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View Poll Results: Based on sound alone, which guitar do you prefer?
Taylor 322e 12-fret: Mahogany top, Tasmanian Blackwood back & sides 11 47.83%
Taylor 522e 12-fret: Mahogany top, Mahogany back & sides 12 52.17%
Voters: 23. You may not vote on this poll

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  #1  
Old 09-28-2021, 03:15 PM
PeteyPower16 PeteyPower16 is offline
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Default Poll: Taylor 322e 12 fret vs. 522e 12 fret

Which model would you prefer in terms of tone/sound?

Opinions from folks who have played both models are especially welcome. :-)

Taylor 322e 12-fret: Mahogany top, Tasmanian Blackwood back & sides
https://www.taylorguitars.com/guitar...c/322e-12-fret

Taylor 522e 12-fret: Mahogany top, Mahogany back and sides
https://www.taylorguitars.com/guitar...c/522e-12-fret

From a size/scale perspective, these guitars are identical.

Visually, the 522e 12-fret has glossy finish (vs. satin on the 322e 12-fret). The 322e 12-fret has natural mahogany with a sunburst finish with a black pickguard. The 522e 12-fret has red-brown stain, a slightly smaller rosette and ebony binding (vs. plastic for the 322e). The guitars have slightly different inlays. But then again, this post is about SOUND...
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Ibanez PF-15CE-MS 2003
Taylor 410-CE-L2 2003
Taylor 322e 12-Fret 2015
Taylor GS Mini-e Koa 2015
Taylor GS Mini-e Ltd Ovangkol 2019
Taylor GS Mini-e Koa Plus 2020
Taylor 414ce 2020
Epiphone Les Paul Standard Blue Sunburst - 2005

Previous Guitars:
Epiphone DR-100 2006 (est.)
Squier Bullet Blue 2006 (est.)
Taylor 414ce 2008 - RIP 2020
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Last edited by PeteyPower16; 09-28-2021 at 04:31 PM.
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  #2  
Old 09-28-2021, 03:18 PM
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Godfather Godfather is offline
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The 522 was prettier but I preferred the sound of the 322e 12 fret. Mellower and a little more sustain.
It has opened up nicely over the past few years.
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Old 09-28-2021, 04:18 PM
PeteyPower16 PeteyPower16 is offline
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I also think the 522 has a classier appearance, and glossy finishes don't shine up the way satin finishes do. The 322 has a more "woody" look but is still a great looking guitar.
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Ibanez PF-15CE-MS 2003
Taylor 410-CE-L2 2003
Taylor 322e 12-Fret 2015
Taylor GS Mini-e Koa 2015
Taylor GS Mini-e Ltd Ovangkol 2019
Taylor GS Mini-e Koa Plus 2020
Taylor 414ce 2020
Epiphone Les Paul Standard Blue Sunburst - 2005

Previous Guitars:
Epiphone DR-100 2006 (est.)
Squier Bullet Blue 2006 (est.)
Taylor 414ce 2008 - RIP 2020
Fender CD-60CE SB-DS-V2 2013
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  #4  
Old 09-28-2021, 04:19 PM
PeteyPower16 PeteyPower16 is offline
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I just found these old threads comparing the same two models. From these threads, the majority of posters preferred the 322 (Blackwood) over the full-mahogany due to more sparkle, resonance, and volume.

https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/...d.php?t=463375

http://www.unofficialtaylorguitarfor...p?topic=8084.0

Also this video comparing the 324e and the 524e (not the 12-fret GC models, but the tonewoods are the same as this question):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nd0ZlUEcJGw
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Ibanez PF-15CE-MS 2003
Taylor 410-CE-L2 2003
Taylor 322e 12-Fret 2015
Taylor GS Mini-e Koa 2015
Taylor GS Mini-e Ltd Ovangkol 2019
Taylor GS Mini-e Koa Plus 2020
Taylor 414ce 2020
Epiphone Les Paul Standard Blue Sunburst - 2005

Previous Guitars:
Epiphone DR-100 2006 (est.)
Squier Bullet Blue 2006 (est.)
Taylor 414ce 2008 - RIP 2020
Fender CD-60CE SB-DS-V2 2013

Last edited by PeteyPower16; 09-29-2021 at 06:20 AM.
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  #5  
Old 09-28-2021, 08:50 PM
B. Adams B. Adams is offline
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No two 322's sound the same and no two 522's sound the same, so there's really no way to say which is better. You could have a 322 at one shop that beats out the 522 and vice-versa at another. Play them all and pick the one that sounds best to you.
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Old 09-29-2021, 09:39 AM
Fro Fro is offline
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I didn’t vote because I haven’t played both models. I have a 522, no sunburst, and can recommend that model.
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  #7  
Old 09-30-2021, 07:47 AM
Guitarplayer_PR Guitarplayer_PR is offline
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I own the 322, which is, these days, my main guitar (along with my Folklore) for playing live (I'm a huge 12-fret lover). I've never played the 522 (although I loved the 512), so for me, 322 wins just because of that
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Old 09-30-2021, 08:12 AM
jaymarsch jaymarsch is offline
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Default Poll: Taylor 322e 12 fret vs. 522e 12 fret

I have played both. I preferred the 322e a bit more. It had a tad more note separation and had more dynamic range to my ears. The 522 was a bit mellower. Both fine sounding, just different. BAdams is right though - they vary from guitar to guitar, even the same model.
Best,
Jayne
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  #9  
Old 09-30-2021, 08:51 AM
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Mark Stone Mark Stone is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PeteyPower16 View Post
Which model would you prefer in terms of tone/sound?

Opinions from folks who have played both models are especially welcome. :-)

Taylor 322e 12-fret: Mahogany top, Tasmanian Blackwood back & sides
https://www.taylorguitars.com/guitar...c/322e-12-fret

Taylor 522e 12-fret: Mahogany top, Mahogany back and sides
https://www.taylorguitars.com/guitar...c/522e-12-fret

From a size/scale perspective, these guitars are identical.

Visually, the 522e 12-fret has glossy finish (vs. satin on the 322e 12-fret). The 322e 12-fret has natural mahogany with a sunburst finish with a black pickguard. The 522e 12-fret has red-brown stain, a slightly smaller rosette and ebony binding (vs. plastic for the 322e). The guitars have slightly different inlays. But then again, this post is about SOUND...
I didn't vote, primarily because I don't have experience with either model. However, you may get more knowledgeable responses if you can detail what your style of play is.
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  #10  
Old 09-30-2021, 06:07 PM
GoPappy GoPappy is offline
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I've got a 522 12-fret and a 322 14-fret. I've got different strings on them, so it's hard to compare sound. I can say, however, that I love the sound of both of them, but I prefer playing the 522 (but that may be because the 322 is a 14-fret).

I'd say you can't make a bad decision between the 322 12-fret and the 522 12-fret. You win either way you go. Both are beautiful great sounding guitars.
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12-fret, 322, 522, mahogany, taylor

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