'98 Taylor 814ce

[hoosierpicker]

I have had my '98 Taylor 814ce for about a year now.  It is in almost perfect condition and is a wonderful guitar, but after viewing various discussions, I was wondering if there are any significant differences in construction from the new models, other than I know mine has the Fishman electronics and the new ones have the Expression electronics?  Are there advantaged and disadvantages in each of the electronic choices?  I play mine unplugged most of the time anyway, but occasionally play with a church band.

[Herb Hunter]

I have had my '98 Taylor 814ce for about a year now.  It is in almost perfect condition and is a wonderful guitar, but after viewing various discussions, I was wondering if there are any significant differences in construction from the new models, other than I know mine has the Fishman electronics and the new ones have the Expression electronics?  Are there advantaged and disadvantages in each of the electronic choices?  I play mine unplugged most of the time anyway, but occasionally play with a church band.

I have a 1996 814 that I wouldn't part with for five times the price I paid when I bought it brand new. Nevertheless, unlike the newer 814s, neither mine nor yours has an NT neck but they still have the advantage of bolted necks. Another difference is the bracing. Ours have Standard II bracing and the newest ones have CV bracing. I prefer the Standard II bracing.


As you undoubtedly know, your Fishman system has a piezoelectric, under-saddle pickup which to my ears, sounds harsh, brittle and unnatural it also has an internal microphone to help mitigate those objectionable qualities at the expense of feedback resistance. The Expression System was designed to address those shortcomings. It has an induction pickup under the fretboard and a dynamic pickup designed to respond to the guitar's soundboard. It is more feedback resistant. Obviously, I  prefer the Expression System to the Fishman system and if you find you do too, you can have Taylor replace the Fishman with the ES. However, some people actually prefer the Fishman system and you may find you also prefer it. 

[InsideOut]

I think the bracing of your guitar is pre-standard II.  The X is not as close to the sound hole.  Maybe an inch or so difference.  There is no relief rout on the top.  The relief rout is a slight thinning of the soundboard near the sides.  It allows the top to move a little more.  The final neck carve and sanding was done by hand, so there are slight differences in how the neck feels.  I have a '98 714-CE, and the neck is a bit thinner than all of the NT neck guitars I have had.  My guess is your used guitar sounds different than a new model.  I prefer the pre-NT neck guitars, but I have a current model to use the Expression System for live playing.  I used to happy with the Prefix Pro or whatever they were using at that time, but once I used the Expression System, I was sold.  Just this morning I was once again amazed at how much better it sounded than my 714-CE electrified.  But as far as the straight acoustic sound goes, I will never get rid of the 714-CE.  Nothing beats it (unless I want to spend $5,000 +).  The only reason I got the newer model GA3, is because I was tired of the dings that go along with playing away from home.  The GA3 is expendable. 

[Herb Hunter]

I think the bracing of your guitar is pre-standard II.  The X is not as close to the sound hole.  Maybe an inch or so difference.  There is no relief rout on the top.  The relief rout is a slight thinning of the soundboard near the sides.  It allows the top to move a little more.  The final neck carve and sanding was done by hand, so there are slight differences in how the neck feels.  I have a '98 714-CE, and the neck is a bit thinner than all of the NT neck guitars I have had.  My guess is your used guitar sounds different than a new model.  I prefer the pre-NT neck guitars, but I have a current model to use the Expression System for live playing.  I used to happy with the Prefix Pro or whatever they were using at that time, but once I used the Expression System, I was sold.  Just this morning I was once again amazed at how much better it sounded than my 714-CE electrified.  But as far as the straight acoustic sound goes, I will never get rid of the 714-CE.  Nothing beats it (unless I want to spend $5,000 +).  The only reason I got the newer model GA3, is because I was tired of the dings that go along with playing away from home.  The GA3 is expendable.

You are correct. I simply forgot about the older bracing When the Standard II bracing was introduced (2002 as I recall),  it was an improvement that didn't change the overall tonal character to the extent that CV bracing did.

The NT neck was introduced in 1999 and incrementally incorporated across all models. It had the same profile and thickness of the pre-NT necks. However, since the older necks were hand-sanded some ended up a bit thinner than the specified thickness. In addition to the 1996 Taylor I've already mentioned, I have two 1997 Taylors. None of these has a neck that feels any different than my Taylor with an NT neck (and Standard II bracing) that I can tell.

Doyle Dykes noticed that his 20th Anniversary grand auditorium had a thinner neck than his NT equipped guitars. The Taylor factory measured the difference which came to be the basis for the Slim Carve option. As you can see below, the difference is not great.