I see a great relationship with my Taylor 314ce. Its a great playing, great looking, great sounding guitar. It also has stage appeal as Taylor has a reputation as a young and/or financialy challenged persons dream guitar for most. I first noticed Taylor being used at church by the lead singer. Church or not, I recommend this to anyone with some experiance playing a guitar as its a bit expensive for a starter. (most people who want to play, give up after a short while because of the needed effort and dedication).

Sound
I rate the sound 8 because I haven't played every guitar made in the world to compare this one to, (-1 point), and the strings, included, though quality, are not my personal choice,(-1 point). The Taylor 314ce has a full sound with the low E sounding piano-like. It has a very well balanced volume for all the strings, though a touch more on the treb/mid end. Projection is perfect. The tone is great up and down the entire neck. When playing solo, this guitar doesn't have that nastyness we sometimes hear on the high E...the twangy, loss of vol and tone around the 9th fret and up. Many changes to the sound can be done by simply changing the type of strings being used. I personaly don't like coated strings as they take away the organic tone and fullness of sound overall. I highly recommend this guitar for its sound.

Features
I rate the features a 10 because it has what is required by any acoustic/electric… read more guitar; a case, good electrics, and quality sound and construction with exceptional tuning machines. The overall shape of this guitar is the most comfortable and visualy appealing I have held or seen. It's well balanced in weight. The case this 314ce came with is very nice. Well padded with a soft interior. Feels rugged and sturdy and the hinges feel good. With 5 latches, it closes securly. The exterior is a foe-gator skin I think. Other features include the free subscription to Wood And Steel, a publication for all things Taylor to the origional owner. I believe an instrument should sound good naturaly before altering tones, volumes, and effects and the built in pre-amp does this very well. It has little to adjust other than volume, treble, and bass, and an on/off pick-up selector switch inside the sound hole, allowing any other changes to be done externaly.

Ease of Use
I rate the ease of use a 10 because of its user friendly pre-amp design, and its fit and function. All the frets of this Taylor are perfect. No fret buzz anywhere from nut to sound hole. The action is low, but not to low as to take away diverse playability. It's not like an electric guitar where it feels like it has a zero fret. The neck is slim for an acoustic guitar and this makes it very easy to navigate. It is comfortable to sit with, weather you play with it resting on the right or left leg, as well as stand with. With 3 knobs with center detents and one on/off switch, using the elecrtics are very quick and easy.

Quality
I rate the quality a 10 because of its near flawless construction. I say near because I don't know how well adhisives and clamping were applied during the build process as this will be noticed in the years to come. This 314ce has a beautiful top wood grain, even in form and color and slightly figured. no knots of any size anywhere on the instrument. The ebony has no discolorations either. All the joints are tight and very clean. The binding is great with no flaws all the way around and it's seam is invisible. Wires inside the body are fastened well with no movement. Pots turn nicly and the detent is easy to find. The tuning machines hold the tuning well and have almost no backlash and feel very smooth.

Value
As previously mentioned in my sound rating, (8), I haven't played every guitar to make a fair comparison, but my confidence in this instrument is high. Its well made, sounds great, and its affordable as a mid/upper end guitar. As with most consumer goods, value is not 100% based on only the product or the price, but on retailer and desirability. This guitar has geat value to me and I feel I got a very good deal.

Manufacturer Support
I rate the support a 10, not from my own experiance, but that of others I know. If you are the origional owner and you have an issue, I believe Taylor will take care of you. That is some of what you pay for when you buy a Taylor instrument.

The Wow Factor
I rated the "I want it" a 10 because I do...lol. I have no buyers remorse. Its exactly what I wanted. My choices were a Martin 0016DB, Taylor GS, Taylor 414, and a Breedlove 25/. I chose this for ethical reasons as well as asthetics and obviously...sound. The factory where they make these is a marval. (Watch U tube for them) I am a luthier, (a guitar maker), and I bought one of these because they are wonderfuly made and designed.

Musical Background:
Active Musican

Musical Style:
Rock, Jazz, Blues, Metal, Old Country, Alternative... read less