Taylor 814ce
The redesigned Taylor 814ce is massively different than the previous version of the model, and has a sound that will surprise everyone who has ever played a guitar built by the El Cajon builder.
Taylor head luthier, Andy Powers, was recently offered the reigns to re-create the 800 series guitars, and he did so from the ground up. Today's 800 series instruments all feature markedly lighter bracing, smaller rosewood bridgeplates, hide-glue construction and finish that's half as thick as it is on other models. Looking inside the 814ce, one immediately notices how little there is glued to the top. The braces are nearly half the size of what we're accustomed to seeing inside a Taylor. It's uncommon to see a factory-built guitar put together as lightly as this 814ce; and this light build means that the new 814ce sounds quite different than previous versions.
The guitar has a warmth, bass response, and openness; it's responsive, loud, and very resonant.
Add to that the ES2 pickup system which amplifies the sound of the guitar though contact piezo elements mounted against the bridge saddle, and the result is a guitar that's very open, breathy, and warm on stage, too.
The guitar features thick wooden purflings around the top and the soundhole, plain maple bindings, and a maple-bound soundhole. Its pearl rosette and simplified fretboard inlays are tastefully low-key. Nickel hardware finishes off the guitar with a modest touch.
The 814ce is about offering Taylor players something different in tone, while maintaining the feel and playability the company's guitars are famous for; and we're quite pleased with what we're hearing.
With Taylor deluxe hard shell case
Click HERE for our hi-def video feature of this 814ce
Click HERE for our hi-def video feature of the Taylor 814ce
Individual instruments may vary slightly in appearance
Taylor head luthier, Andy Powers, was recently offered the reigns to re-create the 800 series guitars, and he did so from the ground up. Today's 800 series instruments all feature markedly lighter bracing, smaller rosewood bridgeplates, hide-glue construction and finish that's half as thick as it is on other models. Looking inside the 814ce, one immediately notices how little there is glued to the top. The braces are nearly half the size of what we're accustomed to seeing inside a Taylor. It's uncommon to see a factory-built guitar put together as lightly as this 814ce; and this light build means that the new 814ce sounds quite different than previous versions.
The guitar has a warmth, bass response, and openness; it's responsive, loud, and very resonant.
Add to that the ES2 pickup system which amplifies the sound of the guitar though contact piezo elements mounted against the bridge saddle, and the result is a guitar that's very open, breathy, and warm on stage, too.
The guitar features thick wooden purflings around the top and the soundhole, plain maple bindings, and a maple-bound soundhole. Its pearl rosette and simplified fretboard inlays are tastefully low-key. Nickel hardware finishes off the guitar with a modest touch.
The 814ce is about offering Taylor players something different in tone, while maintaining the feel and playability the company's guitars are famous for; and we're quite pleased with what we're hearing.
With Taylor deluxe hard shell case
Click HERE for our hi-def video feature of this 814ce
Click HERE for our hi-def video feature of the Taylor 814ce
Individual instruments may vary slightly in appearance