Introduction
Taylor Guitars was founded in 1974 by Bob Taylor and Kurt Listug and has grown into one of the world’s premier acoustic guitar manufacturers. Based in California, Taylor combines modern technology with a skilled team of craftspeople to produce high-quality, great sounding guitars. The company is known for innovation, consistently releasing new body shapes, tonewoods, and bracing patterns.
The 324ce is part of Taylor’s 300 Series, which sits in the middle of their lineup. It’s a Grand Auditorium style guitar with a cutaway and Taylor’s Expression System 2 electronics. The Grand Auditorium strikes a balance between the booming low end of a Dreadnought and the crisp highs of a concert-shaped guitar. The cutaway provides easy access to upper frets, while the ES2 electronics reproduce the 324ce’s acoustic tone faithfully when plugged in.
Choosing the right acoustic-electric guitar is an important decision that can impact your playing experience and musical enjoyment. Key factors include body style and shape, wood combination, neck profile, electronics, and aesthetic appeal. It’s best to try out multiple models to find the right fit for your needs before purchasing. An acoustic-electric like the 324ce provides the flexibility to play unplugged or plug in for live performances and recording.
Taylor 324ce Specifications
The Taylor 324ce features a Grand Auditorium body shape with a total length of 20 inches, width of 16 inches, and depth of 4 5/8 inches. This mid-size shape produces a balanced, articulate tone that works well for various styles.
The back and sides are made of layered tropical mahogany, which provides a warm, balanced sound with good midrange focus. The top is available in either solid urban ash for brightness and shimmer, or Hawaiian koa for a more complex voice.
The bracing uses Taylor’s proprietary V-Class system, which improves intonation, sustain, volume, and overall musicality compared to traditional X-bracing. The bracing is tuned to complement the Grand Auditorium shape and tonewood combination.
For amplification, the 324ce utilizes Taylor’s Expression System 2 electronics. This features analog type modeling with customized behind-the-saddle pickup, 3-band EQ, volume control, and tuner. It produces a very natural amplified tone without excessive quackiness.
Aesthetically, the 324ce comes in a shaded edgeburst finish with multiple binding lines, or an optional tobacco sunburst finish for a vintage vibe. The cutaway adds appeal and improves upper fret access.
Sound Quality
The Taylor 324ce delivers exceptional acoustic tone and amplified sound across a range of musical styles. The combination of premium tonewoods and innovative bracing results in balanced acoustic characteristics with warmth, projection, and resonance.
The mahogany back and sides impart a rich, full-bodied sound with pleasing low-end response. This pairs nicely with the crisp, articulate tones from the urban ash or koa top woods. The V-Class bracing helps the 324ce produce impressive volume and sustain without sacrificing warmth or balance.
When plugged in, the 324ce’s Expression System 2 electronics accurately convey the guitar’s natural acoustic dynamics. The amplified tone remains clear and responsive across the frequency range, with plenty of headroom before feedback. The ES2 is easy to dial in without excessive tweaking of the onboard controls.
The 324ce works well for both fingerstyle playing and energetic flatpicking or strumming. The mahogany and urban ash configuration leans slightly toward a midrange focus, while the koa top option provides more sparkling highs. Overall the guitar is versatile enough for various genres from folk to country to pop.
Playability and Comfort
The Taylor 324ce has a very playable and comfortable neck profile that accommodates different hand sizes and playing styles. It has a 1 11/16" nut width and a 25 1/2" scale length, with a slim C-shaped neck that feels smooth and fast.
The action on the 324ce is set low and comfortable right out of the box, with an ideal string height for easy fretting and bending without buzzing. The strings have a light tension that enhances playability without feeling too slinky. This allows for fluid lead lines, intricate fingerpicking patterns, and relaxed strumming.
The Grand Auditorium body shape provides excellent comfort and ergonomics when playing seated or standing. It has a balanced weight distribution so it doesn’t feel neck-heavy or cumbersome on a strap. The slimmer waist allows easy access to the upper frets, which is further enhanced by the cutaway design.
Overall, the 324ce is designed for extended playing sessions without fatigue or discomfort. The smooth neck, low action, and comfortable body shape allow players to concentrate on their technique and music without being distracted by playability issues. Even novice players will find this a very inviting and enjoyable guitar to play.
Builder’s Edition vs. Standard 324ce
The Builder’s Edition 324ce has several notable differences from the standard model that justify its higher price point. Specification-wise, it features premium tonewoods like torrefied Sitka spruce for the top and rolled fingerboard edges for added comfort.
Sonically, the Builder’s Edition delivers increased richness, resonance and sustain thanks to its torrefied spruce top and hand-shaped scalloped X-bracing. It has a more open and responsive tone with crisp highs and tight lows. The sustain is noticeably longer, allowing more complex passages and ringing harmonics.
Playability is also enhanced with the rolled fingerboard edges for smoother fretting hand movement. The neck carve and profile feels extremely comfortable and natural. Overall, the Builder’s Edition feels more refined and responsive.
At around $1,000 more than the standard model, the Builder’s Edition 324ce commands a premium price. However, for pro players and discerning enthusiasts, the upgrades in tonewoods, bracing and playability make it well worth the additional cost. You’re paying for the pinnacle of Taylor’s craftsmanship and getting an instrument built to the highest standards.
In summary, the Builder’s Edition takes the 324ce platform to the next level. While the standard model is excellent, the Builder’s Edition offers superior tone, playability and aesthetic refinement for those seeking the very best Taylor has to offer. For the extra money, it delivers substantive upgrades that players can hear and feel.
Sustainability and Craftsmanship
Taylor Guitars has long been committed to responsible sourcing and sustainability when it comes to tonewoods. The 324ce features a tropical mahogany back and sides, which is sourced from FSC-certified forests. The FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) ensures that wood is harvested in an environmentally friendly and socially responsible manner. For the guitar top, players can choose either urban ash, which is reclaimed from city trees, or Hawaiian koa, which is harvested in a sustainable manner.
The build quality and attention to detail on the 324ce is outstanding, continuing Taylor’s reputation for finely-crafted instruments. The guitar is constructed using modern CNC machinery alongside skilled craftsmen. The neck joint, fretwork, bridge, and other components are all cleanly executed and precisely fitted. Inside the body, the V-Class bracing is engineered for optimal resonance while retaining strength.
The 324ce is built to last, thanks to its solid woods and quality components. With proper care and maintenance, it’s not unreasonable to expect a lifespan of 20 years or more for this guitar. The all-solid wood construction means the tone will mature and open up over time. And if service is ever required, Taylor’s customer support has an excellent reputation within the industry.
Taylor 324ce vs. Competitors
The Taylor 324ce faces stiff competition in the acoustic-electric guitar market from other major brands like Martin, Gibson, and Guild. However, it stands out with some unique strengths.
The Martin GPC-13E is a comparable Grand Performance body style guitar with mahogany back and sides and a solid Sitka spruce top. It produces a bright, lively tone thanks to the spruce top. The Taylor produces a slightly warmer, more balanced tone from its mahogany and urban ash build.
The Guild F-30R is another mahogany and spruce acoustic-electric in a similar price range. It excels at crisp trebles and deep bass resonance. However, the Taylor has the edge in terms of evenness across the tonal spectrum.
The Taylor 324ce punches above its weight with the V-Class bracing system. This provides excellent volume, sustain, note separation, and intonation up and down the neck. Many competitors lack this degree of tonal enhancement.
The cutaway design is another advantage, offering easy access to upper frets. This comes in handy for lead playing and soloing. The electronics are also top-notch, with the Expression System 2 providing natural amplified tone.
Overall, the Taylor 324ce combines premium appointments with innovative bracing and electronics. For players seeking an all-mahogany acoustic-electric with stage-ready features, it stands tall against the competition.
Who is the Taylor 324ce Best Suited For?
The versatile Taylor 324ce is well-suited for players across multiple skill levels and playing scenarios. Its comfortable playability and balanced, warm tone make it a great choice for beginners looking for their first quality acoustic-electric. The smooth neck, low action, and light body weight allow beginners to focus on proper technique without fighting the instrument.
More advanced players will appreciate the Taylor 324ce’s premium appointments and ability to handle various techniques with ease. The V-Class bracing provides the power and nuanced tone for dynamic fingerstyle playing, while the crisp mids and highs excel for fast flatpicking passages. The cutaway design grants easy access to upper frets for solos and melodic playing.
For home use, the 324ce delivers rich acoustic resonance perfect for practice and leisurely playing. The onboard ES2 electronics faithfully amplify the guitar’s tone at any volume for late night jamming or recording.
Gigging musicians will value the 324ce’s reliability and versatility. It’s durable enough for the road yet refined enough for studio work. The ES2 system produces clear amplified tone with flexibility for different performance venues. Whether you need a crisp acoustic to cut through a mix or a warm electric tone at coffee shop volumes, the 324ce delivers.
From amateurs to pros, the Taylor 324ce suits all playing styles including fingerpicking, strumming, flatpicking, and melodic lead. Genres like folk, country, pop, rock, blues, and more come alive with the 324ce. It’s a guitar built to inspire players and serve songs for years to come.
Pricing and Availability
The Taylor 324ce has an MSRP (Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price) ranging from $2,599 to $2,999, depending on the wood options. However, street prices at authorized retailers and online stores can be lower, typically ranging from $2,199 to $2,599 for a new guitar.
Used or pre-owned Taylor 324ce models can also be found at a discounted price, often between $1,500 and $2,000, depending on the condition and age of the instrument.
The 324ce can be purchased new from authorized Taylor dealers online such as Sweetwater, Musician’s Friend, Guitar Center, and directly from Taylor’s website. Many local music stores that specialize in acoustic guitars will also carry the 324ce.
When buying used, reputable sites like Reverb.com and eBay often have a good selection of pre-owned 324ce models for sale by various sellers. Be sure to inspect the guitar’s condition closely before purchasing used.
The Taylor 324ce comes with Taylor’s limited lifetime warranty for the original owner. This covers defects in materials and workmanship. Taylor has a reputation for excellent customer service should any issues arise with the guitar. Support is available via email, phone, and in person at authorized Taylor repair centers.
Conclusion
The Taylor 324ce acoustic-electric guitar offers a premium playing experience that justifies its higher price point. With its solid blend of warm mahogany tone, crisp spruce or koa top, and rich overtones from the V-Class bracing, this Grand Auditorium guitar sounds fantastic both unplugged and amplified. The comfortable neck, easy playability, and built-in Expression System 2 electronics make the 324ce a versatile guitar suitable for gigs, recording, and practice at home.
While the Taylor 324ce commands a premium over more budget-friendly models, players get what they pay for in terms of quality materials, innovative design, and attention to detail. This is a guitar built to last a lifetime and inspire your playing through its excellent acoustic voice and natural amplified tones. The 324ce’s excellent intonation, sustain, and dynamic range allow players to craft their unique sound.
If you’re seeking a high-end acoustic-electric that combines modern innovations with Taylor’s renowned dedication to craftsmanship, the 324ce is absolutely worth trying. Visit your local guitar shop to experience this impressive instrument first-hand. Its exceptional sound and playability may just make the Taylor 324ce your next must-have guitar.