Taylor 114E Grand Auditorium Acoustic Electric Guitar For Sale (Jan 2023 Update)

Every time I play this guitar I discover something different. For example finger picking is rich and angelic. Strumming on the high strings are bright and zingy. Thumbs on E and A really pull the real deep end out of this beauty. The neck is very sexy I just have to remember light barre chords; don't "CRUSH" it. Fingers last longer. I am Sooo glad I have this guitar. I had Junk as a 15 yo kid. Now 64 retired I played every Guitar Center guitar they had $3500 Martins $4000 Taylors, $3000 Gibsons and The Taylor bigger brother 110e Dreadnought. I liked this 114e the best for the money through an amp. The 114 is smaller and easier to hold under your arm than the bigger body Dreadnaught 110. Surprisingly the 114 has a slight deeper A and E string than the 110. I'm not sure why. Probably the scalloped X bracing. The 214ce is nearly $300 more with a "slight" deeper tone. To get the real angelic rich tones one must try the $3400 Martin or the unbelievable rich "mommy save me" $3500-$4600 12 fret Taylor 512 or 712. The Guitar Center dude said ANY Martin or Taylor under $1000 is made in Mexico. Taylor says the Taylor 100-200 series Sapele body wood is less impervious to temperature changes and has a Rosewood fretboard. The $1400 Martin has a composite paper glue fretboardbut prolly just as good and mahogany sides. LOL Just sayin, but it drinks as good as a Dixie cup when you are thirsty.tuning50

Looked around for ages for a deal on this guitar, but no one was offering one. I did manage to find a random shop up north who was selling for £698. Asked PMT (Sam) to do a price match, and voila…got my new guitar for £698 from my local PMT shop (Still bought online and delivered, but great to know I have the shop local if any problems). As for the guitar…WOW, what a lovely instrument with fab sound and easy to playDanny N.

Every time I play this guitar I discover something different. For example finger picking is rich and angelic. Strumming on the high strings are bright and zingy. Thumbs on E and A really pull the real deep end out of this beauty. The neck is very sexy I just have to remember light barre chords; don't "CRUSH" it. Fingers last longer. I am Sooo glad I have this guitar. I had Junk as a 15 yo kid. Now 64 retired I played every Guitar Center guitar they had $3500 Martins $4000 Taylors, $3000 Gibsons and The Taylor bigger brother 110e Dreadnought. I liked this 114e the best for the money through an amp. The 114 is smaller and easier to hold under your arm than the bigger body Dreadnaught 110. Surprisingly the 114 has a slight deeper A and E string than the 110. I'm not sure why. Probably the scalloped X bracing. The 214ce is nearly $300 more with a "slight" deeper tone. To get the real angelic rich tones one must try the $3400 Martin or the unbelievable rich "mommy save me" $3500-$4600 12 fret Taylor 512 or 712. The Guitar Center dude said ANY Martin or Taylor under $1000 is made in Mexico. Taylor says the Taylor 100-200 series Sapele body wood is less impervious to temperature changes and has a Rosewood fretboard. The $1400 Martin has a composite paper glue fretboardbut prolly just as good and mahogany sides. LOL Just sayin, but it drinks as good as a Dixie cup when you are thirsty.tuning50

Looked around for ages for a deal on this guitar, but no one was offering one. I did manage to find a random shop up north who was selling for £698. Asked PMT (Sam) to do a price match, and voila…got my new guitar for £698 from my local PMT shop (Still bought online and delivered, but great to know I have the shop local if any problems). As for the guitar…WOW, what a lovely instrument with fab sound and easy to playDanny N.

The sound is amazing. Its one of the easiest guitar i’ve ever played, kind on the fingers when I do bar chords/power chords. Better still, Better Music even matched a cheaper price after I had bought it. The customer service is outstanding. Can’t wait for Taylor GC I bought for $300 with the Taylor Days offer.pete b.

For starters the guitar is absolutely beautiful and built to perfection. The aesthetics and fit and finish reflects the price paid for this guitar. The grand concert size is very very comfortable. The 1 3/4" nut is ideal for me and the slightly shorter scale improves playability but it's not too short. On to the tone, I think the mahogany/blackwood combo makes up some of the best guitars in Taylor's entire line up regardless of price. On the grand concert specifically, the 322ce has a good low end response that to me is reminiscent of a Martin 000 or OM, the strong mid range typically expected from mahogany, and still has some of that Taylor brightness as well. It's almost like a mix of a more modern tone and old school warm and woody tone if that makes any sense. The guitar produces great volume (for its size), and great clarity and articulation anywhere on the fretboard which I'm sure the v class bracing plays a part in all of these traits. Although I find that spruce top models are a bit better in these categories, I also find the tonal range to be a bit brighter so it depends what you like and what your style is. The only negative thing I can say is I'm not a huge fan of the ES2 but it seems like most people aren't fans of it so nothing new there. The guitar sounds amazing mic'ed up. But all in all, except for heavy handed strumming, you can do a lot with this guitar. Fingerstyle, light/medium strumming, live gigs, record an album, singer-songwriter stuff, ect and you'll look great doing it all with this gorgeous guitar. Taylor knocked it out of the park with this one.Joseph

A while back I was using a Taylor GS Mini and I got rid of it because the sound was too bright for my taste. I got a Martin and loved it but I slowly fell out of love with it. After a lot of research I decided to pull the trigger on this guitar and let me tell you I am SO GLAD I did. This guitar looks amazing, sounds amazing, and feels amazing. I love jamming with it, and I recently got to record with it and man the sound is incredible. The sound is not as bright as most Taylors I've played like the 214 Koas and such. The tone is a lot warmer than most Taylors but not as deep as a Martin, but man it is truly an amazing guitar. I absolutely love this guitar and it was worth every penny.Ceez

The sound is amazing. Its one of the easiest guitar i’ve ever played, kind on the fingers when I do bar chords/power chords. Better still, Better Music even matched a cheaper price after I had bought it. The customer service is outstanding. Can’t wait for Taylor GC I bought for $300 with the Taylor Days offer.pete b.

For starters the guitar is absolutely beautiful and built to perfection. The aesthetics and fit and finish reflects the price paid for this guitar. The grand concert size is very very comfortable. The 1 3/4" nut is ideal for me and the slightly shorter scale improves playability but it's not too short. On to the tone, I think the mahogany/blackwood combo makes up some of the best guitars in Taylor's entire line up regardless of price. On the grand concert specifically, the 322ce has a good low end response that to me is reminiscent of a Martin 000 or OM, the strong mid range typically expected from mahogany, and still has some of that Taylor brightness as well. It's almost like a mix of a more modern tone and old school warm and woody tone if that makes any sense. The guitar produces great volume (for its size), and great clarity and articulation anywhere on the fretboard which I'm sure the v class bracing plays a part in all of these traits. Although I find that spruce top models are a bit better in these categories, I also find the tonal range to be a bit brighter so it depends what you like and what your style is. The only negative thing I can say is I'm not a huge fan of the ES2 but it seems like most people aren't fans of it so nothing new there. The guitar sounds amazing mic'ed up. But all in all, except for heavy handed strumming, you can do a lot with this guitar. Fingerstyle, light/medium strumming, live gigs, record an album, singer-songwriter stuff, ect and you'll look great doing it all with this gorgeous guitar. Taylor knocked it out of the park with this one.Joseph

A while back I was using a Taylor GS Mini and I got rid of it because the sound was too bright for my taste. I got a Martin and loved it but I slowly fell out of love with it. After a lot of research I decided to pull the trigger on this guitar and let me tell you I am SO GLAD I did. This guitar looks amazing, sounds amazing, and feels amazing. I love jamming with it, and I recently got to record with it and man the sound is incredible. The sound is not as bright as most Taylors I've played like the 214 Koas and such. The tone is a lot warmer than most Taylors but not as deep as a Martin, but man it is truly an amazing guitar. I absolutely love this guitar and it was worth every penny.Ceez

Overall: I have had 2 Taylor's in the past 5 years. They always sound great. Back then I've bought the Taylor 224ce Koa deluxe twice in the past years. Even know I wanted to buy another one I wanted to save a little money this time and bought this Taylor 214ce deluxe with case. I wasn't real sure on how it would play and sound next to the higher end Taylor's I've had. I got it today and was amazed on how it fretted and played. The sound was awesome at the least. I started playing and the guitar took over. I got inspired and it took me back to where I want to play again. Very very happy with this guitar. You won't be disappointed if you are thinking about getting this guitar. All top notch.Robert

This is a beautiful guitar; the first time I played it, I got weak in the knees. With more playing, I just had to have it. When you understand the context of Taylor pricing, this actually is a pretty decent value. For a Grand Auditorium body, it has a LOT of low end; maybe not as naturally bright as some other guitars, but its tone is so warm and so honeyed, the mid-range so prominent, I consider it a strength. The neck feels like butter to me; this thing is so easy to play. It has the Expression System 2 electronics, which Taylor says are an upgrade. I think it sounds good through the PA and reflects its tone just fine. And of course the finish is unbelievable; the sunburst is beautiful. Aesthetically, I also love that the head stock face is black and not wood grain (didn't realize that'd be something I'd like until I saw it on this guitar). The only thing that Taylor adds to make it "deluxe" is the white binding and the diamond inlays; as in, nothing further different structurally to differentiate from other 214's. I was also not a fan of the venetian cutaway, which was another reason this model drew me to it. Lastly, it comes with a really nice hardshell case (as I believe all guitars at this price should). My only minor complaint is input jack strap button is a pain to get a strap on, but that's kind of always been the case with Taylors. So just bear in mind it's gonna take some cajoling. Overall, just a terrific sounding guitar that looks and plays beautifully. I can't put it down. This might be the last guitar you ever buy, because it's so versatile. So in that context, and in the long run, totally worth it.Music Guy

This is a beautiful guitar; the first time I played it, I got weak in the knees. With more playing, I just had to have it. When you understand the context of Taylor pricing, this actually is a pretty decent value. For a Grand Auditorium body, it has a LOT of low end; maybe not as naturally bright as some other guitars, but its tone is so warm and so honeyed, the mid-range so prominent, I consider it a strength. I had the chance to play a new one out of the box, and still bought the one off the wall in the showroom. The neck feels like butter to me; this thing is so easy to play. It has the Expression System 2 electronics, which Taylor says are an upgrade. I think it sounds good through the PA and reflects its tone just fine. And of course the finish is unbelievable; the sunburst is beautiful. Aesthetically, I also love that the head stock face is black and not wood grain (didn't realize that'd be something I'd like until I saw it on this guitar). The only thing that Taylor adds to make it "deluxe" is the white binding and the diamond inlays; as in, nothing further different structurally to differentiate from other 214's. I was also not a fan of the venetian cutaway, which was another reason this model drew me to it. Lastly, it comes with a really nice hardshell case (as I believe all guitars over $1000 should). My only minor complaint is input jack strap button is a pain to get a strap on, but that's kind of always been the case with Taylors. So just bear in mind it's gonna take some cajoling. Overall, just a terrific sounding guitar that looks and plays beautifully. I can't put it down. This might be the last guitar you ever buy, because it's so versatile. So in that context, and in the long run, totally worth it.Music Fan

I use the guitar mainly for practice. Currently I do not have a band or know any people personally to have jam sessions with but I truly cannot wait to play in a group or a band. The guitar overall sounds amazing with pretty bright tones. This guitar is great for fingerpicking style rather than strumming but it still sounds great for strumming. The pickups are fantastic on this guitar and have a great sounds connected to an amp as well. I simply love this guitar and would highly recommend for any chords that may require "thumb-overs" the neck feels nice and is really easy to wrap your hand around. I do not have anything bad to say about this guitar!Aaron, Chaser of Christ the Lord

There’s a lot of products, items, tangible man made things in this world, and most things I would give a 4 star rating TOPS! But this guitar? This damn Taylor 214ce guitar? Bro, it’s a no brainer. 5 stars all day through and through with no hesitation. Let me just say, if you are even remotely considering buying this guitar, I will tell you as a proud owner, just buy it and rip the band-aid. I promise you it will be 100% worth it and you will thank me later. I’ve actually owned a Taylor 214ce 5 years ago and I had to sell it due to unforeseen circumstances in my life at the time and I will tell you I’ve been kicking myself in the ass up until 3 days ago when I finally got the money to get my hands on one again. So basically, I’ve bought this guitar 2 times because I love this guitar and cherish it like none other. Matter of fact, I’ll take an ass beating by saying I like this guitar much more than all the other Taylor models period. I owned a Taylor 814ce which is a $3,500 guitar and it was a colossal disappointment compared to this Taylor 214ce. Yes, for me, the cheaper $1,000 guitar is better than their higher end models. In conclusion, but the damn guitar.Vic

This is my first Taylor guitar and what a guitar it is. The set up was to the tee right out of the box. A quick tune up and it was ready to play. The action is totally amazing and so easy to play whether regular or bar chords. As far as lead runs it is amazing and the tone and projection are out of this world especially for a guitar in this price range. I have a Martin, Guild, Fender,Luna,Briarwood acoustic electric guitars and this is my new favorite. Acoustic guitars all have their own special voice, some low and some high but the Taylor's is just about in the middle which is perfect for most of the music that I play. My brothers I jam with all want to take turns playing this guitar and have decided to invest in their own. Whether this is your first guitar or an addition to your collection, you can't go wrong . I would reccomend this guitar to anyone who loves to play a beautiful sounding instrument.Steven Card

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 perfect[email protected]

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

This is a hard guitar time find any information on, so I thought I would give my input. I absolutely love everything about this guitar. I have owned three other Taylor's, and this one has the most intoxicating sound of the group. Crisp, warm, and sublime.Adam

I've wanted a solid all koa for a long time; the K24 BE is my dream but wow the cost. So when Taylor announced this beast I refreshed the GC stock lists until I found one local. Wasn't even out of the box so an employee brought it out…what a beauty! High and tight (new koa) but full of potential. It came with Elixir PB lights; not my style I swapped for Martin Retro MM13 monel. Immediate improvement in clarity and less jangliness. I advise at least moving to medium *something* at least if you find the highs too jangly anyway. Koa can take a LONG time to open. I knew that beforehand but…I am not a patient man. I got a Tonerite believing it would be effective on this guitar at least. Boy I was right…it's only been 48 hours on and every time I pull it out to play the bass and resonance are notably better, so strong now! Already my favorite of my guitars and what time will bring is so exciting. If you like the sound of koa you will LOVE this guitar. But, it might take some good play time to get what it can really do.Jethro

I go to the local Tucson Orange Grove Guitar Center frequently and just enjoy trying a lot of different instruments. I'm a musician of 32+ years, did some professional gigs and I record from home often. I didn't intend to buy this but Evan there just had to "ruin my day" as he so eloquently put it (sarcasm of course). I've been a fan of Taylor for years but never pulled the trigger on buying one, just a bucket list item. Well, today was the day – this instrument is literally the best acoustic guitar I've ever played. I've played the 916CE for hours…this thing blows it away. The frequency response through the entire note range can't be much better. The action is superb, very little effort to make booming bass tones, full chords, or rip scales like it's nothing. The pickups and EQ are as smooth as silk and every good sound you want to come through an amplifier is there, all bad sounds are muted very well. But here's the kicker…you really don't need the amp. It is a true acoustic performance concert guitar and the Koa wood takes the response and sustain to a new level I've never experienced. I'm not a luthier by any means, but the quality of the wood seems on the back, neck, frets, ebony fret board, mahogany neck, bridge, pick guard, tuners, neck, and top nut, is as good as it gets. Koa is such a rich and incredibly gorgeous wood, and the sound just matches every bit of what it can do. I've played literally over 1000 guitars over my life, this one is one of the best and I bought it :).Mike

I have been playing my new 114ce-n for about two months. It is a very nice sounding guitar … soft…mellow and not too loud. That's what I was going for. I enjoy playing love ballads and singing and the guitar suits my softer voice well. I wanted a narrow neck as I have very small hands and hands that are 70+ years old. The neck is almost too small though. I have played a Martin with a narrow neck and the two compare similarly in width size. I think someone with larger hands would be be better purchasing a traditional broader neck found on most classical guitars. This 114ce-n would be a very good starter guitar for a young person with small hands and needing a softer set of strings for their fingers. I would recommend it to parents looking for a guitar for their child. I think a child would really appreciate this guitar. It is made well, comfortable, not too big and light-weight. The Taylor people provided a soft case for it, but I would recommend purchasing a hardshell case instead. You will have to look around to find a hardshell case that will fit this classical-sized guitar.JERRY

I played this guitar at Sam Ash while my daughter was visiting. I went back to the store about five times to play it, sold some gear, traded in some gear, and bought it. This was my first purchase from Sam Ash music. The service at Sam Ash was exceptional. Thanks, Jeff, in Lemon Grove, CA. The guitar sounds incredible. I am mostly tuning it down to D, although I sometimes tune it all the way down to B. I went back and forth on 6 string baritone or 8 string. I like the additional strings, but probably will buy another baritone 6 at some point and use both. I was NOT looking to buy a new guitar, but Taylor hit another home run and it came home with me.timbrown

I really like the Taylor guitar company. Its my 4th Taylor. This guitar sounds great, is comfortable to play and has a beautiful look. I am very glad I bought it.Ross

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 perfect[email protected]

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

I have been playing my new 114ce-n for about two months. It is a very nice sounding guitar … soft…mellow and not too loud. That's what I was going for. I enjoy playing love ballads and singing and the guitar suits my softer voice well. I wanted a narrow neck as I have very small hands and hands that are 70+ years old. The neck is almost too small though. I have played a Martin with a narrow neck and the two compare similarly in width size. I think someone with larger hands would be be better purchasing a traditional broader neck found on most classical guitars. This 114ce-n would be a very good starter guitar for a young person with small hands and needing a softer set of strings for their fingers. I would recommend it to parents looking for a guitar for their child. I think a child would really appreciate this guitar. It is made well, comfortable, not too big and light-weight. The Taylor people provided a soft case for it, but I would recommend purchasing a hardshell case instead. You will have to look around to find a hardshell case that will fit this classical-sized guitar.JERRY

I played this guitar at Sam Ash while my daughter was visiting. I went back to the store about five times to play it, sold some gear, traded in some gear, and bought it. This was my first purchase from Sam Ash music. The service at Sam Ash was exceptional. Thanks, Jeff, in Lemon Grove, CA. The guitar sounds incredible. I am mostly tuning it down to D, although I sometimes tune it all the way down to B. I went back and forth on 6 string baritone or 8 string. I like the additional strings, but probably will buy another baritone 6 at some point and use both. I was NOT looking to buy a new guitar, but Taylor hit another home run and it came home with me.timbrown

I really like the Taylor guitar company. Its my 4th Taylor. This guitar sounds great, is comfortable to play and has a beautiful look. I am very glad I bought it.Ross

Overall: I have had 2 Taylor's in the past 5 years. They always sound great. Back then I've bought the Taylor 224ce Koa deluxe twice in the past years. Even know I wanted to buy another one I wanted to save a little money this time and bought this Taylor 214ce deluxe with case. I wasn't real sure on how it would play and sound next to the higher end Taylor's I've had. I got it today and was amazed on how it fretted and played. The sound was awesome at the least. I started playing and the guitar took over. I got inspired and it took me back to where I want to play again. Very very happy with this guitar. You won't be disappointed if you are thinking about getting this guitar. All top notch.Robert

This is a beautiful guitar; the first time I played it, I got weak in the knees. With more playing, I just had to have it. When you understand the context of Taylor pricing, this actually is a pretty decent value. For a Grand Auditorium body, it has a LOT of low end; maybe not as naturally bright as some other guitars, but its tone is so warm and so honeyed, the mid-range so prominent, I consider it a strength. The neck feels like butter to me; this thing is so easy to play. It has the Expression System 2 electronics, which Taylor says are an upgrade. I think it sounds good through the PA and reflects its tone just fine. And of course the finish is unbelievable; the sunburst is beautiful. Aesthetically, I also love that the head stock face is black and not wood grain (didn't realize that'd be something I'd like until I saw it on this guitar). The only thing that Taylor adds to make it "deluxe" is the white binding and the diamond inlays; as in, nothing further different structurally to differentiate from other 214's. I was also not a fan of the venetian cutaway, which was another reason this model drew me to it. Lastly, it comes with a really nice hardshell case (as I believe all guitars at this price should). My only minor complaint is input jack strap button is a pain to get a strap on, but that's kind of always been the case with Taylors. So just bear in mind it's gonna take some cajoling. Overall, just a terrific sounding guitar that looks and plays beautifully. I can't put it down. This might be the last guitar you ever buy, because it's so versatile. So in that context, and in the long run, totally worth it.Music Guy

This is a beautiful guitar; the first time I played it, I got weak in the knees. With more playing, I just had to have it. When you understand the context of Taylor pricing, this actually is a pretty decent value. For a Grand Auditorium body, it has a LOT of low end; maybe not as naturally bright as some other guitars, but its tone is so warm and so honeyed, the mid-range so prominent, I consider it a strength. I had the chance to play a new one out of the box, and still bought the one off the wall in the showroom. The neck feels like butter to me; this thing is so easy to play. It has the Expression System 2 electronics, which Taylor says are an upgrade. I think it sounds good through the PA and reflects its tone just fine. And of course the finish is unbelievable; the sunburst is beautiful. Aesthetically, I also love that the head stock face is black and not wood grain (didn't realize that'd be something I'd like until I saw it on this guitar). The only thing that Taylor adds to make it "deluxe" is the white binding and the diamond inlays; as in, nothing further different structurally to differentiate from other 214's. I was also not a fan of the venetian cutaway, which was another reason this model drew me to it. Lastly, it comes with a really nice hardshell case (as I believe all guitars over $1000 should). My only minor complaint is input jack strap button is a pain to get a strap on, but that's kind of always been the case with Taylors. So just bear in mind it's gonna take some cajoling. Overall, just a terrific sounding guitar that looks and plays beautifully. I can't put it down. This might be the last guitar you ever buy, because it's so versatile. So in that context, and in the long run, totally worth it.Music Fan

Found this Special Edition in Guitar Center when I had to return a faulty Washburn. Don't let the all solid wood purists convince you that anything not all solid isn't worth it. My answer is, it depends. Nowadays, SOME laminate guitars are up there with all solid guitars. Type of construction and wood type/quality matters more than solid vs not solid imo. This thing has a Solid Koa top (all satin which I like better than high gloss), that matters most and it sounds amazing. The layered back and sides for me ensures that when I'm traveling with it and playing around, I will not have to worry as much about it getting damaged as easily. Quick note, I did upgrade the strap button (Chrome to Gold), bridgepins (plastic to ebony with pearl inlay), and tuners (chrome Taylor tuners to gold Gotoh tuners). My suggestion, IF you can find it at a local Guitar Center then definitely pick it up and play it. You may not be able to put it down.Ty, B

I was not looking for a Taylor, but after playing everything I could get my hands on for a few months This KOA guitar was the one that spoke to me. I was looking for a contrast from my very bright and loud Ovation, and this has a sweet buttery tone that is beautiful. I do find it to be much quieter than my other guitars, but it sounds good plugged and unplugged. If you have not seen one in person, it is even better looking than the pictures – just a gorgeous finish. The neck is very comfortable and easy to play, and the size fits nicely. I am mostly loving it but don't want to give it 5 stars for two reasons: First – I am having a heck of a time keeping it in tune. I've been playing it almost every day for almost 6 weeks now, I had a gig Friday night where I had to re-tune 3 times during the night The strings should be plenty broke in by this point. Possibly just more sensitive to environment/temperature then I'm used to, but I'm not sure, the tuners etc. all look to be high quality and setup correctly. Second, the hard case – while it looks nice and provides great protection, it weighs about a thousand pounds and I've already had to hammer the nails back in on the hinges.Dave

I was looking for a special acoustic- one with tone fir weeks that was not a pain to play. I have owned some excellent dreadnought in the past, so high expectations. When I played this at my local Guitar Center. my wife said 'that is amazing. ' She does not impress easily. The tone was angelic, and the playability first rate. I went from ' I want a rosewood dreadnought' to 'this is the one.' The included case is one of the best I have seen. I have played it with amd without usng the built in ES2 system. Works either way. You do give up sone volume versus a dreadnought shape, but you get a way better neck and something special, that will only sound better as it ages. Most of the guitars I had in mind otiginally cost two or three times what this Taylor sells for. I recommend playing the one you buy- go to a store. The two examples Guitar Center had sounded quite different. I obviously bought the better sounding one. While the high gloss example of this model do look sensational, I am good with the satin finish- looks mote natural to me amd feels much better in your hands. Detailed sound analysis: Bass is stronger than expected for the guitar shape. Not as even as some guitars, scooped sound profile. Mids and treble are sweet. Koa sounds warmer over time, but this guitar has a great start in that direction. Sustain is there. Sounds good played soft to medium- if you want to thrash this is not your guitar. Better on fingerstyle then pick. But fine with a pick if you use the right one. The expensive but worth it Elixir strings it comes with are perfect. Thank you Taylor. This same investment in any other new guitar will not get you anything in this league. In case you have an issue with it being made in Mexico, please remember that the guitar was a Spanish invention, so a very strong guitar making tradition to honor.Paul

I use the guitar mainly for practice. Currently I do not have a band or know any people personally to have jam sessions with but I truly cannot wait to play in a group or a band. The guitar overall sounds amazing with pretty bright tones. This guitar is great for fingerpicking style rather than strumming but it still sounds great for strumming. The pickups are fantastic on this guitar and have a great sounds connected to an amp as well. I simply love this guitar and would highly recommend for any chords that may require "thumb-overs" the neck feels nice and is really easy to wrap your hand around. I do not have anything bad to say about this guitar!Aaron, Chaser of Christ the Lord

There’s a lot of products, items, tangible man made things in this world, and most things I would give a 4 star rating TOPS! But this guitar? This damn Taylor 214ce guitar? Bro, it’s a no brainer. 5 stars all day through and through with no hesitation. Let me just say, if you are even remotely considering buying this guitar, I will tell you as a proud owner, just buy it and rip the band-aid. I promise you it will be 100% worth it and you will thank me later. I’ve actually owned a Taylor 214ce 5 years ago and I had to sell it due to unforeseen circumstances in my life at the time and I will tell you I’ve been kicking myself in the ass up until 3 days ago when I finally got the money to get my hands on one again. So basically, I’ve bought this guitar 2 times because I love this guitar and cherish it like none other. Matter of fact, I’ll take an ass beating by saying I like this guitar much more than all the other Taylor models period. I owned a Taylor 814ce which is a $3,500 guitar and it was a colossal disappointment compared to this Taylor 214ce. Yes, for me, the cheaper $1,000 guitar is better than their higher end models. In conclusion, but the damn guitar.Vic

This is my first Taylor guitar and what a guitar it is. The set up was to the tee right out of the box. A quick tune up and it was ready to play. The action is totally amazing and so easy to play whether regular or bar chords. As far as lead runs it is amazing and the tone and projection are out of this world especially for a guitar in this price range. I have a Martin, Guild, Fender,Luna,Briarwood acoustic electric guitars and this is my new favorite. Acoustic guitars all have their own special voice, some low and some high but the Taylor's is just about in the middle which is perfect for most of the music that I play. My brothers I jam with all want to take turns playing this guitar and have decided to invest in their own. Whether this is your first guitar or an addition to your collection, you can't go wrong . I would reccomend this guitar to anyone who loves to play a beautiful sounding instrument.Steven Card

I use the guitar mainly for practice. Currently I do not have a band or know any people personally to have jam sessions with but I truly cannot wait to play in a group or a band. The guitar overall sounds amazing with pretty bright tones. This guitar is great for fingerpicking style rather than strumming but it still sounds great for strumming. The pickups are fantastic on this guitar and have a great sounds connected to an amp as well. I simply love this guitar and would highly recommend for any chords that may require "thumb-overs" the neck feels nice and is really easy to wrap your hand around. I do not have anything bad to say about this guitar!Aaron, Chaser of Christ the Lord

There’s a lot of products, items, tangible man made things in this world, and most things I would give a 4 star rating TOPS! But this guitar? This damn Taylor 214ce guitar? Bro, it’s a no brainer. 5 stars all day through and through with no hesitation. Let me just say, if you are even remotely considering buying this guitar, I will tell you as a proud owner, just buy it and rip the band-aid. I promise you it will be 100% worth it and you will thank me later. I’ve actually owned a Taylor 214ce 5 years ago and I had to sell it due to unforeseen circumstances in my life at the time and I will tell you I’ve been kicking myself in the ass up until 3 days ago when I finally got the money to get my hands on one again. So basically, I’ve bought this guitar 2 times because I love this guitar and cherish it like none other. Matter of fact, I’ll take an ass beating by saying I like this guitar much more than all the other Taylor models period. I owned a Taylor 814ce which is a $3,500 guitar and it was a colossal disappointment compared to this Taylor 214ce. Yes, for me, the cheaper $1,000 guitar is better than their higher end models. In conclusion, but the damn guitar.Vic

This is my first Taylor guitar and what a guitar it is. The set up was to the tee right out of the box. A quick tune up and it was ready to play. The action is totally amazing and so easy to play whether regular or bar chords. As far as lead runs it is amazing and the tone and projection are out of this world especially for a guitar in this price range. I have a Martin, Guild, Fender,Luna,Briarwood acoustic electric guitars and this is my new favorite. Acoustic guitars all have their own special voice, some low and some high but the Taylor's is just about in the middle which is perfect for most of the music that I play. My brothers I jam with all want to take turns playing this guitar and have decided to invest in their own. Whether this is your first guitar or an addition to your collection, you can't go wrong . I would reccomend this guitar to anyone who loves to play a beautiful sounding instrument.Steven Card

So I first fell in love with the 314 ce koa special edition, I think they call it. All wood Koa back and sides with spruce top. Thing is, I didn't like the sunburst, which is how it comes. Played this 214ce K Dlx and loved the sound and the looks. This baby sings and she looks great. The sound is so close to the solid wood Koa back and sides that I really could not tell a difference. The guitar is built solid and it really shows. The set up was perfect which is unusual as I almost always have to head straight to the guitar shop for a set up. I never thought I would buy any guitar that was not solid wood, call me a snob if you will, but in the past the wood guitars just sounded so much better. Things have changed and Taylor's layered wood process is a real step up for guitars. To end this review, I would just say, play one and keep an open mind. I think you will really appreciate what a great guitar this is.Keith

Overall: I have had 2 Taylor's in the past 5 years. They always sound great. Back then I've bought the Taylor 224ce Koa deluxe twice in the past years. Even know I wanted to buy another one I wanted to save a little money this time and bought this Taylor 214ce deluxe with case. I wasn't real sure on how it would play and sound next to the higher end Taylor's I've had. I got it today and was amazed on how it fretted and played. The sound was awesome at the least. I started playing and the guitar took over. I got inspired and it took me back to where I want to play again. Very very happy with this guitar. You won't be disappointed if you are thinking about getting this guitar. All top notch.Robert

I have had my eye on this Taylor for well over a decade. For my 40th birthday (about 8 months ago), I wanted to treat myself to something nice, pulled the trigger, and boy did it blow my expectations all over the back wall. When I opened the box after delivery, it already had a perfect setup. Such a comfortable neck radius, and rich tones make fingerstyle sound angelic; chords ring out like a bell with unbelievable sustain for an acoustic. I think this guitar was possibly touched by the pope. Hands down, this is one of the nicest guitars I have played. Even compared to Taylor's at twice the price, in a blind test this won every time.Bryan Laz

After visiting my local Sam Ash in Huntington and playing this guitar numerous times, I finally pulled the trigger. It's not easy dropping close to 3 grand on a guitar. Loved it in the store but now that I have it home, I am amazed at the sounds that come out of this guitar. It's is big sounding guitar with the right amount of brightness and a warmth. The sustain is beautiful. The fretboard and all finishes are impeccable and very well thought out, right down to the black nut. Sounds great plugged into my Fender Accoustasonic amp. This is a big guitar and anyone looking to invest in a beautiful instrument that will make you want to keep picking it up should consider one. Whatever type of player you are, this guitar will keep you playing for hours on end. Cheers Rob GRob G

Overall: I walked into a Guitar Center in Tucson AZ and found the above guitar on the wall. I began to play this guitar and within 5 minutes, it just opened up and was a dream to play. I play Chet Atkins which sounded amazing, flatpick and this guitar was at the command of my fingers. It was so responsive and I had to adjust to how responsive it was. All I can say, this guitar was amazing. Unfortunately, they somehow lost power and the humidifier shut down and the guitar developed a crack on the top soundboard. It did not sound the same, however, I believe that after it is repaired correctly, it will sound amazing again. I have a very critical ear and even my wife could hear the difference when played before. I'm sorry for the individual above but I am sold on the V-class and can truly hear the difference. I just wanted to post my feelings on this matter. As for the strings, the Elixir's are the only ones I exclusively use and they sound amazing. When I get the money, the V-class will be my upgrade. Thanks and happy playing!!!Ron

I purchased 2 guitars. i don't know anything about guitars. The sales man showed me different guitars in various price ranges and let me strum them. He helped explain to me what i should listen for. He did not rush me at all. He was very patient and answered all my questions. I had to be at a hair appointment so i had to rush out and he helped get me out on time. It was overall a wonderful experience and i would highly recommend using Sam Ashe for your musical instrument purchases. I will certainly go back.LYNN

Boy, just got it today, absolutely love it. Can't wait to gig now. Nice companion for my Martin. So greatfull to have it, sounds really really great!!! Haven't played it through my amp yet, but I'm positive it will sound great,can't wait. This gal is going to get stroked alot. Again I'm totally blessed.Have to think of a fitting name.Paul

I've ordered many guitars from musicians friend over the years, never been disappointed. This is my second Taylor guitar, my first being a more expensive Taylor dreadnot style guitar. I couldn't pass up the koa for the price. This thing out of the box came with a great setup, and a phenomenal tone. It's very loud compared to my other Taylor, and delivers a serious punch when your strum. The sound is very bright with a good mid range. It does lack a little in the bass department but that's the sound I was looking for. Looks awesome in the gloss finish.Matt

I went to GC with the intent to purchase a Gibson j45 (the acoustic workhorse). So, I picked up the J 45 and played for a bit. But the Taylor Koa caught my eye. I then put down the Gibson and began playing the Taylor. Well, I couldn't put it down! The warmth of the lows, awesome midrange and sweet top end blew my ears away. I could not believe the sound. Also, it felt so very comfortable in my hand. I ran up and down the neck-single notes, scales, chords, arpeggios-all perfect frets-absent of buzz. I guess the intonation was perfect. No, it was not the same as the Gibson, but to my ear, it sounded much better AND was 1k cheaper. I could not believe it. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love Gibson guitars, but this Taylor Koa-oh man! Ultimately, I purchased it (after spending about 2 hours playing it in the acoustic room)-yea, sorry for that. Anyway, you WILL NOT be disappointed when playing this guitar. Aesthetically, it is also beautiful-which initially caught my eye. But, as we all know as musicians and guitar players…it's what a guitar sounds and feels like that makes us buy a guitar-for the most part. This one has it all! Stunned.Will

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

I've been playing guitar for over 40 years, and I've owned many over the decades. However, when my son was born, I hung up my gig bag, sold off most of my equipment, and focused on raising a fine young man. He's now 12, has taken an interest in singing, and for being self taught, he's pretty good. I felt this was the perfect father/son bonding activity, so I purchased this beautiful new Taylor 214ce Plus Grand Auditorium so he and I could collaborate on songs together. I've owned this guitar for just over a week now, and I couldn't be happier. It's been more than a decade since I've owned an acoustic guitar, but having played for so many years, I've developed a taste for quality instruments, so a cheaply made guitar simply wasn't going to do. I must say, this Taylor 214ce Plus plays like butter. Right out of the included Taylor quality made case, this instrument plays and sounds like a fine instrument should. A slight bit of stretching and break-in on the new strings, and it plays and sounds amazing both unplugged and plugged into my amp. I love the location and quality feel of the controls. You can really dial in the perfect balanced tone. The action on this guitar is absolutely perfect and so easy on the fingers, which I really appreciate since I'm building back those finger calluses from scratch. The action is just as easy on the 12th fret as it is on the 2nd fret. The tone of this guitar is so bright, rich and full bodied that it truly delivers that "WOW" factor when you hear it for the first time. What's more, it looks every bit as amazing as it feels and sounds. The high gloss finish is absolutely beautiful. I looked this instrument over in every detail, and I can't find a single flaw anywhere. It's as if someone really took great pride in their work and took their time to make certain they were turning out perfection. I've never before seen such quality from a mass produced instrument. I'm about to have both of my knees replaced in a couple of weeks, so it looks like I'll be laid up for the better part of the summer. I figured what better way to spend my time than getting my guitar chops back up to par; and what a pleasure it's going to be doing so on this beautiful sounding work of art. In writing this review I almost wish I could supply you with some CONS, to at least make the review seem less sappy, but I honestly can't find a single downside to this instrument. NOT ONE! Lastly I am also very grateful to American Musical Supply for providing payment options for those of us on a budget. They've allowed me to own such a quality instrument, when given the current economic climate, I otherwise wouldn't have been able to. So, kudos to Taylor for making such amazing instruments, and to AMS for making them available for every budget.Ryan L (Queen Creek, Arizona)

I’m not the biggest acoustic player in the world, but I have tried quite a few out over the years and I find this to be very nice for the price. Nice even sound, could use a little more bass but plugged in it sounds even better. Action is a touch high for me, but I guess that can be remedied. I love the gig bag it comes in, very sturdy! I prefer it to a hard case. For how I play, I lean more towards Taylors, so maybe I’m a bit biased but I really like this guitar.Joey

My first Taylor guitar. Still learning to play. I had a Martin OMC-X1E and checked out some guitars. I tried out the Taylor 214CE Plus and there was no turning back. Much easier to play bar chords than the Martin. Sounds bright and crisp. Very nice resonance. Beautiful guitar all around. My experience at Sam Ash was top notch. They helped with my requests 100%. Will return for future purchases.Lucky