Discover the Iconic Taylor 814ce

Welcome to one of the most celebrated acoustic-electric guitars in the world: the Taylor 814ce. As Taylor's flagship model, the 814ce represents the culmination of refined craftsmanship, innovative design, and breathtakingly beautiful sound that has made Taylor Guitars a leader in the industry. It's a guitar that has found its way into the hands of countless musicians, from stage professionals to bedroom enthusiasts, all seeking an instrument that offers unparalleled versatility and inspiring tone.

At the heart of the 814ce's exceptional performance is Taylor's signature Grand Auditorium body shape. This medium-sized body is a true all-purpose acoustic, designed with tonal balance squarely in mind. It strikes a perfect harmony between the articulation of a Grand Concert and the power of a Dreadnought, making it incredibly responsive to a wide range of playing styles. Whether you're a delicate fingerpicker, a robust strummer, or a lead player navigating complex melodies, the Grand Auditorium shape ensures that every note rings out with clarity and presence.

The tonewood pairing of solid East Indian Rosewood for the back and sides and a solid Sitka Spruce top is a classic combination, revered by guitarists for its rich, complex voice. Sitka Spruce, the soundboard choice for many classic guitars, produces a broad dynamic range, capable of handling everything from quiet passages to loud, energetic performances. East Indian Rosewood, often called "the tonewood superstar," is popular, traditional, and incredibly versatile, contributing warm lows, detailed trebles, and a slightly scooped midrange. This blend creates a lush, resonant sound that provides a beautiful foundation for any musical context, leaving space for vocals or other instruments in a mix.

Revolutionary V-Class Bracing

A significant factor in the 814ce's superior performance is Taylor's revolutionary V-Class bracing system. This patented innovation is a major departure from traditional steel-string bracing patterns, acting as a new sonic engine for the guitar. V-Class bracing increases both the volume and sustain of the instrument, allowing notes to bloom and resonate for an extended period. Crucially, it also improves intonation across the entire fretboard, meaning chords and individual notes ring true and in tune, regardless of where they are played on the neck. This innovation provides a noticeable improvement in the guitar's overall harmonic richness and tuning stability, a difference you can feel and hear.

Premium Materials and Craftsmanship

Beyond the core tonewoods, the Taylor 814ce is built with premium materials and meticulous attention to detail. The neck is crafted from Tropical Mahogany, known for its stability and comfortable feel, while the fretboard and bridge are made from West African Crelicam Ebony. Ebony is a dense, dark wood that provides a smooth playing surface and contributes to the guitar's articulate response. Aesthetic appointments include Element fretboard and peghead inlays, rock maple body binding, and a beautiful gloss finish on the body.

Playing comfort is further enhanced by the Venetian cutaway, known for its soft, round lines, which provides easy access to the upper frets. The built-in radius armrest on the lower bout ensures a comfortable playing experience, especially during longer sessions.

Effortless Amplification: Expression System 2

For players who need to plug in, the Taylor 814ce is equipped with the Expression System® 2 (ES2) electronics. This breakthrough behind-the-saddle design captures more of the guitar's natural dynamic properties than traditional undersaddle pickups. The ES2 features three uniquely positioned and calibrated pickup sensors behind the saddle, allowing the natural vibration and energy of the saddle to be clearly translated into the amplified signal. The result is a more accurate, nuanced, and dynamic plugged-in tone that faithfully reproduces the guitar's acoustic voice. Onboard controls for volume, treble, and bass allow you to shape your sound directly from the instrument.

Key Specifications

The Taylor 814ce features a range of high-quality components:

• Orientation: Right Handed 
• Bracing System: V-Class Bracing 
• Cutaway: Venetian Cutaway 
• Electronics: Expression System® 2 
• Top Wood: Sitka Spruce 
• Back Configuration: 2-piece No Wedge 
• Body Binding: Rock Maple 
• Armrest: Yes, Radius Armrest 
• Top Finish: Gloss 4.5 Mil UV Cured Polyester 
• Back/Side Finish: Gloss 4.5 Mil UV Cured Polyester
• Neck Wood: Tropical Mahogany 
• Fretboard Wood: West African Crelicam Ebony 
• Fretboard Inlay: Element 
• Peghead Inlay: Element 
• Nut & Saddle: Black Tusq Nut, Micarta Saddle
• Bridge: Ebony 
• Bridge Pins: West African Ebony with Green Abalone Dots
• Tuners: Smoked Nickel, 18:1 Ratio
• Scale Length: 25-1/2" 
• Nut Width: 1-3/4" 
• Strings: D'Addario XS Coated Phosphor Bronze Light (.012 - .053) 
• Pickguard: Rosewood
• Case: Deluxe Hardshell Case 

Why Buy Your Taylor 814ce from Town Center Music?

Choosing the right guitar is an important decision, and where you buy it matters just as much. At Town Center Music, we're proud to have been serving the Atlanta area's musicians for 13 years. We're not just a music store; we're a part of the community, dedicated to helping you find the perfect instrument and ensuring it plays its absolute best.

Our staff are experienced, friendly musicians who genuinely know their stuff. We take the time to understand your needs, answer your questions, and guide you without pressure. When you visit our store, you're talking to people who are passionate about guitars and are familiar with the nuances of instruments like the Taylor 814ce. We can help you feel the difference V-Class bracing makes and hear the richness of the rosewood and spruce combination in person.

Perhaps the most compelling reason to purchase your Taylor 814ce from Town Center Music is the invaluable service included with your guitar: a FREE professional setup by our expert luthiers at TCM Repair. This isn't just a quick tweak; it's a full inspection and adjustment of the guitar's action, neck relief, intonation, and more, tailored to play perfectly right out of the case. A proper setup makes a world of difference in playability and sound, and this service is typically valued at $75. By purchasing from us, you ensure your new Taylor plays like the dream instrument it was designed to be, from the moment you take it home. You get the legendary Taylor quality, enhanced by our local expertise and professional care.

Visit Town Center Music today and experience the Taylor 814ce for yourself. Let our staff assist you, benefit from our complimentary professional setup, and join our family of satisfied Atlanta musicians.