A fingerstylist’s dream, Taylor’s mahogany/cedar Grand Concert 512ce packs stunning warmth and midrange presence into a comfortable, player-friendly package. The smaller body and 24-7/8-inch-scale neck make for an intimate playing experience, and the cedar top responds with a wonderful midrange bloom, especially for players with a light touch. This year’s edition features a move to V-Class bracing tailored for the Grand Concert shape, which pushes a surprising amount of volume from this small-bodied guitar, coupled with notes that sustain gorgeously. The new bracing design proves a perfect match for a solid cedar top, opening up greater headroom while maintaining cedar’s natural touch sensitivity and warmth. An elegant cutaway opens up the fretboard, while Taylor’s ES2 pickup delivers organic amplified acoustic tone. Appointments include faux tortoise shell binding and pickguard, a rosette of faux tortoise shell framed by grained ivoroid, and a grained ivoroid Century fretboard inlay.