Introduction
Taylor Guitars has established itself as one of the premier acoustic guitar manufacturers in the world, known for impeccable craftsmanship and innovative design. The Taylor 914ce represents the pinnacle of their Grand Auditorium body style, which strikes a perfect balance of volume, articulation, and comfort. This acoustic-electric model combines the latest advancements in Taylor’s V-Class bracing with their expert selection of tonewoods, appointments, and electronics.
The 914ce immediately stands out in Taylor’s lineup with its elegant aesthetics and incredible attention to detail. Visually, it evokes Taylor’s renowned style with its shimmering body bindings, grained ivoroid pickguard, and stylish soundhole rosette. But beyond the beauty, the 914ce leverages Taylor’s most advanced techniques and materials to achieve superb acoustic tone and playing comfort. The V-Class bracing provides more stability and vibration control for optimal resonance across the tonal spectrum. Combined with premium solid wood tonewoods, this guitar sings with exceptional projection, sustain, and tonal balance. Whether playing live, in the studio, or at home, the 914ce delivers the exceptional tone and playability that discerning musicians expect from a Taylor.
Specifications and Features
The Taylor 914ce features the brand’s renowned Grand Auditorium body shape, providing a versatile and balanced platform for fingerstyle playing and light strumming. It has a total length of 20 inches, width of 16 inches, and depth of 4 5/8 inches.
At the heart of the 914ce is Taylor’s innovative V-Class bracing system. This non-parallel bracing pattern is engineered for optimal resonance and sustain, allowing the guitar’s top to vibrate freely. It gives the 914ce a clear and open tone with impressive projection.
For the top wood, Taylor selected solid Sitka spruce, which is known for its balanced tone, crisp articulation, and rich overtones. The back and sides are made from Indian rosewood, which contributes to a warm, deep bass and excellent note separation.
The neck features an ebony fingerboard and bridge, providing crisp note definition and bright treble tones. The nut and saddle are made from Tusq, an advanced synthetic material designed to enhance sustain and clarity.
Gotoh 510 gold tuners keep the 914ce in tune reliably during performances. These sealed-back tuners minimize friction for smooth and accurate tuning response.
The 914ce comes equipped with Taylor’s ES2 pickup system, featuring three uniquely positioned and individually adjustable sensors to capture the guitar’s entire tonal range. The onboard preamp provides tone shaping via bass, mid, and treble controls.
Visually, the 914ce has an elegant and refined aesthetic. It comes in a shaded edgeburst finish, with subtle dark edges that frame the spruce top. The pickguard has an asymmetrical pearloid outline, complementing the rosette and binding.
Tonewoods and Construction
The 914ce utilizes premium tonewoods selected for their exceptional acoustic properties and natural beauty. The solid Sitka spruce top is revered for its balanced and articulate tone, with crisp highs, warm lows, and rich overtones. Sitka spruce is a versatile tonewood that works well for both fingerstyle playing and energetic strumming.
The back and sides are constructed from solid Indian rosewood, which imparts a deep, complex resonance while still retaining excellent clarity in the mids and highs. The rosewood’s three-dimensional qualities add depth and character to each note. Visually, the dark rosewood back and sides provide an elegant contrast to the light spruce top.
At the heart of the 914ce is Taylor’s V-Class bracing system. This proprietary bracing design allows the top to freely vibrate and project without choking the sustain. Notes sing with remarkable clarity and separation. Intonation is excellent up and down the neck thanks to the harmonically-tuned bracing. The V-Class system is a prime example of Taylor’s continuous innovation in acoustic guitar construction.
From the impeccable bookmatching of the tonewoods to the immaculate finishing touches, it’s clear this guitar was crafted by master luthiers. Each 914ce is inspected and set up to exacting standards before leaving Taylor’s factory in California. Owners can expect many years of top-tier performance thanks to the excellent build quality and attention to detail. The 914ce is built to be passed down for generations.
Playability and Feel
The Taylor 914ce has a smooth and comfortable neck profile that makes playing the guitar a breeze. The neck has a slim C-shape that provides just the right amount of thickness and contour for optimal playability. Whether you have small hands or large hands, you’ll find that your fingers move effortlessly up and down the ebony fingerboard.
The action on the 914ce is set exceptionally well from the factory. There is just the right amount of space between the strings and fretboard to allow for easy pressing down of notes without buzzing. String tension is nicely balanced across all six strings, so you don’t have to work harder to play any one string. This makes both fingerpicking and strumming a delight on the 914ce.
When playing the guitar, you’ll immediately notice how responsive it is. Notes ring out clearly and there is a robust dynamic range. Subtle variations in your pick attack or finger pressure are accurately conveyed in the tone and volume of each note. The 914ce is a highly expressive instrument that excels at translating your playing nuances.
In terms of comfort and ergonomics, the Grand Auditorium body shape hugs the body nicely and is well balanced. The cutaway allows easy access to the upper frets. At around 4 lbs 8 oz, the 914ce has a pleasing lightweight feel that avoids neck dive or fatigue during extended playing sessions. The smooth neck and contoured body make this a guitar you can comfortably play for hours on end.
Overall, the 914ce offers exceptional playability right out of the box. From the slim neck profile to the dialed-in action to the expressive response, this is a guitar built for effortless and enjoyable playing.
Electronics and Controls
The Taylor 914ce comes equipped with the Fishman Prefix Stereo Blend pickup and preamp system, providing natural acoustic amplification along with flexible tone shaping options. This proprietary system utilizes a pair of undersaddle piezo pickups, with one positioned under the bass side and one under the treble side of the bridge.
The Prefix preamp has volume, bass, mid, and treble controls for dialing in your amplified tone. There’s also a contour control that scoops or boosts the midrange, allowing you to achieve a balanced sound when plugged in. A phase switch helps eliminate feedback, allowing for confident live performance without sacrificing your original acoustic tone.
One of the Prefix Stereo Blend’s key features is the ability to blend the stereo piezo pickups in real time using a slider control. This allows you to adjust the width and spatial characteristics of your amplified sound. From rich mono tones to shimmering stereo ambience, the blending options let you craft a customized amplified voice.
The preamp is powered by a 9V battery, accessible via a compartment on the guitar’s side. Battery life is excellent, providing over 100 hours of use before needing replacement. The Prefix preamp also has a tuner out and ground lift for quiet operation when plugging into different audio equipment.
Overall, the Fishman Prefix Stereo Blend system gives the 914ce stage-ready amplified performance while retaining the nuances of its all-solid-wood acoustic voice. The flexible tone controls and phase switching allow you to tame feedback and craft your ideal live sound. It’s a robust system optimized for the 914ce’s design and tonal character.
Special Editions and Limited Run Models
Taylor offers several limited edition and special run models of the 914ce that feature unique specifications and appointments not found on the standard version. These exclusive models showcase Taylor’s willingness to experiment with rare tonewoods and push the boundaries of their guitar designs.
The Builder’s Edition 914ce stands out with its torrefied Sitka spruce top and Indian rosewood back and sides. The torrefaction process ages and dries out the spruce, resulting in enhanced resonance and overtone bloom. Visually, the Builder’s Edition models feature shaded edgeburst back and side binding along with a "weathered" finish.
Another special model is the 914ce Special Edition 078, limited to only 78 pieces worldwide. This guitar incorporates highly figured Hawaiian koa for the back and sides, producing a gorgeous aesthetic. The koa lends a sweet, rounded midrange to the 914ce’s tone. The ebony headstock overlay is inlaid with an abalone and mother-of-pearl emblem.
Some limited run models, like the 914ce-SB V-Class, utilize alternative tonewoods like sinker redwood. The 914ce LTD Ziricote goes even further by using ziricote for the back and sides, an extremely dense and rigid wood that adds punch and power. These special editions demonstrate Taylor’s willingness to push boundaries and highlight the tonal nuances of exotic tonewoods.
Overall, the limited run 914ce models provide distinctive looks, sounds, and playing experiences that complement the standard model. They offer something unique for collectors and those seeking exclusive and innovative acoustic guitars.
Value Proposition
The Taylor 914ce sits near the top of Taylor’s acoustic guitar lineup, typically retailing for around $3,499 USD. This positions it as a premium, professional-grade instrument aimed at discerning players rather than beginners. While not cheap, the 914ce offers exceptional value considering the quality of materials, detailed craftsmanship, and resulting tone and playability.
Compared to similar high-end acoustic-electric guitars from Martin, Gibson, Larrivée, and others, the 914ce is competitively priced. Models with equivalent features and appointments often retail for $500-1,000 more from other brands. The 914ce goes toe-to-toe with these rivals in terms of build quality, components, and attention to detail.
For players looking for a lifetime guitar, the 914ce represents a solid investment opportunity. Well-maintained examples hold their value incredibly well on the used market. The exotic tonewoods and limited production numbers also make certain special edition 914ce models appealing from a collector’s perspective. While not purchased purely as an investment, the 914ce has very strong resale value should an owner ever decide to sell.
Best Use Cases for the Taylor 914ce
The Taylor 914ce is a versatile high-end acoustic-electric guitar suitable for a wide range of playing styles and applications. Here are some of the best use cases where the 914ce really shines:
Solo Acoustic Performance
With its balanced tone, excellent projection, and Fishman electronics, the 914ce is an exceptional choice for solo singer-songwriter performances and gigs. The dynamic range allows for expressive fingerpicking and light strumming styles favored in folk, country, pop, and rock. The 914ce is a reliable workhorse guitar for coffee shop sets or busking.
Recording and Studio Work
The Taylor 914ce’s well-rounded tone and crisp definition records beautifully in the studio. The guitar captures warm lows, articulate mids, and shimmering highs. Whether tracking acoustic parts or using the 914ce as a rhythm accompaniment, it’s a versatile studio tool. The optional ES2 pickup upgrade takes the 914ce’s amplified studio sound even further.
Band and Ensemble Playing
While not as punchy as a jumbo dreadnought, the Taylor 914ce can still hold its own in a full band mix. The V-Class bracing gives it enough volume and projection to be heard alongside other instruments. The cutaway and slim neck profile make it easy to play complex chords up the fretboard.
Advanced Players Seeking Top-Tier Quality
With its exemplary craftsmanship and attention to detail, the 914ce satisfies even the most discerning players. The dynamic range rewards advanced fingerstyle techniques. The intonation accuracy, tuning stability, and gorgeous harmonics provide endless inspiration during practice sessions.
Collectors and Enthusiasts
Guitar aficionados appreciate the Taylor 914ce for its legacy, premium appointments, and limited edition models. It represents the pinnacle of Taylor’s innovation and guitar making prowess. The 914ce’s stellar resale value makes it a wise investment for collectors seeking long-term value appreciation.
Accessories and Upgrades
The Taylor 914ce pairs beautifully with high-quality accessories that complement its impressive craftsmanship and tonewoods. Here are some recommended accessories:
Cases
A hardshell case is essential for protecting your 914ce and keeping it safe during transport and storage. The Taylor Deluxe Hardshell Case is an excellent option, providing rugged protection along with plush interior padding. Gator’s Journeyman Series is another great hardshell case that will shield your 914ce from dings and scratches.
For maximum portability, Mono Vertigo and Neo Guitar cases offer sleek, lightweight designs. The Mono cases feature high-density padding and carbon fiber exteriors for durability and comfort when carrying your guitar on the go.
Strings
The 914ce sounds fantastic with a variety of string sets, but coated phosphor bronze options tend to pair particularly well. Top recommendations include:
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Elixir Nanoweb Phosphor Bronze: Provides a bright, crisp tone with reduced finger noise thanks to Elixir’s patented nanoweb coating.
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D’Addario EXP Coated Phosphor Bronze: The EXP coating reduces string corrosion while retaining brightness and excellent intonation.
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Ernie Ball Aluminum Bronze: Made from a blend of copper and aluminum, these strings offer enhanced clarity, definition, and complex overtones.
Picks
The 914ce excels with fingerstyle playing, but also pairs nicely with premium picks when strumming. Options like the BlueChip TPR series provide a smooth, warm, rounded tone. Dunlop Primetone Sculpted and Clayton Duraplex picks are other great choices.
Other Accessories
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Humidifier: Maintaining proper humidity will maximize the 914ce’s tone and playability. The D’Addario Humidipak is a top option, along with the Planet Waves Guitar Humidifier.
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Guitar Strap: Choose a strap that matches the 914ce’s elegant aesthetics, like leather straps from Couch or suede straps from Franklin.
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Capo: A quality capo like the Shubb S1 will allow quick and convenient key changes.
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Polish Cloth: For cleaning and polishing, the Taylor Polish Cloth keeps the 914ce looking pristine.
Upgrades
While the 914ce doesn’t require any upgrades to reach its full potential, some players choose to customize or modify their instrument:
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Pickup: The 914ce’s Fishman Prefix Stereo Blend is excellent, but some prefer soundhole pickups like the LR Baggs Lyric for more natural acoustic amplification.
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Tuning Machines: Upgrading to open-gear tuners from Gotoh or Waverly can provide finer tuning precision.
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Nut and Saddle: Bone, tusk, or graphite nuts and saddles are sometimes installed for increased resonance and sustain.
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Electronics: The 914ce accepts Taylor’s Expression System 2, which offers expanded tone-shaping options.
Any upgrades should be carefully considered and installed by an experienced luthier to avoid damaging your 914ce. Often the best approach is to optimize the factory setup before making modifications.
Conclusion
The Taylor 914ce is a remarkable acoustic-electric guitar that exemplifies the very best of Taylor’s craftsmanship, innovation, and tonewood selection. Its clear, balanced, and nuanced tone provides exceptional acoustic performance, while the onboard electronics allow for versatile amplified use.
The guitar’s premium build quality, elegant aesthetics, and comfortable playability make it a joy to play for extended periods. The V-Class bracing gives it excellent intonation, sustain, and dynamic range. While the price tag is substantial, the 914ce represents an outstanding long-term investment for serious players.
For fingerstyle, light strumming, and most acoustic genres, the Taylor 914ce is hard to beat. Its premium tonewoods and construction allow it to excel in both stage and studio applications. While the 914ce may not offer the extreme tonal versatility of some other high-end models, it delivers an exquisite blend of warmth, clarity, and resonance.
In summary, the Taylor 914ce warrants strong consideration for discerning acoustic guitarists seeking the ultimate in refined tone, playability, and understated elegance. Players who can afford the premium price will be richly rewarded with an exceptionally voiced and crafted instrument.