I’m always on the lookout for a model of a guitar that has all the features and modest entry point. The Taylor 114ce falls into this category. It has exceptional tone for a guitar in this price range and the quality of the build is just as good as you would expect to come from Taylor. While this review is for the walnut cutaway version of this guitar I have seen some 114e’s with no cutaway (view on Amazon) for those that prefer not to have a cutaway feature.
What features are standard on the Taylor 114ce:
- Sitka spruce top
- Venetian Cutaway
- Forward Shifted Bracing
- Layered Walnut or Sapele back and sides
- ES2 Electronics
Review Summary of Taylor 114ce Acoustic Guitar
As we do with most of our reviews, here is how the guitar stacked up at the local store:
| Cost | |
| Tone | |
| Playability | |
| Workmanship | |
| Electronics |
Taylor 114ce Cost
Taylors 114ce is not super cheap, but when compared to other guitars in its same space it is actually an exceptional value. This guitar is ideal for someone who doesn’t want to spend over $800 and also doesn’t want to get the cheapest guitar out there.
Taylor 114ce Tone
The tone of this guitar is warm and even when playing it didn’t have the ‘bright tone’ that many less expensive guitars have. The Taylor 114ce sounds like a more expensive guitar than it is. I feel like the walnut wood on the model I tested fills out the tone and gives it a richer sound. I was pleasantly surprised. The Sapele model that we offer in the link below also has a smooth tone to it but it is slightly brighter sounding.
Taylor 114ce Workmanship
The grain in the walnut wood was beautiful and the grain on the Sitka spruce top was even and tight. For more information on wood properties check out our article here. As I’ve said in other articles, Taylor is one of a hand full of brands I would buy sight unseen because of their consistency. The fit and finish of all the joints were exceptional. There is something about how Taylor manufactures their guitars, they sound and feel very precise when playing them. While the matte finish is smooth to the touch and doesn’t get fingerprints etc. I will say that the walnut figuring doesn’t pop as much as it would with a glossy finish, but that’s really just a personal preference.
Taylor 114ce Playability
The particular guitar I was playing was set up pretty well, the action was just slightly high, but can easily be adjusted if needed, so this was not of much concern to me. The width of the neck is slightly narrower than what I would call as the standard neck. For those with smaller hands this is a good thing, however, it can feel a bit crowded if you have larger hands. Fretting barred chords up the neck was effortless and I didn’t experience any buzzing even when strumming heavily. This instrument is a joy to play and an excellent choice for beginning and intermediate players.
Taylor 114ce Electronics
One of the nice features of the Taylor 114ce and 114e models are the built-in electronics. The adjustments are low profile knobs on the shoulder of the guitar. I like how the Taylor system doesn’t take away from the beauty of the guitar, they did a great job in marrying form and function with this system.
- Shape: Grand Auditorium
- Back/Side Wood: Walnut
- Top Wood: Sitka Spruce
- Neck/Heel: Sapele
- Electronics: ES-T