Loving this 814ce

[xtremearmor]

So I've been back in the Taylor club for 2 weeks now after a 2 year plus hiatus.  It has also probably been that long since I looked at the UTGF.  Reason being my previous guitar was an HD-28. A great guitar for sure, but these past 2 weeks have been an eye opener and re-affirmation for what I like about Taylor and the "re-voiced" version of the 814ce.   I enjoy browsing the AGF now and then, but am really glad this is still around as it's a great website for all things Taylor. 

So I've been playing and noodling around for about 11 years, since then I've cycled through a bunch of acoustic guitars. 10 now as I count.  I thought number 9 was likely going to last.  Really enjoyed the sound and it was set up pretty well.  But, recently went into a local guitar store for picks and wandered into the acoustic room.  Pulled down a couple X14ce's to try and got the bug.  Bad.  I'm not a blue grasser, mostly sit around playing along with songs on YouTube but will occasionally venture out and play.  Went back to my HD and realized it was simply not as comfortable or as easy to play as the grand auditoriums.  Though all but 2 of my guitars have been Taylors, and 6 of those being Grand Auditoriums, I had never owned an 814ce.  Almost got one once, but decided to save money and get the 714ce with Lutz spruce.  It was time to give it a shot.

I was and still am unconvinced on the whole V bracing, although I'm sure there are plenty that sound great.  What I settled on was a first modification Andy Powers 814ce and found one on Reverb that checked the boxes, to include some very nice Gotoh 510 tuners with black tuner knobs (whoever upgraded to these, thank you they look great!).  Now I am wondering what took me so long to make my way back.  There really isn't anything I don't love about this guitar.  My fingertips needed a break so I thought I'd share.  Anyway, great to be back - hope you're all doing well!

     

[Edward]

Awesome story, and nice job making your way "back" so to speak!  Bottom line, playing guit outta bring you joy! So if this baby does so, excellent!  It's always a good day when we find that guit that fits us!  Feel in your hands, against your body, tone filling a room ...yeah, if it makes you smile and play it absolutely is the right guitar! 

Now pics are, after all, in order! 

Side note: Gotoh 510s don't just look great, but are unparalleled in their smooth feel and precise tuning!  Nothing wrong with Taylor's machines, but the 510s are genuinely on another level.

Edward

[xtremearmor]

https://postimg.cc/gallery/dVjfQ8f
My first crack at this so here we go!

[xtremearmor]

Alright that worked!  The Gotohs are fantastic, and style points for the black tuning knobs .  After more reflection, turns out this is guitar number 11 for me. I forgot about a D-18 I had for a short time.  Liked the sound but the neck carve seemed shallow even for an MLO neck, so off it went.  I'm sure I'm in good company when it comes to having a bit of a guitar carousel, BUT I have to say this time after a having spent some time with a Martin dreadnought, this was exactly what I was missing. Maybe would like a second for alt tunings, working on Little Martha by the Allman Brothers which is in open E tuning.  For now though I'll make it work.

[ScottSD]

Congratulations, great looking guitar!

Hard to go wrong with one of those classic 814s!

Scott

[Edward]

I dig that it has the more "Legacy" --aka old-- style abalone rosette that was ubiquitous on Taylors for decades.  Clean and classic indeed!  Congrats and enjoy in great health with many smiles!

Edward

[Guitars44me]

Nice axe for sure!

I like what AP did with the first bunch of re-voicing.  Good score.

You might want to check out a GS size for just a bit MORE of everything!  Haha

Be well and play well!

Paul

[Earl]

Congrats!  Many of us  think that the AP bracing (Advanced Performance) was the pinnacle of Taylor tone.  Subsequent tweaks have not added much.

[xtremearmor]

Thanks for all the well wishes!  I’m a big fan of this AP 814ce version as well, easily my favorite looks wise as well as the voicing tweaks.  It has thump I can feel and a growl that honestly I wanted from my HD but never quite heard.  Not sure how much of that is age/played in versus the model itself and luck of the draw. 

I read recently as much as Andy P. loves to work on and modify the aesthetics and architecture, the 814 look has remained much the same since this version because he really liked it so much himself.

The tone is more scooped on open chords than my HD was, especially on E and B minor where the mids made the tone almost a bit harsh without some pick control, if that makes sense.  That is sonically the biggest plus with this 814, as digging in doesn’t change the way it sounds. 

This one did get its share of playtime, which I learned shows up as a bit of gloss on the rosewood pick guard.  That’s not a problem as whoever had it before me took good care of it so far as I can tell.