Introduction
The Taylor 214ce is one of the most popular acoustic-electric guitars on the market today. This mid-priced workhorse from Taylor Guitars combines high-quality craftsmanship with incredible versatility, making it a top choice for gigging musicians, home recording artists, and serious hobbyists alike.
The 214ce features Taylor’s Grand Auditorium body style, which is a compact but full-sounding shape measuring 16 inches across. It has a solid Sitka spruce top paired with layered rosewood back and sides. This tonewood combination produces a rich, balanced acoustic voice with articulate mids and sparkling highs. The guitar has a slim mahogany neck with an ebony fretboard for smooth playability.
For plugged-in performance, the 214ce comes equipped with Taylor’s Expression System 2 electronics. This proprietary pickup system accurately captures the guitar’s natural acoustic tone and makes it easy to dial in quality amplified sound with minimal feedback. Overall, the 214ce provides exceptional acoustic resonance alongside stage-ready amplified performance in an attractive, mid-priced package from one of the most respected acoustic guitar makers.
Taylor 214ce Specifications
The Taylor 214ce has a Grand Auditorium body style, which is a versatile mid-size shape with dimensions of 15" wide, 16.5" long, 4.5" deep. This provides a balanced tone that works well for various playing styles.
The top is solid Sitka spruce, which is known for its dynamic range, articulate highs, and ability to "breathe" with the player’s technique. Sitka is a popular top wood choice as it pairs well with many different tonewoods for the back and sides.
The back and sides are layered rosewood, which differs from a solid rosewood construction. Layered woods utilize several thin sheets of rosewood laminated together. This provides visual appeal at a lower cost compared to solid woods. The tonal effect is still quite close to solid rosewood, offering a rich, complex sound.
The neck is made from tropical mahogany, which provides stability and a comfortable playing feel. Mahogany necks have a smooth, inviting profile that fits well in the player’s hand.
The fretboard is ebony, known for its hardness and crisp note articulation. Ebony offers clear, bright tone and helps bring out the treble sparkle.
The bracing is Taylor’s proprietary V-Class system, which improves intonation, volume, sustain, and overall musicality versus traditional bracing patterns.
For electronics, the 214ce uses Taylor’s Expression System 2, which utilizes strategically placed undersaddle and soundhole pickups to capture the guitar’s natural acoustic tone accurately. It has simple controls and excellent feedback rejection for amplified playing.
Tone and Sound
The Taylor 214ce delivers a balanced, articulate tone when played acoustically thanks to its combination of a solid Sitka spruce top and layered rosewood back and sides. The mid-sized Grand Auditorium body shape helps produce warm low end, nicely balanced mids, and crisp treble notes.
The solid spruce top contributes to the 214ce’s dynamic range – it’s able to go from hushed, delicate tones to loud, punchy strumming. The layered rosewood back and sides add complexity to the midrange, resulting in a rich voice. The mahogany neck and ebony fretboard also influence the 214ce’s smooth, rounded tone.
When plugged in, the 214ce’s Expression System 2 electronics accurately capture its acoustic tone. The sound remains balanced across the frequency spectrum, and the EQ controls allow you to shape the tone to suit different live or recording needs. The ES2 is also excellent at rejecting feedback on stage, even at higher volumes.
Overall, the 214ce delivers an impressive combination of warmth and articulation both unplugged and amplified. Its versatile tonal palette enables it to handle fingerstyle playing and flatpicking equally well across various genres like pop, rock, folk, country, and more.
Taylor 214ce Variants
The Taylor 214ce comes in a few different variants, offering players some choices when it comes to aesthetics, wood materials, and appointments.
214ce Plus
The 214ce Plus model upgrades several cosmetic aspects of the standard 214ce. It features a gloss finish on the top, back and sides, a shaded edgeburst around the body, ebony binding on the fretboard and headstock, and an ebony heel cap. These appointments give it a more refined, upscale look. The 214ce Plus also comes with a hardshell case, whereas the standard model includes a gig bag. Aside from aesthetics, it is identical in build to the standard 214ce. The Plus model carries about a $100-150 premium over the standard 214ce price.
214ce DLX
For players wanting an all-solid-wood 214ce, the 214ce DLX is the way to go. It swaps the standard model’s layered rosewood back and sides for solid rosewood, and also includes a gloss finish. The all-solid woods contribute to a slightly richer, more complex tone. Other upgrades include an ebony fretboard and headplate binding, abalone rosette, and hardshell case. The DLX commands $300-400 more than the standard 214ce.
214ce-K DLX
This koa variant of the 214ce DLX replaces the rosewood back and sides with figured koa. The koa’s aesthetic beauty and tonal properties make this one of the most striking and best-sounding 214ce models. It also features a shaded edgeburst, gloss finish, and other deluxe appointments. With the premium koa wood, the 214ce-K DLX sits at the top of the 214ce price range, about $500 more than the standard model. For players who love the look and sound of koa, it’s a compelling option.
The 214ce variants let you upgrade to glossier looks, all-solid woods, or premium tonewoods like koa, depending on your budget and preferences. While the standard 214ce is an excellent guitar on its own, the upgraded models provide some appealing options for those wanting to invest a bit more.
Price and Value
The Taylor 214ce has a street price of around $1,299 for the standard model. This positions it in the upper mid-range of Taylor’s acoustic lineup, above entry models like the 114e and below premium offerings like the 714ce.
When shopping used, expect to pay $800 – $1,100 for a 214ce in good condition with no major flaws or damage. Used pricing can fluctuate based on factors like age, condition, and included accessories.
Overall, the 214ce offers excellent value, especially for serious players and working musicians. Key factors that contribute to its value proposition include:
- Quality tonewoods like solid Sitka spruce and layered rosewood
- Taylor’s patented V-Class bracing and Expression System 2 electronics
- Attention to detail and craftsmanship from their US-based factory
- Versatile acoustic and amplified tone suitable for stage and studio
- Playability right out of the box with excellent factory setup
- Potential for the guitar to retain its value well on the used market
For players who can afford it, the 214ce Plus may offer even better value given its upgraded appointments for only around $100 more. However, even the standard 214ce punches well above its price point and outperforms many comparably priced acoustics. This makes it easy to recommend as an investment for serious players.
How It Compares
The Taylor 214ce holds up well when compared to similarly priced acoustic-electric models from Epiphone, such as the Epiphone Masterbilt AJ-500MCE and the Epiphone Hummingbird Pro.
Epiphone uses quality tonewoods like solid Sitka spruce and mahogany in its Masterbilt series, resulting in an acoustic with balanced tone and good projection. However, the 214ce has an edge thanks to its layered rosewood back and sides, which give it a richer and more complex voice. The 214ce’s V-Class bracing also allows it to be played harder while staying in tune and maintaining ample volume and sustain.
When looking at electronics, the 214ce’s Expression System 2 captures the guitar’s natural acoustic tone better than Epiphone’s Shadow ePerformer preamp found on the Masterbilt models. The ES2’s controls are also more intuitive, and it handles feedback much better on stage.
The 214ce’s all-solid wood Hummingbird Pro sibling offers comparable specs on paper, with a solid spruce top and solid mahogany back and sides. However, the 214ce’s craftsmanship and attention to detail in Taylor’s US factory gives it a clear advantage. Subtleties like the 214ce’s neck shape, fretwork, and setup result in a more playable and gig-ready instrument right out of the box.
While Epiphone acoustics offer good bang for the buck, the Taylor 214ce’s premium tonewoods, proprietary bracing, and Made in USA status make the extra investment worthwhile for gigging musicians and recording artists. The 214ce simply outperforms comparably priced Epiphones in tone, playability, and on-stage versatility.
Who Is the Taylor 214ce Best For?
The Taylor 214ce is ideal for intermediate to advanced players who want a versatile and high-quality acoustic-electric guitar for gigging, recording, and practice. While beginners could certainly start on a 214ce, it may be overkill if you are just learning. The 214ce really shines in the hands of more experienced players.
Skill Level
An intermediate player who has progressed beyond a beginner acoustic will appreciate the Taylor 214ce’s quality construction, rich tone, and excellent plugged-in sound. The V-Class bracing and ES2 pickup system allow you to grow into the guitar’s full potential. Advanced players can take full advantage of the Taylor’s dynamic range, articulation, and tonal nuances. Professional working musicians will get the most out of a 214ce for performing and recording.
Genres/Styles
With its balanced tone, quality projection, and natural amplified sound, the Taylor 214ce works very well for genres like pop, rock, country, folk, and singer-songwriter. It’s versatile enough for playing chord-driven rhythm parts or melodic fingerpicking. The 214ce is an especially great match for artists who sing and play live, thanks to the clear amplified tone that complements the vocals. Flatpicking bluegrass players can keep up with a band using the 214ce plugged in.
Video Demo
The video above provides an excellent demo of the Taylor 214ce’s acoustic and plugged-in tones. It starts with an acoustic fingerstyle performance, allowing you to hear the 214ce’s balanced, articulate voice. The player then plugs into an amplifier around the 1:30 mark, switching between a few different amp models and showcasing the Expression System 2 electronics. Overall, the demo highlights the 214ce’s versatility as both an acoustic guitar and a stage-ready electro-acoustic. From warm, textured chords to bright lead tones, this video captures the 214ce’s full tonal range.
Related Gear
The Taylor 214ce is a versatile guitar that can be enhanced with some additional accessories:
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Strings: The 214ce comes strung with Elixir Phosphor Bronze strings from the factory. These coated strings have an excellent lifespan. Other great options are D’Addario EXP Phosphor Bronze or Martin SP Phosphor Bronze strings. Any high quality bronze acoustic set around .012-.053 gauge will pair nicely with the 214ce.
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Cases: Taylor offers a variety of hardshell and soft cases specifically designed for their Grand Auditorium models like the 214ce. The Taylor Standard Hardshell Guitar Case provides sturdy protection during transport and storage. For a lighter yet still protective option, the Taylor Grand Auditorium Soft Case is an excellent choice.
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Gig Bags: The Taylor Deluxe Grand Auditorium Guitar Gig Bag is a great mid-priced gig bag that’s lightweight yet padded and durable. It includes ample storage pockets as well. For more premium protection, the Taylor Grand Auditorium Leather Gig Bag is a gorgeous full-grain leather option.
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Pickups: The built-in Expression System 2 is excellent, but Taylor also offers the ES-Go pickup for adding amplification to any acoustic. For those who want to blend the ES2 with an external mic, the Taylor Sonicore pickup is a great pairing.
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Tuners: A clip-on tuner like the Snark SN5X Clip-On Tuner is essential for quick on-stage tuning at gigs. A pedal tuner such as the Boss TU-3 provides a convenient mute function as well.
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DI Boxes: For direct recording or live use, a DI box like the Radial Pro48 active DI can help get a clean amplified signal with excellent EQ shaping.
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Small Amps: The Fishman Loudbox Mini is a superb portable amp suitable for small to mid-sized gigs. For larger venues, the Fender Acoustic SFX gives an impressive 60 watts of power.
With the right supporting gear, the Taylor 214ce is ready to be a do-it-all workhorse acoustic that can handle any gig or recording scenario.
Conclusion
The Taylor 214ce is an excellent choice for intermediate to advanced players looking for a versatile acoustic-electric guitar that sounds and plays fantastic. Its solid Sitka spruce top and layered rosewood back and sides produce a rich, balanced tone that projects beautifully when played unplugged. The ES2 electronics accurately capture the 214ce’s acoustic character and make it stage-ready.
One of the 214ce’s biggest strengths is its Grand Auditorium body shape, which offers comfort and excellent ergonomics. This makes the 214ce comfortable for long practice or gigging sessions. The playability right out of the box is another plus—the action is low and comfortable thanks to Taylor’s expert setup.
The only potential downside is the use of layered, rather than solid, rosewood on the back and sides. While this helps keep costs down, some may prefer the look and added resonance of solid wood. Those wanting more aesthetic options than the standard model offers may need to upgrade to the Plus or Deluxe versions.
Overall, the Taylor 214ce punches above its weight class, offering pro-level performance and tone at an intermediate price point. For gigging musicians or hobbyists who play frequently, it’s a fantastic investment that will last for many years and retain excellent resale value. The Taylor 214ce comes highly recommended and stands out as one of the best acoustic-electrics in its price range.