Taylor 814ce Grand Auditorium (Cutaway, Electronics, Natural) Reviews

5.0/5.0 based on 2 customer reviews

Sweetwater Advice

Ron Daniel

When it came time to buy a high-end acoustic, I played everything, everywhere. The Taylor 814ce was the hands-down winner. From its beautifully even tone to the silky playable action to the astoundingly recordable Expression System, this is the best guitar I've ever owned.

Ben Porter

My purchase of the 814ce was the result of a long search for the perfect blend of balanced tone and smooth action. The Indian rosewood sides and Sitka spruce top marry together to produce this full, pleasing sound that is then accurately reproduced by its built-in Expression pickup system. I love it!

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Customer Reviews

Beret
from Midwest, USA
December 7, 2012Music Background:
Gigging musician

Exquisite

Exceptional guitar in every respect. It plays extremely well. It sounds great unplugged and plugged in - just incredible.

Steve Jones
from Jacksonville, FL
April 16, 2012Music Background:
pro musician

an easy choice

I have been the owner of many very fine acoustic and acoustic/electric guitars over my 46 years of guitar playing experience. At this stage of my life, I'm tired of the 'I'll end up owning and playing this guitar for a few years and then sell it to go look for something better' game. If you're a guitar player, you know what I'm talking about...
What I wanted was an instrument that was acoustically balanced, electronically capable of reproducing what I heard acoustically, and ascetically pleasing to me. I've owned guitars that were one or two of those things, but never all three. I wanted a guitar that was built with respect to guitar building tradition but not a slave to it. I wanted a guitar that is built from the best of available materials to achieve the acoustic/electronic/ascetic goals mentioned earlier. I wanted a guitar that was worth the money I'd pay for it. I wanted an acoustic guitar that was easily recordable. I wanted a guitar that I would be glad to one day give to a grandchild and know they were getting something that is really worth something....
The Taylor 814ce is all that. It isn't cheap, but quality never is. I do some flatpicking, but I mostly spend time fingerpicking, and it excels at that. It inspires me; and that's about the highest compliment that I can think of to give a musical instrument.

inSync Review

Ben Porter
4-21-2009

Earlier this evening, I pulled out my cherished Taylor 814ce and put a new set of strings on it. Then I played my favorite Am9 chord and in an instant I remembered why I bought this same guitar 13 years ago: The amazingly crisp, balanced sound. As I fingerpicked the strings, I was still amazed at the balance between them. The sound of each string has its own place in the overall sound of the guitar. The sound of this guitar resonates deeply with me; its brightness and fullness somehow seem to encourage me.

The 814ce's sound is extremely versatile, due to a combination of the tonewoods, body shape and craftsmanship. The dynamic range of the solid Sitka spruce top meets the full bass and clear treble of the Indian rosewood. The Grand Auditorium body shape allows for a tonal balance that's full in the lower register, present in the midrange, and sparkling on the treble strings. The versatility of this guitar appeals to a broad range of players, but more specifically bluegrassers and fingerpickers. Lastly, the craftsmanship of Taylor Guitars is evident in this American-made beauty, in everything from the details of the inlays to the curves of the body.

Chad Byers
11-21-2005

I have been a fan of Taylor guitars for a number of years. In taking the 814ce for a test drive, my love for Taylor is now not just in its amazing playability. It is now shared with the tonal balance and amazing electronics, known as the Taylor Expression System.

The 814ce has a well-pronounced low end, sweet mids, and a clear, responsive upper frequency range. I was so amazed by this guitar's ability to fill the room in such a powerful and beautiful way. The beauty this instrument displays externally is well matched in its audible quality. Putting this instrument down grew more difficult the longer I played.

Once I plugged this instrument into my studio, I was sold! I have never heard a system with such tonal control as the Taylor Expression System. The fact that there were only three controls made me a little skeptical at first. However, once it was plugged in I realized there wasn't need for any more than that.

This guitar responds best when put to use in finger style and mid to light strumming situations. However, in my ventures with the instrument, I found it adapted well to any style that I threw at it.