Taylor Guitars 914-CE

2004 model, engelmann top rosewood back and sides. ebenoid tuner buttons, taylor expression system electronics, gloss UV finish. Grand Auditorium style, mahogany neck.

Well the sound is out of this world. Balance is what i'd say, perhaps a little more mids would be nice but that's it. Gets better every year, what a winner.

Wood is impeccable. Finish has a humidity crack, but the shine dazzles. This kind of sexy guitar has to be well looked after. The action is a little tougher than some, but for tone chasers its one of the best. Ebenoid buttons tend to crack, i think they changed them. They don't hesitate to send out a new ones though.

Well, the thin wood needs to be looked after, temp and humidity wise. It is a show dog and you can't throw it in a fighting ring and expect it to scrap it out. You need to feed it love and care. Taylor made this guitar well, the finish may be tough for some to keep up but the guitar should last a lifetime then some.

Absolutely awesome. Friendly, knowledgeable, helpful. One of the best.

Playing for 30 years, Taylors, Martins, Gibson, Breedlove i've owned and played many more. This is one excellent guitar and I would most definitely replace it. It is a tone lovers guitar.

To replace & "upgrade" my 450$ 13years old FS350 Yamaha, I would like to buy a Taylor 914-CE, 3200Euros(approx.3400$) at Paris in last January2006. It has an active preamp "Expression" w/3-microphone-cells inside, w/battery needed.
Grand Auditorium Venetian Cutaway: it has very well frets/tuner & "woods" clean finishes.
For me, the neck is top-level & very easy to play.

I play rock/ballad songs only with fingers, with a Marshall AS100-D.
Effects: inside the Marshall, or sometimes with an added "2xFrequencyPath" made by myself Compressor. The guitar itself has very good medium and FANTASTIC "crystal Clear harmonics"!!, but it lacks of "basses" for me.(I was told that it's the "Taylor'sound"; i tested the 514CE also which was quite the same, but with less high harmonics). The "preampExpression" is easy to use, noise-free and sounds VERY good & natural, and also i can emphasis my "lack" of low-end frequencies...but the reliability is TBD ! (see below)

The set up factory is OK, very easy to play,
The "preampExpression" sound is VERY good & natural...
but when i turned the "volume" potentiometer, it was "noise-scratching" in the new demo unit !! (the 3 rotary pots are pretty & small, but don't look very "reliable"). I was VERY upset.. and it's the main reason i have not buyed this guitar (NOT the price)

As i have not buyed this guitar, I cannot tell something about its durability.

Never dealt with them

At this price, the "electronics" seems to be rugged.. and the lead time can be some weeks to repair this kind of problems by a trusted professional !.. so i forget all the "electrified+acoustical like Takamine (perhaps a mistake!), and i decide to try "acousic only": i was very upset with some 1100$ Martin Acoustic.. and finally i choose a 900$ superb & VERY well "overall-tone-BALANCED" Yamaha-LL16 (with Elixir's nanoweb strings): it's only drawbak is less "crystal-harmonics" than 914CE.. but nobody's perfect ! (I hope it will keep it's rich sound with time).Also i will add myself some external & easy-to-fit pickups like K&K 2WaysPiezzo + "AMT"type inside-condenser, blended & powered directly with my clevered 3 inputs Marshall AS100-D !!!
I'm playing for 30 years; also "elecric" w/1975's StratUS, Marshall JCM900 & MesaBoogieMarkIV & effects pedals..

2005 914-CE with the ES system, englemann top and indian back/sides

The 914 is a great all around guitar and a good deal for the money.
It is very responsive for fingerstyle but still has a lot of headroom for flatpicking. It has a slightly bright balanced sweet sound as it matures it should pick up more bass, but overall I am very happy with its versatility. I have played more expensive and responsive guitars and feel the 914 holds its own. I have not plugged it but have heard other ES equipped guitars and really like its sound. At this point I have no dislikes with the 914.

Here is where Taylor wins customers, this 914 plays like an electric! It is very very easy to play and this is where Taylor excels in my opinion! Try it for yourself and see

I have owned other Taylors and have not had problems, this is a new guitar so we will have to see. Hopefully the reported problems with the ES are resolved.

I have been playing a long time and have owned lots of high end guitars like Ryan, McCollum, Santa Cruz, Eichelbaum, Bourgeois, etc.
Several of these are "one trick ponies" in that they can only be finger OR flatpicked but not both. These high end guitars also frequently need tweaking/repairing which can be a pain. They each do offer something specatcular for a specific need. The 914 can do both, without much compromise on either end. The tone is pretty good on the Taylor and the playability is fantastic. It is versatile, comfortable, and will hopefully be the instrument I play for a while. I am sure those who love high end guitars will disagree with me but the 914 is a good all around guitar and compares very favorably with many other makes and should be considered for those who play fingerstyle and flatpick and only want one guitar.

2003 914ce, has everything including the new expression systems, everything I could want from a accoustic guitar.

It is unbelieveable, plugged in or standalone. I play all kinds of styles (Jazz, Blues, Rock, Folk). It matches up perfectly for everything I play. I like everything about it, the sound the fit and the looks.

From a fit and finish standpoint it is a beautiful piece of work, not a complaint of any kind. Everything about it is outstanding, including the case. Excellent piece of workmanship

Whats to say, no issues, it is perfect. I looked long and hard for this baby. Everything about it is quality.

I called them a number of times prior to the purchase, they were repsonsive and professional.

I had recently found a Gurian Classical guitar that I played and bought new in the early seventies, it was at my moms house stached away, I thought it was gone. Since I no longer played classical I wanted something that would something viewed as just a valuable. I was lucky enough to trade the Gurian, plus $400 for the 912 ce. Never looked back. Great don't hesitate if your looking at this one.

Made June 6, 2002 in El Cajun, CA.
Solid Engleman Spruce top
Fishman onboard blender (which I like, except for the large piece of wood missing)
Indian Rosewood-High Grade-back and sides
Gloss finish
Body fits nice while sitting or standing
Beautiful inlay and rosette
Grover tuners
NT neck-Straight and superb action
Taylor premium hard case

Through a PA, sitting on my couch, or on my porch outside--Awesome
Rich, Balanced, Harmonics, Beautiful, Complex

No flaws. perfect looks, set-up--ready to play

Had it for 2 years and play it at least 2 times a week at gigs. It has held up wonderfully. It doesn't have a pickguard but there are only light pick scratches, Probably could be buffed out.

Awesome. Had a couple problems with my case. Solved promptly and professionally.

Been playing for around 10 years. This is the finest guitar I have ever played. It will be a lifer.
The only thing I would change is I should have gotten the Cindy inlay.

This is a 2001 made in El Cajon, USA BABY! See the Taylor website for all the features. They have a GREAT & informative website! I know, off hand that its a Engleman Spruce top, Indian ROsewood back and sides, ebony tuners (nice touch!) and ebony bridge with abalone inlays. An AWESOME Fishman Stereo Blender PU system.Best guitar I've played hands down. The MOST pristine neck in the world. IT PLAYS ITSELF GUYS! HEAVEN!!!!!!!!! It came with a nice heavyduty case(yeah, thats right, HEAVY, being the magic word). These case are amazing and they just add to the quality Taylor puts into their instruments. <p>One last thing, she smells WONDERFUL folks! Its the Indian Rosewood. It gives a sweet, heavenly, earthly aroma in every room I play it in!!!!<p> The ONLY reason why I'm NOT giving this guitar a PERFECT 10 is because there was no pickguard added to it. Its not because Taylor was cutting corners or being cheap. I have been told that is a "finger picker's guitar". And, it sounds AWESOME if it was just for just that, but, listen to her strumed to an open E chord and you hear how this guitar NEEDS to be strummed as well. So, PUT A PICKGUARD ON GUYS! I'm gana put one on because I DON'T wanna scratch this baby up. I REALLY understand that Taylor had its reason for NOT putting a pickguard on and that my putting one on will affect how this guitar was meant to be heard, but, I need to protect this baby.

Sound, sound, sound, sound, sound! NEED I SAY MORE. The sound is focused, clear, punchy, clear as crystal, well balanced. "Focused" is the key word. The sound of this guitar seems to find people's ears. Its unlike anything. Sounds LUCSIOUS (is that how you spell it?) when finger picked and BUTTERY when strummed.<p>I've been playing guitar since I was 12 and am 29 now, you do the math. I was trained classical since 19 and now I play classical, latin, folk, gospel, (with my electrics) blues and rock styles. I can do ANYTHING on this guitar, really. This guitar feels as good as some of the REALLY expensive classical/nylon strings that I've played, owned and SOLD to buy this guitar.<p>I play this guitar through (are you ready?): <ul><li>a Furman Powered Pedal Board (every pro NEEDS one of these! just save ALL your money for 3 months, sell all un-needed equipment, and sell all bodily fluids you can)</li>
<li> to a Boss TU2 Tuner (ditto about every pro needs one)</li>
<li> to a Ernie Ball Volume Pedal (ditto, every.....2 or 3 of them!)</li>
<li>to a Boss Compresser/Sustainer (ditto)</li>
<li>to a Dunlop Wah (ditto)</li>
<li>to a (here's the stuff) Boss AD5 Acoustic Processor a.k.a. the "Brown Box" (every GOOD pro that cares about their acoustic sound live, MUST have one of these!!!!!)</li>
<li>to an SWR California Blonde (I LOVE this amp!!!!!!!)</li></ul>
This guitar with this fabulous set up is PURE acoustic heaven. I can be heard the way a guitar was meant to be heard IMHO.<p>I'm a pro player who plays 4-6 days/nights a week. I've found the dream guitar for the dream setup! (See above)

NO flaws at all on the make of this guitar. I looked VERY meticulously. I needed to since I was putting down 3 grand of my hard earned money!!!! Just a BEAUTIFUL instrument with (are you ready?) the BEST NECK I'VE EVER PLAYED EVER BARE NONE!!!!!!! Action is PERFECT! They set this all perfect from the factory. It came with Elixor strings which I changed to Martin SP Custom Lights Bronze.<p>The Fishman PU system is unbelievable. I A/B'd it next to the new "ES Expression System" by Taylor. Buffalo Bros had one there fresh outta the factory and I liked the ES VERY much! But, it didnt seem to sound as good on going through the SWR amp. Plus, I didn't hear the ES system through a 914ce, I heard it through a K14ce which I think made a big difference. The 914ce was a MUCH superior instrument that the ES lacked. Kudos to the Fishman though. Its a GREAT system. I have the same system on my Cordoba FCWE "Gispy King" guitar. They're outstanding! <p>This guitar is built like a tank! It feels solid in every way.

We'll see! I know I shouldn't make a review DURING the honeymoon. But THATS how compelled I felt to write this! Its THAT great of an instrument! I WOULD gig without a backup. The hardware is pristine. Let's see if it survives a year with me. I WILL take good care of her but, as I've said, she feels solid!

See Taylor's website for warranty info. i KNOW that their customer support is legendary! Read the testimonials! They were the ones who told me that I must go to Buffalo Bros Guitars and check out all the Taylors that they had there. They even said I'd get a better deal and better price going there.

I JUST bought her yesterday. I first played her 3 years ago and never saw one again (they're hard to find). I had fallen in love with her and never thought I'd play one again. Then, I went to Buffalo Bro Guitar Shop in Carlsbad, CA (right near San Diego) on whim after driving 3 hours from where I live and going to the Taylor factory's tour (pretty amazing) and they had one there (and many, MANY other Taylors). I A/B'd (and C/Dd and Y/Zd, you name it) it against other Taylor guitars, the 814ce (next best thing), 714ce, etc, even the very nice looking PR14 ("Presentation Series", with all those BEAUTIFUL inlays, looks AWESOME, but didn't as sound good IMO) [and I even tried some, Martins, Collings, and Versouls, sorry guys].<p>No CONTEST! THE TAYLORS BEAT THEM ALL! The final cut came down to the 914ce and the K14ce,the Koa model that is VERY similiar. The Indian Rosewood beat out the Koa's koa. Plus, as stated above, I liked the Fishman better than the ES system. But, also as stated above, I think that the ES would have sounded better in a 914ce rather than a K14ce. I really liked the ES, but Fishman, well, you can't go wrong with these!<p>I've been playing 17 of my 29 years (see above about my history). I'm a pro that relies on good gear and this is my best peice of gear that I own! <p>Aside from the pedal set up (see above) that I have, I also own:<ul><li>A Cordoba FCWE Gipsy King model classical/flamenco guitar</li>
<li>A Takamine G334 (an oldie dreadnaugt six-stringer thats my workhorse</li><li>A James Burton Signature Model Telecaster with black finish and gold Paisley, Fender lace sensors, and all the goods</li><li>'72 Telecaster Custom RI, with humbucker etc.</li><li>A crappy Samick 12-stringer with a nice Highlander active PU that does the job</li><li>A Fender Cyber Twin</li></ul>
<p> Those are my main goodies. This ax is the one. I know it is. Like I said, I wish this had a pickguard to protect her beautiful top, but that will come in time. Some may say that the 3 grand pricetag is insane. But folks, you pay for what you get for! This guitar costs more than my truck, but it does, will and did deliver the goods! Any tech questions, gimme an email. I've done alot of trial and error on all of this stuff. <h3>ROCK ON!!!!!!!

Made in El Cajon, CA right here in the U.S.
2002 Model
Check out www.taylorguitars.com for all the info on the features

Gave it a 10 because its loaded for an acoustic/electric guitar.

The Fishman blender can be difficult to get the right sound out of, but its loaded with options. Although I'm not running it through any sort of amp as of now (mine just died) I'll soon be running it through a POD XT into a Trace Elliot TA60-CR. When run through my old amp (or through headphones as I do now) it sounds perfect. Very little noise, totally flexible tones - from a real piezo crunch to a very warm, natural sound. I play a lot of folk-like rock stuff (Dave Matthews Band, Barenaked Ladies, Neil Young, Led Zeppelin, Beatles, etc.) and it suits my style very nicely. Unplugged, the sound is loud, gorgeous, and balanced. Even the high strings have a nice punch to them. Just perfect.

Set up perfectly at the Taylor factory. I bought mine totally brand new, so it had never even been taken out of the box. I lucked out and got a beautifully matched guitar - there's hardly any visible lines where the wood is joined. Just a perfect piece of workmanship inside and out - the inside is smooth and sanded perfectly. No rough edges or visible glue/marks. Again, a perfect 10, everything I could expect.

I haven't yet gigged with this baby but there's no reason I wouldn't (other than the fact that I'm scared of damaging it!). It's built very tough, and I think it could withstand quite a bit. The hardware is strong, everything seems to be made tough. I'd definitely gig without a backup - with this baby I couldn't see anything going wrong.

I haven't dealt with Taylor since I had no problems, but if you have questions definitely ask the knowledgeable people at www.taylorforums.com
They know quite a lot there and are a huge help when it comes to anything that has to do with these guitars. I also dealt with Steve from Guitar Trader and he's just about the nicest salesman I've ever dealt with. Genuinely great guy who I exchanged many e-mails with. He was very helpful and prompt in his responses and I'm more than satisfied with them. I live in Maine, and although Guitar Trader is based in San Diego, CA I had absolutely no problems and would reccommend them to anyone living in the U.S.

I've been playing guitar for 3 years now and I own a PRS Santana SE, and a cheapo (my first guitar and I love it) Ibanez MASA Series JX70 acoustic. I'll soon be the proud owner of the afforementioned Line 6 POD XT and Trace Elliot amp. If this guitar were stolen I would hunt down the person who stole it and kill them :-) Seriously though, if there was one thing I saved (besides my family and dog) if my house was burning down it would be my 914ce. I love everything about this guitar, I'd reccommend it to anyone with the money. The only reason I'm giving it a 9 overall is because it IS a bit pricey (although well worth the money, the near $3000 I paid for it broke the bank for quite a while - especially since I'm still in school). Other than that, I hope you found this review at least semi-helpful. Oh, and make sure you shop around a bit if you don't go through Guitar Trader (I know, I sound like I'm advertising them but their service really was that good). My local dealer wanted $3800 for it and I got it for $2900. If you don't get at least 35% off the list price on the Taylor website then you aren't looking hard enough.

See Taylor site for all the specifics but its made of some nice stuff!

Taylor ages their wood so the sound is very full and clean right out of the box unlike Martins which sound better with a few years of playing on them.

The factory setup is unmatched. I played several Guitars that cost 2-3 times as much and they weren't even close

Don't know for sure because ive only had it a month but it seems very well constructed

Haven't delt with them

I've never played a Taylor with poor action and they all sound unique and full of tone. Its a perfect 10