Introduction
Taylor Guitars has been crafting premium acoustic guitars since 1974 in El Cajon, California. Known for their commitment to quality and innovation, Taylor has become one of the most respected guitar companies in the world. The Taylor 714ce is part of their high-end 700 series, combining exquisite craftsmanship with top-tier tonewoods and electronics.
The 714ce features Taylor’s versatile Grand Auditorium body shape, a slightly smaller profile than a dreadnought that provides comfort and balanced tone. It has a solid Lutz spruce top and Indian rosewood back and sides, a pairing prized for its complexity and dynamic range. Other appointments include Taylor’s proprietary V-Class bracing for enhanced resonance and ES2 electronics that faithfully amplify the 714ce’s natural acoustic tone. With premium components and expert craftsmanship, the 714ce embodies Taylor’s pursuit of the ultimate acoustic guitar experience.
Body Shape and Design
The Taylor 714ce features the versatile Grand Auditorium body shape, which provides a comfortable playing experience and balanced, articulate tone. The Grand Auditorium strikes a middle ground between Taylor’s smaller Grand Concert shape and larger Dreadnought size. It produces a rich low end, nicely balanced midrange, and clear treble tones.
Many players find the Grand Auditorium’s dimensions extremely comfortable. It’s not too large to feel cumbersome on your lap or cause fatigue during long playing sessions. The waist contours and armrest bevel make it easy to cradle the body against your torso. The Grand Auditorium’s medium depth design provides enough projection for live performances, while still being intimate enough for fingerstyle playing.
The 714ce includes a Venetian cutaway which allows easy access to the higher frets, making it feasible to play solos across the entire fretboard. The cutaway does not interfere with the guitar’s structural integrity or tonal balance.
Taylor offers the 714ce in a few different premium finish options. The vintage-inspired Vintage Sunburst combines a spruce top with dark tobacco sunburst edges for a striking aesthetic. A Natural finish allows the guitar’s grain patterns to shine through. Taylor also offers a Black finish, with both top and back/sides in a deep black stain.
Woods and Construction
The 714ce utilizes a premium all-solid wood construction featuring tonewoods hand-selected for their acoustic properties. The top is made from Lutz spruce, which provides a broad dynamic range and excellent volume and headroom. The back and sides are made from Indian rosewood, which adds warmth, complexity and richness to the overall tone.
The 714ce incorporates Taylor’s patented V-Class bracing. This innovative bracing pattern improves intonation across the neck while also boosting volume, sustain, and overall musicality compared to traditional X-bracing designs. The V-Class system allows the guitar’s top to vibrate more freely, resulting in a bolder, more balanced and articulate tone regardless of your playing style.
The combination of Lutz spruce and Indian rosewood paired with V-Class bracing gives the 714ce impressive tonal range. It captures the intricate overtones of fingerstyle playing while also handling heavier strumming without distorting. Overall, the guitar delivers a clear, nuanced sound with piano-like highs, pronounced mids and tight low end.
Electronics and Controls
The Taylor 714ce comes equipped with Taylor’s Expression System 2 (ES2) pickup and preamp system, designed to accurately capture the guitar’s natural acoustic tone when plugged in. The ES2 system utilizes three uniquely positioned and calibrated behind-the-saddle pickup sensors to reproduce the guitar’s dynamic range, rich harmonics and resonance.
The preamp has simple volume and tone knobs that allow the player to shape their amplified tone. The volume knob controls the overall output level, while the tone knob cuts high frequencies when turned down to give a warmer, darker sound. With the tone knob turned up, the sound remains bright and clear.
The ES2 system performs well in both studio recording sessions and on stage. The clear amplified tone cuts through a mix nicely and gives the musician flexibility for different tonal needs. Many Taylor players appreciate how the ES2 pickup blends seamlessly with other instruments and preserves the guitar’s authentic acoustic sound when plugged in. It’s an ideal system for gigs and recording where flexibility and stage-ready tone are key.
The simple one knob per function layout of the ES2 electronics offers ease of use while still providing acoustic players plenty of tonal control. Between the guitar’s premium wood construction and the ES2 pickup’s sensitivity, the 714ce is capable of capturing all the nuance and richness you’d expect from a high-end Taylor.
Playability and Feel
The Taylor 714ce is designed for premium playability and an ultra-comfortable feel. It features a slim C-shaped neck profile that provides a smooth and fast playing experience. The neck has a 1-3/4" nut width, which gives a nice balance between room for fingerpicking and comfort for chord shapes.
The ebony fingerboard has a radiused edge and medium-jumbo frets for buttery bends and slides up the neck. Many players appreciate the low action from the factory setup, making it very playable right out of its deluxe hardshell case. The action can be easily adjusted to your preferences with the standard bridge pins.
In terms of body contours, the Grand Auditorium shape features soft cutaways to allow easy access to the upper frets. The back has some subtle contours to fit against your body in a natural way during seated playing. At around 4 lbs 5 oz, the 714ce has a lightweight and balanced feel on a strap. The gloss finish and forearm bevel add to the overall comfort and luxurious playing experience.
Limited Editions
The Taylor 714ce is available in special limited edition models featuring unique wood pairings and premium appointments that make them highly collectible.
Some limited edition 714ce highlights include:
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Sinker Redwood/Indian Rosewood: This rare pairing combines the warmth and complexity of Indian rosewood with the rich overtones and vintage vibe of reclaimed old-growth Sinker redwood. The redwood comes from logs reclaimed from Northern California rivers and lakes. The gloss finish and abalone logo inlay elevate the visual appeal. Only 150 of these models were produced.
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Figured Koa/Lutz Spruce: The gorgeous figured Koa back and sides produce a sweet, focused midrange and pristine highs when paired with the Lutz spruce top. The figured koa binding and abalone winged logo inlay provide a classy aesthetic. This model delivers the 714ce’s signature balanced tone with a Hawaiian flavor.
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Western Red Cedar/Indian Rosewood: The lightness and unique texture of western red cedar complements the Indian rosewood for a vintage, organic tone. The multiple wood binding, mother of pearl winged logo, and aging toner offer a classic look.
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Blackwood/Adirondack: Blackwood’s focused midrange and crisp trebles align nicely with the strong bass response of Adirondack spruce. The ebony binding and no fretboard inlays keep the understated, elegant vibe.
These limited editions demand a premium over the standard 714ce models. But many discerning collectors feel the unique tonewood pairings, ornate appointments, and sheer rarity make them a smart long-term investment.
Pricing
The Taylor 714ce sits in the upper mid-range price bracket for premium acoustic-electric guitars. The current MSRP for a new standard model 714ce is $3,998. This positions it as an aspirational instrument for serious hobbyists and working musicians rather than a beginner model.
The higher price tag reflects the 714ce’s all-solid wood construction with hand-selected tonewoods, along with Taylor’s meticulous attention to detail and craftsmanship. As an American-made instrument, costs are higher compared to imports, but there is a clear difference in fit and finish.
When examining the cost breakdown, the choice of a solid Lutz spruce top and solid Indian rosewood back and sides comprises a significant portion. These are some of the most desirable and tonally complex woods available. Factor in man-hours of skilled labor, and the 714ce begins to justify its premium pricing.
Compared to other similar guitars like the Martin D-18 and Gibson J-45 Standard, the Taylor 714ce is competitively priced. And for players who rely on their instrument for professional use, the 714ce represents a wise long-term investment. The all-solid wood construction will mature tonally over years of playing, and the guitar should hold its value well on the used market when properly maintained.
For Taylor fans seeking limited edition exotic wood versions of the 714ce, expect to pay a premium. Models made with woods like koa, sinker redwood, and figured maple can easily cost $1,000+ more than a standard 714ce. The unique aesthetics and tonal characteristics of these rare woods drive the prices higher for collectors.
Overall, the Taylor 714ce is not an entry-level instrument. But for serious players who recognize the difference premium hand-crafted acoustic-electrics can make, it represents an excellent value. The 714ce is built to last a lifetime and inspire your music creativity.
Conclusion
The Taylor 714ce is a premium Grand Auditorium acoustic-electric that lives up to its reputation. This guitar combines high-end appointments like all-solid wood construction, V-Class bracing, and Taylor’s ES2 pickup system to deliver an exceptional playing experience whether on stage or in the studio.
For players looking for a versatile, professional-grade acoustic with beautiful craftsmanship, the 714ce is a stellar choice. The Lutz spruce and Indian rosewood body generates a balanced, articulate tone that works for various styles, from fingerpicking to strumming. The slim neck and low action also makes this guitar comfortable and easy to play for long sessions.
The 714ce appeals most to advanced players and professionals, but its price tag reflects the care and quality that goes into these handmade instruments. For those willing to invest, the 714ce is built to last and holds its value well.
Overall, the Taylor 714ce Grand Auditorium model earns top marks for its design, sound, playability and electronics. While not cheap, it satisfies on every front as a lifelong musical companion for the dedicated acoustic guitarist.
Video Demo
This high quality YouTube video provides an excellent demo of the Taylor 714ce in action. Filmed in crisp HD, it allows you to both hear and see the guitar’s impressive tonewoods, craftsmanship and playability up close. The player demonstrates fingerstyle, flatpicking and strumming across various musical styles to showcase the 714ce’s dynamic range. Closeup shots let you examine details like the ebony fretboard, mother-of-pearl inlays and gloss finish. The ES2 pickup system is also highlighted, with both plugged-in and unplugged portions to compare. Overall an informative video that captures the richness, clarity and versatility that makes the 714ce stand out.
Pros and Cons
Pros
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The Taylor 714ce delivers a rich, articulate tone with balanced lows, mids, and highs thanks to its premium solid wood construction. The Lutz spruce top provides shimmering highs while the Indian rosewood back and sides add warmth and complexity to the sound.
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The Grand Auditorium body shape and slim neck profile make the 714ce extremely comfortable and playable for both fingerstyle and strumming. The action is low and fast while still providing clear note definition.
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With its gloss finish, abalone inlays, and other ornate appointments, the 714ce is a stunningly beautiful guitar. The workmanship and attention to detail make this a special instrument.
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The ES2 electronics accurately capture the 714ce’s natural acoustic tone when plugged in. The simple volume and tone controls make dialing in your amplified sound effortless.
Cons
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As a premium, all-solid wood Taylor, the 714ce sits at the higher end of the price spectrum. While the materials and craftsmanship justify the cost, it may be out of reach for more budget-conscious players.
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The Grand Auditorium shape may feel a bit less comfortable for some players compared to other popular body styles like dreadnought or OM.
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There is no onboard tuner on the ES2 electronics system. An external tuner pedal would be required for quick on-stage tuning.
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The 714ce is best suited for intermediate to advanced players. Beginners may find it an expensive investment for their skill level.