The Taylor 214ce-BLK Plus is a striking Grand Auditorium electro-acoustic guitar that combines an all-black gloss finish with versatile tone, comfortable playability and dependable amplified performance.

A solid torrefied spruce top gives the guitar clear projection, dynamic range and additional played-in warmth, while layered Big Leaf maple back and sides provide a focused, balanced foundation with excellent practical stability. Taylor’s C-Class bracing strengthens the low end and sustain, helping the guitar sound full and confident across fingerstyle, strumming and vocal accompaniment.

Its slender hard rock maple neck, slightly narrower nut and Venetian cutaway create a relaxed modern playing experience. Taylor Expression System 2 electronics make the 214ce-BLK Plus equally capable at home, in the studio, during rehearsal or onstage.

At A Glance

Specification	Details
Brand	Taylor
Model	214ce-BLK Plus
Series	Taylor 200 Series Plus
Colour	Black
Guitar Type	Steel-string electro-acoustic guitar
Body Shape	Grand Auditorium
Top Wood	Solid torrefied spruce
Back and Sides	Layered Big Leaf maple
Bracing	Taylor C-Class bracing
Neck Wood	Hard rock maple
Fingerboard	West African Crelicam ebony
Electronics	Taylor Expression System 2
Cutaway	Venetian
Scale Length	25½ inches
Nut Width	1 11/16 inches
Condition	Brand new
Main Appeal	Versatile Taylor performance with an all-black premium appearance
Best For	Songwriting, fingerstyle, strumming, recording and live performance
Skill Level	Beginner, intermediate and experienced players

What’s Included?

• Taylor 214ce-BLK Plus electro-acoustic guitar
• Taylor AeroCase

Why Choose the Taylor 214ce-BLK Plus?

Solid Torrefied Spruce Top

The 214ce-BLK Plus features a solid torrefied spruce soundboard.

Taylor’s torrefaction process uses carefully controlled heat to reduce moisture within the wood and alter its internal structure. This gives the spruce additional warmth, openness and responsiveness, creating some of the character normally associated with a guitar that has already been played for several years.

The soundboard provides:

• Clear acoustic projection
• Strong note definition
• A broad dynamic range
• Additional warmth and depth
• Responsive fingerstyle performance
• Sufficient headroom for confident strumming

It responds clearly beneath a lighter touch while retaining focus when played with greater intensity.

Layered Big Leaf Maple Back and Sides

The back and sides are constructed from layered Big Leaf maple.

This layered design provides excellent structural consistency and practical resistance to normal environmental changes. It makes the guitar particularly suitable for musicians who regularly travel between home, lessons, rehearsals, recording sessions and performance venues.

The maple construction complements the spruce top with a focused, controlled response that helps chords and individual notes remain clear.

Taylor Grand Auditorium Body

The Grand Auditorium is Taylor’s flagship mid-sized body shape and one of the most versatile acoustic designs available.

Its proportions sit between a compact Grand Concert and a larger dreadnought, providing a useful balance of comfort, projection and tonal range.

The 214ce-BLK Plus performs confidently across:

• Fingerstyle playing
• Open-chord accompaniment
• Contemporary acoustic pop
• Folk and country
• Worship music
• Singer-songwriter material
• Flatpicking
• Home recording
• Rehearsal
• Live performance

The body produces enough low-end support for rhythm playing without becoming excessively bass-heavy or physically cumbersome.

Taylor C-Class Bracing

Taylor’s C-Class bracing is designed to increase acoustic volume, sustain and low-frequency presence while maintaining clear note definition.

Its asymmetrical internal structure allows the solid spruce top to move efficiently while providing the support needed for long-term stability.

The result is:

• Stronger natural projection
• Improved note sustain
• Additional warmth in the bass
• Clearer chord voicings
• Defined single-note lines
• A balanced response across the fingerboard

This helps the 214ce-BLK Plus produce a substantial acoustic sound while retaining the clarity required for detailed playing.

Slender Taylor Neck

The hard rock maple neck uses Taylor’s comfortable Standard Carve profile.

Its 1 11/16-inch nut is slightly narrower than the 1¾-inch width used on many premium acoustic guitars. This reduces the overall distance across the fingerboard and gives the neck a compact, contemporary feel.

The neck is particularly approachable for:

• Electric guitarists adding an acoustic guitar
• Players with smaller hands
• Beginners developing fretting-hand strength
• Rhythm players performing longer sets
• Musicians who prefer narrower string spacing

The gloss black finish continues the guitar’s coordinated appearance from the body through to the peghead.

West African Crelicam Ebony Fingerboard

The fingerboard is crafted from West African Crelicam ebony.

Ebony provides a smooth and durable playing surface with a firm, premium feel beneath the fingers. It supports clean fretting, accurate articulation and dependable long-term performance.

Simple faux-pearl dot inlays provide clear position markers without distracting from the guitar’s minimalist black styling.

Venetian Cutaway

The softly rounded Venetian cutaway provides convenient access to the upper frets.

This adds useful versatility for:

• Acoustic lead playing
• Higher-position chord voicings
• Melodic arrangements
• Extended fingerstyle passages
• Players moving between electric and acoustic techniques

The smooth cutaway maintains the balanced curves of the Grand Auditorium while making more of the fingerboard easily accessible.

Taylor Expression System 2 Electronics

The Taylor 214ce-BLK Plus is equipped with Expression System 2 electronics.

Rather than placing a conventional piezo element directly beneath the saddle, the ES2 uses three individually calibrated sensors positioned behind it. This allows the system to respond to the saddle’s natural movement and capture more of the player’s dynamics.

The discreet upper-bout controls provide adjustment over:

• Volume
• Bass
• Treble

The ES2 can be connected to:

• Acoustic guitar amplifiers
• PA systems
• Mixing desks
• Direct boxes
• Audio interfaces
• Recording equipment

Its straightforward control layout makes it easy to adapt the amplified sound for different rooms, performance systems and musical settings.

Gloss Black Finish

The full-body black gloss finish gives the guitar a bold, contemporary appearance that works equally well at home, in the studio or beneath stage lighting.

The black treatment extends across the body, neck and peghead, creating a coordinated visual identity. Contrasting white binding and a faux-pearl rosette add definition around the body and soundhole without disrupting the minimalist design.

Coordinated Black Hardware

The dark aesthetic is completed by:

• Satin-black Taylor tuning machines
• Satin-black tuner buttons
• Black pickguard
• Black bridge pins
• Black strap pin
• Black end pin
• Ebony peghead veneer

These details give the 214ce-BLK Plus a distinctive appearance without relying on excessive decorative features.

Why Choose a Grand Auditorium Electro-Acoustic Guitar?

A Grand Auditorium electro-acoustic guitar is an excellent choice for players who want one instrument capable of covering several musical roles.

Smaller acoustic bodies can provide comfort and articulation but may offer less projection. Larger dreadnoughts deliver strong bass and rhythm power but can feel bulky or overly specialised.

The Grand Auditorium provides:

• Comfortable full-sized proportions
• Balanced bass, middle and treble frequencies
• Clear fingerstyle articulation
• Enough projection for strumming
• Strong vocal accompaniment
• Convenient upper-fret access
• Built-in amplification
• Broad cross-genre versatility

This makes the 214ce-BLK Plus suitable as a first serious electro-acoustic guitar or as a dependable performance instrument for a more experienced player.

Who Is the Taylor 214ce-BLK Plus For?

Singer-Songwriters

The balanced Grand Auditorium body provides a supportive foundation beneath vocals without overwhelming the singer.

Its torrefied spruce top responds naturally as an arrangement moves from restrained verses into more energetic choruses.

Fingerstyle Players

The responsive spruce soundboard and balanced body shape allow individual notes to remain clear.

Players who prefer compact string spacing will also appreciate the slightly narrower nut width.

Rhythm Guitarists

C-Class bracing and the full-scale Grand Auditorium body provide useful projection and low-frequency support for chord-based playing.

The slender neck can also help reduce fretting-hand fatigue during longer performances.

Performing Musicians

The ES2 system provides a dependable amplified signal for solo acoustic sets, worship environments and full-band arrangements.

The all-black finish also gives the guitar a strong visual presence beneath stage lighting.

Recording Musicians

The controlled response of the layered maple body helps the guitar sit naturally within recorded arrangements.

It can be captured using microphones, recorded directly through the ES2 system or tracked with a combination of both signals.

Electric Guitarists Adding an Acoustic

The narrower nut, modern neck profile and Venetian cutaway provide a familiar transition for musicians who primarily play electric guitar.

Developing Players Seeking a Long-Term Guitar

The comfortable neck and versatile body make the 214ce-BLK Plus approachable for a committed beginner, while its solid top and professional electronics provide enough capability for many years of musical development.

Players Seeking a Distinctive Black Acoustic

Many acoustic guitars use traditional natural or sunburst finishes. The 214ce-BLK Plus offers a more contemporary alternative while retaining the practical versatility expected from a Taylor Grand Auditorium.

How Does the Taylor 214ce-BLK Plus Compare?

Taylor 214ce-BLK Plus vs Taylor 214ce Plus Natural

Both guitars share the Grand Auditorium body, solid torrefied spruce top, C-Class bracing, slender neck dimensions and ES2 electronics.

The main differences are the body wood and appearance.

The 214ce-BLK Plus uses layered Big Leaf maple with an all-black finish and satin-black hardware.

The Natural 214ce Plus uses layered Indian rosewood and displays the natural grain of its spruce and rosewood construction.

Choose the BLK model for its focused response and distinctive monochrome appearance. Choose the Natural model for traditional styling and the visual character of Indian rosewood.

Taylor 214ce-BLK Plus vs Taylor 214ce

The standard 214ce offers the same versatile Grand Auditorium concept with a more streamlined finish and appointment package.

The Plus version adds:

• Full-gloss body and neck
• Contrasting white body binding
• Faux-pearl rosette
• Coordinated satin-black hardware
• More elevated visual presentation

Choose the standard model for straightforward Taylor performance at a lower price. Choose the Plus model for its upgraded finish and distinctive styling.

Taylor 214ce-BLK Plus vs Taylor 210ce Plus

The 214ce-BLK Plus uses Taylor’s balanced Grand Auditorium body, while the 210ce Plus uses the larger Dreadnought shape.

Choose the 214ce-BLK Plus for:

• Greater physical comfort
• A more balanced frequency response
• Stronger fingerstyle versatility
• Easier movement between playing styles

Choose the 210ce Plus for:

• More pronounced bass response
• Greater rhythm projection
• A larger physical sound
• Strong flatpicking and strumming performance

Taylor 214ce-BLK Plus vs an All-Solid Taylor

The 214ce-BLK Plus combines a solid top with layered back and sides.

An all-solid Taylor can produce additional resonance, harmonic complexity and tonal development, but it will usually require a larger investment and more careful humidity control.

The 214ce-BLK Plus provides:

• A responsive solid soundboard
• Excellent environmental stability
• Dependable performance during regular transport
• Accessible Taylor playability
• Professional amplified capability

It offers an excellent balance between premium performance, practicality and price.

Understanding the Torrefied Spruce and Maple Sound

The solid torrefied spruce top is the principal driver of the guitar’s acoustic character.

It provides clarity, projection and dynamic range, while the heat treatment adds warmth and a more open response.

The layered Big Leaf maple body supports this with a focused and controlled tonal foundation. This helps the guitar remain clear during chord work and prevents the low frequencies from becoming excessive.

The combination works particularly well for:

• Contemporary acoustic pop
• Vocal accompaniment
• Worship music
• Folk and country
• Fingerstyle arrangements
• Layered studio recordings
• General songwriting
• Live performance

Fair Deal Quality Control Assessment

Before dispatch or collection, this guitar will be carefully checked by the Fair Deal Music team.

Our assessment includes:

• Full cosmetic inspection
• Black gloss-finish inspection
• Neck and fingerboard assessment
• String-height and playing-action check
• Fret and intonation assessment
• Nut, saddle and bridge inspection
• Tuning-machine and hardware check
• Expression System 2 electronics test
• Volume, bass and treble control test
• Output-socket test
• Final playability assessment

This helps ensure that your new Taylor arrives ready to play and enjoy.

Technical Specifications

General

Specification	Details
Model	Taylor 214ce-BLK Plus
Series	Taylor 200 Series Plus
Number of Strings	6
Orientation	Right-handed
Colour	Black
Guitar Type	Steel-string electro-acoustic
Body Shape	Grand Auditorium
Cutaway	Venetian
Bracing	Taylor C-Class bracing
Electronics	Taylor Expression System 2

Body

Specification	Details
Top Wood	Solid torrefied spruce
Back and Side Wood	Layered Big Leaf maple
Back Configuration	Layered two-piece
Top Finish	Gloss
Back and Side Finish	Gloss
Body Binding	White
Rosette	Faux-pearl single ring
Pickguard	Black
Armrest	None

Neck and Fingerboard

Specification	Details
Neck Wood	Hard rock maple
Neck Profile	Taylor Standard Carve
Neck Finish	Gloss
Fingerboard Wood	West African Crelicam ebony
Fingerboard Inlay	Faux-pearl 4mm dots
Fingerboard Binding	None
Scale Length	25½ inches
Nut Width	1 11/16 inches

Peghead

Specification	Details
Peghead Type	Taylor paddle
Peghead Veneer	West African Crelicam ebony
Peghead Inlay	None
Peghead Binding	None
Peghead Finish	Gloss
Tuning Machines	Taylor satin black with satin-black buttons

Hardware and Factory Setup

Specification	Details
Bridge	West African Crelicam ebony
Nut	White NuBone
Saddle	White Micarta
Bridge Pins	Black ABS plastic
Strap Pin	Black
End Pin	Black
Factory Strings	D’Addario XS Coated Phosphor Bronze Light
Factory String Gauge	.012–.053

Power Requirements

The Taylor Expression System 2 electronics require one standard 9-volt battery.

Battery power is only needed when using the amplified output. The guitar can be played normally as an acoustic instrument without a battery.

The system activates when an instrument cable is connected. Remove the cable after use to switch off the preamp and preserve battery life.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Taylor 214ce-BLK Plus finished entirely in black?

Yes. The body, neck and peghead have a glossy black finish, complemented by satin-black tuning machines and other black hardware.

Is the top solid wood?

Yes. The guitar has a solid torrefied spruce top with layered Big Leaf maple back and sides.

What does torrefied spruce offer?

Torrefied spruce provides the clarity, projection and dynamic range associated with spruce while adding warmth, openness and a more played-in response.

What do the layered maple back and sides contribute?

The layered maple body provides practical environmental stability and supports a clear, focused tonal response.

Is the Taylor 214ce-BLK Plus suitable for fingerstyle playing?

Yes. The Grand Auditorium body offers the balance and sensitivity required for fingerstyle arrangements, while the torrefied spruce top provides clear note definition.

Can it handle strumming?

Yes. C-Class bracing adds volume and low-frequency support, while the solid spruce top provides enough headroom for confident rhythm playing.

What is Taylor C-Class bracing?

C-Class is Taylor’s asymmetrical internal bracing design. It is intended to increase volume, sustain and low-frequency warmth while maintaining clear note definition.

What is the benefit of the narrower nut width?

The 1 11/16-inch nut reduces the distance across the fingerboard compared with a wider 1¾-inch acoustic neck.

This can make chord shapes and stretches feel more manageable for electric guitarists, developing players and musicians with smaller hands.

Can the 214ce-BLK Plus be used professionally?

Yes. Its solid top, ES2 electronics, comfortable neck and versatile Grand Auditorium body make it suitable for rehearsal, recording and regular live performance.

What controls does the ES2 system provide?

The Expression System 2 provides external upper-bout controls for volume, bass and treble.

Does the ES2 system have a built-in tuner?

No. A separate clip-on, pedal or external tuner can be used.

Can the guitar be recorded directly?

Yes. The ES2 output can connect to an audio interface, mixing desk or recording system.

The guitar can also be recorded using microphones or by blending microphone and pickup signals.

Can the guitar be used in alternate tunings?

Yes. Its 25½-inch scale provides good tension and note definition for many commonly used alternate tunings.

A professional setup may be beneficial when permanently using substantially lower tunings, heavier strings or a different playing action.

How should the gloss black finish be maintained?

Use a clean, soft microfibre cloth to remove fingerprints and dust after playing. Avoid household cleaning products, abrasive polishes and materials that could mark the gloss surface.

Fair Deal Music Verdict

★★★★★ 5/5

The Taylor 214ce-BLK Plus is an excellent choice for players who want versatile Taylor performance with a bold and contemporary appearance.

Its solid torrefied spruce top produces clear projection with additional warmth, while the layered Big Leaf maple body keeps the response focused and practical for regular transport. The Grand Auditorium shape handles fingerstyle, strumming, songwriting and live accompaniment with equal confidence.

The slender neck and slightly narrower nut make the guitar approachable for developing players and electric guitarists, while C-Class bracing provides satisfying volume and sustain. Taylor’s ES2 system also offers dependable amplified tone for rehearsals, recording and professional performance.

Finished entirely in gloss black with white binding and coordinated satin-black hardware, the 214ce-BLK Plus combines genuine musical versatility with one of the most distinctive appearances in Taylor’s 200 Series.

Why Buy From Fair Deal Music?

Choosing Fair Deal Music means buying from a passionate team of musicians who genuinely understand the products we sell. Whether you’re purchasing your first instrument, upgrading your current setup or searching for something special, we’re here to help you make the right choice with friendly advice and expert support.

When you shop with Fair Deal Music, you can buy with confidence thanks to:

• Expert advice from knowledgeable musicians
• Carefully checked new, used, pre-owned and ex-display equipment
• Competitive prices on leading music brands
• Secure UK-wide delivery
• Flexible finance options available, subject to status
• Friendly support before and after your purchase
• A trusted independent UK music retailer with decades of experience

Trade In. Trade Up. Save More.

Thinking about upgrading? Your next piece of gear could cost less than you think. We’re always happy to consider part exchanges and trade-ins on a wide range of musical instruments and equipment.

Whether you’re looking to move on an acoustic guitar, electric guitar, amplifier, keyboard, drum kit or studio equipment, our team can offer a fair, no-obligation valuation and help you put the value towards your next purchase.

Contact our team or visit our Birmingham showroom to discuss your trade-in options.