One of the best instruments in its class, the Taylor 814CE stands apart as a world-class instrument, versatile and well-balanced.
When Bob Taylor introduced bolt-on necks onto the guitars that bear his name, it's safe to say that the bulk of the guitar community thought he was out of his mind. This isn't surprising, since the guitar community as a whole is pretty conservative when it comes to guitar gear, and conventional wisdom maintained that a guitar's acoustic sound would be ruined by disregarding convention.
What ultimately happened with Bob Taylor and his new-fangled guitar? Well, as you can probably guess, the proof was in the sound and in the playing. People actually got their hands on his guitars and the skeptics learned that Taylor knew a thing or two about building guitars. To this day, Taylor is one of the most respected guitar builders in existence. They currently produce dozens of different models, none being more beloved than the 814CE.
Features
The 814CE is built with a solid Sitka spruce top and a rosewood back and sides. Taylor uses ebony for both the fingerboard and the bridge and sports gold-plated tuners and gold buttons. The binding is maple and the fretboard is adorned with mother-of-pearl fretboard inlays and an abalone rosette. Taylor's Expression System electronics are standard.
Performance
The 814CE is likely the company's most versatile guitar, which is no small statement. The wood choice helps determine this versatility. From a purely aesthetic point of view, the Taylor 814CE might be one of the most attractive production-level guitars you'll ever see. Taylor has certainly made a beautiful guitar.
Of course, an attractive guitar is only really attractive if it plays and sounds well, too. How does the 814CE measure up in that area? Very well, to say the least. Taylor guitars are known for their playability, and the 814CE measures up in this regard as well. Its action is comparable to many electric guitars.
It doesn't matter if you're playing lead lines or doing rhythm work, the 814CE plays like a dream and sounds good with fingerpicking or flatpicking.
The Taylor sounds great when you play it acoustically, but it really sounds world-class when you plug it in. Guitar pickup systems are a dime a dozen, but the Taylor Expression System (ES) really stands out from the crowd.
It only has three controls, but the Taylor ES nonetheless is a very versatile system, regardless of the amplification system you use (acoustic amp, PA, and so forth). Whomever named this the "Expression System" was definitely on the money. This system does an excellent job in translating the beautiful sounds and intricate nuances of the Tyalor 814CE.
The Bottom Line
One of the best instruments in its class, the Taylor 814CE stands apart as a world-class instrument, versatile and well-balanced. This is a guitar that you could use on stage or in the studio. When you combine its amazing tonal versatility with its playability, you've got a sure-fire winner.
Name of Gear: Taylor 814CE
List Price: $4,058.00
Manufacturer Info: Taylor Guitars; taylorguitars.com
Pros: Impeccable build quality; solid playability; very versatile
Cons: None
Taylor 814CE
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