From the very beginning of its 40-year history, Taylor has made easy-to-play, rich-sounding, and reliable 12-string guitars. And such diverse players as Leo Kottke, Matt Nathanson, and Neil Young have given their approval. While there is no question that Taylor 12-strings have always offered great value, their prices have been a bit out of reach for some players, with the least-expensive 12-strings (in the company’s 300 series) available at street prices just below $1,500. Having expanded its six-string line with the 100 and 200 series in recent years, Taylor recently introduced a 100-series 12-string: the 150e, the most affordable 12-string Taylor has yet produced.

Built in Taylor’s Mexican factory, the 150e uses a dreadnought body and the same neck dimensions and scale length as Taylor’s other 12-string models. The guitar has a solid spruce top and laminated sapele (an African wood similar to mahogany) back and sides. The 150e has a satin finish, simple appointments, and is equipped with Taylor’s original Expression System electronics.

As with all of the company’s entry-level instruments, the 150e has many of the qualities that have made Taylor’s more expensive models so desirable, but at a bargain price. Playability is superb, and the sound is very satisfying for a variety of playing styles.

SPECS: Dreadnought body with 14-fret neck. Solid Sitka spruce top. Laminated sapele back and sides. Mahogany neck. Ebony fingerboard and bridge. 25½-inch scale. 1⅞-inch nut width. Enclosed chrome tuning machines. Made in Mexico. $699 street. taylorguitars.com

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