bunkers en marzo del 2023
In this live performance video, at 1:47:02, Brian can be seen playing a Taylor 855 12 String.
Gionata Mirai is shown using a Taylor 855 12-String Acoustic Guitar in a photo featured on Equipboard.
.jpg)
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Taylor 855 12-String Acoustic, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
More Taylor Acoustic-Electric Guitars
$949.00 - $1,099.00
in Acoustic-Electric Guitars Rank
$2,200.00 - $3,999.00
in Acoustic-Electric Guitars Rank
$749.00 - $829.00
in Acoustic-Electric Guitars Rank
$850.00 - $2,499.00
in Acoustic-Electric Guitars Rank
$349.00 - $449.00
in Acoustic-Electric Guitars Rank
$2,199.99 - $3,799.00
in Acoustic-Electric Guitars Rank
$799.00 - $899.00
in Acoustic-Electric Guitars Rank
$2,213.24 - $3,199.00
in Acoustic-Electric Guitars Rank
$799.00 - $999.00
in Acoustic-Electric Guitars Rank
$799.00
in Acoustic-Electric Guitars Rank
$929.00 - $1,099.00
in Acoustic-Electric Guitars Rank
$2,199.00 - $3,694.41
in Acoustic-Electric Guitars Rank
$2,149.00 - $2,499.00
in Acoustic-Electric Guitars Rank
$729.00 - $975.00
in Acoustic-Electric Guitars Rank
$1,111.00 - $1,799.00
in Acoustic-Electric Guitars Rank
$1,999.00 - $2,599.00
in Acoustic-Electric Guitars Rank
$2,999.00
in Acoustic-Electric Guitars Rank
$699.00 - $829.00
in Acoustic-Electric Guitars Rank
$5,039.20 - $9,228.12
in Acoustic-Electric Guitars Rank
$1,499.00
in Acoustic-Electric Guitars Rank
$1,759.00 - $1,899.00
$1,200.00 - $2,999.00
$1,749.00 - $2,499.00
.png?v=1780355114)
$699.00 - $999.00
$2,199.00 - $3,694.41
.jpg?v=1780482867)
$2,200.00 - $3,199.00
$1,048.97 - $1,399.00
$2,024.25 - $2,699.00
$2,790.00 - $4,838.77
$1,499.00 - $1,799.00
$3,249.00 - $3,399.00
$2,179.00 - $3,999.00
$1,356.65 - $1,699.00
Accessories & Related Items
Community setups
Similar
Gear Guides
Most Popular Acoustic-Electric Guitars
Most Popular Brands
-
Added to Equipboard on by
julianwolf2Gear IQ 13060
-
