Taylor Nylon String Guitar For Sale (2024 Update)

I was a bit hesitant to purchase an item openly advertised as scratch and dent. After watching the video of the guitar being played I decided to take a chance. The website was open and up-front about the damage to the latches on the guitar case and mentioned no other defects. Much to my surprise there were ABSOLUTELY NO OTHER DEFECTS. The guitar looks and plays like it is brand new. I've wanted a Taylor Nylon String Classical ever since my arthritis kicked in, so that I can play with less pain in my fingers. I was not disappointed. I got a great guitar at a great price.Helpyourselfmusic

Overall: I say cudos to Taylor , great guitar , flawless quality , realistic sounding pickup , plays like the wind . I'm a novice singer songwriter that plays piano and guitar , mostly soft rock . This guitar is a great addition to my studio . I run it through a dbx 266 to control the parameters to a vintage amp with an 8 inch which I will later replace with an AER . It sounds great for pretty music . I 'd also like to say cudos to zZounds for great service and without the payment plan I couldn't have swung the guitar . At least not without fear of divorce .Scott

Sound: I can (& have) played a variety of styles & this guitar has never disappointed – as long you keep reasonable strings on it! Features: Excellent craftsmanship (including wood choice) but, at this Price-point (the cost being the only reason I gave it 4.5 "Value"), always wished Taylor would add a GOOD internal, on-board, Tuner. Ease of Use: Being a Veteran Sound Engineer, I never have to "help" the natural sound of this 814ce-N – just capture it honestly like any fine Instrument! Quality: VERY well-made for all 3 of my Taylors, spanning 5 years each! Value: Yes, if you consider reliability (all 3 of my Taylors have perfect for years of Stage/Studio/Writing/Jamming.) + RESALE value – a fine Investment that resells high Manufacturer Support: Yes, Taylor sent me replacement Case latches for 2 of my Taylors, free including shipping years after I bought them! Overall: 50 Year Guitarist (Acoustic & Electric + Bass): Having owned/played countless guitars, I own a Standard-size, Vintage Classical but yearned for the playability, full bass & projection of my Taylor 816ce (& 456ce 12 string) with Nylon tonality & the Finger-picking-friendly Neck of my Classical. The Answer? THIS 814ce-N! Add Taylor craftsmanship, Lifetime Warrantee, Inspiring playability & zZounds Customer Service & it was an easy decision I've never regretted over past 2 years since I bought this. Studio recording is a dream – simply capture it's tonal Reality & you're There! (no compensating needed & I've engineered 2,000+ sessions, including World-class Classical Guitarists)Gary

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

Purchased this guitar in December of 2019. Total for guitar, hard case (extra), 2 yrs of maintenance, and tax came to < $900. The guitar was purchased for my 11yo son who has been taking guitar lessons for about a year and is developing a repertoire in classical and flamenco musical styles. Prior to this, my son was using a simple < $200 starter guitar. But because of his interest and development throughout the year (we rarely have to ask him to practice; he does it on his own), we decided to purchase this guitar as a next step up. We tried a number of guitars, including Cordoba, and from various sellers prior to purchasing this particular guitar. It came down to this model and another model from Cordoba. At this point, my son's guitar teacher (who has been playing professionally for 35+ years) volunteered to visit the store and help with our final selection. We decided on this model because of its sound (very important that *you* like the sound of *your* guitar!) and it is extremely light-weight. Additional features include a built-in tuner, amplifier pick-up (so you can connect to an amplifier if you wish) and has guitar strap connectors. Finally, a particular and unique feature of this guitar is the small bevel where your playing arm rests on the guitar. My son appreciates this simple and unobtrusive feature which allows him to rest his arm on the base of the guitar without the guitar edge digging into his forearm. I highly recommend that you consider this guitar in your selection process!ED

I just bought this instrument and the first impression was good. Good looking guitar, and sounds good enough if you want to practice with no amplification at your home. Then in the studio of the Guitar Center of Tyler, they allowed me to taste the electronics of the guitar while amplified, and it surprised me in a positive way. So it works good in those two ways… acoustic and amplified.Pablo

I have missed having a classical type guitar having given up my previous one that I never seemed to bond with. Checked out the Taylor on the wall, was satisfied and just thought to ask if there was another in the back. There was and that is the one. For an inexpensive guitar, this is perfect. It's is all I need. I looks and feels great.JB

Purchased this guitar in December of 2019. Total for guitar, hard case (extra), 2 yrs of maintenance, and tax came to < $900. The guitar was purchased for my 11yo son who has been taking guitar lessons for about a year and is developing a repertoire in classical and flamenco musical styles. Prior to this, my son was using a simple < $200 starter guitar. But because of his interest and development throughout the year (we rarely have to ask him to practice; he does it on his own), we decided to purchase this guitar as a next step up. We tried a number of guitars, including Cordoba, and from various sellers prior to purchasing this particular guitar. It came down to this model and another model from Cordoba. At this point, my son's guitar teacher (who has been playing professionally for 35+ years) volunteered to visit the store and help with our final selection. We decided on this model because of its sound (very important that *you* like the sound of *your* guitar!) and it is extremely light-weight. Additional features include a built-in tuner, amplifier pick-up (so you can connect to an amplifier if you wish) and has guitar strap connectors. Finally, a particular and unique feature of this guitar is the small bevel where your playing arm rests on the guitar. My son appreciates this simple and unobtrusive feature which allows him to rest his arm on the base of the guitar without the guitar edge digging into his forearm. I highly recommend that you consider this guitar in your selection process!ED

I just bought this instrument and the first impression was good. Good looking guitar, and sounds good enough if you want to practice with no amplification at your home. Then in the studio of the Guitar Center of Tyler, they allowed me to taste the electronics of the guitar while amplified, and it surprised me in a positive way. So it works good in those two ways… acoustic and amplified.Pablo

I have missed having a classical type guitar having given up my previous one that I never seemed to bond with. Checked out the Taylor on the wall, was satisfied and just thought to ask if there was another in the back. There was and that is the one. For an inexpensive guitar, this is perfect. It's is all I need. I looks and feels great.JB

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

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

Nice sound, good sustain. Thought the neck profile was a bit chunky, presumed it wouldn't be as they call it a hybrid. Have small hands.graham l.

I use this guitar at home or in church . I have yet to play out again with others . It's a great guitar to cross over from an acoustic guitar with steel strings .Alex

An extraordinarily well designed and made guitar. The scale is a bit shorter than most guitars so it's easier to play, the bevel on the body makes it more comfortable to play, the fit and finish is perfect. It sounds good acoustically and plugged in. Really nice for finger style, and surprisingly good with a light pick. The back and sides are layered Sapele wood, the top is solid Sitka. The neck is maple. The tuners keep it in tune. I've played quite a few smaller body guitars in my 4 decades of playing, and this one is right at the top of the list along with Martin 00 and 000 models. It's not only for students, its just a really good guitar.Boomer

I had been looking for a reasonably priced mid-range acoustic guitar. In most of the reviews I read they said that the Taylor Academy was a great "beginners" guitar. I have to say this is an incredible guitar all around and works well for any level of guitar player. Absolutely loved being able to go into the Sam Ash store and look at the guitar. It was already setup perfect and the staff was super friendly. Would definitely recommend both Taylor guitars and Sam Ash to anyone!bcsman

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

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

I have been playing this awhile, and recently went back to Guitar Center to try some more expensive Taylors. I walked out liking my Academy even better! Guitars 2x and 3x the price don't play better, or feel better. That bevel for the strumming arm is noticeably absent when playing other guitars. My neck is as good or better than the other Taylors I played. I have to admit the one with Koa wood is a richer sound, but the guitar didn't play as well (in my opinion) so I stuck with my Academy. Oh, and one of the more expensive guitars wouldn't stay in tune (felt like cheaper tuners). The Acadamy guitar sounds bright, and loud, which is not my preference, but it plays sooooo good that I can stick with it.Arcticfox

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

OK, I got mine 5 or 6 years ago, because my arthritis was making steel string acoustics too difficult. The slightly wider neck and nylon strings have extended my career. I use it two ways, first, it's great for solo work, fingerstyle. I also play it with a pick, for jazzy and Willie Nelson country style. There's little feedback at normal volume, and it has a great tone. Just played out with it, and got many compliments on the sound.TGB

The picture on the AMS website doesn’t do the guitar justice, as it’s much more beautiful than that! The tuners are typical Godin proprietary, as they look good, and are smooth and stable in operation. I play with many alternative tunings, and am very happy with their smooth use. When running straight through my Roland Jazz Chorus 40, I can get any sound I expect from it. Hopefully, I’ll be able to get a GR-55 soon to experiment with all the synth sounds! With the exception of the heavy total weight, this guitar is perfect for my use.John K.

I've been Jonesin' for a nylon string guitar to add to my arsenal. I tried several, but the thing that I kept coming back to was the intonation issues inherent in a traditional design. So, I started looking for a nylon string that had different compensation on the saddle pieces. I came across this Godin, and since I already have two 13-pin synth access guitars, this seemed like a perfect match. When it arrived, I was surprised to find that it's actually a solid body guitar with some chambering. I mean, I knew it was a slim body, but I thought it was a slim hollow body. In retrospect, this has some advantages and some disadvantages… First of all, this is NOT the guitar that you're going to grab to sit around the campfire with your friends. It's as loud as a normal electric guitar that's not plugged in. The advantage, of course, is that you can jack this up as loud as you please in performance without worrying about body howl type feedback.Doug

An extraordinarily well designed and made guitar. The scale is a bit shorter than most guitars so it's easier to play, the bevel on the body makes it more comfortable to play, the fit and finish is perfect. It sounds good acoustically and plugged in. Really nice for finger style, and surprisingly good with a light pick. The back and sides are layered Sapele wood, the top is solid Sitka. The neck is maple. The tuners keep it in tune. I've played quite a few smaller body guitars in my 4 decades of playing, and this one is right at the top of the list along with Martin 00 and 000 models. It's not only for students, its just a really good guitar.Boomer

I had been looking for a reasonably priced mid-range acoustic guitar. In most of the reviews I read they said that the Taylor Academy was a great "beginners" guitar. I have to say this is an incredible guitar all around and works well for any level of guitar player. Absolutely loved being able to go into the Sam Ash store and look at the guitar. It was already setup perfect and the staff was super friendly. Would definitely recommend both Taylor guitars and Sam Ash to anyone!bcsman

Purchased this guitar in December of 2019. Total for guitar, hard case (extra), 2 yrs of maintenance, and tax came to < $900. The guitar was purchased for my 11yo son who has been taking guitar lessons for about a year and is developing a repertoire in classical and flamenco musical styles. Prior to this, my son was using a simple < $200 starter guitar. But because of his interest and development throughout the year (we rarely have to ask him to practice; he does it on his own), we decided to purchase this guitar as a next step up. We tried a number of guitars, including Cordoba, and from various sellers prior to purchasing this particular guitar. It came down to this model and another model from Cordoba. At this point, my son's guitar teacher (who has been playing professionally for 35+ years) volunteered to visit the store and help with our final selection. We decided on this model because of its sound (very important that *you* like the sound of *your* guitar!) and it is extremely light-weight. Additional features include a built-in tuner, amplifier pick-up (so you can connect to an amplifier if you wish) and has guitar strap connectors. Finally, a particular and unique feature of this guitar is the small bevel where your playing arm rests on the guitar. My son appreciates this simple and unobtrusive feature which allows him to rest his arm on the base of the guitar without the guitar edge digging into his forearm. I highly recommend that you consider this guitar in your selection process!ED

I just bought this instrument and the first impression was good. Good looking guitar, and sounds good enough if you want to practice with no amplification at your home. Then in the studio of the Guitar Center of Tyler, they allowed me to taste the electronics of the guitar while amplified, and it surprised me in a positive way. So it works good in those two ways… acoustic and amplified.Pablo

I have missed having a classical type guitar having given up my previous one that I never seemed to bond with. Checked out the Taylor on the wall, was satisfied and just thought to ask if there was another in the back. There was and that is the one. For an inexpensive guitar, this is perfect. It's is all I need. I looks and feels great.JB

This guitar is a lot of fun. I have played for a long time, and owned many guitars including some higher-end Taylor acoustics. Due to issues with my elbow, I didn't think that I would be able to play an acoustic guitar again. This nylon string guitar, however, doesn't aggravate my elbow and is super fun to play. It has a great sound for the money. Highly recommended.Dave S.

It's not cheap but it also doesn't feel cheap. Quality materials and construction. Sounds beautiful with the included steel strings but also with nylon strings. Intended as a learning guitar.dcchristopher

I feel confident that I was recommended the right guitar for my level of experience. I was also given time by myself to make a decision, which was helpful. Someone was always available for questions and I didn't feel overwhelmed. The quality of the guitar is excellent.Megan

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 wanted a regular size Taylor 12 string to add to my collection. Most of today's higher end Taylor 12 strings are little with a short necks. David (on line support at Sam Ash) suggested i try the 254ce. He said he had played it personally and it was a great guitar. I'm glad I listened. Right out of the box it played smooth and easy and had a great sound. It won't even need to be "set up" like many of my guitars, it's fine just as it is. Sometimes you don't need to spend a lot to get a great playing guitar.Rackon23

The 254ce 12-string is a well put together, nicely done instrument. Nobody in the business does their necks as nicely. This is my 4th acoustic 12 – 2 Fenders, a Villager, and a Shenandoah accompanied me to Vietnam (one for each tour), the third a high-end Guild. I like this one best. These days, I play for my own enjoyment, the guitar will be played at home, exclusively. This is my second Taylor, the other a 210e DLX. I use a Fender Acoustasonic 40.Mr DPR

This guitar is a lot of fun. I have played for a long time, and owned many guitars including some higher-end Taylor acoustics. Due to issues with my elbow, I didn't think that I would be able to play an acoustic guitar again. This nylon string guitar, however, doesn't aggravate my elbow and is super fun to play. It has a great sound for the money. Highly recommended.Dave S.

It's not cheap but it also doesn't feel cheap. Quality materials and construction. Sounds beautiful with the included steel strings but also with nylon strings. Intended as a learning guitar.dcchristopher

I feel confident that I was recommended the right guitar for my level of experience. I was also given time by myself to make a decision, which was helpful. Someone was always available for questions and I didn't feel overwhelmed. The quality of the guitar is excellent.Megan

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