Taylor Guitar Builder’s Edition 814ce

Quintessential Grand Auditorium with Sustainable Innovation

The Taylor Builder’s Edition 814ce is a flagship Grand Auditorium acoustic-electric guitar handcrafted in Tecate, Mexico, representing the pinnacle of Taylor’s design philosophy—traditional elements reimagined for modern players. Ideal for singer-songwriters, fingerstyle virtuosos, and performers across Australia, it features a four-piece Adirondack spruce top and solid Indian rosewood back and sides for lush, responsive tone with exceptional clarity and power. Available in Natural finish, it’s celebrated for its ergonomic refinements, sustainable sourcing, and sonic sophistication, making it a heirloom-quality instrument at AudioShop Australia.

High-Quality Performance

The Builder’s Edition 814ce blends heritage tone with forward-thinking features:

• Body: Grand Auditorium cutaway with a four-piece Adirondack spruce top for stiff, headroom-rich highs and dynamic response, paired with solid Indian rosewood back and sides for warm mids and deep lows. The V-Class bracing enhances sustain and intonation, creating a fuller, more even musical response.
• Tone: Lush and balanced with commanding fundamentals, high-end sparkle, and sculpted low-end definition, offering a versatile palette for fingerpicking, strumming, or amplified performance. The Adirondack spruce provides vintage stiffness and projection, while rosewood adds harmonic richness and complexity.
• Neck: Tropical mahogany with a slim NT profile and satin finish for effortless playability. The ebony fingerboard has a 25.5″ scale, 20 frets, and a 1 3/4″ nut width for smooth fretting.
• Bridge: Ebony with a Tusq saddle for precise intonation and enhanced sustain.
• Electronics: Taylor Expression System 2 (ES2) with behind-the-saddle pickup and 3-band EQ for natural amplified tone, including a digital chromatic tuner.
• Tuners: Gotoh 510 with antique gold buttons for precise tuning stability.
• Strings: Light-gauge phosphor bronze for balanced tone and ease of play.

As detailed in a 2024 Acoustic Guitar review, the 814ce Builder’s Edition “has an exceptionally accommodating feel, complementing the rich sonic texture and power generated by its rosewood back and sides” . Guitar Player (2023) awards it Editors’ Pick for its “environmental ingenuity, ergonomic playability, refined tone, and sophistication” . Guitar World (2024) praises the “crisply built” quality and “shiny gloss finish” that “brings out the brooding Indian rosewood” . Peghead Nation (2025) notes the four-piece Adirondack spruce top as a “highly sophisticated” move for sustainability, delivering “great tonal complexity and dynamic response” . Reddit’s r/taylorguitars (2024) users call it a “tonal masterpiece,” with one stating, “I’m still wowed every time I pick it up—the shimmer and sparkle are unreal.”

Durable and Stylish Design

• Finish: Full-body gloss for a lustrous sheen that highlights the rosewood and spruce grain, with a beveled armrest and cutaway for ergonomic comfort.
• Aesthetics: Features abalone rosette, maple binding, and a subtle Kona edgeburst on back/sides for premium elegance.
• Build Quality: Solid Adirondack spruce top with solid Indian rosewood back/sides for resonance and durability, dovetail neck joint for vibration transfer, and Tusq nut/saddle for tonal clarity. Weighing approximately 4.5–5 lbs, it’s balanced for all-day play, with a deluxe hardshell case included.

Backed by a 2-year warranty (extendable to 12 years with registration), the Builder’s Edition 814ce is built for a lifetime. Prices range from $4,999–$5,499 USD (AUD 7,500–8,250) as of September 2025, available at AudioShop Australia with fast delivery.

Key Performance Features

• Body: Grand Auditorium cutaway, four-piece Adirondack spruce top, solid Indian rosewood back/sides
• Neck: Tropical mahogany, NT profile, satin finish
• Fingerboard: Ebony, 25.5″ scale, 20 frets
• Bridge: Ebony with Tusq saddle
• Electronics: Taylor ES2 (behind-saddle pickup, 3-band EQ, tuner)
• Tuners: Gotoh 510 with antique gold buttons
• Bracing: V-Class
• Nut/Saddle: Tusq
• Warranty: 2 years (extendable to 12 years)

Notes

• Setup Tip: Adjust truss rod and saddle for lower action; professional setup recommended for optimal intonation. Use light-gauge strings (e.g., 11–52) for easier play. Pair with Rode PodMic and RØDECaster Pro II for recording demos.
• Care Instructions: Store in the included deluxe hardshell case to protect the gloss finish; maintain humidity (45–55% RH).
• Compatibility: ES2 pairs well with acoustic amps or PA systems; use with RØDECaster for direct recording.
• Warranty: Register at taylorguitars.com for extension to 12 years; verify purchase from authorized retailers like AudioShop Australia.
• Community Feedback: Acoustic Guitar (2024) praises its “accommodating feel” and “rich sonic texture.” Guitar Player (2023) awards Editors’ Pick for “refined tone and sophistication.” Reddit’s r/taylorguitars (2024) users call it a “tonal masterpiece,” with one stating, “The shimmer and sparkle are unreal—still wowed every time I play it.”

Why Choose AudioShop Australia

• 100% genuine Taylor products with manufacturer warranty
• Fast, reliable delivery across AudioShop Australia with secure checkout
• Free shipping on orders over $100 (under 20kg) at AudioShop Australia
• Expert advice from our team of music professionals
• Trusted by guitarists and performers at AudioShop Australia