Taylor Guitars 714CE

My particular Taylor 714ce was made in April 2008 and it comes with the following: Western Red Cedar top, East Indian Rosewood back/sides, ebony fretboard/bridge, Rosewood headstock veneer, Rosewood binding, abalone rosette, Ping tuners (Taylor-branded) and is the celebrated Grand Auditorium shape. Made in the factory at El Cajon, CA

All full-size Taylor acoustic/electric guitars from the 300 Series and above come equipped with the Taylor Expression System pickup

All Taylors from the 500 Series and up receive the deluxe 3-ply hardwood case made from their case factory in Mexico

In short, a very understated but classy guitar

I was never a particular fan of Rosewood guitars, but after one fateful day at a music store, I became enamored with the Cedar/Rosewood 714ce. To my ears, it is a very wonderful balance between the warm Cedar top and bassy Rosewood back/sides. I'm not a very professional musician by any means, but the guitar can voice whatever style you play... and it sounds wonderful!

As for plugging in, there are many different opinions on the Taylor Expression System. To me, I love it. That was one of the reasons why I got so enamored with the 714ce in the first place: I actually heard the "warmness" and it changed my opinions on Rosewood forever. It doesn't have that high "quack" of a piezo-based pickup and sounds the most natural to me. Your ears be your own judge, but I have no qualms about the ES

Taylors are known for their consistency, regardless of whether you play a low-end or their top-of-the-line models. Everything from the construction of the body, to the fitting of parts and even the attention to minute details always win me over. Taylors also are known for their smooth and easy action; I agree! It plays like butter right out of the box

I have no doubt in my mind that my Taylor will last a long time. I've owned two 310s prior to this one and they have never presented with any kind of structural problem. They may not feel as heavy like other brands, but I cannot see why they wouldn't hold up. As mentioned before, Taylors are made with a high degree of consistency

It's only been a few months since I've owned my 714ce, but with the experience I've had with my former 310s, I've experienced no trouble whenever gigging or playing with the guitar

I have never needed to deal with the Customer Service department, but I am fully aware of their legendary attention to their customers. I've talked to them for more different reasons unrelated to warranty/repair, but I've always found them to be attentive and willing to help out

All Taylors come with a lifetime limited warranty; hopefully, I will not need to use it!

The 714ce has been my dream guitar and now that I finally have it, I am very satisfied. I'm not in any rush to go buy a different guitar, because my 714ce is enough guitar for me! The only one thing I wish was different was the rosette. From 2001 to 2006(?), the 500 and 700 Series Taylors had a koa rosette and I think either a koa or faux tortoiseshell binding. I thought that looked better on it, but that's just my personal opinion

If it were ever stolen (it's happened to me before!) or broken, I'd go comb the stores for another 714ce. It's just that good~

Cedar top , grafted walnut back and sides , ES pick up sytem ,normally has rosewood back and sides...the walnut looks great and is perfectly matched.Cutaway.
Excellent hard case.

Sounds great acoustically , nice tight balanced sound ,works well for fingerpicking and strumming.
I'm less happy with the amplified sound either into an acoustic [AER] amp or a Dynacord PA system.The output is weak compared with various other Fishman and Baggs sytems I use on other guitars.
There is always a slight hiss from the ES sytem even with everything set flat on the EQ...add any top and it is even more noticeable.
After much experimentation particularly using a sweepable mid EQ I've found an acceptable sound but for me the Fishman blend system on my Manson custom knocks spots off it.

The set up was perfect out of the box...nice low action with perfect intonation..beautifully finished frets and lovely playable neck.

The guitar is great to play live...it stays in tune well and needs much less retuning when moving a capo up and down the neck than I've found with other guitars set up to a similar action.
The only snag is the ES system...because of the different output and EQ requirements I have to use another channel for the Taylor alone rather than just swap instruments using the same channel and preamp/tuner etc

No experience of any warranty claim...the dealer I bought it from has been very helpful with suggestions re the ES system.

I've been playing various acoustic /electros for 40 years...my first Taylor...the guitar is perfect apart from the ES system...I'm thinking about trading it in for an older model with a Fishman system which should fit in better with my other instruments for live work...I use an Andy Manson custom Heron and a Parker bronze fly in addition to the Taylor.

Cedar Top, Rosewood back & sides, ES electronics

Rich, full. Can be a little mid-rangey if your sound tech doesn't know what he/she is doing. Use the breakout box to utilize the balanced output.

Perfect!!!

At first, I broke a lot of strings, so I put on the heavier bluegrass gauge and the problem went away.

I've owned this guitar for about 6 years. No problems. Well worth the over two grand I paid for it.

This guitar is nothing short of amazing. Cedar top, rosewood back and sides ..... a standard 714CE made in 2006

I play a variety of acoustic stuff - everything from trad folk to old-time to Western to European jazz. This guitar handles it all without breaking a sweat and gives a SOUND. That sound is like the best whiskey .... mellow and smooth and perfectly balanced. If you want a guitar with quirks, don't buy one of these.

Here's what sold me on it. I have a friend here in town who is a Martin collector. He has a literal house full of them. So, after I played this guitar at the shop I asked the owner if I could take it for an afternoon. We're old friends, so he let me take it out of the store and over to my friend's home to compare it to some of the Martins.

What blew me away (and blew him away too) was the simple fact that it sounded BETTER than a lovely pre-war D45! And ate a pre-war 000-45 alive too.

'Nuff said!

I found no flaws at all on this instrument.

We had to do the usual action adjustment visits as it settled in, but it has not needed one for several months now.

My backup guitar is a Breedlove Classic Custom. Yep, that's my BACKUP.
This guitar is that good.

I do a lot of concert work (got out of the bars years ago) and it's what I grab for the serious gigs.

Lifetime warranty, and all contact I have had with Taylor, both phone and face-to-face has been exemplary.

I have been playing for 50+ years (yep, since I was 9) and professionally since 1964. I own Martins, Larivees, Guilds, Ricos
(original acoustics before they were BC Rich), Goyas and several other smaller brands.

I'd buy another one in a New York second. As a matter of fact, I had Taylor build me a 12-string of the same specs, I liked it so well, and was not disappointed.

I've been a raving Martin fan for most of my life. This guitar changed my opinions.