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Family-Owned Since 1976

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Taylor Academy 12e (100)

An incredibly comfortable and responsive acoustic-electric that makes playing a joy, featuring a solid torrefied spruce top and a built-in armrest.

$799.00

Same price at every authorized dealer. The difference is what comes with it.

0% for 36-48 months available

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4.8

Rated 4.8 out of 5

98% Recommend

557 reviews

1 In Stock - Inspected & ready to ship.

14-Day Sound Check Guarantee

Inspected 3X Before Shipping

Free 1-4 Day Shipping

1 in stock

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Talk To A Player Before You Buy

Rob and Cory are gigging musicians who know gear inside and out. They'll give you the straight answer—even if it means pointing you somewhere else.

Quick Specs

Layered Walnut Body w/ Torrefied Spruce Top | Natural Matte
Maple Neck | Ebony Fingerboard
ES-B Electronics w/ Built-in Tuner
24-7/8" Scale Length | 20 Frets
Ergonomic Armrest | Grand Concert Shape

Player-Perfect™ Pro Setup Included

Our techs are all seasoned players, so they dial in every guitar like it’s going into their own rig—perfect intonation, action set exactly right, ready to rip from the first note.

Want it YOUR way? Tell us at checkout: string gauge, action height, whatever you need. We’ll nail it before shipping.

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Product Description

Your New Musical Companion

Meet the Taylor Academy 12e—a guitar designed from the ground up to make the playing experience as inviting and inspiring as possible. Whether you’re a new player just starting your journey or a seasoned pro looking for a comfortable and great-sounding guitar that doesn’t break the bank, the Academy 12e delivers. Its Grand Concert body shape is compact and comfortable, making it a perfect fit for fingerstyle players or anyone who prefers a smaller instrument. But don’t let its size fool you—this thing sings.

A Top That’s Wise Beyond Its Years

The secret to the Academy 12e’s rich, mature voice is its **solid torrefied spruce top**. Through a special roasting process, Taylor ages the wood to unlock the warm, responsive, and articulate character of a vintage guitar. Paired with layered walnut back and sides, you get a tone that’s clear and focused, with a punchy midrange and a touch of woody warmth that records beautifully.

Designed for Comfort

Real talk—if a guitar isn’t comfortable, you won’t want to play it. Taylor gets this. That’s why the Academy 12e features a signature **built-in armrest**, a feature typically found on high-end instruments, to take the pressure off your strumming arm. The slightly shorter 24-7/8″ scale length and slim maple neck make fretting chords and notes feel buttery and effortless, reducing hand fatigue during long sessions.

Ready for the Stage

When you’re ready to plug in, the onboard **ES-B electronics** have you covered. This system faithfully translates the guitar’s natural acoustic voice to an amp or PA system. It also includes a built-in digital chromatic tuner with a clear LED display, so you’re always in tune and ready to perform.

Anatomy of a Tone Machine

Perfect for: Fingerstyle • Singer-Songwriter • Home Recording • Coffeehouse Gigs

Tone

Acoustic tone is articulate, balanced, and warm, with the focus of a smaller body.
Torrefied spruce top provides vintage-like responsiveness and tonal depth.
ES-B electronics offer a natural and clear plugged-in sound.
Responds beautifully to a light touch, perfect for fingerpicking and nuanced playing.

Playing Feel

Grand Concert body is comfortable to hold, especially when seated.
Slim maple neck and shorter scale length provide a slinky, low-tension feel.
Built-in armrest significantly enhances comfort for your picking arm.
Low action and light gauge strings make it incredibly easy to play for hours.

Versatility

Excels at fingerstyle, folk, and pop arrangements.
The focused tone sits perfectly in a mix without overwhelming other instruments.
A fantastic tool for singer-songwriters for both writing and performing.
The onboard electronics make it gig-ready right out of the box.

Complete Technical Specs

Body Specs

Type	Acoustic-Electric
Shape	Grand Concert
Top Wood	Torrefied Spruce
Back & Sides Wood	Layered Walnut
Finish	Matte
Color	Natural
Bracing	X Bracing
Special Features	Built-in Armrest

Neck Specs

Wood	Maple
Finish	Matte

Fingerboard Specs

Material	Ebony
Inlays	4mm Dot Italian Acrylic
Nut	NuBone, 1-11/16"

Electronics Specs

Pickup/Preamp	Taylor ES-B
Controls	Volume, Tone, Built-in Tuner

Hardware Specs

Bridge	Eucalyptus
Tuners	Chrome (100/200)
Saddle	Micarta
Pickguard	Tortoise

Measurements

Scale Length	24-7/8"
Nut Width	1-11/16"

The Lowdown

We get it. Buying a guitar you haven’t played is a big decision. You need to know it’s going to feel right, sound right, and inspire you the second you open the case. We put together the questions we’d be asking if we were in your shoes—the real-world stuff that specs alone can’t answer. If there’s anything else you’re wondering about, just give us a call.

Torrefaction is a wood roasting process that mimics the natural aging of tonewood. It gives you the warm, sweet, and responsive sound of a well-loved vintage guitar right from day one. It’s more resonant and ‘broken-in’ from the start.

Absolutely. It’s a smaller, more intimate body shape that’s very comfortable to hold, especially when you’re sitting down. It makes it easier to get your arm around the guitar and focus on your playing, which is a huge plus for new players and anyone sensitive to the bulk of a larger dreadnought.

Of course. Every guitar gets our full Player-Perfect™ setup, but tell us your preferred string gauge and action at checkout, and we’ll dial it in exactly to your spec before it leaves the shop.

This guitar is covered by our 14-Day Return Policy. If you’re not completely inspired by it, just let us know. We’ll make it right.

If you order before 3 PM CST on a weekday, it ships the same day. We’ll get it into your hands fast with free, insured 2-3 day shipping.

Call us at (888) 794-8482. You’ll talk to a real musician who can answer anything you need to know.

Player-Perfect™ Setups

Every guitar we sell is dialed in by seasoned musicians. We obsess over the details—perfect intonation, immaculate fretwork, and ideal action—so your guitar is ready to rip right out of the case. No exceptions.

Advice From Real Players

Call us and you get a fellow musician, not a script. We'll help you compare neck profiles, talk tone, and find the right guitar for you—even if it's not this one. Our reputation is built on honest conversation.

49+ Years Of Trust

Family-owned since 1976, we stand behind everything we sell. That's why we have a 72-Hour Love-It Guarantee. If you're not inspired, send it back on our dime for a full refund. Your satisfaction is our legacy.

BBB Accredited • Top 300 Reverb Seller • Fender Top Rated Dealer