Hello and welcome!
If I'm reading the caption on the posted inlay photo correctly, that was what was used on the 900-Series guitars produced between 2001 and 2010; so you'd be looking for guitar models such as the 910, 912, 914, and 916. The inlay was probably also available as an option on custom (i.e., BTO =
Build
To
Order) guitars as well.
Taylor's guitars are divided into 'century' series groups that reflect the woods used in the guitar body and the appointments; generally speaking, the higher the series number, the more expensive and fancy the guitar is. For example, your son's 114e is one of the 100-Series guitars, which are essentially entry-level Taylor guitars with laminated wood bodies (solid Spruce top/soundboard) and fairly plain appointments. The 900-Series guitars are just about Taylor's top-of-the-line models, with solid Rosewood bodies, solid Spruce tops/soundboards, and fancy inlays. About the only step up from the 900-Series guitars is the Presentation Series (PS) line, which are very fancy and generally have more aesthetically-appealing woods in the body.
The combined second and third numbers in Taylor's numbering scheme reflect the body shapes:
- 10 = Dreadnought (think the classic Martin Dreadnought shape; essentially defunct and replaced in the Taylor line-up by the Grand Pacific)
- 11 = Grand Theater (basically a scaled-down Grand Orchestra)
- 12 = Grand Concert (small-bodied standard guitar for finger-style players)
- 14 = Grand Auditorium (medium-bodied standard guitar for all styles of players)
- 15 = Jumbo (think the classic Gibson J-200 Jumbo shape; discontinued and replaced in the Taylor line-up by the Grand Orchestra)
- 16 = Grand Symphony (larger-bodied standard guitar for strumming players)
- 17 = Grand Pacific (Taylor's more recent offering on the Dreadnought shape)
- 18 = Grand Orchestra (Taylor's more recent offering on the Jumbo shape)
So your son's 114e is a 100-Series Grand Auditorium guitar; a 916 would be a 900-Series Grand Symphony guitar; and so on.
Fortunately for you, this time of year is when Taylor releases their copy of
Wood & Steel containng the Buyer's Guide in it. Leaf through that for more information. It might seem confusing and like a lot to digest at first, but before long you'll understand it pretty well.
