Introduction
Taylor Guitars has built a reputation for crafting some of the finest acoustic guitars over the past few decades. Their Builder’s Edition line represents the pinnacle of Taylor’s expertise, with premium tonewoods, appointments, and attention to detail. The 324ce is one of Taylor’s flagship Builder’s Edition models, aimed at discerning players looking for the ultimate in refinement and acoustic tone.
The Grand Auditorium body shape of the 324ce offers a balanced and versatile tonal platform for both stage and studio use. But what really makes this guitar stand out are the unique specifications carefully chosen by Taylor’s master luthiers. An Urban Ash back and sides provides a clear and articulate voice, while the solid Mahogany top adds warmth and sweetness to the mix. The Tobacco Kona Burst finish and shaded edgeburst binding give the 324ce an elegant, vintage-inspired aesthetic. Playability is enhanced by the hand-beveled armrest and other ergonomic touches.
In short, the 324ce Builder’s Edition is tailored for seasoned players and working musicians seeking the finest possible acoustic guitar. The attention to sonic and visual details justify its premium tier pricing and status as an instrument to be cherished for a lifetime. Let’s explore what exactly makes the 324ce so special.
Body & Neck
The 324ce features Taylor’s signature Grand Auditorium body shape, a versatile middle ground between the smaller Grand Concert and larger Dreadnought designs. This mid-sized profile produces a balanced, articulate tone across the tonal spectrum – ideal for fingerstyle, strumming and flatpicking.
The back and sides are crafted from gorgeous Urban Ash, chosen for its lively resonance and stunning visual character. The vertical grain has an eye-catching aesthetic appeal, with unique brown and tan hues that create visual interest. Tonally, the Urban Ash produces a clear and open voice with sparkling highs, focused mids and tight low end.
The top is made of solid Sitka spruce, a tonewood prized for its balanced resonance, dynamic range and crisp articulation. The spruce’s straight, close grain results in a nicely textured look that pairs beautifully with the Urban Ash back and sides.
For optimal playing comfort, Taylor has included their signature beveled armrest which contours smoothly into the body. This arm bevel allows for a more natural feel and makes playing for longer periods effortless.
The cutaway is a soft Venetian style, allowing easy access to the upper frets while retaining the traditional Grand Auditorium voice.
The neck is carved from tropical mahogany, chosen for its stability and rich, balanced tone. The ebony fretboard offers silky playability and tighter bass response. Combined with the Urban Ash, the mahogany neck produces a blend of warmth, definition and sustain.
Sound & Tone
The Taylor 324ce delivers a beautifully balanced and nuanced unplugged acoustic tone. The combination of Urban Ash back and sides with a solid Mahogany top produces warm, rich lows, articulate and complex mids, and crisp, shimmering highs. There’s a three-dimensionality to the 324ce’s unplugged voice – notes bloom and resonate with sustain.
Plugged in, the custom-voiced ES2 electronics system accurately captures the 324ce’s natural acoustic dynamics. There’s no excessive quackiness or sterile piezo tones. The guitar retains its warm, organic personality amplified. The ES2 system has onboard tone controls with individual bass, mid, and treble sliders. This allows shaping the EQ profile to suit different playing styles or performance scenarios. Reduce the bass for lively fingerpicking, boost the mids to cut through a mix, or add brilliance with the treble control. There’s also a handy mid-scoop switch for those who want that modern scooped acoustic-electric sound.
Playability & Feel
The Taylor Builder’s Edition 324ce has a fast, comfortable playing feel thanks to its expertly crafted neck profile and overall weight balance. The neck has a slim C-shaped profile with a 1-11/16" nut width, providing ample room for complicated chord voicings and lead lines without feeling too bulky. The neck shape transitions smoothly from the nut to the heel, maximizing playability across the entire fretboard.
Out of the box, the 324ce has a very playable factory setup with low action and light string tension. The strings sit close to the fretboard without any buzzing or rattling. The neck relief and string height are ideal for both rhythm and lead playing. Players looking for an extremely fast playing feel will appreciate the 324ce’s action and setup.
The beveled armrest carved into the 324ce’s body is an ergonomic highlight, providing a smooth surface for your forearm while playing in a seated position. This enhances playing comfort during long practice or recording sessions. The matte Silent Satin finish on the neck also maximizes smooth playability by avoiding any sticky gloss feel.
Overall, the 324ce has excellent balance when strapped on or played seated, with the mahogany and Urban Ash tonewoods providing a lightweight but resonant feel. The weight distribution makes the 324ce comfortable for extended playing sessions without neck dive or body heaviness. From fast lead lines to intricate chords, the 324ce’s slim neck profile, low action and balanced body add up to superb playability.
Appointments & Aesthetics
The Taylor Builder’s Edition 324ce has many premium visual appointments that make it stand out aesthetically. The most striking is the Tobacco Kona Burst finish on the mahogany top. This finish features a warm sunburst pattern in shades of amber, caramel, and deep brown. It was created using an innovative staining technique that allows each guitar’s finish to have unique depth and variation in color.
The Kona burst pattern itself has subtle variations from the center of the top towards the edges. There is a shaded edgeburst binding that provides an attractive transition between the burst finish and the Urban Ash back and sides. The binding features thin layers of black, white, and black purfling that accentuates the body contours.
The peghead overlay has a Kona burst that matches the guitar’s top, and it includes a flower-inspired mother-of-pearl inlay design. The ebony fretboard has mother-of-pearl "Element" inlays, and the maple neck has stylized acrylic small bar inlays.
Other appointments include an Italian acrylic tortoise-style pickguard, chrome Taylor tuners, Tusq nut and saddle, and a paua shell fingerboard inlay at the 12th fret. Overall, the 324ce Builder’s Edition exudes quality and refinement in its aesthetic details that match the premium tone and playability.
Build Quality & Craftsmanship
The Taylor Builder’s Edition 324ce is crafted with the utmost care and attention to detail at Taylor’s factory in El Cajon, California. As with all Taylor guitars, the 324ce is proudly made in the USA using premium materials by their master luthiers.
Taylor is renowned for their incredible build quality and craftsmanship, and the Builder’s Edition series represents the pinnacle of their US manufacturing. Each component is carefully chosen, cut, shaped, finished and assembled by hand for maximum playability and acoustic resonance.
The guitar features sustainable tonewoods, like the beautiful figured Urban Ash back and sides. The Ash is responsibly harvested and kiln dried to ensure exceptional stability and consistent tone. The stunning Tobacco Kona burst finish on the mahogany top requires over 12 hours of hand-spraying to achieve its unique look.
No corners are cut for the Builder’s Edition models – everything from the Silent Satin finish to the beveled armrest is done to the highest standard. The guitar ships in Taylor’s Deluxe hardshell case, providing safe transport and storage for this investment-grade instrument.
From its hand-shaped neck profile to the wooden binding, the 324ce exemplifies Taylor’s fanatical attention to detail. This is a lifetime acoustic guitar built to be passed down through generations.
Pricing
The Taylor Builder’s Edition 324ce commands a premium price, but it delivers premium performance and craftsmanship that many feel justifies the investment.
New Pricing
Brand new, the 324ce has an MSRP of $3,799 direct from Taylor. However, most authorized dealers sell it for around $3,299. That positions it at the higher end of Taylor’s acoustic-electric lineup, but still a good value compared to even more costly rare woods models.
Used Pricing
On the used market, the 324ce tends to hold its value very well. Used examples in excellent condition tend to sell for $2,200 – $2,800 at most guitar shops or sites like Reverb.com. Private party sales generally range from $1,800 – $2,400 depending on condition.
Value vs. Other Models
The 324ce does cost more than Taylor’s standard Grand Auditorium models like the GA3 and 214ce. However, those guitars lack the premium appointments and unique tonewoods of the Builder’s Edition. Compared to other Builder’s Editions, the 324ce is attractively priced – on par with the 517 and more affordable than exotic koa models.
Worth the Investment?
For discerning players and collectors seeking the ultimate Taylor acoustic-electric, the Builder’s Edition 324ce represents an excellent value. Its unique tonewoods, playability, and aesthetic make it a guitar worth keeping for life. Serious players report it being well worth the premium over a standard model.
Reviews from Players
The Taylor Builder’s Edition 324ce has received overwhelmingly positive reviews from guitarists who have had the chance to play it. Many praise the balanced, articulate tone that projects extremely well both unplugged and amplified. The crisp mids and rich low end afforded by the Urban Ash and mahogany woods make it very versatile for a variety of musical genres and playing styles.
The playability is another highlight commonly mentioned in reviews. The neck shape and profile combined with the beveled armrest result in a very comfortable and accessible playing feel suited for long practice or gigging sessions. The action and setup right out of the box make it feel "ready to go" according to most players.
Some reviewers have noted the lack of an onboard tuner as a potential drawback, especially given the premium pricing of the guitar. However, the ES2 electronics are discreet and provide a very natural amplified tone. The guitar’s excellent intonation and ability to stay in tune once set up properly help offset the lack of a tuner.
The Taylor 324ce Builder’s Edition receives near universal praise as an extremely well-built, great sounding, and playable instrument. It’s commonly recommended for experienced players, working musicians, and other serious guitarists looking for a quality acoustic-electric with beautiful appointments. The expansive acoustic tone and amplified performance make it ideal for studio work and live gigs.
Comparison to Standard 324ce
The Builder’s Edition 324ce differs from the standard 324ce in several notable ways that justify its premium pricing for players seeking the ultimate Taylor acoustic-electric experience.
Differences in Specs
The Builder’s Edition features all-solid wood construction with Urban Ash back and sides, compared to the layered Rosewood and Spruce of the standard 324ce. The guitar’s Mahogany top and Tropical Mahogany neck are also steps above the standard model. These tonewoods give the Builder’s Edition a more articulate, balanced and professional-grade voice.
Other specification differences include the beveled armrest, shaded edgeburst binding, and tobacco sunburst finish exclusive to the Builder’s Edition. The fretboard inlays are also unique to this model.
Tone and Playability
The Urban Ash back and sides paired with the solid Mahogany top yield a refined, clear tone with excellent note separation across the tonal spectrum. Players praise the 324ce Builder’s Edition for its versatility to cover various musical genres and styles. The ergonomic beveled armrest and low action further enhance playability.
Value Comparison
With a street price of approximately $3,299, the Builder’s Edition 324ce does command a premium over the standard model 324ce which retails for around $2,199. Serious players agree the upgrades in tonewoods, electronics, playability and aesthetics justify the added cost for guitarists who rely on their instrument for professional recording and live performance. The Builder’s Edition is an investment that will retain its value and last a lifetime.
Conclusion
The Taylor Builder’s Edition 324ce is a premium acoustic-electric guitar that delivers an exceptional blend of refined tone, top-notch playability, and beautiful aesthetics. Its balanced and articulate voice works great for a variety of musical genres and playing situations, from the studio to the stage.
Some of the 324ce’s biggest strengths are its resonant mahogany top and Urban Ash back/sides, which provide warmth and clarity. The beveled armrest and smooth neck profile also make it an extremely comfortable guitar to play for extended periods. And it looks fantastic as well, with the Tobacco Kona Burst finish and elegant appointments.
For players seeking more than just a workhorse acoustic, the 324ce is an inspiring instrument. The unique tonewood combination and elegant details make playing this guitar a luxurious experience. Any style of music will benefit from the 324ce’s musical voice. It’s especially well-suited for pop, rock, country, folk, and singer-songwriter material.
The Taylor 324ce Builder’s Edition carries a premium price tag, but it delivers outstanding performance, craftsmanship, and aesthetics that make it well worth the investment for serious players. Overall, it’s an exceptional instrument that earns a 5 out of 5 star rating. It will satisfy even the most discerning guitarist’s desire for both beauty and musical inspiration.