Taylor 214ce DLX Grand Auditorium Acoustic-Electric Guitar, Left-Handed (with Case)

Enjoy the strength and elasticity of the solid Sitka top on the Taylor 214ce Deluxe left-handed guitar as well as the broad dynamic range which yields crisp articulation and allows for everything from aggressive strumming and flatpicking to fingerpicking.

Features:

- Grand Auditorium Shape
- Sitka Spruce Top
- Layered Rosewood Back and Sides
- Expression System 2 Electronics
- Venetian Cutaway
- Includes Taylor Case

A smooth sunburst adds vintage flair to the solid Sitka spruce top on this layered rosewood Grand Auditorium. Deluxe. Features include a full-gloss body, Expression System® 2 pickup and preamp, a Small Diamond fretboard inlay, and a standard hardshell case. Whether you're a beginner or a pro player, Taylor's balanced tone and superb intonation will help you sound your best.

Grand Auditorium Shape

The most versatile and popular of Taylor's guitar shapes. Its well-defined midrange contributes to a clear and balanced tone. It's responsive enough for fingerstyle players and powerful enough for pickers and strummers to get a lively response. Think of it as a jack of all trades.

Expression System 2

The Taylor Expression System 2 (ES2) is a revolutionary pickup design that delivers the latest in Taylor's ongoing innovation in acoustic guitar amplification. The heart of the Expression System 2 is Taylor's patented behind-the-saddle pickup, which features three uniquely positioned and individually calibrated pickup sensors. The location of the sensors enables… read more a more dynamic range of acoustic sound to be captured than ever before. Together with Taylor's custom-designed "professional audio"-grade preamp, this system produces exceptional amplified tone and responsiveness. On stage through a PA, plugged into your favorite acoustic amplifier, or direct into recording software, the Expression System 2 faithfully conveys the voice of your Taylor guitar.

Behind the ES2 Design: Rethinking the Piezo Pickup

For decades, piezo-electric transducers have been positioned under the saddle of a guitar based on the long-held belief that the string and top vibration cause the saddle to "bounce" up and down. But Taylor's electronics team, led by developer David Hosler, discovered that the vertical movement is actually heavily restricted, and that the saddle gets "locked down" due to the string tension's downward pressure. That's why a traditional under-saddle pickup with piezo-electric crystals often responds with a sound often characterized as thin, brittle, brash or synthetic, especially with more aggressive playing.

The saddle's natural range of movement as the guitar is being played is actually back and forth like a pendulum. That revelation led Taylor's design team to relocate the crystals from under the saddle to behind it. The positioning enables the crystals to respond more naturally to the guitar's energy as it is transferred through the saddle. Three pickup sensors are installed behind the saddle, through the bridge, with three tiny Allen screws that calibrate the position of the sensors in relation to the saddle.

Like the original Expression System, the ES2 features the same volume and tone control knobs. The preamp is similar but with a slightly different gain structure. As a result it will be about 25 percent hotter, which is more in line with other pickups. This makes it plug-and-play friendly both for artists and live sound mixers.

Venetian Cutaway

Standard on "ce" models in the 300 Series and up, the Venetian cutaway is known for its soft, round lines. The sloping peak of the cutaway will vary depending on the shape of the guitar. The Grand Concert, Grand Auditorium, and Grand Symphony have a steeper slope, while the Dreadnought is a bit flatter. read less