Top wood on an 814ce DLX

[Mandotim]

Hi all. I’ve managed to snag a nice 814ceDLX from 2017. Lovely guitar, with volume and tone to burn. Comparing the top to other guitars I have, it doesn’t seem to be a standard Sitka top; the grain and colour looks very much like Adirondack to me. Does anyone know if Taylor offered these with Adirondack as an option? I have a couple of guitars with Adirondack tops, and this looks identical.
Hope the hive mind knows; I’ll contact Taylor as a last resort!
Best
Tim

[Guitarsan]

Hi all. I’ve managed to snag a nice 814ceDLX from 2017. Lovely guitar, with volume and tone to burn. Comparing the top to other guitars I have, it doesn’t seem to be a standard Sitka top; the grain and colour looks very much like Adirondack to me. Does anyone know if Taylor offered these with Adirondack as an option? I have a couple of guitars with Adirondack tops, and this looks identical.
Hope the hive mind knows; I’ll contact Taylor as a last resort!
Best
Tim

Certainly possible - back in that timeframe Taylor was selling an 814ce DLX with an Adi top. A quick email to Taylor support with your serial number will confirm it for you, but since you seem to know what Adirondack looks like, you're probably right. You can buy an 814ce Builder's Edition today which comes with an Adi top, as a related FYI.

[SDTaylorman]

I’ll contact Taylor as a last resort!

Why last resort?  That should be your first call. That way you can give them the serial number and they will give you the actual build specs for that individual guitar. You can also register yourself as the owner which is helpful in multiple ways. Don't be afraid to contact Taylor. They'll not only know but they will be happy to help you.

[Toucan256]

I’ll contact Taylor as a last resort!

Why last resort?  That should be your first call. That way you can give them the serial number and they will give you the actual build specs for that individual guitar. You can also register yourself as the owner which is helpful in multiple ways. Don't be afraid to contact Taylor. They'll not only know but they will be happy to help you.
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I just recently found out that their build sheets always correct. I recently purchased a 322e 12-fret with a 3 piece back of Tazmanian Blackwood. I e mailed the mother ship with the s/n. They replied within a day, but the build sheet states it should have a 2 piece back. When I  questioned this, I  was told if they ran out of enough wood for a 2 piece back, then they would go to a 3 piece. I guess my point is...the build sheet is not always gospel.

[SDTaylorman]

"Not always gospel" but certainly more reliable than "the hive mind". Good luck!

[Mandotim]

Thanks for the responses; I did contact Taylor, and they confirmed I was wrong! It is a Sitka top, albeit with an unusual grain and colouring. The surprise was that the guitar has Adirondack bracing, which Andy Powers thinks very highly of. It’s certainly more powerful and brassy than I expected a guitar this size to be. Well pleased.

[Mandotim]

I meant ‘bassy’, not brassy, of course…same fat finger syndrome that spoils my guitar playing…

[Guitarsan]

Thanks for the responses; I did contact Taylor, and they confirmed I was wrong! It is a Sitka top, albeit with an unusual grain and colouring. The surprise was that the guitar has Adirondack bracing, which Andy Powers thinks very highly of. It’s certainly more powerful and brassy than I expected a guitar this size to be. Well pleased.

Thanks for reporting back. You might be pleased to learn that Bob Taylor says Adi bracing provides about 80% of the benefit of an Adi top!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tF6JP1WV6Xw

[SDTaylorman]

Thanks for the responses; I did contact Taylor, and they confirmed I was wrong! It is a Sitka top, albeit with an unusual grain and colouring. The surprise was that the guitar has Adirondack bracing, which Andy Powers thinks very highly of. It’s certainly more powerful and brassy than I expected a guitar this size to be. Well pleased.

That's why "last resort" isn't always your best bet. ALWAYS go to the source when possible to get true info. Glad it worked out. Now go out and play!