Taylor 312ce

Electro-acoustic guitar made by luthier to USD.
20 frets with 14 off set.
Pre-equipped with a Fishman preamp.
Bridge and ebony fingerboard.

UTILIZATION

Channel easy to play.
Recent frets easily accessible through the Venetian cutaway.
Guitar ideal ergonomic shape 'grand concert'.
Brilliant, round, perfectly balanced.

SOUNDS

Suitable for all styles of music from classical to acoustic rock.
Wide variety of sound with the range of Roland amps.
Very good report from his acoustic rich, clear and bright in the rock as easily saturated feedback.

OVERALL OPINION

Played from 6 to 7 years.
Particularly versatile guitar.
Better quality than many jumbo and dreadnought.
Acoustic sound which is enriched over time, clear and balanced, bright and prodonde with a completely solid wood quality exceptional.
Versatile electric sound with a preamp built already experienced by many other brands.

See previous reviews for features (Expression system on my model). The cell system has improved compared to what my 414. It is now changing with access near the jack.
I recently bought a Furch for about the same price and quality of the two cases is very different in favor of Taylor. The Taylor looks like a real safe, very professional. on the other hand, plus key trimming delivered by Taylor (Shame!) This is to avoid pbs they have had with their client. In my case, the action must be very low, and I still need a 16th of a turn more or less around the current setting, depending on weather. I will not seek a luthier approved just before playing!
Tip: There is a range of DIY tools such as screwdrivers with interchangeable tips. These tools fit very well to trimming the trussrod format, which is unfortunately not the case with French Pipe wrenches. Despite this, given the overall quality: 10

UTILIZATION

The handle is the end of my guitars (they are identical to the touch on my 2 Taylor). on the other hand 9c Yamaha APX is much more accessible in the treble. This is embarrassing for the rare pieces agreements beyond the 12th fret (See Mr. DADI "Old Time Parlor" for example).
The format (reduced body type OM + pitch slightly reduced) are fine for me. The acoustic sound is perfect for my taste, which is not the case of Apx, yet close to the body taylor format.
Half a downside: The game in question pull off some inconvenience on the E string from about the 3rd box: the rope tends to slide around the neck below the level of the hoop, this ho gives a slight rattle when the break. I think the string is too close to the edge of the handle about 1 mm. But that's nit-picking. (The handle has no binding)
I use this instrument débraché in general, and about 3 hours / week plugged (Répèt., shows). Under these conditions the current model 9V lasts about 6 months. If one does not perceives that the internal diode (control) is turned off, the sound starts to gradually chop. Battery change only takes 30 seconds.
I play on the Roland AC, but I had the opportunity to be heard on live sound used by another guitarist: It is really great for my taste.

SOUNDS

This guitar suits me well. It sounds rather thin. I play acoustic or with a Roland AC60. The sound is very close in 2 cases. It is more difficult to modulate the sound with a piezo (See the APX-9c), but it suits me anyway. I have a little harder to hear the harmonics on the system that amplified the natural guitar, and percussion on the cash spend significantly less "percussive" with the APX, but it is a marginal use . The natural side of the instrument is respected, which is more or less depending on the directories.
In rhythmic example, in a trad band (accordion, violin, flute), she "passes" worse than the apx, but finger-picking (P Bensusan, Dan Ar Bras, ...) with a slight chorus is a small happiness.

OVERALL OPINION

I've had a year and uses it almost everywhere. I waited before issuing the notice. Lighter than the 414 this (Especially if you compare the whole Guitar + case!), Fine and complete in its sound, amplified Bloom (The percussion and harmonics are best made on the Yamaha, for example). .. What I was looking for a 412, and finally allowed me the chance another acquisition for an unexpected result is entirely satisfactory to date. I do it again this election and certainly recommend. This is currently my favorite guitar.
Added 29/04/2010: It's still my favorite guitar, and I spent an afternoon to look at the 414ce in amplified: There are small differences in sound, but in my modest level of quality, I prefer 312 by its ease of play related to petty cash.
Added 08/04/2011: I tried a Taylor 414ce recent comparison shop with it in acoustics and Roland AC-33. They are all 2. Taylor improves the quality of his guitar, if I compare my 414 with the one tested.
But I still prefer my 312 in the road (acoustic and / or electric).
Acoustics, I still prefer my Lowden made by Yairi.
I'll test x12ce at Taylor for having a second of this format, and I think to separate myself from my 414. I will also try 000 (Martin, butcher, ...) but if possible already equipped with electro.