Taylor's Next Generation 12-fret platform takes on the distinctive voice and visual character of Hawaiian koa in the Next Generation K22ce Special Edition, an all-koa Grand Concert built for responsive feel, tonal complexity and intimate acoustic playing. Select Hawaiian koa forms the top, back and sides, giving the guitar a focused midrange, clear articulation and a voice that develops greater warmth and richness with playing time. The compact Grand Concert body and 12-fret configuration complement that character with a close, connected feel, while scalloped V-Class bracing with Relief Rout brings Taylor's latest acoustic architecture beneath the top. The Long-Tenon Action Control Neck adds precise string-height adjustability, and Taylor Claria electronics carry the guitar's acoustic detail into amplified settings. Together, these elements give the Next Generation K22ce Special Edition a compelling combination of koa character, compact dimensions and modern Taylor engineering.
Select Hawaiian Koa Creates a Distinctive Acoustic Voice
Select Hawaiian koa gives the Next Generation K22ce Special Edition more than its dramatic appearance. Used for the top, back and sides, koa creates a cohesive tonal palette with a strong midrange presence, clear note definition and harmonic detail that becomes richer as the instrument is played. Its response makes a natural match for the Grand Concert body, where nuanced dynamics and individual notes can remain distinct within chords and fingerstyle passages. The all-koa construction also gives the guitar a unified visual and sonic identity, making the tonewood itself central to the character of this Special Edition.
12-Fret Grand Concert Design Creates a Closer Connection
The 12-fret configuration brings the neck-to-body joint closer to the player and positions the bridge deeper into the lower bout, contributing to the guitar's warm, responsive character. Taylor's compact Grand Concert body reinforces that intimate feel, while the short 24.875" scale contributes to a more relaxed fretting experience. A 1.75" nut provides comfortable spacing for fingerstyle work and open chord voicings, and the Venetian cutaway preserves access to the upper register. Together, the compact body, shorter scale and 12-fret geometry create a playing experience particularly well suited to players who value touch, nuance and a close connection with the instrument.
Scalloped V-Class Bracing Meets Action Control Adjustability
Beneath the koa top, Taylor's scalloped V-Class bracing with Relief Rout is designed to add low-end fullness and open-string richness while retaining the sustain, projection and pitch accuracy associated with V-Class architecture. The Long-Tenon Action Control Neck extends the Next Generation approach to setup and serviceability, giving players and technicians a more precise way to adjust string height as the guitar settles or playing preferences change. Together, these developments address both acoustic response and long-term playability while allowing the distinctive character of the all-koa body to remain at the center of the instrument.
Taylor Claria Electronics Bring Koa Detail to the Stage
Taylor Claria electronics translate the Next Generation K22ce Special Edition's acoustic character into amplified settings through a reimagined under-saddle piezo design and proprietary preamp. The system is designed for a more natural plugged-in response, preserving the articulation and harmonic detail that distinguish the all-koa construction. Discreet soundhole-mounted controls leave the figured top visually uninterrupted, while a dedicated Mid-Contour control provides additional flexibility for shaping the amplified voice to different rooms, arrangements and playing styles.
Shaded Edgeburst Highlights the Beauty of Hawaiian Koa
The Next Generation K22ce Special Edition makes its all-koa construction a visual centerpiece as well as a tonal one. A full-gloss finish pairs Shaded Edgeburst with a tobacco stain that accentuates the natural figure of the select Hawaiian koa, while genuine West African ebony is used for the fingerboard, bridge and headstock overlay. Slot-head nickel tuners with ebony buttons complete the distinctive 12-fret presentation, and an included Taylor Deluxe hardshell case provides protection for transport and storage. With its all-koa voice, intimate 12-fret feel and Next Generation acoustic architecture, the Taylor Next Generation K22ce Special Edition acoustic-electric guitar brings together some of the most distinctive elements of Taylor's tonewood and design traditions.