Anchored by Honduran rosewood, the Taylor Next Generation Builder’s Edition 914ce elevates the Grand Auditorium platform through an inspired pairing of rare tonewoods and player-focused innovation. A stripy sinker redwood top responds with warmth and dynamic immediacy, while Honduran rosewood back and sides add bell-like clarity and layered overtone complexity. Scalloped V-Class bracing deepens that voice, enhancing resonance with richer low-end presence and extended sustain. The West African ebony fingerboard offers a crisp, fluid feel, paired with a long-tenon Action Control mahogany neck for precise, effortless setup. Taylor’s all-new Claria electronics translate this nuanced acoustic character faithfully to the stage. Adorned with intricate Belle Fleur inlays and antique gold Gotoh hardware, this 914ce is a meticulously crafted instrument for the discerning player who demands both artisanal beauty and modern reliability.
Stripy Sinker Redwood and Honduran Rosewood for Expansive Harmonic Depth
Few tonewood pairings offer the depth and harmonic sophistication of sinker redwood and Honduran rosewood. Stripy sinker redwood is cut from old-growth logs recovered from Northern California riverbeds, where decades of submersion impart unique character and tonal maturity. Its tight grain and natural stiffness produce a bold, responsive attack with warmth and brilliance in balance. Honduran rosewood—denser than Indian rosewood and marked by an exceptionally low damping factor—adds a richly textured harmonic spectrum, with deep piano-like bass, chime-like trebles and smooth, blooming sustain. Together, they form a layered, articulate voice, while Taylor’s scalloped V-Class bracing enhances resonance and projection without sacrificing pitch accuracy.
Long-Tenon Action Control Neck for Structural Precision
Taylor’s new long-tenon Action Control neck strengthens the connection between neck and body, promoting efficient resonance transfer while maintaining long-term stability. Integrated adjustability allows players to fine-tune string height quickly and precisely—without removing strings or the neck—making it easy to adapt to performance demands or environmental changes. The neo-tropical mahogany neck, carved to Taylor’s standard profile, pairs with a genuine West African ebony fingerboard for smooth articulation and dependable fretting accuracy. A 25.5" scale length and 1.75" nut width provide balanced tension and comfortable spacing for a familiar feel that easily adapts to any playing style.
Taylor Claria Electronics for Transparent Performance
Taylor’s Claria System captures the instrument’s natural acoustic character with clarity and composure when amplified. Designed to reduce piezo harshness and preserve dynamic nuance, the system translates the redwood-and-rosewood voice faithfully to the stage. Discreet soundhole-mounted controls, including a Mid-Contour adjustment, allow subtle tonal shaping while maintaining the guitar’s clean aesthetic. Whether in the studio or under stage lights, the 914ce delivers consistency and depth.
Builder’s Edition Comfort and Elevated Appointments
Comfort shaping is integral to the 914ce’s design. A neo-tropical mahogany beveled armrest and chamfered body edges create a fluid playing surface that encourages extended sessions without fatigue. Visually, the Tobacco Kona Edgeburst finish contrasts elegantly with the natural redwood top, while paua shell and mother-of-pearl Belle Fleur inlays introduce intricate artistry across the fingerboard and headstock. Gotoh 510 antique gold tuners offer smooth, precise tuning stability, complemented by an ebony headstock overlay and Curve Wing bridge that complete the instrument’s cohesive aesthetic. A Taylor deluxe hardshell case provides secure protection for travel and performance.
An Elevated Grand Auditorium Built for Expressive Performance
This Next Generation Builder’s Edition 914ce unites rare tonewoods with sophisticated design architecture in a composed, performance-ready instrument. Blending the touch-sensitive warmth of sinker redwood and the bell-like chime of Honduran rosewood, it offers an expansive voice built for expressive singer-songwriters and demanding studio professionals. Thoughtfully refined with ergonomic Builder’s Edition upgrades and finished with pro-grade Claria electronics, this Next Generation 914ce represents a singular, high-performance evolution of Taylor’s iconic Grand Auditorium platform.