TAYLOR 855-12 Bracing and Finish

[Stevejoon]

Does anyone know if the Taylor 855 12 string, circa. 2000, had a nitro/lacquer finish and what type of bracing? Forward? Mid? Back? I've looked everywhere for info on this with no luck. Thanks in advance folks.

[Brucebubs]

Welcome to the AGF.
I can't answer your questions but I have one little snippet of information regarding Taylor 12-strings.
The early guitars had the bridge pin positions drilled in a 'dished' pattern.



Later models had the pins in a much straighter line.



So you can't fit a later model bridge to an early model guitar.

Also the change to the NT neck system occurred at the end of 1999 - early 2000.

The pre-NT neck guitars are way more work if they need a neck re-set - the fretboard extension is glued to the top.

The 855's were beautiful guitars - here's an early 'moustache bridge' model with Neil Young.

[Stevejoon]

Thanks Brucebubs,
Didn't know that little tidbit. It's a challenge to find much on this guitar pre 2008
other than it was a favorite of Neil Young. I'm considering one.

[mcduffnw]

Originally Posted by Stevejoon

Does anyone know if the Taylor 855 12 string, circa. 2000, had a nitro/lacquer finish and what type of bracing? Forward? Mid? Back? I've looked everywhere for info on this with no luck. Thanks in advance folks.

The finish was still Nitro but Taylor was prepping to switch to UV Poly around this time.

The bracing would be considered back shifted, but remember, that is only a term that is thrown around in the Vintage Martin/Gibson...but especially Martin world, as Martin's original bracing position is actually the forward set. Taylor set the bracing back, logically, to help re-inforce the bridge and the lower bout of the top. If I am not mistaken, they also used 3 tone bars on some of their 12 string models.

Any particular reason you wanted to know this stuff?


duff
Be A Player...Not A Polisher

[Stevejoon]

Thx MdDuffNW,
I'm considering adding one to my small collection of flat tops. Because I haven't been able to find much info on "older" Taylor 12s, other than Neil Young played it, I thought I'd reach out to the forum. I appreciate your insights. How did you come across this info?

[Dave Abrahamson]

Originally Posted by Brucebubs

Welcome to the AGF.
I can't answer your questions but I have one little snippet of information regarding Taylor 12-strings.
The early guitars had the bridge pin positions drilled in a 'dished' pattern.



Later models had the pins in a much straighter line.



So you can't fit a later model bridge to an early model guitar.

Also the change to the NT neck system occurred at the end of 1999 - early 2000.

The pre-NT neck guitars are way more work if they need a neck re-set - the fretboard extension is glued to the top.

The 855's were beautiful guitars - here's an early 'moustache bridge' model with Neil Young.

And now they only incorporate 6 bridge pins for 12 strings.