Head to head
Taylor 217e-BLK Plus vs Taylor 552ce
The verdict
The Taylor 217e-BLK Plus and Taylor 552ce are closely matched overall — 61 to 61 on our estimated score.
Estimated from specs & owner reviews — a starting point, not a substitute for playing both.
Taylor 217e-BLK Plus wins on
- Better value (59 vs 52)
- Lower price ($1,499 vs $3,599)
Taylor 552ce wins on
- Better playability (71 vs 64)
Scorecard
| Metric | 217e-BLK Plus | 552ce |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 61 | 61 |
| Build | 61 | 61 |
| Playability | 64 | 71 |
| Sound | 60 | 60 |
| Value | 59 | 52 |
Full specifications
| Spec | 217e-BLK Plus | 552ce |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Taylor | Taylor |
| Type | Acoustic-Electric | Acoustic-Electric |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | — | — |
| Body wood | Big Leaf Maple | Red Ironbark |
| Neck wood | Hard Rock Maple | Neo-Tropical Mahogany |
| Fretboard | West African Crelicam Ebony | West African Crelicam Ebony |
| Strings | 6 | 12 |
| Frets | — | — |
| Scale | 25.5" | 24.88" |
| Pickups | Expression System® 2 | Expression System® 2 |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $1,499 | $3,599 |
| Armrest | None | No |
| Back And Sides | Big Leaf Maple | Red Ironbark |
| Back Configuration | Layered, 2-Piece | 2-piece No Wedge |
| Back Side Finish | Gloss | Gloss |
| Body Binding | White | Sapele |
| Body shape | Grand Pacific | — |
| Bracing System | C-Class Bracing | V-Class Bracing |
| Bridge | West African Crelicam Ebony | West African Crelicam Ebony |
| Bridge Pins | Black ABS Plastic | West African Crelicam Ebony |
| Controls | Expression System® 2 | Expression System® 2 |
| End Pin | Black | — |
| Finish | Black | — |
| Fretboard Binding | None | West African Crelicam Ebony |
| Fretboard inlay | Faux Pearl 4mm Dots | — |
| Neck Finish | Gloss | Satin |
| Neck profile | Standard Carve | — |
| Nut Saddle | White NuBone Nut, White Micarta Saddle | Tusq Nut, Micarta Saddle |
| Nut width | 1-11/16" | — |
| Orientation | Right Handed | Right Handed |
| Peghead Binding | None | None |
| Peghead Finish | Gloss | Satin |
| Peghead Inlay | None | — |
| Peghead Type | Paddle | Paddle, Standard |
| Peghead Veneer Wood | West African Crelicam Ebony | — |
| Pickguard | Black | Tortoise |
| Rosette | Faux Pearl Single Ring | — |
| Scale length | 25-1/2" | 24-7/8" |
| Strap Pin | Black | — |
| Top Finish | Gloss | Gloss |
| Top wood | Torrefied Spruce | Torrefied Spruce |
| Tuners | Taylor Satin Black with Satin Black Buttons | Taylor Nickel |
| Cutaway | — | Venetian Cutaway |