I was very impressed with the 652 BE for it's tonal response across the scale, both rich low notes and clear audible highs. I have high freq hearing loss from years of high freq noise exposure so I really appreciate an instrument that can project high notes that well.
For strumming, I like the sound of the 562 with deep bass tone anchoring each chord. For fingerstyle, there seems no question that the 652 was the winner - brighter, deeper, alive!
I listened through AirPods and the 652 is clearly deeper in the bass than the other 2 for strumming. Really not even close and it is also deeper finger picking in the low end. Try listening again and you will hear it.
Great video as always. Would have been interesting to hear the 150 also compared. I played on in a shop a few weeks ago and was amazed at the ease of play and the tone. This 652 sounds amazing to me! Thanks for putting out these videos for us lowly customers : )
Update 11 months later: didn't hit the lottery, but now have the 652ce Builders Edition WHB. It has the tone I was looking for. It looks sweet sitting next to the 614ce. I want the 652ce Builders Edition as a match for my 614ce Builders Edition. (got an extra lottery ticket today) Fair winds and following seas to all.
I like them all but if I had my choice it would be the 652 Builders Edition . I have a 912 CE Builders Edition and it is an amazing instrument. I will need to hit the lottery to get another Builders Edition but they are truly special.
They all sound so delicious. The 652 string set up is compelling, it seems to have a rich, more balanced sound. The 352 and 562 have a similar balance of tone but are by no means inferior to the 652 or each other. I own a Martin D28-12,that, no matter how I've set it up, takes a lot more finger strength where I can see the ease of Taylors, in this video, there is less strength required.
Did you play or do you now own one of the Taylor 12 strings? I too have a Martin D28-12 and I struggle to play it cleanly (I am ancient and my fingers are not as strong as they once were!) I haven't had a chance to play any of the featured Taylors. I was wondering if you had, and noticed much of a difference in playability compared to your Martin.
@@paulcreid I did have the chance to work with an older Taylor 12 string, borrowed from a friend and it was like butter compared to my D28-12. I find the action on my Martin to be a tad too high. I had the Martin factory reset it and I still found it a little cumbersome on certain bar chords. However, with the Taylor, I could sail right through all chords. I'm not sure how the newer Taylors play, but am looking into them.
@@vincepellegrino4677 Thanks Vince, that's very interesting. The difficulty is finding shops that have them in stock so as to be able to try them out. Let me know how you get on.
@@paulcreid there was a time when I could walk into my local Guitar Centers & Sam Ash's and have an incredible choice to compare but, sadly, those days are gone. The only choice I have now is to order something and return it if not completely satisfied, which I really don't like making a habit of.
@@vincepellegrino4677 Mine is a similar experience. I bought two Martins (an MC28E and the D28-12) secondhand from one of the best music shops in the UK (Sounds Great Music) that was just a few miles from my home. Sadly it closed down a few years ago.
I didn't buy one but Guild did small-body 12-strings, 1970s/early 80s.......the neck seemed to be exactly the same size as a full-size dreadnought body, no compromise on neck size,......then it was the dreadnought shape - but small in comparison to the usual dreadnought of either Martin or Guild. I remember an example was well displayed in a music shop window, in 1982 it had £300 on the tag, using an inflation calculator that's the equivalent of £1000 today, or about $1,200 if you're American. It would be interesting to compare that.......if someone's willing to post you one. I enjoyed your evaluation, I thought the builder was my favourite too.
That 652ce has that extra "something". I did like the 352ce too. Less impressed with the 562ce. I own 4 six string Taylors now; unfortunately I can't see spending the big money for a Builders Edition when a 12 will never be my main guitar. My Seagull Concert Hall S12 does what I expect from it. {EDIT} If I ever inherit enough $$$, you can bet I'll be looking at a Taylor 12 string. I let a beautiful 254ce-DLX get away from me about 5 years ago. Was about $500 more than what I was willing to go for at the time.
I have a 354 that I take on outdoor gigs and a 456ce 2014 LTD (rosewood) for when every detail counts. The difference between them I thought was substantial, but I am realizing I love the bass response of the 652! Even better balance I think that the 456ce. To me, the 552 is too flat of a tone for fingerpicking, but it sounds very nice for strumming. A Taylor is a Taylor... it's hard to go wrong.
I’m so glad I got a 362 with the Blackwood b&s before they made it all mahogany. Big fan of Blackwood! It seems Taylor have ditched Blackwood altogether now which is such a shame. I tried the builder edition too, but wasn’t a fan of the reverse string , as I like to pluck a lot and the reverse stringing doesn’t sound as good like that.
Who would have thunk it! The favorite one just happens to be the most expensive one. I am being facetious, I think the Builders Edition sounded the best. Although there could be some audio trickery involved.
I don't like any of these as much as I like other Taylors I've heard online. They sound like they're made for 6-string players, rather than 12-string players. And I hate cutaways on an acoustic.
Taylor's are consistent. They stay in tune and are easy to play, but they are little stiff, and the consistency is so profound that they lack the human quality of imperfection that makes a human voice better than a synth. I like their little Cadet guitar it is comfortable and easy to play. It's perfect for the beginner, who belongs to a wealthy family.
These guitars all sounded thin to me. Honestly, these guitars do not sound as good as the Martin Grands. You cant beat the spruce rosewood combination.
I'm getting the 652ce once I graduate from school. It's going to be my first luxury purchase!
Thank you, for the side by side comparison. It is, really, helpful!
I was very impressed with the 652 BE for it's tonal response across the scale, both rich low notes and clear audible highs. I have high freq hearing loss from years of high freq noise exposure so I really appreciate an instrument that can project high notes that well.
For strumming, I like the sound of the 562 with deep bass tone anchoring each chord. For fingerstyle, there seems no question that the 652 was the winner - brighter, deeper, alive!
Exactly. I play more fingerstyle , and even when strumming, never use a pick.
I listened through AirPods and the 652 is clearly deeper in the bass than the other 2 for strumming. Really not even close and it is also deeper finger picking in the low end. Try listening again and you will hear it.
As a 25th Anniversary 510 owner, I'm a focused fan of the Mahogany sound, but WOW, the Builders addition 12 string absolutely sings!!
Great video as always. Would have been interesting to hear the 150 also compared. I played on in a shop a few weeks ago and was amazed at the ease of play and the tone. This 652 sounds amazing to me! Thanks for putting out these videos for us lowly customers : )
With 12-strings there's a tendency for the individual notes to get lost in the overall chord. The 652 is different. Perfect clarity, and I WANT ONE
Love ❤️ the 562ce. ❤️
Update 11 months later: didn't hit the lottery, but now have the 652ce Builders Edition WHB. It has the tone I was looking for. It looks sweet sitting next to the 614ce.
I want the 652ce Builders Edition as a match for my 614ce Builders Edition. (got an extra lottery ticket today)
Fair winds and following seas to all.
600, 300, 500 in that order! I don't really like 12-strings, but the 652 might change my mind.
I have the 614ce and can’t see owning anything but the 652 as I love the high end articulation better than any other model in their line.
I like them all but if I had my choice it would be the 652 Builders Edition . I have a 912 CE Builders Edition and it is an amazing instrument. I will need to hit the lottery to get another Builders Edition but they are truly special.
Three beautiful guitars. if I had to choose one it would be the Builder's edition 652ce
They all sound so delicious. The 652 string set up is compelling, it seems to have a rich, more balanced sound. The 352 and 562 have a similar balance of tone but are by no means inferior to the 652 or each other. I own a Martin D28-12,that, no matter how I've set it up, takes a lot more finger strength where I can see the ease of Taylors, in this video, there is less strength required.
Did you play or do you now own one of the Taylor 12 strings? I too have a Martin D28-12 and I struggle to play it cleanly (I am ancient and my fingers are not as strong as they once were!) I haven't had a chance to play any of the featured Taylors. I was wondering if you had, and noticed much of a difference in playability compared to your Martin.
@@paulcreid I did have the chance to work with an older Taylor 12 string, borrowed from a friend and it was like butter compared to my D28-12. I find the action on my Martin to be a tad too high. I had the Martin factory reset it and I still found it a little cumbersome on certain bar chords. However, with the Taylor, I could sail right through all chords. I'm not sure how the newer Taylors play, but am looking into them.
@@vincepellegrino4677 Thanks Vince, that's very interesting. The difficulty is finding shops that have them in stock so as to be able to try them out. Let me know how you get on.
@@paulcreid there was a time when I could walk into my local Guitar Centers & Sam Ash's and have an incredible choice to compare but, sadly, those days are gone. The only choice I have now is to order something and return it if not completely satisfied, which I really don't like making a habit of.
@@vincepellegrino4677 Mine is a similar experience. I bought two Martins (an MC28E and the D28-12) secondhand from one of the best music shops in the UK (Sounds Great Music) that was just a few miles from my home. Sadly it closed down a few years ago.
652...Whoa!
I didn't buy one but Guild did small-body 12-strings, 1970s/early 80s.......the neck seemed to be exactly the same size as a full-size dreadnought body, no compromise on neck size,......then it was the dreadnought shape - but small in comparison to the usual dreadnought of either Martin or Guild. I remember an example was well displayed in a music shop window, in 1982 it had £300 on the tag, using an inflation calculator that's the equivalent of £1000 today, or about $1,200 if you're American. It would be interesting to compare that.......if someone's willing to post you one. I enjoyed your evaluation, I thought the builder was my favourite too.
Oh the 652 was far deeper tonally especially in the bottom end. Huge difference.
Builder's Edition 652ce ... oh yes !!!!!!!
That 652ce has that extra "something". I did like the 352ce too. Less impressed with the 562ce. I own 4 six string Taylors now; unfortunately I can't see spending the big money for a Builders Edition when a 12 will never be my main guitar. My Seagull Concert Hall S12 does what I expect from it.
{EDIT} If I ever inherit enough $$$, you can bet I'll be looking at a Taylor 12 string. I let a beautiful 254ce-DLX get away from me about 5 years ago. Was about $500 more than what I was willing to go for at the time.
Why does my ear always go toward the Builders Edition. Torrified top is great.
Just ordered the 652... Should have it in a week or so. This will be my 2nd Taylor.
Update. They told me 45-60 days out from the factory. Ouch.
352ce 1:53
562ce 2:38
652ce 3:49
I have a 354 that I take on outdoor gigs and a 456ce 2014 LTD (rosewood) for when every detail counts. The difference between them I thought was substantial, but I am realizing I love the bass response of the 652! Even better balance I think that the 456ce. To me, the 552 is too flat of a tone for fingerpicking, but it sounds very nice for strumming. A Taylor is a Taylor... it's hard to go wrong.
I sure would like to hear a Builders Edition in Rosewood. Any plans Andy?
would be too bright
I’m so glad I got a 362 with the Blackwood b&s before they made it all mahogany. Big fan of Blackwood! It seems Taylor have ditched Blackwood altogether now which is such a shame.
I tried the builder edition too, but wasn’t a fan of the reverse string , as I like to pluck a lot and the reverse stringing doesn’t sound as good like that.
Who would have thunk it! The favorite one just happens to be the most expensive one. I am being facetious, I think the Builders Edition sounded the best. Although there could be some audio trickery involved.
I play finger style mostly. I like the 652CE.
great sound ❤️❤️❤️❤️👍👍👍
I with Sam love the tonal character of the maple
Will any of these make a good guitar for Mexican Regional Music like Corridos? Let me know.
Which Capo would you recommend for the Builder’s Edition 652ce, since the lower strings are reversed? Kind regards 🎶
I don't own one, but the stringing shouldn't make any difference.
Builgers 652 C
V-bracing increases intonation accuracy? Some people will stop watching at that point.
652ce nice sound
I now have a 562 and a 524..
Please play them without being plugged in so we can really hear the guitars...
562 sounded best to me
I don't like any of these as much as I like other Taylors I've heard online. They sound like they're made for 6-string players, rather than 12-string players. And I hate cutaways on an acoustic.
Could a 652CE replace my Ric 12-string? Roger?
No Mr Tambourine man it would not unless maybe if you were 8 miles high.
Too much talking, too little playing.
Taylor's are consistent. They stay in tune and are easy to play, but they are little stiff, and the consistency is so profound that they lack the human quality of imperfection that makes a human voice better than a synth. I like their little Cadet guitar it is comfortable and easy to play. It's perfect for the beginner, who belongs to a wealthy family.
These guitars all sounded thin to me. Honestly, these guitars do not sound as good as the Martin Grands. You cant beat the spruce rosewood combination.
Listen again, the 652 is not at all thin and the bottom end was impressive.