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

No longer available at zZounds
zZounds Gear Experts Say...
This Grand Auditorium acoustic electric guitar is made to accurately reproduce the guitar's original bright, balanced sound when plugged in.

The sleek lines of its Grand Auditorium body are accentuated by a softly-rounded Venetian cutaway, complementing the 914ce's shimmering appointments.

Woods
A classic pairing of premium Indian rosewood and Engelmann spruce, yielding incredibly warm and complex overtones.

Shape
The Grand Auditorium shape combines the width and depth of a Dreadnought with a narrower waist. Its sleek design yields a strong treble zing across the tonal spectrum and sharpens the definition of individual notes. The Grand Auditorium is a strong fingerpicking guitar that also adapts well to medium strumming.

Finish
The gloss finish used to create this guitar's lustrous gloss top, back, and sides was developed at Taylor for maximum durability and resistance to cold-checking. This ultra violet-cured finish is also more environmentally friendly than traditional lacquer finishes.

Electronics
Designed to faithfully reproduce your guitar's native tone, the Taylor Expression System utilizes patented Dynamic Sensors to capture top and string vibration like never before. Created in partnership with renowned audio pioneer, Mr. Rupert Neve, the Taylor ES is seamlessly integrated into the design of the guitar from the ground up. Onboard tone controls provide added flavor, or set flat for an uncolored, exceptionally clean amplified sound.

Type/shape: 6-string Grand Auditorium

Back & sides: Indian rosewood

Top: Engelmann spruce

Soundhole rosette: abalone

Neck: tropical American mahogany

Fretboard: ebony

Fretboard inlay: pearl 900 series

Headstock overlay: ebony

Binding: Ivoroid with abalone-edged top

Bridge: ebony

Nut & saddle: Tusq

Tuning machines: gold-plated Taylor tuners with Ebonoid buttons

Strings: Elixir light gauge strings with Nanoweb coating

Scale length: 25 1/2 in.

Truss rod: adjustable

Neck width at nut: 1 3/4 in.

Number of frets: 20

Bracing: scalloped, X-brace

Finish: gloss

Cutaway: venetian

Electronics: Taylor Expression System

Body width: 16 in.

Body depth: 4 5/8 in.

Body length: 20 in.

Overall length: 41 in.

Case: Taylor Deluxe hardshell

Reviewers gave this product an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars. (14 ratings)
Submitted February 25, 2006 by a customer from charter.net

"It's about me the guitar and the experience."

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
(see rating details)
This review has been selected by our experts as particularly helpful.
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.

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.

Features
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 read more 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.

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).

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.

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

The Wow Factor
I like simple and powerful....

Musical Background:
I have playing since 1969 (twenty years as a professional and famous in my own mind)

Musical Style:
I think I have my own, it has only taken me 36 years to find out I sound like somebody else,and I like the way I sound (blues, j
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