A Workhorse Taylor That Doesn't Ask You to Choose
Some guitars make you pick a lane — great for strumming, or great for fingerpicking, but not really both. The Taylor 214ce doesn't work that way. With its highly versatile sound and comfortable feel, it's an ideal choice for virtually any type of player looking for a steel-string acoustic that can do everything — starting with the Grand Auditorium body shape, which boasts player-friendly contours and an all-purpose tone profile.
A solid torrefied spruce top serves up bold, clear projection with a touch of aged-in warmth thanks to Taylor's special roasting process, while the C-Class interior bracing dials up the response with more volume, longer sustain and a boost to low-end power. That combination punches well above what you'd expect at this price point.
Taylor's always-comfortable neck design makes for relaxed fretting to accommodate players of all skill levels, and the built-in ES2 electronics mean you're prepared to plug in and play anywhere you go. Whether you're rehearsing in the living room, recording at home, or taking the stage at a local venue, the 214ce travels with you and keeps up.
The Top That Ages in an Oven
Taylor now treats the 214ce's solid Sitka spruce top to a special roasting procedure known as torrefaction. This process enhances spruce's musicality by removing moisture and sugars for a lighter, more resonant top that vibrates with ease. In practical terms, you get a top that sounds and responds more like a well-played vintage instrument — right out of the box.
Layered walnut back and sides give the 214ce a warm, airy presence that's typically easy-going but tightens up with a midrange growl when played aggressively. Walnut has long been a preferred acoustic tonewood for studio work, and you'll find the 214ce dynamically responds to your fingers' mood and energy.
The Grand Auditorium Shape: Why It Works for Everyone
Taylor's beloved Grand Auditorium body style, featured on the 214ce, employs the width and depth of a dreadnought; however, its waist is narrower, which gives Grand Auditorium–bodied acoustic guitars a sleeker look with more treble zing. It's a body style that earned its reputation in recording studios before finding its way into living rooms and on stages everywhere.
The Venetian cutaway on the 214ce gives you easy access beyond the 14th fret without compromising the body's acoustic volume — a thoughtful design tradeoff that players who venture up the neck will appreciate.
ES2 Electronics: Taylor's Behind-the-Saddle Pickup System
The Expression System® 2 captures more of a guitar's dynamic properties using a breakthrough behind-the-saddle design. Rather than sitting under the saddle where string pressure can color the tone, the ES2's sensors read the guitar's vibration more naturally — resulting in a plugged-in sound that stays faithful to the acoustic voice you've been playing all night.
On board you get volume, bass, and treble controls. The preamp runs on a 9-volt battery with an easy-access compartment, and the whole system is uncomplicated enough to dial in quickly between songs. When your acoustic tone is already this good, your electronics shouldn't fight it.
Neck Feel and Playability
A neo-tropical mahogany neck in Taylor's standard carve supplies a speedy, slender foundation to navigate the length of the 15-inch-radius ebony fingerboard's 20 frets. Taylor confirmed the 214ce features a 1-11/16" nut width — a comfortable, familiar-feeling measurement that suits a wide range of hand sizes. Scale length is 25-1/2", lending a bit of brightness and string tension that pairs nicely with the torrefied spruce top.
The fretboard and bridge are both West African Crelicam Ebony, a dense and smooth-playing material with a feel that players often associate with well-established premium builds. Hardware includes die-cast chrome tuners and a NuBone nut with a Micarta saddle.
Product Features:
-
Body Shape: Grand Auditorium with Venetian cutaway
-
Top: Solid torrefied Sitka spruce with C-Class bracing
-
Back & Sides: Layered walnut
-
Neck: Neo-Tropical Mahogany, Standard Carve profile
-
Fretboard & Bridge: West African Crelicam Ebony, 15" radius, 20 frets
-
Scale Length: 25-1/2" | Nut Width: 1-11/16"
-
Electronics: Taylor Expression System® 2 (ES2) with volume, bass, and treble controls
-
Nut & Saddle: White NuBone nut / White Micarta saddle
-
Tuners: Die-cast chrome with chrome buttons
-
Finish: Natural (matte back/sides, matte neck)
Brand: Taylor Guitars
Model: 214ce
SKU: 214CE
Condition: New
Since 1872, C.A. House Music has been helping musicians across the Ohio Valley find the right gear -- with real advice from a team that actually plays. We're your authorized dealer of all the big names in guitars, keyboards, band instruments, drums, pro audio, and more. With four family-owned and operated locations in Ohio and West Virginia (plus a full online store), you don't have to go far for instruments, lessons, rentals, and repairs. No matter your musical needs, our team of musicians wants to help you Play Music for Life.
