If you’re wondering if Taylor 114E is a good acoustic-electric guitar or not, you’ve come to the right place! In today’s in-depth review, I’m going to take a very close look on that popular guitar. It’s a pretty affordable model, but is it actually worth the money?
The truth is that Taylor 114E offers an amazing value for the money. This guitar looks, sounds and feels like a much more expensive guitar. It will work particularly well for any working musician out there – it’s made for live performances!
Let’s dive deeper with research to find out what exactly makes the 114E model so good and so popular all around the world. Firstly, we’ll have a look at the detailed specifications of that model. Additionally, we’ll investigate the biggest pros and cons of that guitar. Of course, there will be a few sound demos included as well!
Specs & Pricing
Taylor 114E is an affordable acoustic-electric guitar suitable for the most demanding players out there. This Grand Auditorium has everything that you potentially need from a guitar at this price level.
What makes it so cool? Well, the guitar features a solid Sitka spruce top, layered walnut back and sides, a comfortable maple neck and an easy-playing ebony fretboard. This is a big advantage of that model, because it allows you to practice for several hours without getting tired.
The sound of Taylor 114E can be described as warm, crispy and balanced at the same time. Surely, it doesn’t matter what kind of music you want to play – whether you prefer strumming or fingerpicking, it will sound awesome on that model.
What’s important, the manufacturer equipped this model with the ES2 electronics. This is an another really important thing, because it allows you to efficiently use that guitar on stage. Even when the 114E is plugged into an amp, it sounds very nice and balanced, so it’s a perfect choice for gigs.
When it comes to pricing, it’s not exactly a cheap guitar, but it’s still one of the cheapest models offered by Taylor. That being said, it’s definitely worth the money! It can easily compete with much more expensive guitars made by other brands such as Martin, Gibson or Takamine.
Here’s the sound demo – feel free to check it out below.
Who Is It For?
Taylor 114E is suitable for both amateur and more intermediate guitar players. No matter how advanced you are, you will definitely notice and appreciate the undeniably high quality of that model.
Still, since it’s an acoustic-electric guitar, it’s most often used by intermediate and professional musicians who often perform live.
This is a fantastic guitar to take on tour with, especially if you’re a singer-songwriter. It’s not overly expensive, so you won’t have to worry about it getting damaged. At the same time, it sounds great, so you can be sure that your audience will really enjoy the sound of it!
It is also worth mentioning that this is one of the cheapest acoustic-electric guitars manufactured by Taylor, so it’s also a perfect option for anyone who doesn’t want to pay thousands of dollars for other high-end Taylors.
Overall, I’m positive that the vast majority of guitar players will really enjoy playing on that excellent acoustic guitar. It simply fantastic!
Here’s an another sound demo.
Pros & Cons of Taylor 114E
Just like any other acoustic-electric guitar available on the market, Taylor 114E has its own advantages and disadvantages. Still, you don’t have to worry too much about the cons of that guitar – it’s really difficult to find any major ones.
Pros
- Great Tone
- Affordable Price
- Beautiful Finish
- Comfortable Neck
- Perfect For Live Gigs
Cons
- No Case Included
- String Action (Although It Can Be Adjusted)
As you can see, the 114E model has a lot of great advantages. This is a really well-made guitar which exceeds all the expectations. In comparison with some of the other Taylors, it’s extremely affordable. On top of that, it’s perfect for live performances, so it’s a great guitar for any singer-songwriter or band member.
On the other hand, it usually comes without a case, so you’ll have to get it separately. This is not a big issue, but it would save you a lot of time. Additionally, some guitarists complain about the high string action of that model, but it can be easily adjusted, so it’s not a big deal.
Overall, the advantages of Taylor 114E outweigh its disadvantages. There’s just not too much to complain about, especially considering the fact that this is one of the most affordable Taylors out there.
Taylor 114E vs Taylor 114CE
What’s interesting, Taylor also manufactures an another version of that guitar – Taylor 114CE. This is pretty much the same guitar as 114E, but it has an additional feature which may be really important for some guitarists – a cutaway.
The 114CE model is a bit more expensive, but it’s made of the same materials. However, it sounds a bit differently. The 114E model seems to sound fuller, while the 114CE has a bit crispier and brighter tone.
As you can imagine, it’s really difficult to clearly determine which one of these guitars is better. In the end, it all comes down to your own personal prefereneces.
Personally, I’d stick with the 114E model without the cutaway. It sounds much better for me and I don’t really use the cutaway anyway!
Here’s a fantastic video that compares both of these guitars. Feel free to check it out below and try to spot the sound differences between these models!
*If you want to check out current pricing of Taylor 114CE, feel free to check it out below on Amazon or Thomann. These are affiliate links, which means that I may receive a commission if you decide to get it after clicking on the link.
Cheap vs Expensive Taylor Guitars
As you’re already aware, the 114E is one of the most affordable acoustic-electric guitars offered by Taylor. But how good is it in comparison with high-end Taylor guitars?
The truth is that difference is not that easy to notice. That’s the most interesting thing about the 114E – it sounds surprisingly good when you directly compare it with Taylor guitars from the higher shelf.
Here’s a really good video that compares the sound of 114E with Taylor PS14CE, one of the most expensive Taylors out there.
In my opinion, the PS14CE sounds better, but is it worth it to pay a few times more for it? Well, that’s debatable. Make sure to check out the video below!
Any Alternatives?
If you don’t like the sound of Taylor 114E or you simply can’t afford it right now, that’s not a huge deal! There’s still quite a lot of other really good acoustic-electric guitars that also deserve a lot of attention. Of course, it all depends on what exactly you’re searching for and how much are you willing to spend.
Here’s a few more acoustic recommendations based on my own experience.
Firstly, I highly encourage you to check out the Martin DX Johnny Cash Signature. This is a really unique acoustic-electric guitar which not only sounds good, but it also looks fantastic as well! Whether you’re a fan of Johnny Cash or not, you will definitely appreciate the uniqueness of that model. On top of that, it’s a bit more affordable than Taylor 114E!
Alternatively, you can check out the Takamine GD11MCE. This is an all-mahogany guitar, so it has a very characteristic tone which is really warm. This kind of sound is perfect for anyone who loves the fingerstyle playing. If that’s your kind of vibe, you should definitely check it out. Just like the Martin mentioned previously, the GD11MCE is also more affordable than the 114E.
For those who are looking for something really special, there’s also Gretsch G5024E Rancher. This is an another excellent acoustic-electric guitar which sounds amazing on stage. It’s a perfect instrument for any singer-songwriter and band member who’s searching for a good and reliable acoustic guitar of this type. Of course, it’s not too expensive either.
However, Taylor 114E already has everything that you need from a high quality acoustic-electric guitar. If you have the budget for it – go for it!
FAQ
Where is Taylor 114E manufactured?
Taylor 114E is manufactured in Mexico.
Is the 114E model good for beginners?
Yes, Taylor 114E is a great choice for beginners! This is a great instrument for someone who really wants to step up their game and become a much more better player.
Where can I find out more about Taylor guitars?
If you want to find out more about this legendary manufacturer of acoustic guitars, check out the official website of Taylor.
Summary
As you can see, Taylor 114E is an absolutely amazing acoustic-electric guitar. I don’t think it really matters whether you’re a complete beginner or an intermediate player – if you decide to get it for yourself, you will definitely notice and appreciate the high quality of that model. It’s a fantastic instrument!
What do you think of the 114E model? Would you get it for yourself or do you think that it’s overrated? Leave a comment down below and let me know what you think, I’m really interested to hear your thoughts!
Thanks for checking out today’s review, I hope that it was helpful. For those who are searching for more gear recommendations, you may also enjoy the following articles:
