A Taylor Nylon-String That Actually Fits How You Play
There's a certain kind of guitar player who's been eyeing nylon strings for a while — maybe you love the warm, silky tone, or you just want something easier on the fingers after a long practice session. The trouble is that traditional classical guitars come with a notoriously wide neck and a stuffy playing experience that can feel foreign if you've grown up on steel strings. Taylor's Academy 12e-N is built for exactly that crossroads: a genuine nylon-string tone and feel, wrapped in a body that plays like the Taylor you already know.
The compact Grand Concert body is Taylor's smallest full-scale shape, and it lends itself beautifully to fingerpicking and lighter playing styles. Add a 1-7/8" nut width — narrower than a typical classical — and a slender neck profile, and you get a nylon-string that won't make you feel like you're reaching across a highway every time you fret a chord.
Whether you're a steel-string player looking to broaden your tonal palette or someone picking up guitar for the first time and wanting something easy on the hands, the A12e-N is a thoughtfully designed instrument built around making the experience enjoyable from day one.
A Top That's Already Been Broken In (Sort Of)
The A12e-N's solid torrefied spruce top is one of its most interesting specs. Torrefaction is a roasting process that accelerates the natural aging of the wood — the kind of warmth and depth that normally takes decades of playing to develop is baked in right from the factory. The result is a top that feels more open and responsive from the first strum than a standard spruce top at this price point.
Solid spruce has always been a premium selling point in acoustics, and having it here in an Academy-priced guitar says a lot about what Taylor was going for with this model. It's paired with layered walnut back and sides, which adds a crisp, punchy character to the midrange and keeps the overall weight of the guitar light and comfortable.
Built for the Nylon-String Experience — with a Taylor Twist
The A12e-N uses a 25-1/2" full scale length and a flat (classical) fingerboard radius, both traditional nylon-string choices, but the similarities to a traditional classical end there. Taylor's neck profile is slimmer than a classical, and the 17-fret ebony fingerboard is smooth and fast. The nut width of 1-7/8" is a practical sweet spot — wide enough for clean fingerpicking, narrow enough to keep chord shapes comfortable. A slotted headstock and tie bridge complete the classical-style hardware while the ES-B pickup system keeps things firmly in the modern world.
Speaking of electronics: the ES-B is based on the design principles of Taylor's flagship Expression System 2. It uses a behind-the-saddle transducer with adjustable sensors, and the onboard preamp includes volume, tone, a 3-band EQ, and a built-in digital chromatic tuner with an LED display. Plugged in, the A12e-N captures nylon-string nuance without sounding processed or synthetic — which is no small feat for an acoustic-electric at this price.
A carved beveled armrest on the lower bout reduces the contact pressure between your strumming arm and the guitar body. It's a small thing until you've played a guitar without one for three hours — then it's the first thing you notice.
Product Features:
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Top: Solid torrefied spruce — naturally aged tone and resonance from first strum
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Back & Sides: Layered walnut — punchy midrange with crisp articulation
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Fingerboard & Bridge: Genuine West African Ebony — smooth, fast feel with excellent sustain
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Body Shape: Grand Concert — Taylor's most compact full-scale shape, ideal for fingerstyle
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Scale Length: 25-1/2" full scale with flat classical fingerboard radius
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Nut Width: 1-7/8" (47.62mm) — narrower than a traditional classical for easier playability
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Electronics: Taylor ES-B with 3-band EQ, volume, tone, and built-in chromatic LED tuner
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Nut & Saddle: NuBone nut / Micarta "Wave" saddle
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Tuners: Classical nickel with faux pearl buttons
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Finish: Satin body finish with beveled armrest for playing comfort
Brand: Taylor Guitars
Model: Academy 12e-N
SKU: A12E-N
Condition: New
Since 1872, C.A. House Music has been helping musicians across the Ohio Valley find the right gear -- with real advice from a team that actually plays. We're your authorized dealer of all the big names in guitars, keyboards, band instruments, drums, pro audio, and more. With four family-owned and operated locations in Ohio and West Virginia (plus a full online store), you don't have to go far for instruments, lessons, rentals, and repairs. No matter your musical needs, our team of musicians wants to help you Play Music for Life.
