Tale as old as time
Taylor Guitars. Where do we start? The legendary Californian acoustic guitar brand has done more than their fair share of innovating on small and large scales for acoustic guitars. When it comes to writing and rewriting standards for acoustic guitar sound and design, we always have the fine folks over at Taylor to thank. If you've ever been in the market for an acoustic guitar, you've no doubt come across Taylor's sweet sounds and commitment to quality – even more so if you've crossed paths with a Taylor Guitars Builder's Edition model.
The title of "Builder's Edition" is no joke when it comes to establishing new standards for style and playability among Taylor acoustic guitars. Simply, Builder's Editions represent the pinnacle of Taylor acoustic guitar design with some of the most artfully thought up and assembled models the name has to offer. Today, we treated ourselves to a rendezvous with one of these models and it was nothing short of delightful, to say the least. Let's not spoil ourselves though, let's talk about it.
This is the Taylor Guitars Builder's Edition 514ce.
Shop the Taylor Builder's Edition 514ce
Once a Builder...
Introducing the Taylor Guitars Builder's Edition 514ce
Taylor Builder's Edition series models are among the most prestigious and playable pieces the name produces. The term "Builder's Edition" refers to the relationship between an acoustic guitar builder's artistic vision and the physical model at hand. As Taylor Guitars Master Guitar Designer Andy Powers has put it,
"As a player and a builder, I'm always asking myself a question: How do I make a guitar sound better? How do I make a guitar feel better? I'm interested in making instruments that have a reason to be made."
Today's Builder's Edition guitars exemplify not only the attention to detail and care for assembly of Taylor Guitars, but the artistic vision of their builders. Making guitars is an artistic process, after all!
Falling in line with the exceptional assembly and exquisite style of their many Builder's Edition series guitars, the Builder's Edition 514ce comes together with those exact principles: care, quality, and artistry. Taylor's eye for acoustic guitar design undoubtedly shines again with this model. Because of that, we have a good bit on our plate to talk about. We'll call ourselves lucky, if we could be so bold.
Beauty of the Build
Taylor Guitars Builder's Edition 514ce Materials
There's quite a bit of familiar ground covered with this Taylor Builder's Edition and just as much new territory to trek. With this guitar in hand and our direction plotted, let's dive in.
Grand Auditorium Body
The Taylor Builder's Edition 514ce joins in the Taylor canon in the 500 Series. Denoted by the "5" in "514ce," this 500 Series separates itself from the Taylor pack with an Urban Ash back and sides and Sitka spruce top. Taking Taylor's classic Grand Auditorium body shape, this body establishes itself quickly for the basis off which an exceptional Taylor musical experience can launch.
All About Urban AshPreviously found in places like Taylor's GT Grand Theater Urban Ash acoustic guitars and other higher-end Taylor acoustics, Urban Ash is one of Taylor's many responsibly sourced tonewoods. Urban Ash, or evergreen ash, is a wood sourced from Shamel ash trees – a species found in urban areas of Southern California. Following the Second World War, these trees were planted in these areas, coinciding with a boom of housing developments and today are sourced by Taylor Guitars in collaboration with West Coast Arborists Inc. for their use in guitars. These Shamel trees normally are removed due to the end of their life cycle or because of a possible public safety risk and disposed of. Thanks to Taylor, this unique species of wood can be revitalized and repurposed for new life in the hands of acoustic players around the world.
Taylor's pairing of Urban Ash and Sitka spruce makes for a classic pairing through this whole experience can bloom. The Sitka spruce's bright and crisp sonic character pairs with the Urban Ash for an even balance of warmth and projection. Projecting with a resonant chime and bell-like quality, these tonewoods deliver an authentic Taylor sound right off the bat. Taylor's V-Class bracing pattern – now a standby feature in many Taylor guitars – assists in the projection and focus of the guitar's voice.
Through these tonewoods, this guitar comes together with a beveled body armrest and a slight cutaway bevel. Ideal for getting up close and personal with this guitar, these body bevels and shapes inspire easy handling. What's more, this 514ce features a deep Kona Burst gloss lacquer finish that not only impresses at the surface but underneath as some of this guitar's wood grain pattern peeks through for a multi-dimensional look at several levels.
Neck and Hardware
From here, this Builder's Edition continues on with a mahogany neck. This satin-finished piece makes everything comfortable for smooth moves across the palm. Combined with Taylor's West African Crelicam ebony fingerboard, this Taylor is effortlessly played with a feeling across the fingers likely familiar to fans of Taylor acoustics. This Cameroonian specialty exclusive to Taylor acoustic guitars makes for a speedy runway off which players' best licks can fly.
Further, this 500 Series model plays with many considerations for stability and playability. A Curve Wing bridge grounds strings stably alongside Gotoh 510 antique chrome tuning machines for a quick and easy stringing and playing experience. Making the playing experience of this guitar even more fluid and dynamic, these two specifications are sure to inspire long playing sessions.
Topping this whole guitar off is Taylor's proprietary Expression System 2 electronics setup that seamlessly translate the sweet sounds of this Builder's Edition to the stage. Delivering on Taylor's fame for being performance-ready instruments, this addition allows for this Builder's Edition to be taken just about anywhere for its great sound and style.
“Featuring our finest craftsmanship, the Builder’s Edition family represents a new step forward in acoustic guitar comfort, playability, and tone.” - Taylor Guitars
Taylor Guitars Builder's Edition 514ce Final Thoughts
For fans of Taylor's Builder's Edition series models, Urban Ash, fine style, playability, or performance, there's plenty to enjoy in this Builder's Edition 514ce. Experienced Taylor players will have tons to get into with familiar Taylor features like the West African ebony fingerboard, the V-Class bracing, or the Expression System 2 electronics. Newer Taylor players will likely have a similar exciting experience with those same standbys, come to think of it.
This Builder's Edition is quintessential Taylor, but definitively elevated. As a model, it lands in more familiar grounds to existing Taylors, making it an exceptional model to exemplify Taylor designs both old and new. Fans of modern Taylor standards will have plenty to enjoy while also enjoying lesser-seen features like the Urban Ash back and sides and extensively beveled body contours.
A Taylor acoustic guitar as you've always known, this Builder's Edition lines it up and knocks it out of the park.
