The Taylor 354ce Studio Special Edition Honey Sunburst delivers the expansive shimmer of a premium 12-string guitar in Taylor’s comfortable and versatile Grand Auditorium body.

Its solid torrefied spruce top produces clear projection, dynamic range and a touch of aged-in warmth, while solid sapele back and sides contribute a punchy midrange, balanced bass and articulate treble response. Together, these tonewoods create a rich but controlled voice that allows the octave strings to sparkle without losing the strength of the fundamental notes.

Taylor’s V-Class bracing enhances volume, sustain and pitch accuracy, helping complex chords remain organised across all twelve strings. A Venetian cutaway provides access to the upper register, while the wide 1⅞-inch nut gives each paired string course sufficient room beneath the fingers.

Finished with an exclusive Honey Sunburst top and full-body gloss treatment, the 354ce Studio Special Edition combines professional acoustic performance, distinctive visual character and Taylor Expression System 2 electronics.

At a Glance

Feature	Details
Brand	Taylor
Model	354ce Studio Special Edition Honeyburst
Series	300 Series
Guitar Type	12-string electro-acoustic guitar
Body Shape	Grand Auditorium
Top	Solid torrefied spruce
Back and Sides	Solid sapele
Bracing	Taylor V-Class
Neck	Neo-Tropical mahogany
Fretboard	West African Crelicam ebony
Scale Length	25½ inches
Nut Width	1⅞ inches
Cutaway	Venetian
Electronics	Taylor Expression System 2
Finish	Full-body gloss
Top Colour	Honey Sunburst
Main Appeal	Rich 12-string shimmer with balanced Grand Auditorium comfort
Best For	Vocal accompaniment, songwriting, recording, live performance and layered acoustic arrangements
Skill Level	Intermediate, advanced and professional
Condition	Brand new

Why Choose the Taylor 354ce Studio Special Edition?

Rich, Expansive 12-String Sound

A 12-string acoustic creates its unmistakable sound through six paired string courses.

The lower four courses combine a standard string with a thinner string tuned one octave higher. The top two courses are doubled in unison. As each pair vibrates, subtle differences between the strings create natural chorusing, harmonic movement and a wide, shimmering texture.

The Taylor 354ce Studio Special Edition balances this additional harmonic content with a strong fundamental voice, keeping chords clear and musical rather than excessively bright or unfocused.

Solid Torrefied Spruce Top

The solid spruce soundboard undergoes a controlled roasting process known as torrefaction.

This process alters the moisture content and internal structure of the wood, giving the top some of the warmth, responsiveness and sweetness associated with an older, well-played acoustic guitar.

Spruce also provides the dynamic range and headroom needed to support twelve strings. It delivers a clear initial attack, strong projection and enough tonal definition to preserve the character of each paired course.

Solid Sapele Back and Sides

Solid sapele gives the guitar a balanced and dependable tonal foundation.

Closely related in character to mahogany, sapele produces a punchy midrange and strong fundamental note while adding a little more high-frequency presence. This helps the octave strings sound bright and lively without allowing the overall voice to become overly sharp.

Its controlled bass response also suits the Grand Auditorium body, providing warmth beneath chords while maintaining clarity during busy 12-string arrangements.

Taylor V-Class Bracing

Taylor’s V-Class bracing enhances volume, sustain and harmonic agreement between notes.

The structure provides stiffness along the centre of the soundboard while allowing the outer areas of the top to move freely. This helps notes project clearly and sustain for longer, even when multiple paired strings are sounding together.

Pitch accuracy is particularly valuable on a 12-string guitar, where small tuning inconsistencies can become more noticeable because each note is doubled.

Versatile Grand Auditorium Body

The Grand Auditorium body provides an excellent balance of projection, physical comfort and tonal control.

Its lower bout offers enough air movement to generate a substantial 12-string voice, while the defined waist helps maintain organisation through the middle frequencies. This prevents complex open chords and layered octave textures from becoming muddy.

The body is also more manageable than many traditional Jumbo 12-string guitars, making it comfortable for longer rehearsals, performances and recording sessions.

Comfortable 12-String Neck Design

The Neo-Tropical mahogany neck uses Taylor’s familiar Standard Carve profile.

Its 1⅞-inch nut provides the additional width needed to accommodate twelve strings without making the paired courses feel excessively cramped. This is particularly useful when playing arpeggios, picked chord patterns or passages that require individual string-course accuracy.

The satin neck finish supports smooth movement along the West African Crelicam ebony fretboard.

Venetian Cutaway

The softly curved Venetian cutaway provides easier access to the upper frets.

This expands the guitar’s usefulness beyond open-position rhythm playing, allowing musicians to explore higher chord voicings, melodic lines and lead passages.

The rounded cutaway also complements the balanced proportions of the Grand Auditorium body.

Taylor Expression System 2 Electronics

The Taylor Expression System 2 uses three individually calibrated pickup sensors positioned behind the saddle.

This placement responds to the natural back-and-forth movement of the saddle, helping the system capture more of the guitar’s dynamics and tonal character than a conventional undersaddle design.

Side-mounted controls provide convenient adjustment over:

• Volume
• Bass
• Treble

The 354ce Studio Special Edition can be connected to an acoustic amplifier, PA system, mixing desk, audio interface or suitable acoustic DI box.

Honey Sunburst Top

The exclusive Honey Sunburst treatment gives the guitar a warm, vintage-influenced appearance.

Amber tones through the centre gradually deepen towards the outer edges, framing the natural spruce grain without concealing it. The finish complements the warm colouring of the sapele body while helping this Special Edition stand apart from standard natural-finished Taylor models.

Full-Body Gloss Finish

The top, back and sides receive a polished gloss finish.

This gives the instrument a premium visual presentation and enhances the natural depth of the spruce and sapele grain. It also provides a smooth, refined feel and practical everyday protection for the all-solid body.

Chamfered Body Edges

The body uses smoothly chamfered edges rather than conventional external binding.

This softens the points where the guitar meets the player’s arm and body, improving comfort during extended playing sessions.

The clean edge treatment also contributes to the modern, understated appearance of the Studio design.

Understated Taylor Appointments

The 354ce Studio Special Edition keeps its visual details intentionally restrained, allowing the Honey Sunburst finish to remain the centrepiece.

Appointments include:

• Faux-pearl 4mm fretboard dots
• Black three-ring rosette
• Faux-tortoiseshell pickguard
• West African Crelicam ebony fretboard and bridge
• Nickel Taylor tuning machines
• Clean, unbound body construction

The result is a professional-looking instrument with a distinctive finish and minimal visual distraction.

Why Choose a 12-String Acoustic Guitar?

A 12-string guitar offers a naturally wide and harmonically active sound that cannot be fully replicated by chorus pedals or doubled recording tracks.

Each paired course creates subtle pitch and timing differences, producing natural movement around the fundamental note. Even straightforward open chords gain depth, sparkle and an almost orchestral quality.

A 12-string is particularly effective for:

• Singer-songwriter accompaniment
• Folk, rock and Americana
• Open and alternative tunings
• Arpeggiated chord patterns
• Layering beneath a six-string guitar
• Creating width in studio recordings
• Full-sounding solo performances
• Atmospheric and ambient arrangements

The 354ce Studio Special Edition provides these textures in a body that remains comfortable and tonally controlled.

Why Choose a Grand Auditorium 12-String?

Many traditional 12-string guitars use large Jumbo or dreadnought-style bodies to generate maximum volume and bass.

Taylor’s Grand Auditorium offers a more balanced alternative. It produces enough projection and depth to support twelve strings while providing a more manageable shape and controlled midrange.

Advantages of the Grand Auditorium design include:

• Comfortable proportions
• Clearer note separation
• Controlled bass response
• Balanced projection
• Good response to strumming and picking
• Easier handling than many larger 12-string bodies
• Useful tonal focus for recording

It is an excellent option for players who want a substantial 12-string sound without the physical scale of a Jumbo guitar.

Why Choose Torrefied Spruce and Sapele?

Torrefied spruce and solid sapele create a clear, balanced and versatile tonewood combination.

The torrefied spruce top contributes:

• Strong projection
• Clear attack
• Warm, seasoned character
• Useful dynamic range
• Excellent chord definition

The sapele body contributes:

• Punchy midrange
• Balanced bass
• Articulate trebles
• Strong fundamental notes
• Controlled harmonic complexity

Together, these woods help the octave strings sound lively while ensuring the underlying chords and melodies retain definition.

Who Is the Taylor 354ce Studio Special Edition For?

Singers and Songwriters

The broad 12-string texture creates a complete accompaniment beneath vocals, making simple chord progressions sound rich and engaging.

Recording Musicians

The guitar can add width, sparkle and harmonic movement to a track without requiring several overdubbed acoustic parts.

Live Performers

Its balanced projection, comfortable body and ES2 electronics make it suitable for amplified acoustic sets, theatre work, worship environments and full-band performances.

Folk and Americana Players

Open chords, suspended voicings and picked patterns gain extra movement from the doubled strings, complementing roots-based musical styles.

Rock Guitarists

A 12-string acoustic can add classic texture to intros, breakdowns and layered rhythm arrangements.

Players Seeking a Manageable 12-String

The Grand Auditorium body provides greater physical comfort than many traditional Jumbo 12-string instruments.

Taylor Players Expanding Their Collection

The 354ce Studio Special Edition offers a distinctly different voice from a conventional six-string Taylor while retaining familiar neck comfort and balanced construction.

Musicians Using Alternative Tunings

The extended harmonic range can make open tunings sound especially rich and atmospheric. A suitable setup is recommended when adopting a substantially different tuning or string gauge permanently.

What’s Included?

• Taylor 354ce Studio Special Edition Honeyburst 12-string electro-acoustic guitar
• Taylor tan structured gig bag with burgundy plush lining

Fair Deal Quality Control Assessment

Every guitar is carefully inspected by the Fair Deal Music team before collection or dispatch.

Our assessment covers the finish, neck, frets, bridge, tuning machines, electronics and general playability. Particular attention is given to accurate tuning, paired-string response and the operation of the Expression System 2 pickup and controls.

Any adjustment required before the instrument leaves us will be completed by our experienced team so that it arrives ready to play and enjoy.

Technical Specifications

General

Specification	Details
Number of Strings	12
Orientation	Right-handed
Body Shape	Grand Auditorium
Cutaway	Venetian
Colour	Honey Sunburst
Bracing System	Taylor V-Class
Electronics	Taylor Expression System 2

Body

Specification	Details
Top Wood	Solid torrefied spruce
Back and Side Wood	Solid sapele
Back Configuration	Two-piece without centre wedge
Top Finish	Gloss
Back and Side Finish	Gloss
Body Binding	None
Body Edge Treatment	Chamfered
Rosette	Black three-ring design
Pickguard	Faux tortoiseshell
Armrest	None

Neck and Fretboard

Specification	Details
Neck Wood	Neo-Tropical mahogany
Neck Profile	Standard Carve
Neck Finish	Satin
Fretboard Wood	West African Crelicam ebony
Fretboard Inlays	Faux-pearl 4mm dots
Fretboard Binding	None
Scale Length	25½ inches
Nut Width	1⅞ inches

Peghead and Hardware

Specification	Details
Peghead Type	Paddle
Peghead Veneer	West African Crelicam ebony
Peghead Finish	Satin
Peghead Inlay	None
Peghead Binding	None
Bridge	West African Crelicam ebony
Nut	White NuBone
Saddle	White Micarta
Bridge Pins	Black ABS
Tuning Machines	Taylor nickel with nickel buttons
Strap Pin	Black
End Pin	Black
Factory Strings	D’Addario XS coated phosphor bronze 12-string light, .010–.047

Electronics

Specification	Details
Pickup System	Taylor Expression System 2
Pickup Position	Behind the saddle
Controls	Volume, bass and treble
Control Location	Upper side of the body
Output	Standard ¼-inch instrument connection

Power Requirements

The Taylor Expression System 2 requires one 9V battery.

Connecting an instrument cable activates the preamp. The cable should be disconnected when the guitar is not being used to help preserve battery life.

A fresh battery typically provides approximately 30 to 40 hours of plugged-in use. Keeping a spare 9V battery available is recommended for performances, rehearsals and recording sessions.

Taylor 354ce Studio Special Edition Compared with a Six-String Grand Auditorium

A six-string Grand Auditorium offers a direct and familiar acoustic sound with less string tension and simpler tuning.

The 354ce Studio Special Edition produces a wider and more harmonically complex voice. Its paired strings create octave shimmer and natural chorusing, making chords sound larger and more atmospheric.

Choose a six-string model for maximum versatility, lead playing and straightforward everyday use. Choose the 354ce for expansive accompaniment, recording textures and the unmistakable character of twelve strings.

Taylor 354ce Studio Special Edition Compared with a Jumbo 12-String

A Jumbo 12-string generally provides greater bass extension, natural volume and physical scale.

The Grand Auditorium body of the 354ce Studio Special Edition offers a more compact playing experience with tighter bass and clearer note separation. It is easier to manage during longer sessions and can sit more naturally within a recorded mix.

Choose a Jumbo for maximum acoustic authority and low-frequency power. Choose the 354ce Studio for comfort, balance and versatile 12-string clarity.

Taylor 354ce Studio Special Edition Compared with a Layered-Wood 12-String

A layered-wood 12-string can offer greater affordability and structural stability, making it suitable for casual playing and regular transport.

The all-solid construction of the 354ce Studio Special Edition provides greater resonance, dynamic response and tonal development. Its top, back and sides work together as a more responsive acoustic system.

Choose a layered model for accessibility and everyday practicality. Choose the 354ce Studio Special Edition for professional sound, enhanced responsiveness and long-term musical potential.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a 12-string guitar harder to play than a six-string?

A 12-string requires slightly more fretting pressure because each note uses a paired string course. Taylor’s comfortable neck profile and accurate setup help make the experience manageable.

Is the 354ce Studio Special Edition suitable for beginners?

It is primarily aimed at intermediate, advanced and professional players. A complete beginner may find a conventional six-string guitar easier for learning basic chords and developing finger strength.

Can the guitar be tuned down?

Yes. Some players tune a 12-string down by a semitone or whole tone to reduce tension and create a deeper voice. A capo can then be used when standard concert pitch is required.

Can it handle strong strumming?

Yes. The torrefied spruce top and V-Class bracing provide good projection and headroom. Controlled technique will help maintain clarity across all twelve strings.

Is it suitable for fingerstyle playing?

Yes. The wider nut provides useful spacing, although accurate contact with each paired course requires more precision than on a standard six-string.

Can it be connected directly to a PA system?

Yes. The ES2 system can connect to an acoustic amplifier, PA system, mixing desk, audio interface or suitable acoustic DI box.

Does a 12-string use different strings?

Yes. A dedicated 12-string set contains the correct standard, octave and unison string gauges for all six paired courses.

Why are the octave strings positioned differently on the lower courses?

The thinner octave strings add upper-frequency shimmer above the standard notes. Their placement allows the pick or fingers to contact both strings within each course naturally.

Can all twelve strings be removed at once?

Strings should be changed carefully to protect the bridge, finish and tuning machines. Players unfamiliar with restringing a 12-string may prefer to have the work completed professionally.

Does the guitar stay in tune well?

The Taylor tuning machines and accurately constructed neck support dependable tuning stability. New strings require stretching, and all twelve strings should be checked regularly during their initial playing period.

Is the guitar suitable for open tunings?

Yes. Open tunings can sound particularly rich on a 12-string. Significant or permanent changes in overall tension may benefit from a professional setup.

Can a standard capo be used?

A capo designed to apply even pressure across a wide 12-string neck will provide the most reliable results. An unsuitable capo may cause tuning inconsistencies between the paired strings.

Is the Honey Sunburst finish applied across the whole guitar?

The Honey Sunburst colour treatment appears on the top, while the full body receives a gloss finish.

Is the guitar suitable for professional recording?

Yes. Its balanced midrange, octave shimmer and strong projection can add considerable width to a recording. It can be captured with microphones or recorded directly through the ES2 system.

How should the guitar be stored?

Keep it in a stable environment away from radiators, direct sunlight, cold draughts and sudden humidity changes. An appropriate acoustic-guitar humidification system may be required during dry conditions.

Fair Deal Music Verdict

★★★★★ 5/5

The Taylor 354ce Studio Special Edition Honeyburst is an outstanding 12-string electro-acoustic that combines expansive harmonic shimmer with the balance and comfort of Taylor’s Grand Auditorium design.

Its torrefied spruce top provides clarity, projection and mature warmth, while solid sapele back and sides add punchy mids and controlled definition. V-Class bracing keeps chords organised and helps notes sustain clearly across all twelve strings.

The wide but comfortable neck, Venetian cutaway and ES2 electronics make this a genuinely versatile professional instrument rather than a guitar limited to occasional studio effects.

For singer-songwriters, recording musicians and live performers seeking a rich, room-filling acoustic texture, the 354ce Studio Special Edition offers exceptional sound, playability and visual character.

Why Buy From Fair Deal Music?

Choosing Fair Deal Music means buying from a passionate team of musicians who genuinely understand the products we sell. Whether you're purchasing your first instrument, upgrading your current setup or searching for something special, we're here to help you make the right choice with friendly advice and expert support.

When you shop with Fair Deal Music, you can buy with confidence thanks to:

• Expert advice from knowledgeable musicians
• Carefully checked new, used, pre-owned and ex-display equipment
• Competitive prices on leading music brands
• Secure UK-wide delivery
• Flexible finance options available, subject to status
• Friendly support before and after your purchase
• A trusted independent UK music retailer with decades of experience

Trade In. Trade Up. Save More.

Thinking about upgrading? Your next piece of gear could cost less than you think.

We’re always happy to consider part exchanges and trade-ins on a wide range of musical instruments and equipment. Whether you’re moving on an instrument you no longer use or putting its value towards your next upgrade, our experienced team can provide a fair, no-obligation valuation and guide you through the process.

Contact Fair Deal Music or visit our Birmingham showroom to discuss your trade-in and discover how much you could save on your next instrument.