Taylor 114ce Review: Warm, Subtle Tone and Grand Auditorium Body


Both acoustic guitars and electric guitars have each own unique features and advantages. If you want the superior tonal qualities of an acoustic guitar as well as the versatility of an electric guitar, you can consider getting an acoustic-electric guitar. An acoustic-electric guitar is an acoustic guitar that has already been equipped as well with electronics that will allow you to plug-in the guitar whenever needed. And, for an acoustic-electric guitar, most people will agree that Taylor makes the best models. Taylor guitars are well-known for their bright, articulate, and highly accurate sounds.

Taylor 114ce Review Warm, Subtle Tone and Grand Auditorium Body

However, not all Taylor guitars are bright. If you want a Taylor guitar that is not overly bright, Taylor 114ce is for you. Coming with all the greatness of a Taylor guitar, Taylor 114ce has a distinctive sound that is well-balanced. The sound is actually quite warm and subtle. It also has impressive playability and versatility. In addition, it also has the Expression System 2 electronics, making it ready for gigging and on-stage performance.

Taylor 114ce comes with a Grand Auditorium body, which makes it slightly less bulky and suitable for a variety of purposes. You can see that it has a single cutaway with round, soft lines and a slopping peak. This cutaway is the Venetian cutaway, which both creates a stylish look and enhances the playability. Playing the upper register becomes more accessible. As the effect, Taylor 114ce becomes suitable for both beginners and professionals. There are many professionals who actually prefer Taylor 114ce because of the distinctive tonal characters.

PriceFeatures

Body Body type: Taylor Grand Auditorium Cutaway: Single Top wood: Solid Sitka spruce Back & sides: Layered sapele Bracing pattern: Taylor Standard II Bracing (Forward Shift Pattern) Body finish: Matte 2.0 Orientation: Right-HandedNeck Neck shape: Standard Taylor Profile Nut width: 1-11/16" (42.8 mm) Fingerboard: Genuine African Ebony Neck wood: Sapele Scale length: 25-1/2" Number of frets: 20 Neck finish: Matte 2.0Electronics Pickup/preamp: Yes Brand: Taylor Configuration: Behind-the-Saddle

Just like most guitars nowadays, Taylor 114ce comes with a solid Sitka Spruce top. That is paired with laminate Sapele back and sides in a forward-shifted scalloped X-bracing pattern. The construction is solid and robust. The black pickguard, while looking kind of plain, serves well in protecting the top surface, allowing you to deliver your fullest skill without worrying about scratching the wood. A soft yet durable gig bag is included to protect the guitar in travels.

Compared to Taylor 110e and Taylor 214ce, which are the closest models to this guitar, Taylor 114ce is significantly warmer. It has less overtones. The treble is not as shimmery, and, interestingly, the bass is not very pronounced. Instead, it emphasizes more on the mid-range, creating such a warm and subtle tone. However, it is not overly warm like those Mahogany guitars; you can say that the tone is well-balanced. The guitar is also responsive. It responds pretty loud to light touches, and it can be loud if you strum it hard. As the effect, Taylor 114ce is great for almost everything – strumming, flatpicking, as well as fingerstyle.

Specifications of Taylor 114ce
HIGHLIGHTS
Scale Length 25-1/2″
Bracing Forward Shifted Pattern
Nut & Saddle Tusq Nut/Micarta Saddle
Pickguard Black
Truss Rod Cover Black Plastic
Number of Frets 20
Tuners Chrome (100/200)
Brand of Strings Elixir Phosphor Bronze Light
Case Taylor Gig Bag
BODY
Binding Black
Top Finish Varnish
Back/Side Finish Varnish
Back Config Layered
Backstrap Finish None
Rosette Size Three Ring
Bridge Inlay None
Armrest Binding None
Backstrap Wood None
Rosette Mat. Plastic
NECK
Neck Width 1-11/16″
Fretboard Inlay 4mm Dot Italian Acrylic
Fretboard Binding None
Heel Cap Binding Black
Type of Neck Joint Scarf
Neck/Heel Sapele
Fretboard Wood Ebony
Neck Finish Varnish
Heel Length 3-1/2″
Peghead
Peghead Finish Varnish
Peghead Binding None
Peghead Type Standard
Peghead Purfling None
Headstock Overlay Ebony
Peghead Inlay None
Peghead Logo Taylor Colorcore
Other
Buttons Chrome
Bridge Pins Black

Pros of Taylor 114ce
– Versatile Grand Auditorium body type, suitable for virtually any purpose
– Venetian cutaway design enhances both looks and playability
– Decent Expression System 2 electronics
– Not too bright; has an excellent balance of warmth and brightness
– Reasonably and moderately priced

Price of Taylor 114ce
Check the best price of Taylor 114ce here!

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