The Taylor 214ce-K DLX Special Edition Honey Sunburst combines the versatile performance of Taylor’s Grand Auditorium body with premium appointments and beautifully figured Hawaiian koa.

Its solid torrefied spruce top delivers clear projection, dynamic response and a warm, played-in character. Figured layered Hawaiian koa back and sides add visual depth and a vibrant tonal foundation, helping the guitar produce a balanced sound suitable for fingerstyle playing, strumming, recording and live performance.

Taylor’s C-Class bracing enhances volume, sustain and low-frequency presence, while the slim Taylor neck and narrower 1¹¹⁄₁₆-inch nut create a relaxed fretting experience. Expression System 2 electronics provide dependable amplified tone for stage and studio use.

An exclusive Honey Sunburst finish, cream binding, gold hardware and faux-pearl appointments elevate this model beyond the standard 200 Series specification, creating a professional-looking electro-acoustic with broad musical appeal.

At a Glance

Feature	Details
Brand	Taylor
Model	214ce-K DLX Special Edition Honeyburst
Series	200 Series Deluxe
Guitar Type	Electro-acoustic guitar
Body Shape	Grand Auditorium
Top	Solid torrefied spruce
Back and Sides	Figured layered Hawaiian koa
Bracing	C-Class with relief rout
Neck	Neo-Tropical mahogany
Fretboard	West African Crelicam ebony
Scale Length	25½ inches
Nut Width	1¹¹⁄₁₆ inches
Cutaway	Venetian
Electronics	Taylor Expression System 2
Colour	Honey Sunburst
Finish	Gloss body with satin neck
Main Appeal	Premium koa styling with versatile Taylor performance
Best For	Songwriting, strumming, fingerstyle, recording and live performance
Skill Level	Beginner to advanced
Condition	Brand new

Why Choose the Taylor 214ce-K DLX Special Edition?

Solid Torrefied Spruce Top

The solid spruce soundboard undergoes Taylor’s controlled torrefaction process.

This roasting treatment alters the moisture content and cellular structure of the wood, helping the top produce some of the warmth, sweetness and responsiveness associated with an older, frequently played acoustic guitar.

Spruce also provides excellent clarity and dynamic range. Light fingerstyle passages remain articulate, while stronger strumming produces confident volume and projection.

Figured Layered Hawaiian Koa Back and Sides

The back and sides are crafted from beautifully figured layered Hawaiian koa.

Koa is admired for its varied grain, warm colouring and natural visual depth. Each instrument displays its own pattern and character, meaning small differences between individual guitars are part of the appeal.

The layered construction provides useful stability for regular performance, transport and everyday playing while retaining the distinctive appearance associated with Hawaiian koa.

Taylor C-Class Bracing

The 214ce-K DLX Special Edition uses Taylor’s C-Class bracing with a relief rout.

This internal design is engineered to increase acoustic volume, improve sustain and strengthen low-frequency response. It also helps notes work together harmonically, keeping chords organised and clearly defined.

The additional bass support is particularly useful within the Grand Auditorium body, giving the guitar a full response without sacrificing balance.

Versatile Grand Auditorium Body

Taylor’s Grand Auditorium is designed as a genuine all-purpose acoustic body shape.

Its lower bout provides enough air movement for confident strumming, while the shaped waist keeps the middle frequencies controlled. The guitar also responds quickly to lighter picking and fingerstyle technique.

This versatility makes the 214ce-K DLX Special Edition suitable for:

• Vocal accompaniment
• Solo acoustic performance
• Fingerstyle arrangements
• Flatpicking
• Contemporary worship music
• Studio recording
• Full-band performance

Comfortable Taylor Neck

The Neo-Tropical mahogany neck uses Taylor’s smooth Standard Carve profile.

Its narrower 1¹¹⁄₁₆-inch nut gives chord shapes and fretting-hand stretches a compact, approachable feel. This can be especially helpful for players with smaller hands or electric guitarists moving to an acoustic instrument.

A satin finish allows the hand to move smoothly along the neck, while the West African Crelicam ebony fretboard provides a refined and durable playing surface.

Venetian Cutaway

The softly curved Venetian cutaway provides comfortable access to the upper frets.

This allows players to explore higher chord voicings, melodic passages and lead parts without the body restricting the fretting hand.

Its rounded shape also complements the balanced proportions of the Grand Auditorium body.

Taylor Expression System 2 Electronics

Taylor’s Expression System 2 uses three individually calibrated sensors positioned behind the saddle.

This placement captures the natural back-and-forth movement of the saddle, helping the system reproduce more of the guitar’s dynamics and acoustic character when amplified.

Convenient side-mounted controls provide adjustment over:

• Volume
• Bass
• Treble

The guitar can be connected to an acoustic amplifier, PA system, mixing desk, recording interface or suitable acoustic DI box.

Exclusive Honey Sunburst Finish

The Honey Sunburst top gives this Special Edition model a warm and distinctive appearance.

Amber colouring through the centre gradually deepens towards the edges, highlighting the spruce grain and complementing the natural tones of the koa back and sides.

A shaded edgeburst treatment extends across the body, giving the guitar a more cohesive and premium visual presentation.

Full Gloss Body

The top, back and sides receive a polished gloss finish.

This enhances the depth and figure of the woods while giving the guitar a refined appearance suitable for stage and studio use. The neck remains satin-finished for a smooth and comfortable playing feel.

Premium Deluxe Appointments

The DLX specification introduces a selection of elevated cosmetic and practical details.

These include:

• Cream body binding
• Faux-pearl Sentinel fretboard inlays
• Faux-pearl single-ring rosette
• Gold Taylor tuning machines
• Gold strap pin
• Faux-tortoiseshell pickguard
• West African Crelicam ebony fretboard and bridge

Together, these features give the 214ce-K DLX Special Edition a more luxurious appearance than a standard 200 Series model.

Professional All-Purpose Performance

The guitar is designed to move easily between home, studio and stage use.

Its solid top provides authentic acoustic responsiveness, the layered body offers everyday stability and ES2 electronics make amplification straightforward. The Grand Auditorium shape ensures that the guitar does not feel limited to one technique or genre.

Why Choose a Taylor Grand Auditorium?

The Grand Auditorium sits between smaller fingerstyle-focused bodies and larger rhythm-oriented acoustic guitars.

It offers a balanced blend of:

• Playing comfort
• Bass depth
• Clear midrange response
• Treble definition
• Acoustic projection
• Fingerstyle sensitivity
• Strumming headroom

For players looking for one acoustic guitar that can cover several musical roles, the Grand Auditorium is one of Taylor’s most adaptable designs.

Why Choose Torrefied Spruce and Layered Koa?

Torrefied spruce and layered Hawaiian koa create a practical combination of acoustic performance, visual character and everyday reliability.

The torrefied spruce top contributes:

• Clear projection
• Strong dynamic response
• Mature warmth
• Defined note attack
• Versatility across different techniques

The layered koa body contributes:

• Attractive natural figure
• Rich colouring
• Structural stability
• A balanced tonal foundation
• An individual appearance

This pairing is particularly well suited to players seeking the visual appeal of koa with the power and versatility of a spruce soundboard.

Who Is the Taylor 214ce-K DLX Special Edition For?

Singers and Songwriters

Its balanced frequency response supports vocals without producing excessive bass or treble clutter.

All-Round Acoustic Players

The Grand Auditorium body handles fingerstyle playing, flatpicking and strumming, making the guitar suitable for musicians who regularly change techniques.

Live Performers

ES2 electronics provide straightforward amplification, while the cutaway supports lead playing and higher-register arrangements.

Recording Musicians

The clear spruce attack and controlled Grand Auditorium response work well with microphones and direct recording equipment.

Electric Guitarists Moving to Acoustic

The narrower nut and slim Taylor neck provide a familiar, manageable playing feel.

Developing Players

Its comfortable construction and versatile sound make it a guitar that a newer musician can continue using as their ability and musical ambitions develop.

Players Seeking Premium Koa Styling

The figured koa body, Honey Sunburst finish, cream binding and gold hardware provide a noticeably more elevated presentation than many guitars within the same category.

Working Musicians

The combination of acoustic versatility, onboard electronics and protective transport makes it suitable for rehearsals, regular performances and studio sessions.

What’s Included?

• Taylor 214ce-K DLX Special Edition Honeyburst electro-acoustic guitar
• Brown Taylor Deluxe hardshell case

Fair Deal Quality Control Assessment

Every guitar is carefully inspected by the Fair Deal Music team before collection or dispatch.

Our assessment covers the instrument’s finish, neck, frets, bridge, tuning machines, electronics and overall playability. The Expression System 2 pickup and onboard controls are tested to confirm reliable operation.

Any adjustment required before the guitar leaves us will be completed by our experienced team so that it arrives ready to play and enjoy.

Technical Specifications

General

Specification	Details
Number of Strings	6
Orientation	Right-handed
Body Shape	Grand Auditorium
Cutaway	Venetian
Colour	Honey Sunburst
Bracing System	C-Class with relief rout
Electronics	Taylor Expression System 2

Body

Specification	Details
Top Wood	Solid torrefied spruce
Back and Side Wood	Layered Hawaiian koa
Back Configuration	Two-piece layered construction
Top Finish	Gloss
Back and Side Finish	Gloss
Body Binding	Cream
Rosette	Faux-pearl single ring
Pickguard	Faux tortoiseshell
Armrest	None

Neck and Fretboard

Specification	Details
Neck Wood	Neo-Tropical mahogany
Neck Profile	Standard Carve
Neck Finish	Satin
Fretboard Wood	West African Crelicam ebony
Fretboard Inlays	Faux-pearl Sentinel
Fretboard Binding	None
Scale Length	25½ inches
Nut Width	1¹¹⁄₁₆ inches

Peghead and Hardware

Specification	Details
Peghead Type	Paddle
Peghead Veneer	West African Crelicam ebony
Peghead Finish	Satin
Peghead Inlay	None
Peghead Binding	None
Bridge	West African Crelicam ebony
Nut	White NuBone
Saddle	White Micarta
Bridge Pins	Black ABS
Tuning Machines	Taylor gold with gold buttons
Strap Pin	Gold
End Pin	Black
Factory Strings	D’Addario XS coated phosphor bronze light, .012–.053

Electronics

Specification	Details
Pickup System	Taylor Expression System 2
Pickup Position	Behind the saddle
Controls	Volume, bass and treble
Control Location	Upper side of the body
Output	Standard ¼-inch instrument connection

Power Requirements

The Taylor Expression System 2 is powered by one 9V battery.

Connecting an instrument cable activates the preamp, so the cable should be removed when the guitar is not being used to help preserve battery life.

A fresh battery typically provides approximately 30 to 40 hours of plugged-in operation. Keeping a spare 9V battery available is recommended for performances, rehearsals and recording sessions.

Taylor 214ce-K DLX Special Edition Compared with the Standard 214ce-K

Both models pair a solid torrefied spruce top with layered Hawaiian koa back and sides in Taylor’s Grand Auditorium body.

The standard 214ce-K focuses on accessible performance and includes a more understated cosmetic specification.

The DLX Special Edition adds:

• Exclusive Honey Sunburst treatment
• Full gloss body finish
• Cream body binding
• Faux-pearl Sentinel inlays
• Gold tuning machines
• Elevated decorative appointments

Choose the standard model for the essential spruce-and-koa Taylor experience. Choose the DLX Special Edition for a more premium appearance and presentation.

Taylor 214ce-K DLX Special Edition Compared with the 224ce-K DLX

The two guitars share Taylor’s comfortable neck design, deluxe appointments and koa-focused appearance, but they use different soundboard woods.

The 214ce-K DLX Special Edition uses a torrefied spruce top, which provides:

• Greater projection
• Clearer initial attack
• Wider dynamic headroom
• Strong all-round versatility

The 224ce-K DLX uses a solid Hawaiian koa top, which provides:

• A more focused midrange
• Natural compression
• A smoother initial response
• A more consistent all-koa appearance

Choose the 214ce-K DLX Special Edition for maximum versatility and spruce-driven projection. Choose the 224ce-K DLX for a more compressed and midrange-focused koa voice.

Taylor 214ce-K DLX Special Edition Compared with an All-Solid Taylor

The 214ce-K DLX Special Edition combines a solid soundboard with layered back and sides.

An all-solid Taylor allows the entire body to respond as a unified acoustic system and may provide additional harmonic depth and tonal development over time.

The layered construction of the 214ce-K DLX offers greater resistance to environmental changes and helps make premium Taylor performance more accessible.

Choose an all-solid model when maximum acoustic complexity and responsiveness are the priorities. Choose the 214ce-K DLX Special Edition for a strong balance of tone, stability, appearance and value.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Taylor 214ce-K DLX Special Edition suitable for fingerstyle playing?

Yes. The responsive spruce top, balanced Grand Auditorium body and clear note separation make it well suited to fingerstyle arrangements.

Can it handle powerful strumming?

Yes. Spruce provides useful headroom and projection, while the C-Class bracing adds volume, sustain and low-frequency support.

Is this an all-solid guitar?

The soundboard is solid torrefied spruce. The back and sides are made from layered Hawaiian koa.

What effect does torrefaction have on the sound?

Torrefaction gives the spruce a warmer, sweeter and more mature response while retaining its projection and dynamic range.

Is the nut narrower than a traditional acoustic guitar?

Yes. The 1¹¹⁄₁₆-inch nut creates compact string spacing that many players find comfortable for chords and general-purpose playing.

Can it connect directly to a PA system?

Yes. The ES2 system can be connected to a PA system, acoustic amplifier, mixing desk, audio interface or suitable acoustic DI box.

Is the guitar suitable for professional recording?

Yes. It can be captured with studio microphones or connected directly to an audio interface through its ES2 electronics.

Can it be used with alternative tunings?

Yes. Its scale length and balanced response work well with many open and alternative tunings. A professional setup may be beneficial after a permanent change in string gauge or tension.

Will every guitar have the same koa grain?

No. Hawaiian koa varies naturally in grain, colouring and figure, so each instrument will have its own visual characteristics.

How should the guitar be stored?

Keep it in a stable environment away from radiators, direct sunlight, cold draughts and rapid changes in temperature or humidity. A suitable acoustic-guitar humidification system may be required during dry conditions.

Fair Deal Music Verdict

★★★★★ 5/5

The Taylor 214ce-K DLX Special Edition Honeyburst is an excellent all-purpose electro-acoustic that combines dependable performance with genuinely premium visual appeal.

Its torrefied spruce top produces clear projection, mature warmth and useful dynamic range, while the figured koa body gives each guitar a distinctive appearance. C-Class bracing adds sustain and low-end strength, and the slim Taylor neck makes the guitar comfortable across a broad range of playing styles.

ES2 electronics provide reliable amplified performance, while the Honey Sunburst finish, cream binding and gold hardware give the instrument a polished identity that stands apart from the standard 200 Series range.

For songwriters, live performers and developing players seeking a versatile Taylor with elevated styling, the 214ce-K DLX Special Edition is a superb choice.

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 moving on an instrument you no longer use or putting its value towards your next upgrade, our experienced team can provide a fair, no-obligation valuation and guide you through the process.

Contact Fair Deal Music or visit our Birmingham showroom to discuss your trade-in and discover how much you could save on your next instrument.