Taylor 310Ce Acoustic Electric Guitar For Sale (Jan 2023 Update)

This guitar model virtually always features in the number one or number two spot of all rankings for 'The Best Guitars to Learn On', usually along with one or two other models from the Taylor brand and I can entirely understand why. Specifically, it exceptionally well constructed, with a great tone, and no quirks that make it anything other than just a great pleasure to play either at home on one's own or out in sessions. If you are learning the guitar, it would be difficult to think of any better model on which to do it, given these qualities, and the added benedfit is that it is of such a high standard that you can use it all the way through your musical life, as it equally valid for professional performances.Simon W.

This is my first guitar. I am just beginning to learn. I had a sales associate play a number of different acoustic guitars and I also sat an held and played 1-2 chords with various guitars. This guitar sounded the best in the price range and was by far the most comfortable to play!Troy

Bought this 2013 model in late 2018 in like new pre-owned condition with Original Taylor hardshell for $600 shipped. It was listed at $1200 msrp in 2013 but available elsewhere new for $999. The 214ce replaced this discontinued model. Looks like it was played twice and stored until sold. More impressed with the aesthetics than I thought Id be. The rosewood layers are lovely, the top is crisp and the binding is solid. The neck is perfect for my smaller hands and the cutaway offers excellent access to squeeze out some extra notes. The electronics seem okay. I had lots of feedback on my first plugin but some adjustments will fix that, or maybe a soundhole plug. Other than that the sound and intonation is excellent, though the non-ampd volume isnt as loud as a GS or GA model. Fresh strings and a heavier primetone pick should help that. The original Taylor HS case was a nice surprise, $200 retail.copydoc

I love this guitar. The sound is bright and clear and it's so much fun to play. Excellent quality as well. Taylor make quality guitars at every price. I had a Martin D-18 and I liked this more. I know…sounds crazy, but it's true. I bought a Taylor 414ce because I liked this Taylor so much, but again…the 210ce was more fun to play. Go try this guitar. You will be pleasantly surprised.NotTommyE

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

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

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’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.

This guitar model virtually always features in the number one or number two spot of all rankings for 'The Best Guitars to Learn On', usually along with one or two other models from the Taylor brand and I can entirely understand why. Specifically, it exceptionally well constructed, with a great tone, and no quirks that make it anything other than just a great pleasure to play either at home on one's own or out in sessions. If you are learning the guitar, it would be difficult to think of any better model on which to do it, given these qualities, and the added benedfit is that it is of such a high standard that you can use it all the way through your musical life, as it equally valid for professional performances.Simon W.

This is my first guitar. I am just beginning to learn. I had a sales associate play a number of different acoustic guitars and I also sat an held and played 1-2 chords with various guitars. This guitar sounded the best in the price range and was by far the most comfortable to play!Troy

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

This guitar model virtually always features in the number one or number two spot of all rankings for 'The Best Guitars to Learn On', usually along with one or two other models from the Taylor brand and I can entirely understand why. Specifically, it exceptionally well constructed, with a great tone, and no quirks that make it anything other than just a great pleasure to play either at home on one's own or out in sessions. If you are learning the guitar, it would be difficult to think of any better model on which to do it, given these qualities, and the added benedfit is that it is of such a high standard that you can use it all the way through your musical life, as it equally valid for professional performances.Simon W.

This is my first guitar. I am just beginning to learn. I had a sales associate play a number of different acoustic guitars and I also sat an held and played 1-2 chords with various guitars. This guitar sounded the best in the price range and was by far the most comfortable to play!Troy

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

So far so great. This is my second Taylor ( 2008 914ce is my other) and I really love it. I have played twelve string acoustic and electric for decades but never had an American made acoustic. Compared to my other 12 strings, Epiphone and Yamaha, this feels like playing a six string. The action is great. It is not as loud as bigger acoustics but that is a good thing because it brings out all the strings and their nuance better. It sounds great with or without amplification.ktrip

This is an amazing, high quality instrument. The guitar is easy to play for a 12 string. It's resonant and responds to picking attack very well. Digging in a bit and using my picking hand for percussion on the top is very satisfying! The top is lively and there's lots of sustain. The set up seemed almost too good to be true. This is a precision built, beautiful 12 string guitar. I'm glad I took a chance and bought it. I think it's a great value for the money.Mandolin Player

The Taylor 352CE 12 string is an awesome guitar. Well made and easy to play with great sound. If your looking for a 12 string acoustic guitar, this is the one you want.1swenson

I went into GC looking for a Martin 000-, mostly because I wanted something that had a different sound and feel than my current Taylor (Big Baby), I didn't want anything as large as a dreadnaught and I had researched the bejesus out of Martins. I made many trips to our local GCs trying out the 000-18, 000-15m, a 000-28EC and others. But I just couldn't find anything that screamed "buy me". I was purposefully ignoring any Taylors because, again, I wanted a different sound. But then I saw this Taylor 324ce V-class hanging on the wall. At the time I wasn't aware of what the V-class even referred to. I tried it out and couldn't put it down. It's just one of those guitars that has a magic feel and sound – at least to my fingers and ears. If you don't like the bright tones often associated with Taylor guitars, give this one a try. It's hard to describe, but the tones are nicely balanced and "rounded" – I assume because of the mahogany. The bass strings are much more pronounced and more sustained than on the Martin 000-15m (mahogany). If you believe the claims from Taylor this might be due to the V-bracing. I don't know. All I know is that I'll never sell this guitar.KevinH

I walked in to the Guitar center in Houston while in town for a Soccer tournament. I had no plans to buy a guitar that day but was interested in hearing the sound of a Taylor with the new V Class bracing. There were several people in the acoustic room so I asked them to listen to several guitars including comparable Gibsons, Martins, and other Taylors. Thought they all sounded great, the 324CE stood out in the mix. I always preferred a deeper richer acoustic tone ( Like Martin or Collings) But with the Mahogany top and Malaysian Blackwood, you get a great rich base tone and the Taylor shimmering highs. The V Class bracing added to the sustain ( not a much as I heard) but the notes in the upper register rang out better. Needless to say I walked out with a new guitar to add to the stable. Highly recommended.Austin Songwriter

This guitar is most definitely a Taylor. It's beautiful, sturdy as all get-out, well constructed, and has the bright and powerful tone that had made Taylor the industry giant that they are. Every guitar brand has a "mid-grade professional acoustic" in this price range, and I'd put this guitar in the top 10-15% of those guitars. It sounds great plugged in and it will absolutely accomplish any recording or live performance needs a guitarist has. That being said, it's not the most exciting guitar to play. Of the five acoustics hanging in my music room right now (please excuse the "sick brag" here — the others being a Gibson L-00, Martin 000-17E, Breedlove Oregon Myrtlewood Concertina, and Breedlove Premier Adirondack/Rosewood Concert) this is the guitar that I pick up to play the least often. It is heavy and the neck is pretty bulky for a Taylor. I have found that I play my kid's Big Baby Taylor much more often than this one. That guitar feels more soulful than the 324ce. Maybe this one is just too pristine and "clean" and doesn't feel as enticing to grab and rock out with? Maybe it's the Grand Auditorium size that makes it less fun to play? I don't know for sure, but it's mostly a decorative piece at this point. My post-rant disclaimer: This guitar is great and sounds great, and my own personal disinterest in it shouldn't be anyone's guide on whether or not to purchase it. If you want a large, bulky guitar to produce loud, clear sound then this might be the guitar for you. If you want something that is fun to play, there are other Taylor models (many of them cheaper) that outperform in that area. There are also lots of other brands who are doing more interesting things right now, and I'd personally recommend checking other options out before throwing down the cash for this one.Tyler, H

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

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

This was my first "expensive" guitar. I don't have a ton of experience, but the best I can say is that this guitar is bright like a Taylor but has some of the deep tone of a Martin on the low end. My more experienced buddies say this guitar is a perfect mixture of the two brands.James

I was originally interested in the Gibson Hummingbird Pro, but It didn't sound as good as many of the Taylors that I checked out. Then I found the Taylor 710e. It has such a beautiful voice and a beautiful finish to go along. I bought it and I am very happy. I feel like it sounds more beautiful every time I play it. The Expression System 2 is amazingly true. It sounds great plugged direct without help from effects. This is my first Taylor. This was definitely a good buy.Andy

I've only had the 710ce a short time, but it is an incredible instrument. Mine is the L9, which is a short scale and that makes it easier on the fingers. It also has an Engelmann spruce top and rosewood back and sides, and does it sing! These are not cheap guitars, so make sure you're ready. Tone, sustain and playability are second to no other acoustic. Mine also has the Taylor expression system and came with the factory hard case. I believe anyone that loves and plays an acoustic guitar will absolutely love the 710ce.guitarmandodger

I did alot of research to find the best acoustic for around $600. I wanted a quality name guitar with a good sound that wouldn't break the bank and the Taylor academy 10e was it! I tried Martin's, guilds and a few other brands. I did have the saddle shaved a millimeter or so to bring down the action (a piece of sandpaper is all you need). Came with a nice gig bag. The neck by the nut is not as wide as other acoustics but bigger than an electric, a nice spec. The back is bowed, similar to a guild body. Bottom line, I enjoy it and would buy again.Chris C.

I really like this little guy. Plays really easy and sounds great. My wife is using it while I teach her and I'd say it's exactly how they describe it for beginners. I personally prefer the sound of my mahogany Guild overall, but this one fits in well for certain things I do. If you can afford it as a beginner this guitar is definitely a no brainer.John

The Academy 10e is a great guitar for a novice guitarist. I attempted playing guitar with a hand-me-down guitar once before. The finger pain and poor sound made it difficult for me to stick with it. I have had the Academy 10e for a month and I can't put it down. I find myself learning with ease.Jimmy

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

You absolutely MUST try this guitar before you buy anything else. This is so much better than the Martin guitars. Even if this had cost as much as a Martin, I would have still bought this Taylor over the Martin. And, the best thing is this cost less than half of the Martin! I am SO glad the salesman suggested I try this Taylor before making up my mind. This Taylor guitar has one of the best necks and fret boards that I've ever played. The quality is amazing on this guitar. This puts to shame the Martin models that I tried.Old Guys Rock!

I owned and played a Martin for the past 5 years, owned Takamines, Breedloves… and have been happy with my guitars. I played a Taylor once at a show live and wasn't impressed with the way it sounded so I always just kept my distance from them. I played a writers round a few months ago and heard a Gibson J-45 next to my Martin and was like…"wow thats nice". So I went into Guitar Center to test one out next to my Martin DCPA4r. While waiting for them to open the case, I picked up a Taylor 201e and began playing it. I WAS BLOWN AWAY. I plugged into the Amp and the sound was unlike any guitar I had heard before. I I cannot express how pleased I am with this guitar. The ES-T Pickup system is leaps and bounds beyond anything else I plugged in. It is crisp, clean, and has a natural sound. I played it live last night for the first time and had numerous comments about how great it sounded. Even my tone deaf wife was blown away This will be the guitar I retire with. Affordable, and well worth your time to at least do the same thing I did and compare it with others.Robert

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