Best Sounding Taylor Guitar (2024 Update)

Amazing guitar! 6 years after buying it and I'm still blown away with how it sounds. Very loud guitar, bright sound but produces a solid bass. Many people who own higher Taylor models like the 714 tell me that they can hardly tell the difference in sound between mine and theirs. It also feels great to play, although it may need some neck adjustment/setup out of the box to improve the action, but that's pretty normal. I also love the matte finish on this guitar, and I prefer it over the lacquered, shiny finish of the pricier ones. Even the slightly rough, matte finish of the neck feels perfectjason@huntington

The 314ce is an excellent offering from Taylor guitars. The combination of spruce with Sapele is a slight variation on a popular tonewood combination. Sapele is similar to mahogany in tone, but not quite as deep. Paired together, these woods provide a very balanced tone which complements this guitars' versatility. The Grand Auditorium body style revolutionized the way guitars were being made, and quickly became one of Taylors' top selling shapes. It provides a full bodied and clear tone for fingerpicking, and also allows for great projection and volume when using a pick. Taylors' own expression system sounds great through either a PA or guitar amplifier. This is a real hands on product review from Max @ Sam Ash LombardMaximus Bassimus

This is a really nice guitar. Just got back into playing acoustically and find this Taylor to sound great – nice mids and highs, unlike another high end guitar that are really bottom heavy (in my humble opinion). This guitar plays extremely well, perfect width on the neck and action is great. Makes finger picking quite easy and no adjustments were necessary. Price was very reasonable and service at Sam Ash was excellent – very professional. All in all, a great guitar bought from an excellent store.GEORGE

Awesome guitar… * * * * Awesome sound…. Absolutely Love this guitar.. Only con would be that it can kinda kick back a little if you're a hard strummer…. Other than That, no issues…. absolutely beautiful craftsmanship, look, feel and even the smell…Sarge

Overall: First off, I’ve only had it for a short while but gotta say I’d take it over my 714 , southern jumbo and d35 , been picker for a good bit of my life and every once in a while a guitar just comes along and right from the start you love it others take time , for me it’s this guitar she has me wishing I was playing her 24/7 , a pure joy to play ,looks beautiful and very well balanced between highs, lows and mids and anyone that’s ever had the pleasure of playing a taylor already know how comfortable their necks are , shes the sweetest sounding guitar I’ve ever played ,but buyer beware ,if your a little heavy handed and really like to dig in with your strumming hand she won’t like it .. but as far as a guitarist with a softer strumming style or for finger picking , you’ll search the world over and never find its equal , kudos to TAYLOR for sure , and thanx to zZounds for their payment plans and stock of quality items, because if not, with me being a father to 5 lovely children every piece of music equipment I own would just be in fantasyTim

I had bought one of these back in 2017 when I made the switch to Acoustic. I don't know why but, I got rid of it so I could make the move tpo the Martin X-Series only because I had always wanted a Martin. To make a long story short, the Martin didn't cut it for me, so last week I made the move back to Taylor and the Big Baby. These newer ones are so beautiful but it's a shame, that Taylor has discontinued them. The Brown headstock along with the Solid Spruce top and Walnut back and sides, have really IMO, improved this model. Once set up properly, it stays in tune and just sounds awesome ! I would say that it is the best Acoustic going today which is under the 500 dollar range. Plus seeing that I'm on a low budget, this was a no-brainer. It's a keeper and I am getting a lot of joy playing it.Jeffrey

I had bought one of these from here way back in 2017 , which I used when I was gigging . I'm now retired ( 63 ) and only play at home now. I had to take a couple of years away from playing, due to pain in my left hand , which built up from 50 years of playing. I came back to playing in August of 2021 and I had bpught a Martin X-Series which at the time, I thought was great . Well it turned out that I ended up having issues with it and got rid of it, so I went back to getting a new, Big Baby Taylor, which always served me well. It's too bad that Taylor discontinued these because, these newer models are IMO, a vast improvement over the older ones. Since I got it on this past Sunday, I can not put this down. It just sounds so amazing and it stays in tune forever. While the included gigbag is a plus, I went and bought a Hardshell case for it. For those who want a Taylor but are on a low budget, this is worth the asking price and then some.Jeff

Since I went back to playing last summer after a 3 year hiatus, due to wrist pain in my left hand, I was using a Martin X-Series OMCX1E which I had nothing but problems with such as not staying in tune, fret buzz, etc. So over a week ago, I made the decision to switch to a Big Baby Taylor. I am limited as far as funds go, so $500.00 was the most that I could afford and I did not want to get a Baby but the Big Baby which is pretty close to a standard dreadnought size , at least as th neck scale is concerned. The body is a tad smaller and lighter which for me at my age ( 63 ) , makes playing a lot easier. Thiis came already set up and strung with Elixirs , which I liked . I can not believe how light in weight this is and it stays in tune , which is a huge plus for me. As far as tone goes, this easily blows away any of the Martin X-Series .I love this guitar and I will be making some wonderful memories with it.jeffreyo46

I came in to sign up for guitar lessons as an old man. I could barely spell guitar. First thing — I would need a guitar. Soon, I was in a room full of guitars, and I had no idea what I needed. Sam Ash's man knew. Not too cheap; not too expensive; not too gaudy; try this one, try that one. After a while we decided on the Baby Taylor. What a joy he was to work with, explaining, suggesting, leading, helping. A great experience. And, I love my guitar.Ralph

Purchased in 2002 for practice and travel when I didn't want to take a full-sized guitar. I was impressed with the rich sound and ease of play. It stays in tune, even when not played for long periods of time. It's always been stored in the Baby Taylor gig bag that came with it, in a closet, when not in use. I recently took it out to practice and discovered a crack in the top near the bottom, and that the top has separated from the body all across the bottom. It's been stored in a closet, protected from humidity fluctuations, along with 3 other acoustic guitars, one of which is vintage, and none of the other guitars have any issues. I also had a vintage, hand-made, late 1800's era mandolin stored with my other instruments, and it had no issues. I have loved this Baby Taylor for many years, and I'm heartbroken to discover the quality is so poor. The sound of acoustic guitars improves with age, so a new one won't sound the same. Sadly, I can no longer recommend this guitar.CJ

Oh my gosh I love my Baby Taylor! The koa wood makes it look as good as it sounds. My main goal was to have a guitar to travel with. I have so many guitars, but I wanted something small to take on the airplane. I've always heard great things about Taylor guitars…this is my first. It did not disappoint. I didn't expect it to have the sound quality that it does for its size. So that was just a bonus to me. It doesn't have the deep, full sound like my full bodied acoustics, but it is still good enough to play under any circumstance without being embarrassed. I don't play live anymore, but I wouldn't hesitate to play my Baby Taylor on stage. The case is great too. Compact backpack style with enough padding for protection.BK

Had other parlour guitars but always thought they didn't sound to good but I like the look and quality of the Taylor. So easy to play and the built-in tuner and electrics magic. Trouble is the grandson has taken a fancy to it and he's only just started playing so I might not have it for to long. Overall love it.Dave L.

I bought it because I had an injury to my right arm which left me with limited range of motion and unable to use my standard size Ovation. The Baby Taylor is easy to play and sounds good amplified, but acoustically it is easy to play it too hard. In addition mine gives me a harsh resonance when I play an open D. It turns out that the resonance is also present on notes simply near the D. (Its not fret buzz.) It is much less noticeable when amplified, don't know why. Other people don't notice it and tell me that the guitar has a wonderful sound. I played a Big Baby Taylor and loved it, but it's bigger and therefore less portable and easy for me to play. Perhaps the unwanted resonance is unique to my guitar. I haven't tried to get it looked at by a luthier yet. Perhaps another small guitar, like the Martin, would be better. Don't know. I'm pretty much satisfied with it because it is small and very light and portable which fits my need. It's pretty, nice workmanship, good tuner and electronics.Ed

This guitar is an absolute masterpiece! It plays smooth and has great low and high ranges. My guitar did have an unknown damage upon arrival. I called customer service and spoke with Henry. He worked me through the process of replacement and gave me the option of discounting the guitar. In the end it was a very easy solution and very easy communication from Henry. 10 out of 10 customer service!Eric

I walked into GC yesterday not knowing I'd walk out with this gorgeous 314ce. I had a 114ce that has served me well and I've had no complaints about. I've been playing for about 20 years and wanted an upgrade. I love the grand auditorium body style as I enjoy playing finger style, but don't want to give up the ability to strum chords and have them sound flat or stale. This style compliments both play styles well. I tried several brands before from Martin to Gibson to Fender and I've found that Taylor tends to build all of their models with the same level of craftsmanship. What I mean is it is easier to feel/hear a difference between cheaper and more expensive models from other brands; Taylor makes excellent quality instruments at every experience/price level. The feel on the neck is smooth and encourages flawless transitions. The spruce top produces bright tones from the narrow body without sacrificing deep, rich low tones. In my opinion, the 314ce stands on par with any other brand's guitar at a similar price point. I would even pick this one over a Martin that's $1000 more. That's how confident I am in Taylor and their craftsmanship.GuitarGuy911

This review will attempt to provide a balanced view of the guitar itself as I have owned this for over a year. Pro: Taylor brightness. Playing open chords gives an exhilarating zing you can feel and hear. The cutaway gives great access to high leads. The Expression pickup system is fabulous and certainly better than any piezo pickup with the "quack". Great on the G B e strings for leads and chords, sparkling, and bright classic Taylor. It is a beautiful piece with the inlays. Con: There are dead zones on the guitar, eg, the E A at high frets. Not normally a problem but now that I am learning the whole fretboard playing other chords up there is dead, and not just a little. I thought it was strings so tried many – it is the guitar. Playing with a capo, chords also a bit more muted not in contact with the nut which helps the sound resonance. Obviously the low end on this one is poor. I also learned it is poor for fingerpicking which I also started recently. My old Yamaha FG-335 has much better tone and overtones. I have had mixed feelings over time which is why I waited to review. The answer to this is I bought a Martin D-28 Modern Deluxe using perks / gifts to bring down the cost to me. Different price range, but everything I wanted. Am I disappointed? Yes to some extent but then again any bright leads can be done on the 314ce. It has been a learning experience. Play the guitar you are going to buy. Play it at every string and fret. Maybe it is the wood (sapele). The whole guitar feels "tight" and constrained. Maybe with time it will relax. Many people love Taylor and I can see why, those who love bright, this is for them. I now need clear, balanced, and playable across the fretboard.Chris G

After reading the reviews and being the owner of a nice 814ce, I decided to pick up a Big Baby. I wasn't expecting to be blown away as it's a made-in-Mexico, laminate body, mid-range 15/16 size guitar. The first one I received was outstanding as far as fit, finish, construction and setup. The problem I had was that it sounded flat and dead, with very little 'bloom', overtones or sustain. I know a few reviews indicated that the sound opened up over time, but this one was a little too dead-sounding. I contacted MF and was offered a quick exchange and pre-paid return shipping. Adam even offered to have the warehouse guys open up the replacement and check it out before sending. The replacement unit was sent a couple days later (no waiting for my return to be processed). Example #2 was identical to #1 in fit, finish, construction and setup, but the sound was an order of magnitude better! While not the equal of my 814 (nor would I expect it to be), it has a full, rich tone that is remarkable for a guitar of this size and pricepoint. Action is low and even, no high frets, no buzz even when I REALLY dig in with the pick. Clearly the first one I received was a rare lemon, and it wasn't THAT bad. The replacement is a superior value and fun as hell to play. The slightly smaller size makes it easy to throw in the car for an impromptu jam anywhere. Nice gig bag too.JimiChes

I ended up exchanging up — but when I go back and buy a travel or campfire guitar, this will be the one. Bright, fast attack sound of Taylor. Very easy playability for novice with tender newly calloused fingers. Feels like a full-sized, but definitely more portable. Top and sides and neck are beautiful. Headstock looks cheap, and I'm not certain what the fretboard is. Tuners kept solidly in tune. I think at this price point, it's excellent — and the cheaper guitars don't seem to hold tune as well or feel as solid (and many are made in PRC China). Does not seem to play quietly when softly strummed — seems either full voiced or not there. This is guitar I can feel good about owning and plan on owning again.Morg

I'm 59 years old with over 45 years of playing experience . I made the switch to solo Acoustic last year and decided to go with this one because of the weight and the feel of the neck . Plus, it just exudes tone in spades . This like all Taylors though , are very succeptable to changes in the humidity so it's a great idea to keep it humidified when you're not using it , which I do. I did opt to buy a Silver Creek vintage style HS case which fits this guitar like a glove and will protect it much better from the humidity than the stock gig bag which comes with it. I've had mine since August of 2017 and I can't see myself playing anything else now but Taylor .jeffreyo46

Exceptional guitar! It has a rich tone and very easy to play. Truly worth the money for guitar enthusiasts like myself. It also inspires me to put in more time honing my guitar playing skills, just because of how much fun it is to hear the sound that comes out of this instrument.Anthony

You can read lots of pros and cons online about this model and this is just another perspective, but based on my 50 years of professional guitar performance on solid bodies, hollow bodies, dreadnaughts and salon size steel strings, nylon string and acoustic and electric 12-string. Folks who pan this Taylor apparently would be disappointed that a vintage Gibson 335 doesn't sound exactly like a D-28 and a Les Paul Custom rolled into one. Anyone who researches this model HAS to know it is not a compromise concept, it seeks to take the characteristics of both acoustic and electric guitars and make them available in one instrument. For what it does, I think it does it superbly. I play with bare, short fingernails and no picks so this may influence my tonal perception but this thing through my JBL EON One sounds gorgeous, as good as any hollow jazz box I've had and better than most of them. Solos on the humbucker can get about as much sustain and crunch as a competent player would ask for. And as for playability: this thing is a dream to play. Pulloffs and hammers are effortless, the neck feels perfect with just enough fret height to let me thumb the strings without bottoming them. The hardware is well positioned for the most part with the tone and volume controls unobtrusive as I like them; I don't need hatbox knobs that are bigger than my bathroom faucets. Fit and finish are the usual Taylor standard, which is amazing for a mass produced instrument. All in all, my purchase of this T5-C1 with maple top was one of the best guitar buys I've ever made…and I've made a lot of them. This match feels like one made in heaven and I would encourage those players who are sophisticated enough to appreciate a concept that is fresh and well executed to look closely at the T5-C1 or variants of this model as they are available. Put it to work for you and I am confident that the more you use it, the more you will come to appreciate how well the design concept works in allowing you the artistic freedom to express yourself through your instrument to the fullest.son_of_idiot

This guitar has all of the sweet sounds an functions of a T5Z guitar the form of a 12 string guitar. There is little add to this review that I haven't say in my T5Z review, except that it is in a 12 string. I could play for hours with this guitar, that I would not or could not do with other 12 stings. Playing is effortless, however it is dependent upon which songs you are playing. Great for Folk songs and single performers, but not for hard rock or Reggae. As with most 12 stings, it fills the void with sound in songs. Bar cords are relatively easy as in most 12 string guitars. I reduce the rating because it does not fit into other T5Z Taylor guitar cases. Yep! You need to buy a Dedicated Taylor case, since the T5Z cases are of a slightly narrower dimension. Like wise, other accessories are also of a slightly different dimension, rendering a need to duplicate seemingly identical accessories. As an individual or paired performers, you will love this guitar as it makes you sing and feeling like a professional!ZipperMan

I’ve been playing a Taylor 310 for 25 years and was looking for something smaller and lighter to transport. Having read a lot of reviews and listened to the videos I thought I would try the GS Mini Koa and see what all the fuzz was about. This guitar sounds amazing! The Koa gives it a depth AND sparkle that you don’t expect from a small guitar. I keep asking myself does it lack depth compared to my dreadnought, technically it does but actually I don’t miss it because the sound is so full. The volume too is quite exceptional, I tend to strum a lot with a pick and don’t mind digging in hard….. this guitar just sings under those circumstances. It get’s louder and louder without noticeably going out of tune. At the other end there is such clarity and sustain that quiet finger picking also sounds great. You can easily hear a single note melody within a chord. Are there any downsides? Well if you have big hands then the reduced neck length may feel too cramped…. For me this is actually more comfortable than a full size neck but you wouldn’t want it any smaller. In summary I’m blown away, just amazing.David

Wow… what a stunner! Opening the case for the first time was quite an experience. This is a seriously beautiful guitar with beautiful craftsmanship. As a beginner with small hands (even for a lady) I have found acoustic guitars in the past to be very uncomfortable to play, the size of the body, the width of the neck, the high action, and after struggling with a Lorenzo Flame Series for the past year I decided enough was enough, electrics aren't almost impossible to play so why should I have to struggle with acoustic? I did some research and everything was pointing me towards the Taylor GS Mini-E series. Holding this guitar in my hands for the first time felt like a revelation. It felt like Taylor had made a guitar specifically for me – wearing a strap the body fits easily under my arm and my fingers just know exactly where they're meant to go. The sound of the guitar is rich and vibrant with a bright top tone – quite a feat in a parlour size guitar. After watching reviews it seems that this is due to the Koa body. The guitar also comes with soft, well-padded case that feels like it'll protect well from bumps and bruises whilst travelling. It has some nice shoulder straps so it feels like you're wearing a large (but light!) backpack. The best thing about this guitar though is that it's such a joy to hold and play that I can't put it down; my playing ability has increased so much in the past few weeks since buying it. As a beginner I absolutely recommend this guitar as an introduction to acoustic guitars. If you're a beginner and you've been playing an electric for while but want to get into playing acoustic, try out a Taylor GS Mini-e – it might be the one for you.Laura K.

I bought this for my daughter’s 10th birthday as she had shown interest. Thanks to AMS payment plans I was able to make it happen. She absolutely loves it. I had planned on dialing things and getting it all set up for her but it was everything but tuned out of the box. Fit and finish are great, you will not be disappointed. This isn’t a toy, but a well made instrument that should last for years. Thanks AMS!!Andrew

Lovely sound and tone – a real pleasure to play. Nice looking guitar. Can't fault it at all: Looks great sounds great. So easy to pick up and have a strum anywhere: out and about, on the stairs, on the sofa wouldn't surprise me if I play it on the toilet one day, actually, maybe not! Good gigbag too – light and easy to carry – I can even ride my bike with it on my back no problems at all. Riding off to the forest with my guitar now is easy and just makes it what it's all about enjoying playing music in your favourite places.Reviewed by guitarguitar custome

My dream guitar. Had one priced up as a custom build a few years back and it came to more than double what these are selling for. So, not cheap but a comparative bargainReviewed by Kenny's Music custom

Incontrovertibly, the most exquisitely beautiful instrument I own. Easy to play and sounds magnificent right from the factory. As this all solid Koa body and top ages, it will only sound deeper and richer.Fred

THIS GUITAR IS AN ABSOLUTE WORK OF ART. THE KOA TOP IS THREE-DIMENSIONAL LOOKING AND PERFECTLY RENDERED. THE FINGERBOARD INLAY IS METICULOUS AND BEAUTIFUL. THE BINDING IS FLAWLESS. THE SOUND OF THIS INSTRUMENT IS SO RESONANT THAT IT SOUNDS LIKE ITS REVERBERATING. THERE IS NO BETTER GUITAR THAN THIS!JCOFFEY

This is an exceptionally versatile guitar, I needed a workhorse for small venue solo gigs playing a wide variety of genres and this truly fits the bill. Extremely balanced range with just a hint of that Taylor sparkle that (IMO) is overwhelming on most Taylor models. What I didn't see coming is how this thing absolutely opens up in D Tunings. Best DADGAD sound I have ever heard in person, it's quite incredible. Skip the E version and just add an Anthem SL to this like I did, Taylor pickups are always so mediocre and the Anthem SL's cream color even matches the accents on this guitar.Ryan H

I use this primarily as a finger picking instrument with occasional pick playing/strumming. It is such a beautiful instrument and so lovely to play. Action is perfect and the fretboard feels great (better than the other 414 special edition IMO). Plenty of volume but not over the top. Taylor guitar really shine in their ability to sustain each and every string and for them to sound distinct even when played together. This one does not disappoint in that regard. No negatives, if you can afford it this is a perfect guitar for beginners-professionalsKarmapolice

Having played nothing but a Martin spruce/mahogany dred for a number of years, I was surprised how much I like the body shape and dimensions; the guitar is perfectly balanced without the clunky feeling that you get with certain A/E guitars. The straight acoustic sound is bright, with a beautiful timbre – the plugged in sound had more of a jazzy warmth than a twangy, artificial "get a telecaster" sound. As a lefty, I had to choice between this and the same old stuff from Montana. This is definitely a unique instrument and a testament to the versatility of the Taylor line.gtrlfty

I have always loved the martin guitar and thought there was nothing better. I acquired a little money and wanted a new guitar so I went my local shop and decided to compare. After about an hour I went home so confused about the proper selection and did not purchase a guitar. I was struggling with the fact that I didn't think I would own anything but a martin. I played the taylor 414ce and fell in love with it. I went back the next day with a good friend of mine, that was a good guitar player and thought I would get his advice as he also felt like I did about the martin. He was shocked as I was and said you are correct, It is a better playing and sounding guitar. The cutout does compromise the low tones a little but all in all, I bought the Taylor. No regretsbuddy532

This guitar exihibits all the quality youd expect from Taylor at an affordable price. I'll admit I was a bit skeptical about laminate for sides and back, but Taylor did a great job striking a balance of affordability and tone. Once you plug in the 214ce, you quickly forget about acoustic sacrifices made as the electronics are every bit as good as their top ofvthe line models. While the tobacco/sunburst and black models look nicer than their natural counteroarts, I personally felt the tone was better on the natural model.FloridaPhilip

Another great guitar from the Taylor factory. Superb neck with slight radius makes playing with the nylon strings much easier. Wonderful when amped up!Reviewed by Andertons Music Co.

My experience with this purchase was exceptional. The guitar was in great condition, will work fine. Shipping was faster than expected. It was all good, better than good, except for no free hat of course. Did I expect a free hat, nope.SNA2STL

This guitar is an absolute masterpiece! It plays smooth and has great low and high ranges. My guitar did have an unknown damage upon arrival. I called customer service and spoke with Henry. He worked me through the process of replacement and gave me the option of discounting the guitar. In the end it was a very easy solution and very easy communication from Henry. 10 out of 10 customer service!Eric

I walked into GC yesterday not knowing I'd walk out with this gorgeous 314ce. I had a 114ce that has served me well and I've had no complaints about. I've been playing for about 20 years and wanted an upgrade. I love the grand auditorium body style as I enjoy playing finger style, but don't want to give up the ability to strum chords and have them sound flat or stale. This style compliments both play styles well. I tried several brands before from Martin to Gibson to Fender and I've found that Taylor tends to build all of their models with the same level of craftsmanship. What I mean is it is easier to feel/hear a difference between cheaper and more expensive models from other brands; Taylor makes excellent quality instruments at every experience/price level. The feel on the neck is smooth and encourages flawless transitions. The spruce top produces bright tones from the narrow body without sacrificing deep, rich low tones. In my opinion, the 314ce stands on par with any other brand's guitar at a similar price point. I would even pick this one over a Martin that's $1000 more. That's how confident I am in Taylor and their craftsmanship.GuitarGuy911

This review will attempt to provide a balanced view of the guitar itself as I have owned this for over a year. Pro: Taylor brightness. Playing open chords gives an exhilarating zing you can feel and hear. The cutaway gives great access to high leads. The Expression pickup system is fabulous and certainly better than any piezo pickup with the "quack". Great on the G B e strings for leads and chords, sparkling, and bright classic Taylor. It is a beautiful piece with the inlays. Con: There are dead zones on the guitar, eg, the E A at high frets. Not normally a problem but now that I am learning the whole fretboard playing other chords up there is dead, and not just a little. I thought it was strings so tried many – it is the guitar. Playing with a capo, chords also a bit more muted not in contact with the nut which helps the sound resonance. Obviously the low end on this one is poor. I also learned it is poor for fingerpicking which I also started recently. My old Yamaha FG-335 has much better tone and overtones. I have had mixed feelings over time which is why I waited to review. The answer to this is I bought a Martin D-28 Modern Deluxe using perks / gifts to bring down the cost to me. Different price range, but everything I wanted. Am I disappointed? Yes to some extent but then again any bright leads can be done on the 314ce. It has been a learning experience. Play the guitar you are going to buy. Play it at every string and fret. Maybe it is the wood (sapele). The whole guitar feels "tight" and constrained. Maybe with time it will relax. Many people love Taylor and I can see why, those who love bright, this is for them. I now need clear, balanced, and playable across the fretboard.Chris G

So far, I really love the sound, construction and appointments. I asked my guitar tech to check it out before I picked it up at the store and he played it for 20 minutes. Andy Powers really did a nice job redesigning the 614ce into the V-Class. So far, I've found no flaws, and the factory setup is perfect. The action matches that of any of my electrics and is extremely playable above the 12th fret without any tuning issues. The appointments are as nice or better than that of my 2006 Taylor NC62ce, which is also maple and spruce.Chris

This is a beautiful instrument. The flamed maple back and sides with the brown sugar stain look incredible, the ebony backstrap is a nice touch as well. I'd prefer abalone to ivoroid for the fretboard markers, but other than that I have no visual complaints. The rock maple neck might be the best I have ever played. The re-voicing work Taylor has done has really brought some additional warmth to the Maple tone, however it still sounds bright next to a rosewood guitar, and I find it can sound a little 'thin' in certain applications. The clarity and note-to-note separation are the best I have ever heard though. Excellent sound when plugged in. Overall a great, and highly unique, instrument.Ryan

I have been playing guitar for 60 years. I have an extensive collection of vintage guitars including several Martin, Gibson, etc acoustic and electric guitars. The Taylor Koa K28e is the best guitar that I have ever played. The beauty, action, and sweet tone of this guitar is above my expectations. This is a pricey guitar, but once you strum the strings and hear the melodic sound, you will hear why this guitar is expensive. It is made using the best and finest materials and workmanship. I believe the Taylor K28e has a richer sound than my Martin D-28. It is certainly prettier than the Martin; or any other guitar that I own, Gibson, Rickenbacker, etc.Donal

A very nice sounding guitar, with plenty of power and sustain. The neck feels good in your hand and the body with the tapered edge makes holding this guitar quite comfortable. Hopefully it will continue to get better with age.richarroger_37

You can read lots of pros and cons online about this model and this is just another perspective, but based on my 50 years of professional guitar performance on solid bodies, hollow bodies, dreadnaughts and salon size steel strings, nylon string and acoustic and electric 12-string. Folks who pan this Taylor apparently would be disappointed that a vintage Gibson 335 doesn't sound exactly like a D-28 and a Les Paul Custom rolled into one. Anyone who researches this model HAS to know it is not a compromise concept, it seeks to take the characteristics of both acoustic and electric guitars and make them available in one instrument. For what it does, I think it does it superbly. I play with bare, short fingernails and no picks so this may influence my tonal perception but this thing through my JBL EON One sounds gorgeous, as good as any hollow jazz box I've had and better than most of them. Solos on the humbucker can get about as much sustain and crunch as a competent player would ask for. And as for playability: this thing is a dream to play. Pulloffs and hammers are effortless, the neck feels perfect with just enough fret height to let me thumb the strings without bottoming them. The hardware is well positioned for the most part with the tone and volume controls unobtrusive as I like them; I don't need hatbox knobs that are bigger than my bathroom faucets. Fit and finish are the usual Taylor standard, which is amazing for a mass produced instrument. All in all, my purchase of this T5-C1 with maple top was one of the best guitar buys I've ever made…and I've made a lot of them. This match feels like one made in heaven and I would encourage those players who are sophisticated enough to appreciate a concept that is fresh and well executed to look closely at the T5-C1 or variants of this model as they are available. Put it to work for you and I am confident that the more you use it, the more you will come to appreciate how well the design concept works in allowing you the artistic freedom to express yourself through your instrument to the fullest.son_of_idiot

This guitar has all of the sweet sounds an functions of a T5Z guitar the form of a 12 string guitar. There is little add to this review that I haven't say in my T5Z review, except that it is in a 12 string. I could play for hours with this guitar, that I would not or could not do with other 12 stings. Playing is effortless, however it is dependent upon which songs you are playing. Great for Folk songs and single performers, but not for hard rock or Reggae. As with most 12 stings, it fills the void with sound in songs. Bar cords are relatively easy as in most 12 string guitars. I reduce the rating because it does not fit into other T5Z Taylor guitar cases. Yep! You need to buy a Dedicated Taylor case, since the T5Z cases are of a slightly narrower dimension. Like wise, other accessories are also of a slightly different dimension, rendering a need to duplicate seemingly identical accessories. As an individual or paired performers, you will love this guitar as it makes you sing and feeling like a professional!ZipperMan