If you’re wondering if Taylor 214CE is a good acoustic-electric guitar or not, don’t worry – 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 Grand Auditorium model. It’s a pretty affordable guitar, but is it actually good?
The answer is yes! Taylor 214CE is a fantastic acoustic-electric guitar suitable for the most demanding guitarists out there. It looks, sounds and feels absolutely amazing.
Let’s dive deeper with research to find out what exactly makes the 214CE model so good and so popular among the amateur and professional guitar players all around the world. Firstly, we’ll start with a quick overview of the specifications of that model. We’ll also compare it with the 214CE Plus model!
Specs & Pricing
Taylor 214CE is a high quality Grand Auditorium acoustic-electric guitar which exceeds all the expectations. To be honest, it’s not surprising that this model is so popular.
What makes it so special? Well, the guitar features a solid Sitka spruce top with layered rosewood back and sides. On top of that, there’s also a really comfortable tropical mahogany neck with an easy-playing ebony fretboard. This is a huge advantage of that guitar, because it allows you to play for several hours without getting tired.
The manufacturer also equipped this model with the ES-2 electronics which allows you to effectively use that guitar on stage. This is an another big advantage, because it makes your guitar sound very natural when it’s plugged into an amp. Surely, all gigging musicians will appreciate that.
It is also worth mentioning that Taylor 214CE looks fantastic from the outside too. It’s made with a thorough precision and an attention to detail and what’s more, it comes with an included gig bag as well.
When it comes to pricing, it’s not exactly a cheap guitar, but it’s still a lot cheaper than some of the high-end models made by Taylor. That being said, the 214CE model is definitely worth every cent!
Here’s the sound demo – feel free to check it out below.
Who Is It For?
Taylor 214CE is suitable for guitarists of all levels. It doesn’t really matter whether you’re a complete beginner or a bit more advanced guitar player – you will definitely notice and appreciate the uniqueness of that guitar.
However, since it’s an acoustic-electric model, it’s mainly recommended for passionate guitarists who perform live.
This is a fantastic instrument to gig with. It has everything you need in order to sound amazing on stage. Whether you play in a band or you’re a solo artist, you can be sure that you’ll cut perfectly through the mix with the 214CE.
It is also worth mentioning that this is a really versatile guitar that can be used in various different styles of music. Whether you’re into blues, country or rock, Taylor 214CE won’t let you down.
Overall, I’m positive that the vast majority of guitar players will really benefit from adding that guitar to their own collections. There’s just not too much to complain about. It’s a wonderful guitar!
Here’s an another sound demo.
Pros & Cons
Just like any other acoustic-electric guitar available on the market, Taylor 214CE has its own advantages and disadvantages. That’s totally normal! Still, it seems pretty clear that this model has far more pros rather than cons.
Pros
- Great Tone
- Fantastic Look
- Comfortable Neck
- Perfect For Gigging
- Gig Bag Included
Cons
- Relatively Expensive
- No Hardshell Case
As you can see, there are a lot of things that can be considered as major advantages of the 214CE model. It sounds, looks and feels like a premium guitar. Additionally, it’s perfect for live performances and it comes with an included gig bag. Who needs anything else?
On the other hand, some guitarists may still consider this guitar as a pretty expensive model. It’s all really subjective, but the truth is that it’s not a cheap guitar.
Additionally, most premium guitars usually come with included hardshell cases. The 214CE has a pretty good soft case, but it’s not the best in the world.
Nevertheless, despite of these few things, Taylor 214CE is still one of the best Grand Auditorium guitars that you can potentially add to your own collection. Especially at this price level! The advantages of that guitar outweigh its disadvantages.
Taylor 214CE vs 214CE Plus
For those who are not aware, Taylor manufactures an another version of that guitar – the 214CE Plus. This is an upgraded version of the 214CE model reviewed in today’s article.
Many guitarists wonder whether they should choose the 214CE or 214CE Plus model. Which one of them is actually better?
Well, it’s really difficult to choose a clear winner of that battle. It all depends on what you’re searching for. In my opinion the upgrades in the 214CE Plus aren’t that necessary.
In comparison with the 214CE, the 214CE Plus has a gloss finish and it also comes with a bit better gig bag. It also has black binding instead of white binding. They sound very similar, but I actually prefer the sound of 214CE more.
Here’s a really good video that describes the differences between Taylor 214CE and 214CE Plus – feel free to check it out below.
Any Alternatives?
If you’re not satisfied with the overall quality of Taylor 214CE or you simply can’t afford it right now, that’s not a problem! There’s still quite a lot of fantastic acoustic-electric guitars out there.
Of course, choosing a brand new guitar will depend on your own preferences and most importantly, on the size of your budget. Here’s a few more guitars that you may also like.
High-End Alternative – Takamine P5DC
Takamine P5DC is a high quality acoustic-electric guitar designed for the most demanding guitarists out there. In comparison with Taylor 214CE. Still, it certainly looks, feels and sounds like a premium guitar.
What makes it so cool? Well, it features a solid spruce top with rosewood back and sides. It also has a comfortable neck made of African mahogany and an easy-playing rosewood fingerboard. Of course, it’s also equipped with a really good preamp (CTP-3 Cooltube) which allows you to use it on stage.
Although it’s not a Grand Auditorium guitar, I’m sure that a lot of you will immediately fall in love with it. In my opinion, it’s one of the best acoustic-electric guitars that you can potentially get if you’re a performing artist.
Mid-Range Alternative – Martin DX Johnny Cash Signature
Martin DX Johnny Cash Signature is an another really good acoustic-electric guitar suitable for both amateur and more advanced guitar players. This is a signature model of Johnny Cash, but the truth is that you don’t need to be his fan to notice the high quality of that guitar.
The guitar features a high-pressure laminate construction on the top, back and sides. It also has a very comfortable neck (PA-profile) which guarantees an enjoyable and comfortable playing experience. Martin also equipped it with the Fishman MX electronics which allows you to effectively use it on stage.
Overall, this is a fantastic alternative option for those who can’t afford getting the Taylor 214CE. Although it’s not the best acoustic-electric guitar in the world, it’s definitely one of the best guitars of this type that are available at this price level. That’s why I highly recommend checking it out!
Cheap Alternative – Epiphone DR-100
Epiphone DR-100 is an inexpensive acoustic guitar suitable for both amateur and more advanced guitar players. This is a cheap guitar, so you can’t expect it to be amazing, but it’s still one of the coolest budget acoustic guitars that you can find on the market.
This is actually my first acoustic guitar! I bought it back in 2008 and I have to admit that it really inspired me to practice more and develop my skills as a guitar player. I’m sure that if you decide to get it, you’ll feel that way too.
Of course, the DR-100 is not as good as Taylor 214CE – it’s from a much lower shelf. Nevertheless, if you’re searching for a cheap acoustic guitar and you don’t want to spend too much on it, choosing the Epiphone DR-100 will be a really good choice. That’s for sure!
FAQ
Where is Taylor 214CE made?
Taylor 214CE is manufactured in Mexico.
Is the 214CE model good for beginners?
Yes, the 214CE and 214CE Plus models are great for beginners!
What is the scale length of the 214CE?
The scale length of that guitar has 25.5″.
Where can I find out more about Taylor guitars?
If you want to learn more about Taylor guitars, make sure to visit the official website of Taylor.
Summary
As you can see, Taylor 214CE is an absolutely amazing Grand Auditorium acoustic-electric guitar. In my opinion, it can definitely compete with much more expensive guitars made by Taylor. That’s why I highly recommend checking it out!
What do you think of that model? Would you add it to your own collection? 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, hopefully it was helpful and you found what you were looking for. If you enjoyed this article and you’re searching for more gear recommendations, you may also like:
