Ben Harper has built a career on feel—subtle shifts in dynamics, phrasing and a groove that is entirely his own. Built in collaboration with the Grammy-winning artist, the Taylor Ben Harper Gold Label 512e Grand Concert channels the essence of his soulful style, delivering an instrument that responds with clarity, warmth and control at every touch. A torrefied Sitka spruce top and neo-tropical mahogany back and sides create a dry, focused voice with strong fundamental presence, while the deeper Grand Concert body adds low-end weight and projection without sacrificing comfort. Fanned V-Class bracing enhances sustain and note development, giving chords a smooth, connected character. A mahogany neck with a Honduran rosewood fingerboard offers a slightly warmer feel under the hands, and Taylor’s Claria electronics provide clear, reliable amplified tone. Final custom details such as the Shaded Edgeburst finish and polished bronze hardware complete a design fit for a modern roots icon.
Torrefied Sitka Spruce and Deep-Bodied Grand Concert Shape for Enhanced Depth
The Ben Harper 512e pairs a torrefied Sitka spruce top with neo-tropical mahogany back and sides to deliver a clear, focused voice with strong note definition. The torrefied top offers a warm, broken-in feel with quick response, while mahogany reinforces a direct, woody midrange with controlled low end, so chords stay full without getting muddy. Additionally, the slightly deeper Grand Concert body adds low-end weight and projection without sacrificing comfort. Taylor’s new fanned V-Class bracing enhances sustain and helps notes connect smoothly, making this instrument equally suited for detailed fingerstyle work and steady, groove-driven strumming.
Action Control Mahogany Neck and Honduran Rosewood Fingerboard for Precision and Feel
The neo-tropical mahogany neck is shaped to Taylor’s standard profile, offering a comfortable, balanced feel across the 24.875″ scale length. Meanwhile, the Honduran rosewood fingerboard introduces a slightly warmer tactile response with a subtle softness under the fingers, complementing the guitar’s tonal character while maintaining clarity and definition. The long-tenon Action Control neck design improves the neck-to-body connection for added resonance and allows for quick, precise string height adjustments without removing the neck or strings, making it easy to dial in a consistent setup.
Taylor Claria Electronics for Clear, Consistent Amplified Performance
Equipped with Taylor’s new Claria electronics system, the Ben Harper Gold Label 512e delivers a balanced amplified voice designed for reliability in live and recording settings. The undersaddle pickup and proprietary preamp reduce the brittleness often associated with traditional piezo systems, producing a smoother, more natural signal. Soundhole-mounted controls, including a mid-contour adjustment, allow for fast, intuitive shaping of the tone without interrupting performance.
Heritage-Inspired Gold Label Appointments, Classic Ben Harper Style
Rooted in the understated aesthetic of the Gold Label series, this Grand Concert blends traditional detailing with signature elements that reflect Ben’s style. A custom Shaded Edgeburst top adds depth and contrast, while polished bronze tuning machines introduce a warmer, more subdued look than standard nickel hardware. Honduran rosewood appears across key touchpoints—including the fingerboard, bridge and headstock overlay—creating a cohesive tonal and visual identity. Bone bridge pins enhance clarity and resonance, while cream binding and a matching pickguard maintain a clean, balanced presentation. The result is a design that feels both familiar within the Gold Label line and distinctly shaped by Ben’s influence.
Features
- Gold Label Grand Concert designed in collaboration with Grammy-winning roots musician Ben Harper
- Deeper Grand Concert body adds low-end presence and projection in a compact format
- Torrefied Sitka spruce top delivers a seasoned feel with quick, articulate response
- Neo-tropical mahogany back and sides provide a focused midrange and controlled bass
- Fanned V-Class bracing enhances sustain and helps notes blend with a smooth decay
- Long-tenon Action Control mahogany neck improves resonance and allows fast setup adjustments
- Honduran rosewood fingerboard adds warmth and a slightly softer tactile response
- Taylor Claria electronics deliver clear, consistent amplified tone with intuitive control
- Custom Shaded Edgeburst top gives the guitar a distinctive, stage-ready look
- Polished bronze tuning machines offer smooth operation with a refined aesthetic
- Taylor deluxe hardshell case for secure storage and transport
Body
- Body size class: Grand Concert
- Body construction: Solid
- Body material: Torrefied Sitka spruce/Neo-tropical mahogany
- Top material: Torrefied Sitka spruce
- Back material: Neo-tropical mahogany
- Side material: Neo-tropical mahogany
- Body finish: Gloss
- Color: Custom Shaded Edgeburst
- Bracing pattern: Fanned V-Class with tonal rout
Neck
- Neck material: Neo-tropical mahogany
- Neck profile: Taylor standard profile
- Neck finish: Satin
- Scale length: 24.875″
Fingerboard
- Fingerboard material: Honduran rosewood
- Number of frets: 20
- Inlays: Crest
- Nut material: White TUSQ
- Nut width: 1.75″
Hardware
- Bridge material: Honduran rosewood
- Saddle material: White Micarta
- Bridge pins: Bone
- Tuning machines: Taylor polished bronze with polished bronze buttons
- Headstock overlay: Honduran rosewood with black underlay
Electronics
- Pickup system: Taylor Claria
- Controls: Volume, mid-contour, tone
Strings
- Number of strings: 6
Other
- Orientation: Right handed
- Case: Taylor deluxe British Cocoa Bronco hardshell
All instruments are setup to factory spec and inspected before shipping. Player preference may vary and instruments may need additional adjustments to accommodate those preferences. Setups are not applicable for free returns.
We offer the option to upgrade to a Plek setup at a discounted rate when purchasing an instrument. To learn more about Plek, please message us, or call at: 740-522-0277.Plek add-ons are non-refundable once completed. In the event of a return, a refund will be issued minus the cost of the Plek and any other add-on services.
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