Taylor Guitars 314 CE L-1

2003 model year. Features covered in previous review. Koa back and sides, sitka spruce top, and mahogany neck. Ebony fingerboard. Expression system. Taylor custom deluxe case with arch top.

Fabulous. Best guitar with koa back and sides that I have ever heard. The sitka spruce top totally balance the darkness of the koa, and brings out its warmth. It is a sound that cannot compared. I noticed the body is a bit thinker than most Taylor auditorium models, and that is perhaps the reason for the deep, tight bass, a feature unavailable in most Taylors. So the sound is an easy 10!

It is a Taylor; you know the story. Perfect action and finish.

Have owned it for almost 4 years. Have played many shows with it. Never got a problem.

Have been playing for better than 15 years. Own a Martin D28, and a Taylor 710. This Taylor 314 CE-L1 has been my favorite, and the best sounding one. Don't settle for anything less; you get what you pay for.

This is a review for Taylor 314 CE L-1 30th Anniversary model made in 2003. Select spruce top and beautiful Hawaiian Koa. Ebony fingerboard and bridge. Expression system. Different from ordinary Taylor 314 CE, this guitar is all in perfect gloss, has gold tuners (not silver), and comes with Taylor Custom Shop case. Plus, it has Koa back and sides that are truly the essence of this guitar. 314CE L-1 is at the top in the line of all the 314/310 L series produced in 2003, for its wood is of the best grade. Normally sold for $2500 new but I got a deal for $2300 at guitar center. Never regret spending that money.

I compared it to 600 and 700 series within the price range before buying, and settled with it eventually. I play rock, blues, and folk, recently Jazz. This guitar is absolutely great for all the music styles I play. Whether fingerpicking or using a pick, or even insane strumming, the sound is truly amazing! You can sit there playing for hours without feeling any fatigue. The highs and mids are rich, warm with a lot dynamics and the lows are full and deep. When you play, you can feel not only the resonance and vibration of literally the entire guitar body, but also the vibration of your own body with it too, even if you only slightly press the guitar against you. I have used it for recording in my home studio, and since I bought it, my other acoustic guitars (2 of them within roughly the same price range) have been sitting in the corner collecting dusts. Very, very satisfied with the sound.

I do the set-up for all my acoustic and electric guitars. But the factory set-up of this guitar is simply perfect, so no need for any adjustment. Gloss is of course flawless.

It is a Taylor, so obviously you can rely on it for many years of playing.

Haven't gotten a chance to contact them.

Have been playing for 15 years. Have owned too many guitars, Gibsons, Martins, Guilds, Taks, you name it. Have owned several Taylors too. But this Taylor has been my main acoustic ever since. Love it so much. The guitar itself is equally beautiful as its sound, and simply staring at it is enjoyable, not to mention hold it in arms and vibrate together with it to the music. Though it is worth every penny I paid, there's one only problem: it is too expensive to carry around for gigging and live show, bc you definitely don't wanna somebody's beer spilled on it, or a guitar stand falling on it. I can't even imagine what if it were lost, not only for the money I paid, but also because this particular anniversary model is rarely available on the market now.