Both are excellent: 214ce has brighter sparkle; 114ce brings warm, forgiving mids.
You want a Taylor that records clean, plays easy, and holds up on stage. The taylor 214ce vs 114ce comparison comes up a lot when players want that Taylor feel without going flagship. I’ve gigged and tracked with both. They overlap in many ways, yet each has a voice. I’ll share what stood out in real use so you can pick the right fit for your hands, ears, and budget.
Is Taylor 214ce Good?
Yes, the Taylor 214ce is a great guitar, especially if you want clarity and sparkle. It suits fingerstyle players, worship leaders, and anyone who records at home and wants a clean top end. The layered rosewood back and sides give a scooped EQ feel: crisp highs, tight lows, and a tidy midrange. It cuts through a mix without getting harsh.
I first used the 214ce at a coffeehouse set with a small PA. The ES2 pickup sounded clear with very little EQ. Later, I tracked a fingerpicked part for a podcast intro. The 214ce sat in the mix right away. No fuss. It made me play lighter and more precise, which I liked for detailed parts.
What Makes It Stand Out / Key Features
- Grand Auditorium body with Venetian cutaway for reach and comfort
- Solid Sitka spruce top for clear attack and headroom
- Layered rosewood back and sides for bright, scooped tone
- Taylor ES2 electronics for natural plugged-in sound
- Fast, consistent setup with Taylor’s sleek neck profile
What I Like
- Brilliant top end that records clean with minimal EQ
- Balances strumming and fingerstyle without collapsing in a mix
- Stable tuning and setup across weather changes
- Comfortable neck that flatters light-touch players
- Plug-and-play ES2 tone for live sets
What Could Be Better
- Can feel a bit bright for heavy strummers
- Less midrange “wood” than the 114ce’s walnut voice
- Costs more than the 114ce
My Recommendation
If you value clarity, definition, and stage-ready tone, choose the 214ce. It’s a strong long-term buy with wide appeal.
| Best For | Why |
|---|---|
| Fingerstyle and light strummers | Bright highs and tight lows reveal detail |
| Recording and worship leaders | Clean mix fit and reliable ES2 output |
| Players wanting a “modern Taylor” voice | Scooped tone with crisp sparkle |
Is Taylor 114ce Good?
Yes, the Taylor 114ce is a strong choice, especially if you like a warmer, more forgiving sound. It’s great for newer players and singer-songwriters who want an easy neck and a round, friendly midrange. The layered walnut back and sides bring a natural, earthy tone with smooth highs.
I played the 114ce on a living-room session where vocals were the focus. The guitar wrapped around the voice like a soft blanket. Later, at an open mic, I strummed it hard and it stayed musical, not brittle. The 114ce felt like a partner for simple, honest songs. It lets you dig in without sharp edges.
What Makes It Stand Out / Key Features
- Grand Auditorium body with cutaway for comfortable play
- Solid Sitka spruce top for punch and balance
- Layered walnut back and sides for warm mids
- Taylor ES2 electronics for clear live tone
- Easy action and consistent Taylor build quality
What I Like
- Warm, vocal-friendly mids that sit under singing
- Handles strumming and mixed rhythm well
- Great playability for beginners and pros alike
- More affordable than the 214ce
- Stable and reliable for travel and jams
What Could Be Better
- Less high-end sparkle than the 214ce
- Slightly less projection in a dense mix
- Fewer cosmetic upgrades than higher series
My Recommendation
If you sing and strum or want a forgiving tone, the 114ce shines. Great value.
| Best For | Why |
|---|---|
| Singer-songwriters | Warm mids complement vocals |
| Newer players | Easy playability and friendly tone |
| Budget-minded buyers | Taylor feel and ES2 at a lower price |
taylor 214ce vs 114ce: Side-by-Side Test
I played both guitars back-to-back in my studio, on stage, and in a living room. Here is how the taylor 214ce vs 114ce matchup breaks down in the areas that matter most.
Tone and Projection: Which Voice Fits You?
Both are clear and balanced. The 214ce is brighter. The 114ce is warmer.
| Aspect | Taylor 214ce | Taylor 114ce |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Character | Bright, scooped mids | Warm, mid-forward |
| Fingerstyle Detail | High clarity and sparkle | Softer, rounder response |
| Strumming Mix Cut | Cuts cleanly through | Sits under vocals |
| Low-End Tightness | Tight and focused | Full but softer edges |
Rating: 214ce – 9/10 | 114ce – 8/10
214ce takes the edge for sparkle and mix cut; 114ce wins if you want warmth.
Tonewoods and Build: Materials That Shape Sound
The big difference in taylor 214ce vs 114ce is rosewood vs walnut.
| Spec | Taylor 214ce | Taylor 114ce |
|---|---|---|
| Back/Sides | Layered rosewood | Layered walnut |
| Top | Solid Sitka spruce | Solid Sitka spruce |
| Neck/Fretboard | Sapele / Ebony | Sapele / Ebony |
| Electronics | ES2 | ES2 |
Rating: 214ce – 9/10 | 114ce – 8.5/10
Rosewood brings more shimmer; walnut adds warmth. Pick the voice you need.
Playability and Feel: Neck, Action, and Comfort
Both share Taylor’s easy neck. Small differences show up under the fingers.
| Aspect | Taylor 214ce | Taylor 114ce |
|---|---|---|
| Neck Profile | Sleek and fast | Equally comfy, slightly rounder feel |
| Action (Factory) | Low to medium-low | Low to medium-low |
| Light-Touch Response | Very responsive | Forgiving and smooth |
| Long-Set Comfort | Great | Great |
Rating: 214ce – 9/10 | 114ce – 9/10
It’s a tie on playability; the 114ce feels a bit more relaxed under strumming.
Amplified Sound: Plugged-In Performance
Both use ES2. Small EQ shifts match their wood voices.
| Criteria | Taylor 214ce | Taylor 114ce |
|---|---|---|
| Feedback Resistance | Strong | Strong |
| EQ Needs | Minimal, maybe tame highs | Minimal, maybe add sparkle |
| Live Mix Fit | Cuts through easily | Sits under vocals well |
| Noise Floor | Low | Low |
Rating: 214ce – 9/10 | 114ce – 9/10
Both are stage-ready; choose your EQ flavor, not the system.
Recording Results: How Do They Track?
I tracked fingerstyle, strum, and light pick parts for this taylor 214ce vs 114ce test.
| Scenario | Taylor 214ce | Taylor 114ce |
|---|---|---|
| Fingerstyle | Shiny highs, clear note separation | Round mids, gentle top |
| Dense Mix | Stays defined with less EQ | Can blur slightly in heavy mixes |
| Solo + Vocal | Clean and present | Blends smoothly under voice |
| Editing Ease | Very easy to fit | Needs a touch of high shelf |
Rating: 214ce – 9/10 | 114ce – 8.5/10
214ce wins for mix clarity; 114ce shines for solo vocal tracks.
Aesthetics and Finish: Looks and Details
They are both clean and modern. The 214ce leans a bit more upscale.
| Detail | Taylor 214ce | Taylor 114ce |
|---|---|---|
| Back/Sides Visual | Rosewood look, classic and sleek | Walnut look, earthy and warm |
| Binding/Trim | More refined | Simpler appointments |
| Overall Vibe | Polished, stage-ready | Humble, songwriter vibe |
| Fit and Finish | Excellent | Excellent |
Rating: 214ce – 9/10 | 114ce – 8/10
214ce looks a touch more premium; both feel well built.
Durability and Stability
Both use layered backs and sides. That helps in changing climates.
| Factor | Taylor 214ce | Taylor 114ce |
|---|---|---|
| Humidity Tolerance | Good with normal care | Good with normal care |
| Travel Readiness | Solid choice | Solid choice |
| Setup Stability | Holds setup well | Holds setup well |
| Finish Wear | Normal over time | Normal over time |
Rating: 214ce – 9/10 | 114ce – 9/10
It’s a tie; both are road-friendly with routine care.
Value for Money
Here’s where taylor 214ce vs 114ce often gets decided.
| Consideration | Taylor 214ce | Taylor 114ce |
|---|---|---|
| Street Price Tier | Higher | Lower |
| Feature Set | More refined tone and trim | Core Taylor experience |
| Best Use Case | Stage, recording, fingerstyle | Singing, strumming, practice |
| Bang for Buck | Strong for tone hunters | Excellent for most players |
Rating: 214ce – 8.5/10 | 114ce – 9/10
114ce wins on price-performance; 214ce is worth it if you want extra sparkle.
Final Verdict: Which Should You Buy?
Pick the 214ce if you want clarity, sparkle, and a polished mix-ready sound. It shines for fingerstyle, worship, and studio work. It delivers that modern Taylor shimmer.
Choose the 114ce if you sing and strum or want a warm, friendly voice at a lower price. It feels great, sounds honest, and fits vocals well. In the taylor 214ce vs 114ce debate, both win—your style decides.
FAQs Of taylor 214ce vs 114ce
What is the biggest sound difference in taylor 214ce vs 114ce?
The 214ce is brighter with tighter lows. The 114ce is warmer with fuller mids. Pick sparkle (214ce) or warmth (114ce).
Which is better for recording, taylor 214ce vs 114ce?
For dense mixes and fingerstyle, 214ce. For solo vocal tracks and strumming, 114ce. Both are easy to EQ.
For beginners, which is easier in taylor 214ce vs 114ce?
Both play easy. The 114ce’s rounder mids feel more forgiving. It also costs less, which helps new players.
Do both have the same electronics in taylor 214ce vs 114ce?
Yes. Both use Taylor ES2. The different wood voices drive the tonal change, not the pickup.
Is the price gap in taylor 214ce vs 114ce worth it?
If you crave sparkle and mix cut, the 214ce is worth it. If you want value and warmth, the 114ce wins.
Leave a Reply