1997 - 714ced

[ARGARY]

I bought this guitar a couple of years ago for my collection.  I plays extremely well and had a great sound.  Its in excellent condition, except that there is wear on the lower part of the sound hole where picks have worn the finish off just down to the wood.  It probably could use some clear coat over that area, but I don't like to do anything to all original guitars.

The back and sides are very nice rosewood and the fretboard is ebony, but I'm just not sure about the top.  Its definitely not a light colored spruce, its darker with a reddish tint and may be cedar.

Anyone know for certain what the top is on the '97 714ced?

[TaylorMate]

Maybe this letter I once received from Taylor helps. My 714 (1996) had clearly marked 714CED with the serial number on the heel block.

[davwir]

It should be cedar for the top, from that time period. Being darker and showing a bit more finish wear are pretty good indicators of that too!

I also recently picked up 1997 714 (a limited one with Brazilian Rosewood), and its a fantastic sounding, looking and playing instrument indeed.

[michaelw]

pre 98 714s had a sitka spruce top standard -
96 & 97 models with the CED designation had a cedar top

it could have been for spruCE, aDirondack, but that's doubtful -
the 700 series had standard cedar tops from 98-00, with
engelmann on other models, except for the X14, through 06

this dealer has consistently shown accurate information on Taylors, some 20 models year old & older
http://www.elderly.com/vintage/items/20U-12311.htm

perhaps it was just overlooked when performing a search
http://www.unofficialtaylorguitarforum.com/index.php?topic=4931.msg55516#msg55516