Best Taylor Guitar

Best Taylor Guitar

When it comes to acoustic guitar manufacturers, Taylor is a legend. With a nuanced, often-bright tone and what feels like room-filling sustain. Professional musicians, discerning hobbyists and novice guitar players alike prefer the Taylor brand. 

That said, if someone asks you to choose the best Taylor guitar, it's hard to pick just one. In this article, we've brought together six of the best. And since even Taylor's more affordable guitars have the brand's signature tone and build quality, we've included a Taylor for every price range. If you're looking for a quality acoustic (or acoustic-electric) guitar, you can't go wrong with one of these instruments.

The Reviews: Taylor's 14 Best Acoustic Guitars

Make

Model

Rating

Price

Full Review

Taylor

614CE Builder's Edition

Cell

Taylor

GS Mini-E (Koa)

Taylor

PS14CE

Cell

Taylor

Baby Taylor BT1

Taylor

224CE-K

Cell

Taylor

214CE

Review of our Top Picks

Taylor 614CE Builder's Edition

Important Features

  • Unique tonewood configuration is great for those who want a guitar with a clear, loud tone
  • V-Class bracing and ES 2 electronics mean you'll get great tone plugged or unplugged
  • Ebony fingerboard and gold tuners offer distinctive touches

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Builder's Edition quality means this has a tonal edge over some other Taylors
  • Unique, all-solid wood configuration for versatile sound
  • Unique finish and aesthetics make it stand out

Cons

  • As Taylor's go, this guitar is more expensive than most

Brief Review & Star Rating

Review

While all Taylors are high quality guitar models, their Builder's Edition models are a cut above. The 614CE combines Taylor's new V-Class bracing with uniquely beautiful tonewoods--it has a torrefied Sitka spruce top and figured bigleaf maple back and sides.

The guitar has a bright sound with projection and a little bite. It also comes with Taylor's revolutionary Expression System 2 electronics, which faithfully reproduce this guitar's sound for audiences of every size.

Our Star Rating

We think this is the best of Taylor's Builder's Edition guitars. It has a beautiful and nuanced tone with stunning aesthetics to match, so we give it five out of five stars. It's a bit expensive, but if you can spare the cost, it's worth checking out.

Taylor 614CE -- Best Appointments

Important Features

  • Solid maple back and sides offer impressive projection, and the figured wood adds visual interest
  • Expression System 2 electronics make it an outstanding acoustic-electric guitar for performers
  • Torrefied Sitka spruce top gives it a played-in tone that places it among the best Taylor acoustic guitars
  • Taylor's revolutionary V-class bracing helps make your playing especially nuanced and expressive

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • V-class bracing provides an optimal balance of sustain and resonance while keeping the top stable
  • Torrefied Sitka spruce top has the look and sound of a played-in vintage guitar
  • Tasteful inlays and other appointments make it stand out among other high-end acoustic guitars
  • Venetian cutaway, tropical mahogany neck, and West African ebony fingerboard make it highly playable

Cons

  • Its high price may put it out of reach for some players
  • Some players might prefer mahogany or rosewood back and sides over maple

Brief Review & Star Rating

Review

If you like the 614CE Builder's Edition but are looking for a more affordable Taylor acoustic guitar, the 614CE is worth a look. Its looks alone make it a standout -- the grand auditorium body, Brown Sugar Stain finish, and figured maple back and sides make it a head-turner. It also features sparkling inlays and West African ebony binding for extra visual appeal.

But the bold sound of the 614CE is also something you need to hear to believe. This grand auditorium guitar is made with Taylor's V-class bracing, a new alternative to X bracing that maximizes both stiffness and free vibration of the solid spruce top. And of course, the unusual choice of maple back and sides imparts crispness and note definition that will make your playing stand out.

Our Star Rating

We think this great-looking Taylor acoustic guitar has the best appointments on the list, and we give it 4.5 out of five stars.

Taylor 414CE-R -- Best for Solo Performers

Important Features

  • This rosewood grand auditorium guitar has a versatile body shape that gives you the benefits of both a grand concert and a dreadnought
  • Ebony fretboard and Venetian cutaway make it a fast-playing, comfortable instrument
  • V-class bracing helps it project well with a beautiful resonance
  • Gloss finish and tasteful appointments make it a standout on stage

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Given its quality tonewood combination, this is an affordable guitar for a Taylor
  • Aside from the rosette, it's close in quality and specifications to the much more expensive 814CE
  • It's made of all solid wood for a great tone that opens up over time
  • Its balanced tone with noticeable highs and lows makes it a great acoustic-electric guitar for solo performers

Cons

  • Some Taylor acoustic guitar reviews mention that the 414CE-R arrives with noticeable fret buzz
  • The scooped midrange of rosewood makes it not ideal for players who prefer a warmer sound

Brief Review & Star Rating

Review

As a 400 Series guitar, the 414CE-R is the perfect guitar for players looking for a great-sounding instrument at a more affordable price. And like most Taylor acoustic guitars, it's a grand auditorium cutaway model. Notably, the 414CE-R is one of the more affordable guitars made with Taylor's V-class bracing.

If you're looking for an acoustic guitar made with the classic combination of solid Sitka spruce and solid rosewood, this is a great acoustic guitar for you. Rosewood has a more defined low end than mahogany, but its sparkling and defined highs make it a great choice for those who want both nuance and clarity.

And like most high-end Taylors, this one features an ebony fretboard and incredibly natural-sounding ES-2 electronics. A gloss finish sets it apart and shows off the grain of the wood.

Our Star Rating

We think this is the best Taylor acoustic guitar for players who perform solo, and we give it 4.5 out of five stars.

Taylor 514CE -- Best Cedar-Top Guitar

Important Features

  • Solid Western red cedar top offers a darker, warmer sound for players looking for something different
  • West African ebony fingerboard and bridge contrast beautifully with the cedar top
  • V-class bracing supports powerful sustain and beautifully resonant tone
  • Black graphite nut and micarta saddle support great intonation and impressive sound quality

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • The combination of cedar and mahogany makes it a great choice for players who find the sound of most Taylor guitars to be too bright
  • Solid Western red cedar top is especially responsive
  • Solid mahogany back and sides offer a full, warm tone
  • Top-quality electronics make it an ideal acoustic-electric for performers

Cons

  • The midrange-heavy nature of cedar and mahogany means it may not be the best Taylor for players who need a high degree of clarity
  • It isn't the best option for heavy strumming

Brief Review & Star Rating

Review

Most players know that Taylor acoustic guitars are known for their bright, sparkling tones. Some players see this as an advantage, while others prefer an acoustic guitar whose tone is a little darker. If that's you, you might find that the 514CE is the Taylor guitar for you. (Notably, Taylor also makes a nylon-string version that's one of the few nylon-stringed guitars they make.)

Though the 514CE has the same ebony fretboard and bridge and tropical mahogany neck of most grand auditorium acoustic-electric guitars, its Western red cedar top and mahogany back and sides set it apart tonally.

Mahogany has a somewhat "fuzzy" tone compared to rosewood and maple, making it a great choice for guitarists who like a wave of warm sound. Cedar is also darker and warmer in tone than spruce, although its wonderful responsiveness makes it ideal for fingerpickers. Of course, it is also equipped with the ES-2 electronics that make Taylor guitars such a great choice for the stage.

Our Star Rating

We think this is the best Taylor acoustic guitar with a cedar top on the list, and we give it four out of five stars

Taylor 314CE -- Best Non-Traditional Tonewood

Important Features

  • It is an all-solid guitar that's more affordable than most all-solid Taylor guitars
  • Sapele back and sides provide an interesting tone that's between that of mahogany and maple
  • High-end appointments like ebony fingerboard and bridge and gemstone inlays make it look like a very high-end guitar
  • V-class bracing and ES-2 electronics give it a great plugged-in or all-acoustic tone

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • It's one of the more affordable all-solid Taylor guitar options
  • Many guitarists praise its remarkably accurate intonation
  • It comes with the same electronics and many of the same appointments as much more expensive Taylor guitars
  • It's much less expensive than many Taylor guitars made with V-class bracing

Cons

  • It is somewhat expensive for a guitar made with what some players consider an inferior tonewood
  • The treble-heavy nature of sapele means it may not have the warmth that some guitarists want

Brief Review & Star Rating

Review

Taylor guitars tend to be especially expensive, especially for those with solid backs and sides instead of backs and sides made of layered wood. But if you're looking for a relatively affordable all-solid instrument, the 314CE is a great option. The back and sides are made of solid Sapele, a relatively inexpensive wood that's sometimes billed as a mahogany alternative. However, it is a little brighter in terms of tone.

Though sapele may not appeal to guitarists who prefer more traditional tonewoods, the 314CE nonetheless has many of the appointments found on the best Taylor guitars. An ebony fingerboard and bridge, quality tuners, and high-end electronics make it a great, highly playable instrument for performers and couch guitarists alike.

Our Star Rating

We think this is among the best Taylor guitars made with somewhat unusual tonewoods, and we give it four out of five stars.

Taylor 110E -- Best for Smaller Hands

Important Features

  • Dreadnought body is a departure from Taylor's typical grand auditorium body style
  • Solid Sitka spruce top gives it sound that is bright and responsive
  • High-end electronics make it a great acoustic-electric guitar for performers
  • Narrow 1 11/16 inch nut width makes barre chords easier on players with small hands

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • West African ebony fingerboard is slick, playable, and looks great
  • Dreadnought body is great for flat pickers and players looking for an alternative to Taylor's grand auditorium body style
  • Layered walnut back and sides give it a particularly warm sound
  • Expression System 2 electronics give it a faithful, great live sound

Cons

  • Its price is very high for a guitar with a non-solid back and sides
  • Some players might prefer layered rosewood, mahogany, or other more common choices

Brief Review & Star Rating

Review

The name of this Taylor acoustic guitar is a little misleading -- you might think that it's a cheap instrument for beginners. And while it's one of Taylor's more affordable acoustic guitar models, it's an outstanding and highly playable instrument as well.

The 110E has a dreadnought body and no-frills aesthetic that's sure to appeal to fans of Martin guitars. Its scalloped bracing gives it plenty of resonance without sacrificing sustain. The fact that the back and sides are made of layered wood is a little surprising -- at this upper-midrange price point, many guitar companies offer all-solid guitars. 

Still, this versatile guitar shouldn't be overlooked. The walnut back and sides add an earthy warmth to the brightness of the Sitka spruce top. And like many Taylor guitars, this one comes with the Expression System 2 electronics system for easy live sound. If you like Taylor guitars and are looking for a dreadnought to add to your guitar collection, this is a great instrument to consider.

Our Star Rating

Thanks to its narrower nut width, we think this dreadnought guitar is one of the best acoustic guitars for players with smaller hands. We give it four out of five stars.

Taylor 114E -- Best Value

Important Features

  • Simple aesthetic helps keep costs down and creates a classic look
  • Maple neck resists warping and is comfortable to play
  • Control knobs for the ES2 electronics don't mar the guitar's surface like most traditional onboard preamps
  • Grand auditorium body shape gives the benefits of both a dreadnought and a concert-style guitar

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Forward-shifted bracing enhances bass response despite the relatively small body
  • Great tone and lower price makes it one of the best Taylor acoustic guitars for players on a budget
  • Tusq nut and micarta saddle support great intonation and full tone
  • A combination of spruce and walnut gives it a full, balanced tone that isn't too bright or too dark

Cons

  • Given the fact that the back and sides aren't solid, it is somewhat expensive
  • The lack of a cutaway may make it more difficult for lead guitarists to play

Brief Review & Star Rating

Review

For many players, the best Taylor guitar is one that plays beautifully and offers a balanced full tone. But as you may have discovered, most of the higher-priced Taylor acoustic guitars feature extravagant inlays, upgraded binding, and other premium features. The 114E gives you famous Taylor playability without the more expensive bells and whistles.

The 114E is a full-size guitar, but the grand auditorium build has a slim waist that makes it playable even for smaller guitarists. And even though it's one of the more affordable Taylor acoustic guitars, high-end features like a west African ebony fingerboard and bridge make it an excellent value.

And of course, like all Taylor guitars, it has a beautifully resonant solid top that only opens up with time. The layered walnut back and sides give you a tone that's fuller and more natural than the laminated wood commonly used on cheaper guitars.

Our Star Rating

This Taylor model offers you the signature tone of the grand auditorium body shape without expensive add-ons. We think it offers the best value on the list, and we give it four out of five stars.

Baby Taylor BT2 -- Best for Smaller Players

Important Features

  • Solid mahogany top opens up with time and gives it a fuller, warmer sound than that of spruce-top Taylor guitars
  • Smaller 1 11/16 nut width makes barring chords easier for players with small hands
  • It's one of the most affordable Taylor guitars
  • Layered sapele back and sides are durable and ideal for travel

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Mahogany top offers a darker, warmer tone that some players might prefer
  • Smaller size and layered back and sides make it a great acoustic guitar for travel
  • The 3/4-size body is easier for smaller players to handle
  • Tusq nut, micarta saddle, and ebony fingerboard are many higher-end appointments than you usually find on smaller guitars

Cons

  • It is a purely acoustic model, which may not be ideal for performers
  • The layered sapele back and sides won't have the same full sound as solid wood

Brief Review & Star Rating

Review

The Baby Taylor enjoys great popularity partially because Taylor Swift has said that she wrote many of her songs on her own Baby Taylor. And if you want a smaller Taylor guitar whose sound is less bright, the mahogany BT2 is a great choice. Like all Taylor guitars, it has a solid top. Its layered sapele back and sides sound somewhat similar to mahogany while still keeping costs down.

It's important to note that the 3/4-size BT2 does not come with electronics. However, if you'd prefer to perform with it, you can find the BT2e, an acoustic-electric version of the BT2.

Our Star Rating

We think this is the best Taylor guitar for smaller players, and we give it four out of five stars.

Taylor GS Mini-E (Koa)

Important Features

  • Koa construction gives it a distinctive tone and unique look
  • Scaled-down size makes it easy to use to travel with
  • Comes with electronics, which isn't common for
  • It's very affordable compared to most Taylor's

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Solid top and koa construction
  • Included electronics make it very versatile
  • Affordable for many players

Cons

  • If you prefer a full-sized guitar, this one might not be the best option

Brief Review & Star Rating

Review

If you're in search of a smaller acoustic guitar but want all the features of a full-sized Taylor, the GS Mini-E is an excellent choice.

This smaller guitar has a solid koa top and layered koa back and sides, giving it a tone that's bright yet warm and a truly remarkable aesthetic. And unlike many mini guitars, this one comes with an under-saddle pickup, making it easy to play plugged in when you need to.

Our Star Rating

Of the guitars on the list, we think this is the best smaller or travel-sized guitar. Because of its versatility and affordability, we give it four out of five stars.

Taylor PS14CE

Important Features

  • Unusual tonewoods give it a distinctive and beautiful sound
  • Beautiful aesthetics are a great choice for those who want to stand out
  • High-end electronics make it very playable live

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Incredible, sustain - rich sound
  • Beautiful aesthetics
  • Great playability

Cons

  • Very high price and somewhat rare

Brief Review & Star Rating

Review

As part of Taylor's Presentation Series, this guitar has a look that you won't forget. Its sinker redwood top and cocobolo back and sides give it an incredible sustain and balanced tone, and its elaborate abalone inlays give it a truly unique aesthetic.

It comes with Taylor's Expression System 2 electronics for unparalleled live playability. While it's very high price and rarity mean it's not a choice for everyone; this guitar is an excellent selection for anyone who can access it.

Our Star Rating

This guitar is an incredible find and has a stunning tone. Because of its price and rarity, we think it's Taylor's best high-end guitar. We give it five out of five stars.

Taylor Baby Taylor BT1

Important Features

  • Small and portable
  • Has a solid top
  • Offers excellent value for the price

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Great portability makes it ideal for travel
  • Easy to play
  • Very affordable
  • Higher quality than most smaller guitars

Cons

  • Doesn't come with electronics
  • Some players may prefer a full-sized guitar

Brief Review & Star Rating

Review

As the most affordable option on the list, this guitar is an excellent choice for those who want Taylor quality on a budget. The baby Taylor is a 3/4 size guitar, making it an excellent choice for smaller people or for those who wish for a nice-sounding travel guitar.

Its solid Sitka spruce top and sapele back and sides give it a balanced tone that's on the bright side.

Our Star Rating

Because of its affordability and smaller size, we think this guitar is the best beginner option on the list. We give it four out of five stars.

Taylor Guitars 224CE-K

Important Features

  • All-koa construction means the tone will only improve with age
  • Tasteful, subtle inlays pair well with the shaded burst finish
  • Comes with Taylor electronics

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Offers many high-end Taylor features at a lower price than some high-end guitars
  • Has a unique, attractive finish
  • Has a sound that improves with age

Cons

  • Back and sides aren't made from solid wood

Brief Review & Star Rating

Review

If you like exotic tonewoods with unique finishes, this is a guitar worth checking out. It has a solid koa top and layered koa back and sides, but its unique shaded finish brings out the grain and makes the 224CE-K a standout instrument.

Its understated elegance pairs well with its full sound, and it comes equipped with Taylor's ES 2 electronics. Its subtle fretboard inlays and rosette make it an excellent choice for the player who prefers a guitar with just enough abalone.

Our Star Rating

This guitar is fairly affordable for a Taylor, and we think it has the best finish on the list. We give it four out of five stars.

Taylor 214CE

Important Features

  • Spruce and rosewood build for classic tone
  • Comes with Taylor electronics
  • Natural, understated look

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Solid Sitka spruce top and rosewood body offer a versatile tone
  • Taylor ES 2 lets you play acoustically or plugged in
  • Understated finish options give it a classic aesthetic

Cons

  • Back and sides aren't made from solid wood

Brief Review & Star Rating

Review

If you want the classic Taylor look with no frills, the 214CE is an excellent choice. This guitar is essentially the same build as the one listed above, but it has a classic tonewood configuration of spruce and rosewood.

With a natural finish and dot inlays, it has an understated look that many guitarists prefer. It comes with the Expression 2 system, but it sounds excellent, played unplugged, too.

Our Star Rating

Because it combines the features and aesthetics that many acoustic guitarists love, we think this is the best classic looking and sounding guitar on the list. We give it four out of five stars.

Taylor 814CE -- Most Comfortable to Play

Important Features

  • Solid Indian rosewood back and sides give you a rich, tight low end with sparkling highs
  • Solid Sitka spruce top makes this Taylor acoustic guitar only sound better with time
  • Slim tropical mahogany neck, Venetian cutaway, 15" radius fretboard, and unique radiused armrest make it an exceptionally comfortable acoustic guitar to play
  • Built by hand, this Taylor acoustic guitar offers some of the best craftsmanship in the industry

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • This Taylor acoustic guitar is made of the classic combination of a solid Sitka spruce top and solid Indian rosewood back and sides
  • Unique radiused armrest combats fatigue and is comfortable to play through long sets
  • Maple binding and West African ebony fingerboard and bridge make it especially beautiful
  • Classic tonewoods, grand auditorium body, and V-class bracing combine to produce a stunningly complex sound

Cons

  • It is one of Taylor's most expensive acoustic-electric guitar options
  • Some players may prefer the more traditional sound quality of X bracing over the V-class bracing used in newer, high-end Taylor guitars

Brief Review & Star Rating

Review

The 814CE is among Taylor's most exceptional guitars. This grand auditorium instrument offers some of the best playability on the market. The body itself offers rich sound without being cumbersome to handle, and the Venetian cutaway gives you easy access to the whole fretboard. And the combination of a satin-finished neck, radiused ebony fretboard, and extra comfortable armrest makes it a joy to play.

Rosewood acoustic guitars are becoming increasingly rare, and the solid rosewood back and sides of the 814CE make it among the best Taylor acoustic guitar options. The sound quality is further helped along by V-class bracing. Inobtrusive tone controls and top-notch electronics make it both a visual and sonic standout on stage.

Our Star Rating

We think the radiused armrest makes this the best Taylor acoustic guitar if you value playing comfort. We give it four out of five stars.

Buying Guide: How To Choose Your Taylor

Taylor continues to pioneer new technologies in guitar building. From their new V-class bracing to the innovative Expression System pickups found in acoustic-electric, the company is continually releasing guitars that shape the field of music. If you're considering purchasing a Taylor, these are some of the features to pay attention to.

Tonewoods

In your search for the best Taylor guitar, you'll find that you can choose from a range of tonewood combinations. While you'll see models with classic tonewood combinations like spruce and rosewood, you'll also notice that Taylor has several guitars made with exotic woods.

Taylor is a company that knows how to balance looks and functionality. For instance, many higher-end Taylors are made with Hawaiian koa, a beautifully figured wood with impressive brightness and a warm, sweet midrange.

Some special-edition Taylors are made with cocobolo, a rare tropical wood that's similar to koa. This is a wood that both looks and sounds like koa, but it has an expanded low end perfect for players who prefer a slightly darker tone.

Because of their appearance and tones, these woods tend to be used on more expensive Taylors. However, on guitars with more traditional tonewood configurations, Taylors still manage to stand out.

If you've been playing guitar for a while, you know that spruce is a commonly-used wood for guitar tops. And while some manufacturers don't clarify the type of spruce used, Taylor offers a variety of spruce types. Many of their guitars are made with Sitka spruce, an extraordinarily versatile top material that's a favourite of founder Bob Taylor.

However, Sitka spruce isn't the only spruce worth considering. Taylor offers a few varieties of spruce, letting players choose one that's best suited to their preferred tone. Engelmann spruce has an expanded midrange that sounds a lot like an older Sitka top guitar. And if you're a player who likes a guitar with impressive volume and projection capabilities, their guitars topped with Lutz spruce are worth a look.

Bracing

For decades, X bracing has been the standard when it comes to the internal bracing of acoustic guitars. This bracing style gets its name from the "X" it forms on the interior of the guitar, and it supports powerful projection while also offering lasting structural support to the guitar itself.

However, in recent years, Taylor has invented an entirely new style of bracing, called V-Class bracing. This bracing style, like X bracing, supports the guitar top and keeps it from warping. However, since it offers the guitar top more freedom to vibrate, this results in a sound that's characterized by longer sustain, louder volume, and a smoother overall tone. The guitars are otherwise identical, so you'll be able to hear the difference.

Electronics

Through extensive research, Taylor engineers found that the traditional under-saddle pickup has quite a few disadvantages. These pickups often aren't entirely faithful to the guitar's tone, mainly because of their location because of the compression of the string tension.

Taylor's Expression System pickups are located behind the saddle and work much like a microphone. If you're someone who frequently plays live, you may want to choose one of Taylor's acoustic-electric models. The pickup system captures your guitar's tone like a microphone, but you won't need to deal with background noise and other issues that come with playing into a mic.

Overall Value

Some manufacturers, including Martin, tend to make straightforward guitars without a lot of embellishment. Others, like Taylor, offer both more straightforward, player-oriented models as well as those with more elaborate aesthetic features.

For instance, some of Taylor's more expensive models have dazzling custom abalone inlays and exotic-looking finishes. Thus, when you shop for yours, don't be discouraged if some models are out of your price range. A more expensive Taylor isn't always going to be a better-sounding guitar than a less expensive instrument.

When comparing prices, be sure to thoroughly read specs to determine how much of the price is due to aesthetics. Some of Taylor's unique edition guitars are tonal wonders as well as works of art. But if you're on a budget, you can still find a guitar that suits your playing style without breaking the bank.

In Conclusion

Because of Taylor's quality, we don't think you can go wrong with any guitar on the list. However, we believe the best choice on the list is the 614CE Builder's Edition. This guitar combines all-solid construction with Taylor's incredible V-Class bracing for a tremendous and versatile sound, and its unique appointments mean it's an unforgettable playing experience.

That said, we think the 214CE is a great runner-up. The 214CE has Taylor's signature tone and is more affordable, making it easier to play a Taylor even on a budget. And whether you choose one from the list or a different guitar, and Taylor is sure to have the build quality and impressive tone that countless guitarists have come to love.

Leave a Comment