Taylor Guitars Legacy 855e Natural Jumbo

A Legacy That Pays Tribute to Taylor's Early Inspirations (Reimagined Series 800)

The Legacy collection was designed as a retrospective dedicated to Taylor Guitars' heritage and the brand's half-century of innovations, highlighting design choices associated with Bob Taylor's earliest guitars. The Legacy 855e fits this approach: the idea is not to offer a simple reissue but to recapture the spirit, aesthetic, and response of the historic instruments while integrating comfort and performance refinements selected and overseen by Bob Taylor. The result is a clean, classic visual identity (white binding, gloss finish, abalone/mother-of-pearl details) combined with construction elements designed to remain reliable and consistent over the years.

Who Is the Taylor Legacy 855e For?

With its set of 12 strings, the Legacy 855e primarily targets intermediate to advanced guitarists seeking an inspiring instrument capable of effortlessly filling sonic space. It is especially suited for styles where a natural chorus effect and wide breadth are desired: folk, pop, pick-based accompaniment, airy arpeggios, cinematic compositions, or studio takes to double a 6-string. In amplified settings, it becomes an excellent stage partner (solo, duo, band) with simple and effective controls within easy reach.

Sound: 12-String Brightness, Rosewood Depth, and Spruce Dynamics

The combination of a Sitka spruce top and Indian rosewood back/sides is a benchmark recipe for achieving a sound that is both precise and lush. The spruce provides a clear attack, responsiveness, and a wide dynamic range (ideal for transitioning from light touch to stronger playing), while the rosewood enriches the overall tone with deep bass, silky highs, and a sense of harmonic breadth particularly flattering on a 12-string. The X-Class bracing contributes to note sustain and projection, delivering an instrument that maintains definition in dense chords and generous sustain on arpeggios. Regarding playability, the patented Taylor neck (micro-adjustable) is designed to keep precise setups-a real advantage on a 12-string where tension and intonation demands require impeccable mechanical stability. Finally, the LR Baggs Element VTC electronics (under-saddle pickup + fully discrete Class A preamp) aim for a natural amplified tone, with volume and tone controls integrated into the rosette, plus compression management for a more even response depending on your attack.

Recommended Compatible Accessories

To stay as close as possible to the original balance, plan for an identical replacement set: D'Addario XS Coated Phosphor Bronze Light 12 Strings. A guitar humidifier is also a wise choice to help stabilize the instrument against seasonal variations (heating, air conditioning, travel).

Technical specifications

Type	12-string electro-acoustic	Nut Width	47.5 mm / 1.87"
Back/Sides Wood	Indian rosewood	Scale Length	25.5" / 647.7 mm
Top Wood	Sitka spruce	Tuners	Taylor, nickel finish
Bracing	X-Class	Bridge	Vintage Taylor mustache style
Binding	White plastic	Bridge Pins	Ebony with green abalone dots
Rosette	Three-ring green abalone	Headstock Veneer	Rosewood ("straight-ear" headstock shape)
Pickguard	Faux tortoise shell	System	LR Baggs Element VTC
Finish	Glossy (body)	Pickup	Under-saddle microphone
Neck Wood	Mahogany	Preamp	Fully discrete Class A
Design	Patented Taylor neck (micro-adjustable)	Controls	Volume, tone, compression (mounted in rosette)
Fingerboard	West African Crelicam ebony	Protection	Luxury hard case, brown
Fingerboard Inlays	Large Diamond mother-of-pearl (non-engraved)	Strings	D'Addario XS Coated Phosphor Bronze Light 12 Strings