214CE Review

On this guitar I play mostly Acoustic, Classical, Rock, Ballads, Blues, and country songs. Great match for everything!

Features:	9.5
Sound:	9.5
Action:	10
Reliability:	10
Impression:	9.5
Overall rating:	9.3
Reviewer rating:	9.7
Users rating:	8.9
Votes:	29

Reviewed by: unregistered, on december 07, 2009

Price paid: $ 1060

Purchased from: Kley Zemer

Features: Type/Shape: 6-String Grand Auditorium
Back & Sides: Indian rosewood laminate
Top: Sitka Spruce
Neck: Tropical American Mahogany
Fretboard: Indian Rosewood
Headstock Overlay: Indian Rosewood
Bridge: Indian Rosewood
Nut & Saddle: Tusq
Tuning Machines: Enclosed, Die-Cast Chrome Plated
Strings: Elixir Light Gauge Strings with Nanoweb Coating
Truss Rod: Adjustable
Number of Frets: 20
Bracing: Scalloped, X-brace
Finish: Satin varnish
Cutaway: Venetian
Electronics: Taylor ES-T

Made In 2008, and it also came with a hardshell. It has only 2 tone knobs and a volume knob. // 10

Sound: This Guitar Is Amazing! I remember searching an Acoustic guitar, I remember trying to find a sound as similar to the Acoustic tone on "Behind Blue Eyes" by Limp Bizkit, and I remember searching so hard, I thought it was almost hopeless. I couldn't believe my luck when I heard this guitar, and instantly bought it! This guitar actually hits the small balnce between warm and full, to trebely and metallic! It sounds the best with open string chords, and I've been playing this guitar and composing with her for over a year and I savour every moment! I haven't ever plugged it to an Acoustic amplifier, but I assume it sounds good, though it doesn't sound the best plugged directly to the monitor... // 9

Action, Fit & Finish: Onw word - PERFECT! Sounds amazing! No flaws! Strings set to action perfectness! The string holders at the bridge were so tight, I actually needed my Ladderman to take it out. I use Elixir 0.11 strings with this guitar and I just can't find any better strings to put on her! // 10

Reliability & Durability: This guitar withstanded a Live playing easily! Solid strap buttons! Unremovable! It fell once or twice, and except a small scratch nothing happend. I will definately use this guitar without a backup. Once I've accidently dropped it. The guitar was not damaged, and the hardshell protected it fearlessly! // 10

Impression: On this guitar I play mostly Acoustic, Classical, Rock, Ballads, Blues, and country songs. Great match for EVERYTHING! I've been playing for 3 years, and never heard an Acoustic in this price range better then this one, and even my guitar teacher loves this guitar more then his. I compared it to the 1000$ Martin, Takamine, and Cort guitars. It easily won the competition. If lost or stolen, I will definately buy another one! // 9

Reviewed by: unregistered, on august 24, 2011

Price paid: C$ 1025

Purchased from: Tom Lee

Features: I believe this particular guitar was made in 2009. It was made in mexico but don't let that take your interest away. It has 20 frets the frets are as smooth as can be and perfectly made 25 1/2 inch scale length. Indian rosewood laminate back and sides and a sitka spruce top. The back sides and neck are satin finish which I personally prefer on my guitars. It a grand auditorium style body which is perfect and feels amazing. The pick-up systems the Taylor es-t expression system and it sounds beautiful. It comes stringed with elixer light gauge nanowebs and also comes with a Taylor gigbag which is just as durable as the hardshells yet much lighter and easier to carry around! Its simple without too many expensive aesthetic features but the sound is something else. Taylor acoustic are just soo beautiful but I'll talk about that in the next section. All the features the guitar comes with is the most basic Taylor has to offer that's why I've given it a 9 but they're made to perfection perfect intonation, action is amazing it feels great looks great and plays beautifully nothing I could complain about except for the fact that its made in Mexico and cost over $1000 but hey its well worth it! // 9

Sound: Honestly I play a bit of everything but for when I play acoustic I play more open chord stuff. From Mraz to Mayer to worship songs and even good old classic rock. This thing is simple and sounds great. The pickup system is very easy to use even put some fuzz and it takes it well very full sounding great for church, jamming and songwriting. I've even used this thing on stage for a semi acoustic gig and I loved the sound! Taylors generally have that bright magical sparkle beautiful highs and rich lows this ones definitely a keeper! I compared it to a $900 Takamine I saw which looked stunning but sounded so dull compared to this beauty. I don't know what else to say you gotta try a Taylor to understand what I'm talking about! // 10

Action, Fit & Finish: As I previously mentioned this thing was built to perfection. I honestly couldnt find a thing I was upset with about this guitar. The strings after a playing everyday for about 2 months needed a change but that was about it. I strung the guitar with martins and it sounded great for about a week. Elixers are really the way to go worth every penny! This was my first really expensive guitar and the people at tom lee even gave me instructions on how to take care of your acoustic and keep it from getting water damaged by humidity. Thankfully my guitar even after 6 months still sounds and looks great. I'm not gonna like I've dropped it once or twice and often bang it on the side of a table or the grand piano but it doesnt't bruise easily she still looks and sounds stunning and I'm not lying or being biased at all! // 10

Reliability & Durability: I've only had the pleasure of playing this thing twice on stage but very often in church. I've had no problems with it all. The tuners are great. The guitar very rarely gets off tune not like my strat. This gutar is extremely dependable and I love everything about it. I've played the hell out of it even until the strings coating begins to peel and yet it still sounds great. I've had it for awhile now restrung it a handful of times and every time I restring it she sounds as beautiful as she did when I first picked her up! Great sounding acoustic! // 10

Impression: I'm kind of a perfectionist and I'd spend the money on something more expensive if I know I'm getting my moneys worth. I feared this Taylor wouldn't be as good seeing as its one of taylors entry level acoustic electrics part of the 100/200 series but honestly this guitar fantastic. I am definitely a huge Taylor guitar fan they make great acoustics. Way better than any Martin under $3000 that I've tried. Honestly this things sounds just as great as any of taylors 300 or 400 series and tons better than any of the other 100 or 200 series. I'd buy another one of these in a heartbeat. I'm planning to get another Taylor acoustic in the future they're just so damn expensive but hey its worth it they're beautiful guitars I love my 214CE it sounds as stunning as my Gibson Les Paul Traditional does. The only other acoustic I'd want on my wishlist is an 814CE but who has $5000 to spend? Taylor acoustics are the best acoustics out there bar none! // 10

Comments

[Wiintruder]

dang, looks really nice. I do love my takamine, but I have to admit that Taylor has amazing guitars. Nice review.

[Longhairedrockr]

Just you mentioning it reminding you of Limp Bizkit's cover of Behind Blue Eyes is almost enough to prevent me from buying it.

[supris409]

you play acoustic on an acoustic???!!! NO WAY!

[neoamir]

to the longhairwtfthingi - i hate the cover but love the sound

to supris409 - you bet!!! XDDD

[avafreak252]

If I ever get an new acoustic guitar it will be from Taylor because I have heard so many good things about them.

[SayHello2Heaven]

my beef with taylor is that they lack bass. They're incredibly bright, bordering on twangy. I prefer an acoustic with more meat in it.

[supris409]

SayHello2Heaven wrote:

my beef with taylor is that they lack bass. They're incredibly bright, bordering on twangy. I prefer an acoustic with more meat in it.

Taylor has several different models of acoustic guitars that are made with a variety of woods. Madagascar rosewood, for example, is a body wood Taylor offers that will dominate those lower frequencies and fulfill your bass needs. Do not play one or two Taylor acoustics and make such a biased statement.

[panic!!!]

can anyone help me where is this guitar made? are all taylors american made?

[Twinkiebar]

I believe they all are american made, atleast that's what the documentary says. If you search youtube there's a whole documentary in 4(or 5) different parts where they show you how they make it, what machines they use and a interview with the founder of Taylor Guitars.

[panic!!!]

its an awesome guitar 1 question does it come with a hardshell case??

[charlesV]

I have a Taylor 214ce, and I agree that it is an amazing guitar.

[gru grux]

I have this guitar and it is amazing for the price.These guitars like most Taylors need to live in their cases with a humidifier otherwise trouble.If you like to leave your guitar out you will have problems.Mine has plenty of bass so I don't agree with the others,next guitar will be a Taylor too.

[gru grux]

yes

panic!!! wrote:

its an awesome guitar 1 question does it come with a hardshell case??

[Twinkiebar]

This guitar is indeed a beauty. I've had mine for around 2 years and I've been using it while I was in the studio for my old band. It has great clarity while playing in open tuning, I recommend everyone who's going to buy a 214ce to atleast play in open tuning once.