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Gearank High Notes

• 2022.08: Highest Rated Acoustic-Electric Guitar from $750 to $1000

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Taylor is well-reputed for premium quality instruments. And the 214ce Rosewood showcases what the company is all about. It combines high build quality with a clear and trebly tone.

It features a solid Sitka spruce top and layered rosewood for the back and sides, all of which form its Grand Auditorium body profile. This shape is based on the classic dreadnought but with a narrower waist and a sleek Venetian cutaway.

This configuration gives it a distinct overall appearance. And it produces good acoustic projection with Taylor's trademark "zing." This familiar zing has highly articulate mid and treble frequencies. Personally, I'm not a fan of trebly tone, mostly because it usually impacts bass negatively. But if you are into crisp, bright acoustic tones, then this is a perfect fit.

This Taylor guitar comes equipped with the Taylor Expression System 2. It utilizes piezo crystals positioned alongside the saddle instead of pressed under. This results in a transparent and natural-sounding amplified tone. It allows Taylor acoustics to still sound like themselves when plugged in. For Taylor guitars, electronics are not just an afterthought. Rather the pickup system is tweaked to perfectly fit their brand of tone.

Everything about the 214ce screams quality, from wood quality to neck setup to string action and aesthetic details. And this is the reason why you won't read many complaints about the premium price tags of Taylor guitars.

While not cheap, the 214ce is accessible enough to be an entryway into the world of high-end acoustic guitars.

Specifications

• Body Shape: Grand Auditorium
• Top: Solid Sitka Spruce
• Body: Rosewood
• Finish: Satin Natural
• Bridge: Ebony
• Neck: Mahogany
• Neck Profile: Not Specified
• Fingerboard: Ebony
• Fingerboard Radius: 15"
• Number of Frets: 20
• Scale Length: 25.5"
• Nut Width: 1.6875"
• Electronics: Taylor ES-2 (Active - requires a 9V battery)