Taylor Guitars 614ce Custom Shop

This is a great guitar, but the expression system is not reliable. I have had this guitar for about 4 years now - bought it new. I use it frequently for live playing, and all of a sudden the sound went out on me - during a performance. Turned out to be the expression system. Battery compartment got corroded. I have about 12 different guitars, and this is the only one that I have to remove batteries after each performance. The folks at Taylor are pretty arrogant about the situation as well. This guitar sounds very nice when it works, but it is my last Taylor. The expression system will give you trouble, and the customer service folks at Taylor will argue that it is your fault.

Customer service is arrogant. They think they know it all. Rather than saying they have a design flaw, they will tell it is your fault and that you are not managing your batteries properly. I wont buy another Taylor. I paid too much money for this guitar that gives me problems. There are too many other very nice guitars that don't have these sorts of problems, and there are other customer service departments that understand this.

Nice acoustic guitar. Terrible electronics, and terrible customer service.

Of course...as usual you can read a much more in-depth assesment of the features of this guitar on Taylor's website. The 614ce I have comes like most other 614's. Gloss finish. Grover tuners. Solid spruce top and maple back and sides. Absolutely BEAUTIFUL.

One important note is that Taylor has switched to the expression system pickups with the 614's. This is VERY nice as it is simple and without many useless features. I can speak from experience because I also own a Takamine with on-board processing with notch filter, EQ, and reverb. All of that belongs on your pedalboard....not your guitar. Expression system is simple with Bass, Treble, and Volume. Very little chance of feedback with this system. Check out Taylor's website for more information.

My style of playing varies quite a bit. I am a worship leader and singer/songwriter so I put this guitar through a lot. At times I strum very aggressively, lightly pick, and sometimes even finger-pick. This guitar sounds great through them all. I will not say it is the best sounding guitar in the world because that simply doesn't exist. Each acoustic brand and style have their own sound that will fit better into different situations. I bought the 614ce because it has an even response to all situations. It sounds beautiful for nearly any situation. DO NOT buy this guitar expecting to sit around a large group of acoustic guitarists and be heard. This is not a jumbo body and is not made to be loud by itself. Good for intimate settings or plugged in. Excellent for recording.

I can't find anything wrong with the action, fit, or finish. I love my instruments to have some use in them. I bought this guitar used and saved massive amounts of money. From the factory this guitar was near flawless. The only marks are from normal wear and tear. My guitar doesn't have a pick guard so I expect it to wear there, but that is what I wanted anyway. I prefer the sunburst finish over the other finishes Taylor offers for their 600 series guitars. The sunburst looks VERY classy and professional.

This guitar is solid. The case that came with it is not as durable (even though it is a premium Taylor case), but the guitar is very solid. I have no fears that the strap buttons will fail or that this guitar will leave me stranded if I don't have a backup. I almost always have a back up though because my aggresive style can break strings!

Never had to deal with Taylor's customer suport.

I have been playing guitar for 12 years and own lots of other gear:

68 Fender Twin Reverb
66 Fender Coronado
Taylor 614ce
Takamine FD360SC
Tons of Effects Pedals
Alesis QS8 through Reason 3.0 and Re-Fills
Gretsch Drums
Masterworks Hammered Dulcimer

I have lots of experience buying gear on-line and always do a ton of research before buying. I have never once regretted buying this guitar. You will not regret it either! If you want a finger picking guitar just for bluegrass...don't get this guitar. If you want a loud guitar for jamming un-plugged with lots of friends...don't get this guitar. Anyone else will find this guitar to be perfect for their needs!

The finish is a gloss lacquer finish done very well. Body style is grand auditorium cutaway. Taylor tuners work well. Great neck as Taylor is known for, fast and easy for both large or small handed players. Mine has solid spruce top with quilted maple back and sides. The other 614ce guitars I have seen at local shops have flamed mapled back and sides. Has Taylor built Expression System that is great!!

Sound is full but crisp. Great for fingerpicking or plugged in.

Guitar came set up from factory ready to play. Action was clean. No flaws in workmanship. No adjusmtents needed except I changed strings to my preferred Martin xp's.

This guitar is great for live playing is both small or large venues. It is well built and worth the price. It is a medium to high end production guitar. The 614ce is a well built acoustic that will last the player years and years.

Have not had to deal with customer service. However, guitar can with DVD explaining the Taylor Expression system that was very informative.

I have been playing for several years (mostly rumba flamenco style) and have owned certain stell strings guitars in the past. The 614ce is probably the best and most fun to play acoustic I have owned. If you are looking to a nice fingerstyle or rythmn guitar, I would check out the 614ce.