Hawaiian Koa Meets Torrefied Spruce — With a Look to Match
There's a certain guitar that you pick up and immediately think, "Okay, I get it now." The Taylor 214ce-K SB Plus is that guitar. Between the Shaded Edgeburst finish highlighting the layered Hawaiian koa back and sides, the solid torrefied Sitka spruce top that already sounds like it's been played in for years, and the Venetian cutaway that opens up the whole neck — this Grand Auditorium covers a lot of ground in one instrument.
Torrefied spruce is a process where the wood is roasted to remove moisture and replicate the aged tonal character of a vintage guitar. The result is a top that responds with warmth and depth from the very first note, rather than waiting decades to open up. Pair that with the naturally sweet midrange character that koa is known for, and you've got a combination that's hard to argue with.
Whether you're a player who gigs regularly, records at home, or just wants one great guitar that handles every situation — the 214ce-K SB Plus was designed with all of that in mind.
A Solid Top Built for Players Who Don't Want to Wait
Taylor's torrefaction process roasts the Sitka spruce top using a controlled heat treatment that removes moisture and physically changes the cellular structure of the wood. The practical effect is a top that behaves acoustically like one that's been played and aged for many years. You get a warmer, more complex character right out of the case. The solid construction means every vibration transfers efficiently, giving you clear note definition and strong projection whether you're strumming chords or picking individual lines.
Inside the body, Taylor's C-Class bracing architecture with Relief Rout works to enhance volume, extend sustain, and bring out more low-end power. This bracing system is designed to give the top more room to vibrate freely, resulting in a balanced tone that adapts well to a wide range of playing styles — from flatpicking to fingerstyle.
Koa Back and Sides, Grand Auditorium Shape
The Grand Auditorium is Taylor's signature all-purpose body shape. It's wide enough to generate powerful projection for strumming, yet shaped with enough taper and contour to stay comfortable for extended playing. The Venetian cutaway on the 214ce-K SB Plus gives you smooth, unrestricted access to the upper frets — useful whether you're playing lead lines or exploring chord voicings up the neck.
The layered Hawaiian koa back and sides bring visual character and a tonewood with a loyal following. Koa contributes a bright top-end clarity and a richness in the midrange that complements the warmth of the torrefied spruce top. The layered construction also makes this guitar notably resilient to humidity changes and temperature swings — a real-world advantage for players who travel or live in variable climates.
Neck, Fretboard, and the ES2 Pickup System
The neck is Neo-Tropical Mahogany, shaped into Taylor's Standard Carve profile — a familiar, comfortable feel with a 25.5" scale length and 1-11/16" nut width. The matte finish on the neck keeps your hand moving freely without any drag, while the West African Crelicam Ebony fretboard adds a smooth, fast surface under your fingers. The ebony bridge provides solid intonation and a clean transfer of string energy into the top.
For amplified playing, the 214ce-K SB Plus comes with Taylor's Expression System 2 (ES2) — a behind-the-saddle pickup system with three individually calibrated sensors. This placement captures the guitar's natural acoustic voice more completely than a traditional under-saddle pickup, with a trio of onboard controls on the upper bout to shape your sound. The result is a plugged-in tone that stays transparent and natural across a wide range of venues and rigs.
Product Features:
- Body Shape: Grand Auditorium with Venetian cutaway
- Top: Solid torrefied Sitka spruce with gloss finish
- Back & Sides: Layered Hawaiian koa with gloss finish
- Bracing: C-Class with Relief Rout for enhanced volume and sustain
- Neck: Neo-Tropical Mahogany, Standard Carve profile, matte finish
- Fretboard: West African Crelicam Ebony with 4mm Faux Pearl dot inlays
- Scale Length: 25.5" | Nut Width: 1-11/16"
- Electronics: Taylor Expression System 2 (ES2) behind-the-saddle pickup
- Tuners: Taylor Nickel with Nickel Buttons
- Finish: Shaded Edgeburst (Gloss top; Gloss back and sides)
Brand: Taylor
Model: 214ce-K SB Plus
SKU: 214CE-KSBPLUS
Condition: New
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