Taylor 914CE Grand Auditorium Cutaway Acoustic-Electric Guitar (with Case)

Sound:
Sweet, bright tone with excellent mid-range. Each individual string sounds cleanly and distinctively. No muddiness. Very well balanced. Minor drawback: the harmonics could be bigger.

Feature:
great combination of woods. It is not so much about the kind of wood but the quality and its ability to move with the vibration of the stings. It works for me. The expression system compliments the natural tone of the 914. It also does what other pick up systems do also. There are 3 controls on the guitar, vol., bass, and treble. Thats all I need; although, just a minute turn of each control makes substancial difference in vol or tone. I did not find an external flaw. Tuners worked fine.

Quality:
right up there with the best in this price range. It lacks nothing. It is one of the big boys. I did not pay the asking sales price, I paid much less. If the music store does not barter on any guitar in this price range, walk away. I noticed that the price of this guitar can vary quite a bit. again find a place that you trust, and makes you feel important and listens to what you want. Quality not only speaks to the guitar, it also speaks to the whole experience.

Value:
I got a good deal, a very good deal. The price that is listed online, or at the big music stores are basically the same. Most places will match an online price. don't spend this much money online, buy at a store and you will get a better deal. And it is very important to play the guitar (any guitar) when you are going to pay in four or more figures.

Desirability:
I like simple and powerful....

Sound:
the 914ce has a tone all its own. You can make comparisons with other guitars, as I did and I choose the Taylor. I played the Martin's, Breedloves, Laravies, Tacoma's, a couple local custom made guitars in the $2500. to $4,500 price range. Of course I lusted after serveral $10,000 and up guitars but they were out of my range. Given all the options I had I choose the 914ce. Now I know some will say Taylor is cutting corners...they don't take pride in the art of guitar making, well that is not what I found in 914. I choose the 914ce for how it fit me, and when I buy a guitar it is not about anyone else, it is about me and the guitar. The tone was simple clear wood sound, a bit on the treble and mid side, but not ignoring the bass, chimmey and rich, and so touch sensitive. Tonal options from the bridge to twelveth fret were excetional and distinctive. the harmonics were right on. For me this was my best fit in a guitar.

Ease of Use:
all I had to do was begin to play. It is new so the sound is not its best, but its a great start so it will only get better. Playability it easy, and as I stated earlier the guitar is open to your touch. the 914 may not respond to heavy flat picking as well as other guitars (martins, Guilds, or 700 or 800 series taylors)but it does an excetional job responding to finger picking, struming, and my flat picking styles (Folk, Blues, rock, or jazz).

Support:
N/A so far so good. The information that is provide with the guitar is great information for taking care of your 914.

Overall:
If this guitar does not take me to my grave, then I sold it, it was stolen, or it did not last. And if it did not last then I lived to long.