Taylor 555 12 string production years?

[tommieboy]

Does anyone happen to know in what years the 555 12 strings were produced? I'm trying to figure out if the 555's were ever available with the NT neck or the headstock finger joint.

Thanks,

Tommy

[Nicky Midss]

i have a 96. incredible instrument

[ctkarslake]

I've got a 1993, very nice as well, solid neck though, not NT.  But, I did have a 355 from 2003 that had a finger jointed neck.  Taylor probably made 555s in 2003 as well with finger jointed necks.  BTW, I believe the dawn of the finger jointed neck IS also the dawn of the NT neck.  NT necks began production in 2000-right when the finger joint debuted.  Therefore there is no "one or the other" so to speak.  If your guitar has a finger joint OR a scarf joint-it's got an NT neck.  That's the way I understand it.

[PureTone]

06 was the last year for the 555 and the NT neck, introduced around 99 on the 300/400s, was phased in by 00 on the 500 Series.
The jumbo (X15) was one of the 2 original Taylor shapes (along with the DN X10) and the 500 Series was first made in 78.

Here's someone that has a 78 555 (no pictures, though).
http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=153162

[tommieboy]

Thanks for the replies! Wow, I didn't realize the 555's were made all the way into 06. That's good news. I am planning to pickup another 555 eventually, but need to clear out some of my other hangar queens first. I just wanted to do my research now, instead of later.

Tommy

[Steely Glen]

I have a 2005 555 with the NT neck (front and center).  Amazing 12 string and although I'm no fan of the 1st gen ES, it actually sounds really good with the qualities of the 12 string. 

[Gutch]

Re: ES -- I agree, Glen.  I have an '06 K65ce with the 1st gen ES and I think it sounds outstanding on that guitar.


Re: 555 -- A terribly underappreciated guitar, IMO.  The Mahogany/Sitka combo  is killer and the jumbo body and 12 strings just provide this guitar that much more ammunition.  They were always a great eBay bargain in the early 2000's, selling for a fraction of their actual value.


As for when they stopped making them, I would venture a guess that it happened after the introduction of the GS 12 string models (2007-2008 ish?), but I have nothing as far as facts go to back that guess up.

[tommieboy]

555 -- A terribly under appreciated guitar, IMO....

Very true.  My 355 12 string was essentially the same guitar with less bling, and cheaper too. There are still some very good deals out there on the older 355 12 strings.

Tommy