1996 Taylor 512-NG (Nanci Griffith Signature Model - RARE only 100 made) Cherry Sunburst, Florentine

RELISTING after a 2-1/2 month hiatus ... PRICED REDUCED !

This is a beautiful, limited-edition Nanci Griffith Signature Model Taylor 512 Grand Concert guitar with solid Englemann Spruce top and solid Mahogany back and sides, a rare Florentine cutaway, cherry red sunburst finish, and included is its original Taylor plush red hardshell case.

Taylor made only 100 of these Signature Model guitars (plus an over-run of six more similar instruments that don't carry the artist's signature), modeled after the Taylor guitar played by native Austin Texas singer/songwriter Nanci Griffith (these 512-NG were Taylor's first "Signature Model" guitars honoring a female artist).

Taylor 5-series guitars of the mid-1990s are highly praised and sought-after for their exceptional tone, regarded by many Taylor guitar aficionados (see for example, the acousticguitarforum web site) as superior to that of similar guitars made today.  This particular guitar plays and sounds great and is in beautiful condition for a nearly 20-yr old instrument (see photos), with only minor dings and normal wear.  There are however six hairline cracks in the top (only 2 of which are through the wood, and those two hairline splits in the wood are both quite short; the remaining four [and extensions away from the two wood splits] are only hairline finish cracks, as evidenced by their direction not exactly following the grain direction).  All six have been professionally repaired at the Taylor Guitar Factory in El Cajon, CA.   According to the Taylor factory's service records, in 2011 a previous owner had the first two cracks repaired, the neck reset, and the frets dressed.  Prior to listing the guitar for sale here, we have had the remaining four finish cracks expertly repaired (stabilized and melded with cyanoacrylate, and the top surface buffed smooth) at the Taylor factory also, so the buyer can be confident these will not grow longer or wider over time.

Also note there is a small area of light "belt buckle rash" -type scratches on the back of the guitar near the bass-string side of the guitar's waist (see close-up photo of the back of the guitar). A previous owner also installed upgraded gold-plated Taylor tuning machines, along with a built-in under-saddle pickup.

Included is the original hardshell case (exterior showing considerable wear, but interior is clean and soft) that provides excellent protection for this valuable instrument.  The latch at the heel of the guitar case (at very bottom of the case) is missing its metal loop.

Serious inquires only.  This is a vintage guitar being sold in as-is condition, so please examine the high-definition photos and ask any questions you have prior to purchase.  Reasonable offers will be considered.

NOTE:  Four of the hairline cracks in the finish apparently happened in transit after we purchased this guitar used for $2000, and the retailer shipped it (inside its OHSC and in a factory-issue cardboard box) from MI to CA during an exceptionally cold spell in the upper midwest.  While all the hairline cracks have now been expertly repaired (stabilized and buffed), please understand we would prefer NOT to subject this guitar to similar frigid-cold temperatures in transit again. For many parts of the country this will not be an issue -- but if in doubt, please contact us.