Taylor 800 Series | Special Edition 814ce Blacktop

With only 24 units made available in Europe, this Special Edition 814ce Blacktop is a rare gem. The striking black finish, paired with a rosewood pickguard and smoked nickel machine heads, accentuates the maple binding, making this guitar a visually striking instrument as well as a sonically rich one. The 814ce is Taylor's most acclaimed guitar, offering an unparalleled playing experience with unmatched clarity and balance. The classic combination of solid Indian rosewood and Sitka spruce produces a versatile tone rich with harmonic texture and ringing overtones, further enhanced by V-Class bracing for greater volume and sustain. The ES2 pickup system ensures this versatile character translates beautifully in amplified settings. A deluxe hardshell case ensures the guitar remains safe wherever you take it. This special American-made Blacktop 814ce represents the pinnacle of Taylor's dedication to building exceptional acoustic guitars.

Grand Auditorium: Taylor's Signature Shape

The Grand Auditorium body shape, introduced by Bob Taylor in 1994, is Taylor's signature shape and the ultimate all-purpose acoustic. This mid-size shape blends the full lower register of a Dreadnought with the balance and clarity of a Grand Concert, making it suitable for both strumming and fingerstyle playing. Its versatile nature tracks well with other instruments, making it a favourite amongst singer-songwriters and players who need a single guitar to cover various styles.

Exceptional Tonewoods: Rosewood and Spruce

Bob Taylor's preferred tonewood pairing, Indian rosewood and Sitka spruce, delivers a broad spectrum of sound with clear, chime-like trebles, resonant lows, and a slightly scooped midrange. This combination ensures that the guitar's voice is both rich and versatile, leaving ample space in the mix for vocals and other instruments.

Expression System 2 Acoustic Pickup

Taylor's ES2 under-saddle pickup and preamp capture the overtone-rich sound of the 814ce with remarkable accuracy. This system ensures a natural-sounding amplified tone, making it easy to plug in and play anywhere, from stage performances to recording sessions. Positioned behind the saddle, the ES2's three pickup sensors respond more accurately to the guitar's energy, delivering exceptional amplified tone and responsiveness

Spotlight-Worthy Aesthetic Details

The 814ce Blacktop boasts a smoky ebony fretboard and peghead veneer, ebony bridge and bridge pins, maple binding, and maple fretboard and peghead purfling. Additional touches include rosewood edge trim, an abalone rosette, and a full-body gloss finish, complemented by Element inlays in mother-of-pearl. The rosewood armrest provides added playing comfort, making this guitar as pleasurable to play as it is to hear.

Innovative V-Class Bracing

Taylor's V-Class bracing, developed by master designer Andy Powers, marks a departure from traditional X-bracing. This design enhances both volume and sustain while improving intonation. By controlling the guitar top's flexibility and stiffness, V-Class bracing produces notes that are louder, longer sustaining, and more in tune, making the guitar more expressive and easier to play alongside precisely tuned digital instruments.

Venetian Cutaway

The 814ce Blacktop features a Venetian cutaway, characterised by its soft, rounded lines. This design provides access to the upper frets, appealing to electric players and those who enjoy lead lines or chords in the upper register. The cutaway offers both aesthetic appeal and functional range without significantly affecting the guitar's tonal output.

The 814ce is Taylor's most popular model, the GA is their most popular shape and this is a highly limited version. All signs point to this being an absolute winner all round.