Introduction
Taylor Guitars has earned a reputation for innovation and quality in acoustic guitar design over the past five decades. Founded in 1974, the California-based company has pushed the boundaries of guitar craftsmanship and tone, pioneering advancements like their patented NT neck system and proprietary bracing patterns.
In 2018, Taylor introduced the Builder’s Edition collection, representing the pinnacle of their design and manufacturing capabilities. The Builder’s Edition models showcase Taylor’s most premium features and appointments, optimized for discerning players who demand the ultimate playing experience.
The subject of this review is the Taylor Builder’s Edition 614ce, an exceptional acoustic-electric guitar that exemplifies the quality and innovation Taylor is known for. Part of the high-end Grand Auditorium body style, the 614ce combines beautiful maple tonewoods, a torrefied spruce top, and Taylor’s groundbreaking V-Class bracing. Visually stunning with a Wild Honey Burst finish, this guitar also boasts Taylor’s most ergonomic body contours and neck design for all-day comfort.
With its blend of premium tonewoods, innovative bracing, and focus on playability, the 614ce Builder’s Edition takes the Taylor experience to new levels of excellence. Read on as we explore what makes this maple acoustic-electric worthy of the esteemed Builder’s Edition distinction.
Specifications
The Taylor Builder’s Edition 614ce features the classic Grand Auditorium body shape with compact dimensions of 20" long x 16.5" wide x 4 5/8" deep. This provides a comfortable and balanced feel whether playing seated or with a strap.
The back and sides are crafted from stunning figured maple, which gives the 614ce a clear and articulate tone with plenty of warmth. The top is made from torrefied Sitka spruce, a special treatment that improves resonance and stability.
At the heart of the 614ce is Taylor’s revolutionary V-Class bracing system. This patented design optimizes the guitar’s volume, sustain, and intonation like never before. The bracing pattern is also highly tunable for customized tonal shaping.
For amplified performance, the 614ce comes equipped with Taylor’s Expression System 2 electronics and preamp. The ES2 provides a natural acoustic tone when plugged in, with clear articulation and impressive dynamics. The easy-to-use preamp has tone controls for bass, midrange, and treble adjustment.
Other premium appointments include a beveled armrest for playing comfort, genuine maple binding, an Italian acrylic Element inlay at the 12th fret, and a laser-engraved rosewood pickguard. The level of craftsmanship is outstanding, as expected for Taylor’s prestigious Builder’s Edition line.
Playability Enhancements
The Taylor Builder’s Edition 614ce incorporates several design features aimed at enhancing the guitar’s overall playability and comfort. These enhancements allow guitarists to play for longer periods without fatigue, while also providing a smooth and seamless playing experience.
The 614ce features ergonomic body contouring that contours the edges of the guitar for a more comfortable fit against the player’s body. Unlike many flat-surfaced guitars, the edges of the 614ce are rounded and beveled to match the natural curves of the musician. This helps reduce digging into the ribs and arm which can cause discomfort over time.
The beveled armrest is another key upgrade that relieves pressure on the strumming arm. The forearm area has a scooped out design that allows the arm to rest naturally without any sharp edges digging in. This is particularly helpful for strummers who need ample freedom of movement.
The fretboard edges are rolled for a smooth transition up and down the neck. Many acoustic guitars have relatively sharp fretboard edges that can be uncomfortable during long practice or gigging sessions. The 614ce’s rounded edges glide effortlessly under the hand. This is complemented by the neck profile that maximizes playing comfort.
The neck has an optimized carve that strikes a balance between modern slimness and vintage roundedness. It provides just enough meatiness for solid fretting, while remaining agile and smooth during fast runs. The fingerboard edges are also finely rolled for seamless transitions.
Together, these playability enhancements allow guitarists to play the 614ce for extended periods in complete comfort. The ergonomic contouring, beveled armrest, fretboard edges, and neck profile work together to create a fatigue-free playing experience suited for everything from practice marathons to back-to-back gigs.
Sound Quality
The Builder’s Edition 614ce delivers exceptional acoustic tone and amplified sound quality thanks to its premium tonewoods and innovative bracing design. The all-maple back and sides produce a warm, detailed tone with excellent note separation and articulation. Maple has less overtones than rosewood, resulting in a focused sound with pleasing highs and tight bass.
The guitar’s torrefied Sitka spruce top also contributes to the 614ce’s stellar acoustic voice. The torrefaction process enhances the top’s stability and vibrancy for improved volume, dynamics, and harmonic richness. Taylor’s groundbreaking V-Class bracing takes the 614ce’s tone to the next level by boosting sustain, resonance, and intonation. The braces are positioned to allow the top more freedom of movement, increasing the guitar’s overall vibrancy and responsiveness.
When plugged in, the 614ce maintains its exceptional voice thanks to Taylor’s ES2 pickup and preamp system. The articulation and warmth of the maple shines through amplified, with the ES2 electronics accurately capturing the guitar’s natural tone. There’s plenty of dynamic range on tap, with the preamp providing studio-quality EQ for shaping your amplified sound. Feedback is well controlled, even at higher volumes on stage.
Compared to other premium acoustic-electrics in its class like the Martin D-18 and Gibson Hummingbird, the 614ce stands out with its clear, focused maple tone. It lacks some of the bass bloom of rosewood models but makes up for it with exceptional detail and presence across the tonal spectrum. For players who want an acoustic with slightly drier woody tone that cuts through a mix, the 614ce is an excellent choice.
Craftsmanship and Design
The Taylor Builder’s Edition 614ce exemplifies premium craftsmanship with its high-quality materials and meticulous attention to detail. The guitar comes in two stunning finish options that allow the figured maple back and sides to shine – a rich Wild Honey Burst or an elegant Natural finish that accentuates the wood’s natural beauty.
The level of craftsmanship is evident in every aspect of the 614ce’s construction. The dovetail neck joint, for example, is cut and fit by hand for optimal strength and resonance. The edges of the body are smoothly rounded and finished in a hand-rubbed satin that enhances playability. Even small details like the wooden binding and rosewood pickguard exhibit flawless execution using premium materials.
Beyond just technical craftsmanship, the Builder’s Edition 614ce also demonstrates Taylor’s artistic flair. The guitar features the Taylor Element inlays on the ebony fretboard, with elemental symbols like flames and waves inlaid in mother-of-pearl. The rosette and purfling are also crafted from beautiful woods and materials that complement the Wild Honey Burst finish. It’s clear that Taylor’s master guitar builders have poured creativity into making the 614ce both a technical and artistic achievement.
Versatility
The Taylor Builder’s Edition 614ce is an exceptionally versatile acoustic-electric guitar suitable for a wide range of musical genres and playing styles. Its premium tonewoods and innovative design make it a great choice for both fingerstyle and flatpicking players.
The 614ce’s articulation and note separation allow for intricate fingerpicking passages, with each note ringing out clearly. The dynamic range provided by the torrefied spruce top also makes the guitar very responsive to different fingerpicking techniques and dynamics. At the same time, the 614ce has enough punch and projection to handle aggressive flatpicking lines. The maple back and sides add warmth to the fundamental tones, while still allowing pick attack and string definition to come through.
This versatility extends to the 614ce’s genre capabilities as well. It has the warmth, balance and articulation to excel at folk, country, pop, rock and even some jazz. The maple body adds a touch of grit and attitude that suits rock and blues, while the spruce top provides shimmer for jazz chords and arpeggios. The V-Class bracing gives it the volume to play well with other instruments, whether amplified or acoustic.
In the studio, the 614ce’s balanced tone makes it easy to get quality recordings across different mic placements and positions. It also pairs well with acoustic guitar preamp emulation plugins that can further shape your recorded tone. On stage, the ES2 pickup system accurately captures the 614ce’s natural sound, with enough gain before feedback to accommodate live environments. Between its versatility, playability and premium aesthetics, the Taylor Builder’s Edition 614ce is a great do-it-all acoustic that excels in a wide variety of musical scenarios.
Value
The Taylor Builder’s Edition 614ce has an MSRP of $4,999, positioning it at the upper end of Taylor’s acoustic guitar lineup. This places it alongside other premium Taylor offerings like the 914ce and 814ce models.
Compared to similar high-end acoustic-electrics from other major brands like Martin and Gibson, the 614ce is competitively priced. The acclaimed Martin D-28 Modern Deluxe retails for $5,099, while Gibson’s J-45 Standard costs $3,899. So the Taylor 614ce resides comfortably within the pricing spectrum of premium acoustic-electric guitars from major manufacturers.
When you consider the 614ce’s impressive features like the V-Class bracing, torrefied spruce top, and elegant appointments, along with Taylor’s reputation for outstanding craftsmanship, it represents very good value for money. The innovative tonewood combination and electronics deliver superb amplified and unplugged tone that rivals more expensive guitars.
While the Builder’s Edition 614ce is certainly a major investment, most guitarists agree it is well worth the premium over Taylor’s lower-priced models. When you account for the tangible improvements in tone, playability, and aesthetics, the 614ce is a good value proposition for discerning players looking for one of the finest acoustic-electrics money can buy. Its combination of cutting-edge design and master luthier craftsmanship make it a worthwhile acquisition for serious guitarists.
Pros and Cons
The Taylor Builder’s Edition 614ce has many notable strengths that make it a top choice for discerning acoustic guitar players. Here’s a summary of the key pros:
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Stunning tonewood combination – The maple back/sides and torrefied Sitka spruce top produce a dynamic range with clarity, warmth, and excellent note articulation.
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Revolutionary V-Class bracing – Taylor’s patented bracing design boosts volume, sustain, intonation accuracy, and tonal consistency across the fretboard.
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Enhanced playability – With its contoured body, beveled armrest, and rolled fretboard edges, the 614ce offers incredible comfort and smooth playability.
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Versatile electronics – The ES2 pickup system accurately captures the 614ce’s nuanced acoustic tone, with flexible EQ shaping in the preamp.
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Premium aesthetics – From its elegant appointments to the meticulous attention to detail, the 614ce is a work of art.
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Renowned Taylor craftsmanship – As expected from Taylor, the 614ce exhibits their trademark high standards of quality and innovation.
In terms of potential limitations, there are a couple worth noting:
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Premium pricing – With a price tag over $4,000, the 614ce is certainly an investment. While comparable to similar elite guitars, the cost may deter some players.
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Specific tonal preferences – Those looking for very bright or very bassy tones may find the 614ce’s balanced EQ less suitable. However, its tone remains versatile.
Overall though, for discerning guitarists seeking the ultimate playing experience, the 614ce Builder’s Edition warrants strong consideration. Taylor’s fresh design approaches result in a truly exceptional instrument.
Conclusion
The Taylor Builder’s Edition 614ce is an exceptional premium acoustic-electric guitar that delivers top-tier performance. With its stunning looks, comfortable ergonomics, and versatile maple tone, this guitar is sure to satisfy even the most discerning players.
Overall, the 614ce showcases Taylor’s commitment to innovation through features like the V-Class bracing system. This revolutionary bracing unlocks the guitar’s full dynamic range, resulting in impressive volume, sustain, and intonation. When paired with the maple back and sides, the 614ce pumps out articulate midrange tones and crystalline highs. The guitar is also highly playable thanks to enhancements like the contoured body, beveled armrest, and rolled fretboard edges.
The Builder’s Edition appointments, including the Wild Honey Burst finish, elevate the 614ce into a work of art. Taylor’s master craftsmanship and attention to detail shine through in every aspect of this guitar. While the price tag is substantial, the 614ce offers great value by delivering best-in-class performance, tone, and aesthetics.
This guitar is ideal for intermediate to advanced players seeking a premium acoustic-electric with exceptional playability and versatile maple tone. The dynamic and balanced voice of the 614ce makes it suitable for various musical genres in both studio and live settings. For guitarists wanting one of the finest maple guitars Taylor has to offer, the Builder’s Edition 614ce is easy to recommend. It’s a stunning instrument that exemplifies Taylor’s culture of innovation and dedication to the art of guitar making.
Video Demo
To showcase the Taylor 614ce Builder’s Edition in action, here’s an excellent video demo from Taylor Guitars’ YouTube channel.
Filmed in Taylor’s wood shop in El Cajon, California, this 10-minute video provides an up-close look at the 614ce’s build quality, appointments, and features. It highlights the guitar’s stunning quilted maple back and sides, torrefied Sitka spruce top, and Wild Honey Burst finish.
The video also demonstrates the 614ce’s tone across various musical styles, from fingerstyle playing to strumming chords. The maple body produces clear, focused tone with piano-like bass, while the V-Class bracing system allows impressive volume and sustain. The ES2 electronics capture the 614ce’s natural acoustic sound accurately.
Overall, this video showcases the exemplary craftsmanship, comfortable playability, and versatile tone that make the Taylor 614ce Builder’s Edition such an exceptional instrument. It provides great visuals to complement the details covered in this in-depth review. Watching this demo is highly recommended for players considering the 614ce or interested in the innovations of Taylor’s Builder’s Edition line.