Earlier this evening, I pulled out my cherished Taylor 814ce and put a new set of strings on it. Then I played my favorite Am9 chord and in an instant I remembered why I bought this same guitar 13 years ago: The amazingly crisp, balanced sound. As I fingerpicked the strings, I was still amazed at the balance between them. The sound of each string has its own place in the overall sound of the guitar. The sound of this guitar resonates deeply with me; its brightness and fullness somehow seem to encourage me.
The 814ce's sound is extremely versatile, due to a combination of the tonewoods, body shape and craftsmanship. The dynamic range of the solid Sitka spruce top meets the full bass and clear treble of the Indian rosewood. The Grand Auditorium body shape allows for a tonal balance that's full in the lower register, present in the midrange, and sparkling on the treble strings. The versatility of this guitar appeals to a broad range of players, but more specifically bluegrassers and fingerpickers. Lastly, the craftsmanship of Taylor Guitars is evident in this American-made beauty, in everything from the details of the inlays to the curves of the body.
