Taylor 614ce Builder's Edition V-Class Review

Love it

I've been playing this guitar for the past 7 months. I love its rich acoustic tones and the way it feels in my hands.

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I'm a convert

This guitar is nothing at all like what I had in mind when I was looking for my next acoustic. I've been playing a Martin J-45 that my dad bought for me in 1993, but it's showing its age. It has a lot of sentimental value and after two warranty repairs for cracks (one on the side of the upper bout, one on the top) I decided it was time to find something I could play without worrying… read more about the potential for a fatal injury. I started working my way through Martin's current offerings which all felt and sounded similar to my J-45, except for the SC-13e which is a different beast and a really remarkable guitar. When I picked up my first Taylor with the new v-class bracing, it was like I had taken the earplugs out. The clarity was simply astounding. I was trying to decide between a blonde 618e and a 612ce when I picked up the 614ce. I strongly prefer the combination of a gloss-finished body and satin neck. My gut reaction to guitars with satin finishes is "cheap, low-budget import". I also strongly prefer the look of a natural spruce top - no tinted lacquer, no stain. It's fair to say that everything about the appearance of the 614ce runs against my grain. I probably wouldn't have even picked it up if it hadn't had a ridiculously discounted price in a local shop. It was love at first strum. First, I know the description says the v-class bracing gives it more clarity and sustain, but that just sounds like the same ol' marketing blather. It's not. You should hear this thing. Every note, on every string, at every fret, rings out with the same clarity and volume. It's indescribable and wonderful - I've never heard anything like it. Same goes for the sustain - but double. Notes will continue to sing 10 full seconds after you pick them if you don't mute the string. I'm not exaggerating. 10 seconds. I played a Martin custom shop dread back-to-back with this and the Martin sounded like the body was full of socks. The sustain is so long that it almost sounds like I'm playing through an amp with reverb. The improvement to intonation isn't exaggerated, either. You can play a chord all the way up the neck and it will ring out in nearly perfect tune no matter where you are. The Builder's Edition features seem small but have a big impact on the playing experience. While I still prefer the -look- of a glossy body, the -feel- of this guitar is like throwing on sweatpants and a T-shirt after wearing a suit all day. The finish really is nearly silent. None of the squeak you can sometimes get from a gloss body or the fabric-friction sound that can happen with other satin/matte finishes. The beveled armrest is so comfortable it disappears. You won't notice anything unless you immediately switch to a guitar without it. You'll suddenly become aware of the sharp edge under your forearm and realize what a difference that armrest makes. There isn't a sharp edge anywhere on this guitar. All of the edges are beveled, so if you run your hands over the whole guitar you won't feel anything that isn't soft and smooth. While I'm gushing like schoolgirl, I'll say the tuners are pretty special, too. I love both the look and feel of them. The brass buttons feel great in the hand and they turn with ease. They don't become more difficult to turn under increasing tension - no jittering here. Just smooth, consistent motion that makes fine-tuning a breeze. Maybe for the first time, my Stroboclip HD displayed the note with no movement at all. I'm extremely grateful to the moron who mistakenly marked down this guitar. I'm in love with a guitar I never would have even picked up otherwise. I got a screaming deal (the shop honored the discount), but I would have happily paid full price if they hadn't. Do yourself a favor and try one out.

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Seriously the nicest instrument I've ever owned.

My sales rep Ethan at Sweetwater was amazing. I had serious apprehensions about purchasing a high end acoustic guitar without playing it first. Ethan squashed those fears. I'm so glad I made this purchase. This is my first Taylor as well (I've been a diehard Martin guy for quite a while) I don't see myself putting this thing down anytime soon. It's my new 1st position guitar… read more for work.

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