Created in collaboration with Grammy-winning singer-songwriter and guitarist Ben Harper, the Taylor Ben Harper Gold Label 512e Special Edition combines compact playing comfort with a warm, powerful and distinctly mature acoustic voice.

Its torrefied solid Sitka spruce top is paired with solid Neo-Tropical mahogany back and sides, producing a strong fundamental note, woody midrange warmth and excellent articulation. The deeper Grand Concert body adds greater low-end presence and projection than players may expect from a smaller-bodied guitar, making this an expressive option for fingerstyle playing, songwriting, recording and vocal accompaniment.

Fanned V-Class bracing with a Tonal Rout enhances volume, sustain and bass response, while Taylor’s Action Control Neck allows precise string-height adjustment. The Claria acoustic pickup system provides adaptable amplified tone for live performance and direct recording.

A golden-brown Shaded Edgeburst developed with Ben Harper, cream-coloured detailing, bronze hardware and Honduran rosewood appointments complete this distinctive artist collaboration.

At a Glance

Feature	Details
Brand	Taylor
Model	Ben Harper Gold Label 512e Special Edition
Series	500 Series
Collection	Gold Label
Guitar Type	Electro-acoustic guitar
Body Shape	Deeper-bodied Grand Concert
Top	Torrefied solid Sitka spruce
Back and Sides	Solid Neo-Tropical mahogany
Bracing	Fanned V-Class with Tonal Rout
Neck	Neo-Tropical mahogany
Fretboard	Honduran rosewood
Scale Length	24⅞ inches
Nut Width	1¾ inches
Electronics	Taylor Claria acoustic pickup system
Finish	Golden-brown Shaded Edgeburst
Main Appeal	Warm, mature tone from a comfortable compact body
Best For	Fingerstyle, songwriting, recording, vocal accompaniment and live performance
Skill Level	Intermediate, advanced and professional
Condition	Brand new

Why Choose the Taylor Ben Harper Gold Label 512e Special Edition?

Designed with Ben Harper

Ben Harper has maintained a long association with Taylor guitars throughout his career, using acoustic instruments as an important part of his songwriting, performance and distinctive musical identity.

This special-edition model was developed with Harper rather than simply carrying his name. Its tonal direction, visual treatment and player-focused specifications reflect a preference for warm, characterful acoustic sounds and understated vintage-inspired styling.

The result is a highly individual Taylor that feels equally suited to intimate solo performance, studio work and full live arrangements.

Torrefied Sitka Spruce Top

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

This treatment removes moisture and alters the cellular structure of the wood to create some of the warmth, responsiveness and sweetness associated with an older, well-played acoustic guitar.

The top retains the useful dynamic range and clarity of Sitka spruce while offering a more relaxed, seasoned response. Soft fingerstyle passages speak clearly, while stronger strumming produces confident projection without losing definition.

Solid Mahogany Back and Sides

Solid Neo-Tropical mahogany gives the guitar its focused and woody tonal foundation.

Mahogany places greater emphasis on the fundamental note than more overtone-rich woods such as rosewood. Chords remain organised, single notes carry strong definition and the midrange has a warm presence that works particularly well beneath vocals.

This makes the Ben Harper 512e an excellent choice for recording and ensemble playing, where an overly complex acoustic voice can sometimes compete with other instruments.

A Deeper Grand Concert Body

The Grand Concert is traditionally Taylor’s compact, fingerstyle-friendly body shape. This Gold Label interpretation features additional body depth, increasing the internal air capacity without sacrificing the comfortable proportions associated with the design.

The deeper construction produces greater bass response, power and projection than a conventional small-bodied guitar. It delivers enough authority for confident rhythm playing while retaining the balance and quick response needed for detailed fingerstyle technique.

Players who find larger acoustic guitars uncomfortable can therefore access a surprisingly full and powerful sound from a manageable body.

Fanned V-Class Bracing with Tonal Rout

The internal Fanned V-Class structure is designed to produce the warmth and depth associated with traditional acoustic guitars while maintaining Taylor’s characteristic clarity and sustain.

The braces spread outward beneath the soundboard, controlling its movement while allowing the top to generate substantial volume and low-frequency power.

A strategically positioned Tonal Rout further adjusts the flexibility of the top, helping the guitar produce an open, responsive sound with a strong fundamental character.

Action Control Neck

Taylor’s Action Control Neck uses a long-tenon joint that creates an extended connection between the neck and body.

This substantial joint improves the transfer of vibration through the instrument, contributing to additional resonance, warmth and sustain.

Its patented adjustment system also allows an experienced technician to alter the string height quickly and accurately without reshaping the saddle or carrying out invasive neck work. The playing feel can therefore be adapted to different techniques, string gauges and environmental conditions.

Short-Scale Playing Comfort

The 24⅞-inch scale length creates slightly lower string tension than a longer-scale acoustic guitar.

Chords require less fretting pressure, string bends feel more approachable and extended playing sessions can be less tiring. The softer tension also complements expressive fingerstyle technique and controlled dynamic playing.

Combined with the compact body and Taylor Standard Carve neck profile, the short scale gives the Ben Harper 512e an exceptionally inviting feel.

Honduran Rosewood Fretboard and Bridge

Honduran rosewood is used for the fretboard, bridge and peghead veneer, giving the guitar a distinctive visual and tactile character.

Its smooth surface supports comfortable movement along the neck, while the dark colouring complements the golden-brown top and cream-coloured detailing.

The Honduran rosewood fretboard is finished with cream Crest inlays and matching visual treatment on the peghead.

Taylor Claria Acoustic Electronics

Taylor’s Claria system combines a redesigned undersaddle pickup with a dedicated preamp developed for clear, dependable amplified performance.

Three discreet controls inside the soundhole provide adjustment over:

• Volume
• Mid Contour
• Tone

The Mid Contour control changes the character of the amplified midrange, allowing the player to move between warmer, more focused sounds and brighter, more open settings.

This flexibility makes it easier to adapt the guitar to different PA systems, acoustic amplifiers, recording equipment and performance environments.

Distinctive Golden-Brown Shaded Edgeburst

The top features a golden-brown Shaded Edgeburst developed with Ben Harper.

Its darker outer shading frames the natural spruce grain and creates a warm, aged appearance that suits the vintage-inspired Gold Label aesthetic.

A full gloss finish across the body gives the instrument a refined presentation, while the satin neck retains a smooth and comfortable playing feel.

Neo-Vintage Appointments

The Ben Harper Gold Label 512e uses a carefully coordinated selection of appointments rather than relying on overly ornate decoration.

Key visual details include:

• Cream body binding
• Cream and black soundhole rosette
• Cream and black pickguard
• Cream Crest fretboard and peghead inlays
• Honduran rosewood fretboard binding with black underlay
• Polished bronze Taylor tuning machines
• Bone bridge pins
• Gloss-finished Honduran rosewood peghead veneer

Together, these details create a warm, sophisticated appearance that distinguishes the model from the standard Gold Label 512e.

What Is the Taylor Gold Label Collection?

The Gold Label Collection explores a warmer, deeper and more vintage-influenced side of Taylor acoustic guitar design.

Rather than reproducing historical instruments, Taylor combines traditional tonal goals with modern construction techniques and contemporary playability.

Gold Label guitars are characterised by features such as:

• A stronger fundamental note
• Warm and seasoned acoustic character
• Powerful bass response
• Vintage-inspired visual appointments
• Fanned V-Class bracing
• Taylor’s adjustable Action Control Neck
• Modern amplified performance

The Ben Harper 512e applies these qualities to a deeper Grand Concert body, creating a compact guitar with significantly more power and tonal authority than its dimensions suggest.

Why Choose a Torrefied Spruce and Mahogany Guitar?

Torrefied spruce and mahogany create a balanced tonewood combination with warmth, clarity and controlled harmonic complexity.

The spruce top provides projection, dynamic range and a defined attack. Torrefaction gives it a more mature and responsive character, helping the guitar sound open and developed from the beginning.

Mahogany contributes a dry, woody midrange and strong fundamental focus. It avoids excessive bass bloom or overtone build-up, allowing chords, melodic lines and vocals to remain clearly separated.

This combination is especially effective for:

• Singer-songwriter accompaniment
• Blues and roots music
• Fingerstyle guitar
• Folk and Americana
• Studio recording
• Percussive acoustic technique
• Controlled rhythm playing

Who Is the Taylor Ben Harper Gold Label 512e For?

Singers and Songwriters

The warm midrange supports vocals without overwhelming them, while the deeper Grand Concert body provides enough projection for solo performance.

Fingerstyle Guitarists

The compact proportions, short scale and quick response make detailed fingerstyle passages feel natural and expressive.

Recording Musicians

Mahogany’s strong fundamental focus helps the guitar sit clearly within a mix. The sound is rich without producing excessive harmonic congestion.

Players Seeking Vintage-Inspired Tone

The torrefied spruce top and Gold Label voicing provide warmth and maturity while retaining Taylor’s accurate construction and dependable playability.

Live Performers

Claria electronics offer useful tonal adjustment for different venues, amplification systems and arrangements.

Players Who Prefer Smaller Acoustic Bodies

The deeper Grand Concert design delivers additional power without requiring the player to manage the dimensions of a dreadnought or Jumbo guitar.

Ben Harper Fans

The collaborative details, artist-developed finish and distinctive specification make this an appealing model for musicians inspired by Harper’s songwriting and guitar work.

Acoustic Players Seeking Something Different

This model presents a warmer and more fundamental-focused alternative to the bright, highly articulate Taylor sound familiar to many players.

What’s Included?

• Taylor Ben Harper Gold Label 512e Special Edition electro-acoustic guitar
• British Cocoa Bronco Taylor Deluxe Hardshell Case

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 overall playability. The Claria pickup system and each onboard control are tested to confirm dependable operation.

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	6
Orientation	Right-handed
Body Shape	Grand Concert
Body Depth	Deeper Gold Label construction
Cutaway	Non-cutaway
Colour	Golden-brown Shaded Edgeburst
Bracing System	Fanned V-Class with Tonal Rout
Electronics	Taylor Claria acoustic pickup system

Body

Specification	Details
Top Wood	Solid torrefied Sitka spruce
Back and Side Wood	Solid Neo-Tropical mahogany
Back Configuration	Two-piece without centre wedge
Top Finish	Gloss
Back and Side Finish	Gloss
Body Binding	Cream
Rosette	Cream and black
Pickguard	Cream and black
Armrest	None

Neck and Fretboard

Specification	Details
Neck Construction	Taylor Action Control Neck
Neck Wood	Neo-Tropical mahogany
Neck Profile	Standard Carve
Neck Finish	Satin
Fretboard Wood	Honduran rosewood
Fretboard Binding	Honduran rosewood with black underlay
Fretboard Inlays	Cream Crest
Scale Length	24⅞ inches
Nut Width	1¾ inches

Peghead and Hardware

Specification	Details
Peghead Type	Paddle
Peghead Veneer	Honduran rosewood with black underlay
Peghead Inlay	Cream Crest
Peghead Finish	Gloss
Bridge	Honduran rosewood
Nut	White TUSQ
Saddle	White Micarta
Bridge Pins	Bone
Tuning Machines	Taylor polished bronze with matching buttons
Strap Pin	Black
End Pin	Black
Factory Strings	D’Addario XS coated phosphor bronze light, .012–.053

Electronics

Specification	Details
Pickup System	Taylor Claria
Pickup Type	Undersaddle acoustic transducer
Controls	Volume, Mid Contour and Tone
Control Location	Inside the soundhole
Output	Standard ¼-inch instrument connection

Power Requirements

The Taylor Claria preamp is powered by a 9V battery housed in the end-pin compartment.

The system is activated when an instrument cable is inserted. Disconnecting the cable after use will help preserve battery life.

A suitable battery provides approximately 150 hours of plugged-in use. Keeping a spare 9V battery available is recommended for performances, rehearsals and recording sessions.

Ben Harper Gold Label 512e Compared with the Standard Gold Label 512e

Both guitars use a deeper Grand Concert body, torrefied Sitka spruce top, solid mahogany back and sides, Fanned V-Class bracing, the Action Control Neck and Claria electronics.

The Ben Harper Special Edition adds a distinctive artist-developed visual specification, including:

• Golden-brown Shaded Edgeburst top
• Cream and black rosette
• Cream and black pickguard
• Cream Crest inlays
• Honduran rosewood fretboard and bridge
• Polished bronze tuning machines
• Bone bridge pins
• British Cocoa Bronco case

Choose the standard Gold Label 512e for the essential vintage-inspired tonal platform. Choose the Ben Harper Special Edition for the same core acoustic concept with a warmer, bolder and more individual visual presentation.

Ben Harper Gold Label 512e Compared with a Standard-Depth Grand Concert

A standard Grand Concert offers compact dimensions, quick response and a tightly controlled low end. It is particularly effective for delicate fingerstyle work and situations where a focused acoustic footprint is desirable.

The deeper Gold Label body moves more air, adding bass presence, power and natural projection. It retains the comfort and articulation of the Grand Concert shape but produces a broader and more authoritative voice.

Choose a standard-depth Grand Concert for maximum focus and intimacy. Choose the Ben Harper Gold Label 512e for compact comfort with greater warmth, depth and acoustic power.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Ben Harper Gold Label 512e a signature guitar?

It is a special-edition model developed in collaboration with Ben Harper. Its finish, appointments and overall artistic direction reflect his input and longstanding relationship with Taylor.

Is the guitar suitable for strumming?

Yes. The torrefied spruce top and deeper Grand Concert body provide sufficient projection and headroom for controlled strumming, while the mahogany body keeps chords focused.

Does the smaller body reduce the bass response?

The deeper construction increases the internal air capacity, giving this model greater bass presence than a conventional Grand Concert while retaining a comfortable overall size.

What effect does torrefaction have on the top?

Torrefaction gives the spruce a more open, mature and responsive character. It helps create some of the warmth and sweetness associated with a well-played older guitar.

Is the short scale suitable for alternative tunings?

Yes. The guitar can work well with many open and alternative tunings. A professional setup may be helpful when making permanent changes involving different string gauges or significantly reduced tension.

Can it connect directly to a PA system?

Yes. The Claria system can be connected to a PA system, acoustic amplifier, mixing desk, recording interface or suitable acoustic DI box.

What does the Claria Mid Contour control do?

It reshapes the amplified midrange, allowing the player to select a warmer and more focused voice or a brighter, more open response.

Is the Action Control Neck intended for home adjustment?

The system simplifies action adjustment, but accurate setup work should be carried out by an experienced guitar technician.

Is it suitable for professional recording?

Yes. Its focused mahogany voice, controlled overtones and warm torrefied top can be recorded using microphones or the onboard Claria system.

Why use Honduran rosewood instead of ebony?

Honduran rosewood supports the model’s warm visual identity and Gold Label aesthetic while providing a smooth, durable surface for the fretboard and bridge.

How should the guitar be stored?

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

Fair Deal Music Verdict

★★★★★ 5/5

The Taylor Ben Harper Gold Label 512e Special Edition is a beautifully considered collaboration that offers much more than distinctive artist-inspired decoration.

Its torrefied Sitka spruce and solid mahogany construction produces a warm, woody and fundamental-focused sound, while the deeper Grand Concert body delivers surprising bass response and projection without sacrificing playing comfort.

The short scale, Action Control Neck and smooth Taylor profile make it exceptionally inviting, and the Claria system provides the flexibility required for professional live and recording work.

For singer-songwriters, fingerstyle guitarists and players seeking a mature, vintage-inspired voice from a compact modern instrument, this is one of the most distinctive models in Taylor’s Gold Label Collection.

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.