1985 Taylor 555 12-String Acoustic Guitar Used

Taylor’s jumbo 555 is one of our favorite 12-string models from any builder. This example was built in 1985 and it’s in excellent structural and cosmetic condition. The finish is in great shape with no significant scratches, nicks or dings. It has settled a bit into the pores, giving it a nice aged patina. We sold this guitar new 39 years ago and it has lived its life just a few miles from the store. The 555 has a spruce top and mahogany back and sides which, when combined with the jumbo body, produce a rich, ringing tone with a thumping low end and clear, focussed trebles. This guitar has the slim, playable neck that first made Taylor’s 12-strings popular when they were introduced.

This is the model that inspired Leo Kottke to start playing 12-string again after hand troubles forced him to give it up in the early 1980s. Kottke played a 555 like this one for few years until he and Taylor developed the Leo Kottke Signature Model (LKSM), which is basically this guitar with a rounded cutaway and wood binding. Includes the original hardshell case which is in similar condition.