Taylor Academy 12e-N

$745.00 to $799.00 Price Tier: High-end

3 Critic Reviews

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Page last updated Jun 30, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 7 stores. Prices updated June 30, 2026.

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Reviews

Price

5.0 (7)

$799.00

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$799.00

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4.8 (6)

$799.00

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5.0 (1)

$799.00 8 available New

$675.00 1 available Used

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$799.00

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$799.00

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4.8 (15)

$749.00 $745.00 $4.00 · All time low

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Average Price: $777

High-end/Boutique

$100

$601+

Price Tier

In the Classical & Nylon-String Guitars category, Taylor Academy 12e-N is priced in the High-end/Boutique range. This premium gear is built to very high standards and offers premium features.

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 5 merchants for "Taylor Academy 12e-N". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

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Designed with both budding and seasoned guitarists in mind, the Taylor Academy 12e-N offers a blend of comfort, quality, and affordability. This Grand Concert nylon-string acoustic-electric guitar is crafted with a solid torrefied spruce top and layered walnut back and sides, delivering a warm, resonant tone that enhances your play across various styles. The unique torrefaction process used on the top accelerates the wood's aging, imbuing it with the rich, responsive character of a seasoned instrument from the first strum.

The guitar's built-in armrest is a thoughtful addition, providing enhanced comfort during long practice sessions or performances by softening the body's edge against your arm. The slim maple neck and 1.875" nut width contribute to a smooth, effortless playing experience, perfect for intricate fingerstyle or powerful strumming. Meanwhile, the ebony fingerboard and bridge ensure sustain and playability, making every note resonate beautifully.

For those ready to take the stage, the Taylor ES-B electronics system offers a natural, warm amplified tone with intuitive volume and tone controls, plus a built-in tuner for precision. Whether you're playing unplugged or plugged in, the Academy 12e-N delivers a balanced, articulate sound that inspires creativity.

Key Features:

Grand Concert body shape for enhanced playability
Solid torrefied spruce top and layered walnut back and sides
Built-in armrest for added comfort
Slim maple neck with ebony fingerboard
1.875" nut width for easy fretting
Taylor ES-B electronics with tuner and tone/volume controls
Ideal for both beginners and experienced players looking for quality at an accessible price

Product specs

String Type	Nylon
Number of Strings	6
Body Shape	Academy 12eN Grand Concert
Left-/Right-handed	Right-handed
Finish	Matte
Top Wood	Torrefied Spruce
Back & Sides Wood	Layered Walnut
Body Bracing	Academy Series Nylon Bracing
Neck Wood	Neo-Tropical Mahogany
Neck Shape	Standard Carve
Radius	20"
Fingerboard Inlay	Italian Acrylic Dots
Number of Frets	17
Scale Length	25.5"
Tuning Machines	Classical
Bridge Material	Crelicam Ebony
Nut/Saddle Material	Tusq/Micarta
Nut Width	1.875"
Electronics	Taylor ES-B 1.2
Strings	D'Addario Pro Arte Carbon
Case/Gig Bag	Softshell Case

FAQs

What type of wood is used in the construction of the Taylor Academy 12e-N?: The Taylor Academy 12e-N features a torrefied spruce top and layered walnut back and sides, providing a balanced tone with warmth and clarity.
Is the Taylor Academy 12e-N suitable for beginners?: Yes, the Taylor Academy 12e-N is designed with a comfortable neck profile and a shorter scale length, making it an excellent choice for beginners seeking an easy-playing nylon-string guitar.
Does the Taylor Academy 12e-N come with electronics for amplification?: Yes, the Taylor Academy 12e-N is equipped with the Taylor ES-B 1.2 electronics, allowing for easy amplification and control over your sound during performances.
How does the neck profile of the Taylor Academy 12e-N enhance playability?: The Taylor Academy 12e-N features a standard carve neck profile with a 1.875-inch nut width, offering a comfortable grip and making it easier to play chords and melodies.
What kind of strings does the Taylor Academy 12e-N use?: The Taylor Academy 12e-N comes strung with D'Addario Pro Arte Carbon strings, known for their durability and bright, responsive tone.

Videos

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GuitarZero2Hero

Taylor Academy 12e-N Nylon String Acoustic Guitar Review + Unboxing

GuitarZero2Hero

Taylor Academy 12e-N Review & Demo

Alamo Music Center

Academy 12e-N | Acoustic Guitar | featuring Daniel Donato

Taylor Guitars

Taylor Academy 12E-N Classical Guitar, played by Nick Hosford | Gruhn Guitars in Nashville

Gruhn Guitars

Taylor Academy 12e-N Nylon String Guitar - Personal Review

Alan Roy Hocking

Reviews

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PROS

Excellent playability, typical of Taylor guitars
Built-in tuner is convenient and accurate
Armrest cutaway significantly enhances comfort
Lightweight design compared to similar models
Unique Lutz spruce top and walnut back offer clear, powerful sound
Comes with a quality Taylor gig bag
Beautiful natural finish and aesthetics
Suitable for beginners and experienced players alike
Produces rich, vibrant sound when plugged into an amp
Slightly wider neck enhances playability for some users

CONS

Pricier for an entry-level guitar
Materials used aren’t high-end, which keeps costs down
Initial string setup may require adjustment

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Taylor Academy 12e-N.

Comparisons

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Owners note that the 12e's Grand Concert body offers a thinner sound compared to the 10e's Dreadnaught, which is preferred for a fuller sound.
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The Cordoba Fusion 12's onboard electronics allow blending between microphone and pickup, providing a versatile sound option unavailable in the Taylor.
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The sound and playability of the Academy 12e-N are compared favorably to higher-end models, such as a €3,000 Taylor all mahogany guitar.
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Use cases and applications

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The 12e is mentioned as potentially more comfortable for players seeking a smaller body size, suitable for accompaniment with vocals.
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Despite some sound criticisms, the Taylor Academy 12e-N is praised for its playability, making it a preferred choice for players prioritizing ease of use.
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The Academy 12e-N is praised for its versatility, excelling in both delta blues and classical guitar arrangements like "Princess Mononoke."
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User experience

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Some users transitioned from the 10e to other guitars but recommend it as a solid option, especially if found used at a good price.
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The armrest design on the Taylor Academy 12e-N significantly enhances comfort when playing for extended periods, particularly when sitting on a couch.
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Owners of the Cordoba Fusion 12 report superior sound quality compared to the Taylor, suggesting a preference for those who prioritize tonal richness over brand loyalty.
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Owners describe the Academy 12e-N as having a neck reminiscent of the Baby Taylor, contributing to its playability and comfort.
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Some players find the Academy 12e-N more comfortable and preferable over the GS Mini, despite the latter's smaller size.
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Setup and maintenance

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Cordoba guitars often suffer from fret buzz and protruding fret ends, indicating inconsistent quality control, which can be a major frustration for players.
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Value and pricing

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Owners note the Academy 12e-N is priced higher than the GS Mini, around 1050 euros, but they find its sound and playability justify the cost.
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Critic Reviews

Taylor Academy 12e-N review | Guitar World

guitarworld.com

The Taylor Academy 12e-N offers an impressive blend of quality and playability, making it a strong contender for beginner guitarists. Its lightweight design, appealing aesthetics, and onboard electronics win points for practicality. However, its narrow neck may feel cramped for traditional classical players, and its acoustic volume is modest, lacking the resonance of steel-string counterparts. Overall, while it might be pricier for a beginner's guitar, the 12e-N's craftsmanship and features make it a worthwhile investment for those serious about their musical journey.

positive

Full Review

Taylor Academy 12e-N review | MusicRadar

musicradar.com

The Taylor Academy 12e-N shines with its precise design and crisp sound, perfect for beginners seeking a quality nylon-string guitar. While its plugged-in performance is commendable, the basic preamp feels a bit underwhelming, and the austere construction may not justify the price for some. Still, its playability and elegant voicing make it a worthy contender in the competitive entry-level market.

positive

Full Review

Taylor Academy 12e-N - Review and video demo - Peghead Nation

pegheadnation.com

Taylor's Academy 12e-N nails the hybrid guitar concept, blending the best of nylon and steel-string worlds. With a sleek, comfortable design, it offers superb playability, making it ideal for beginners and seasoned players alike. The rich, balanced tone shines in various genres, from jazz to classical. However, while it excels in comfort and sound quality, its entry-level price tag of $699 may still be steep for some. Overall, it's a fantastic choice for those seeking a versatile guitar that grows with their skills, but budget-conscious musicians might want to consider alternatives.

positive

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Daniel Fraire

Singer, Guitarist

Verified via Photo

Aquí ensayando un arreglo que hicimos para un cover de @instacvba que grabaremos en un rato más... #taylorplayer

Anthony Del Grosso

Guitarist, Drummer

This Wild Life

Verified via Photo

In this post Anthony can be seen playing a Taylor academy nylon guitar. He states this is his first ever classical style guitar. Anthony states that he loves that it sounds really good, and is so easy to play.