The Taylor 324ce is a premium all-solid mahogany electro-acoustic guitar with a warm, focused voice, smooth dynamic response and the exceptional playability associated with Taylor’s American-made 300 Series.

Its solid mahogany top, back and sides produce a strong midrange, woody low end and controlled overtone response. The hardwood soundboard naturally compresses the attack, helping notes sound smooth and balanced whether the guitar is played gently or with greater intensity.

Taylor’s versatile Grand Auditorium body makes the 324ce equally comfortable handling fingerstyle arrangements, rhythm playing, songwriting, live performance and studio recording. V-Class bracing adds volume, sustain and harmonic clarity, while the Expression System 2 electronics provide dependable amplified tone.

This is the established pre–Next Generation version of the Taylor 324ce, featuring all-solid mahogany construction, standard V-Class bracing, Taylor’s traditional adjustable neck joint and ES2 electronics.

At A Glance

Specification	Details
Brand	Taylor
Model	324ce
Series	Taylor 300 Series
Guitar Type	Steel-string electro-acoustic guitar
Body Shape	Grand Auditorium
Colour	Medium stain with Shaded Edgeburst top
Top Wood	Solid tropical mahogany
Back and Sides	Solid neo-tropical mahogany
Bracing	Taylor V-Class bracing
Neck Wood	Neo-tropical mahogany
Fingerboard	West African Crelicam ebony
Electronics	Taylor Expression System 2
Cutaway	Venetian
Finish	Satin
Scale Length	25½ inches
Nut Width	1¾ inches
Condition	Brand new
Main Appeal	Warm all-mahogany tone with focused midrange clarity
Best For	Fingerstyle, songwriting, recording, controlled strumming and live performance
Skill Level	Intermediate, advanced and professional players

What’s Included?

• Taylor 324ce electro-acoustic guitar
• Taylor Deluxe hardshell case

Why Choose the Taylor 324ce?

Premium All-Solid Mahogany Construction

The Taylor 324ce uses solid mahogany for its top, back and sides, creating a cohesive and distinctive acoustic voice.

Mahogany places greater emphasis on the fundamental note than more overtone-rich woods such as Indian rosewood. This gives the guitar a focused response with excellent clarity, a strong midrange and a warm, dry character.

Its all-solid construction provides:

• Warm and woody tonal character
• Strong fundamental note definition
• Punchy midrange presence
• Controlled harmonic overtones
• Excellent responsiveness
• Natural tonal development through regular playing
• A cohesive sound across the entire frequency range

The 324ce is particularly rewarding for players who prefer clarity and warmth over heavily scooped or highly shimmering acoustic tones.

Solid Mahogany Soundboard

The mahogany top plays an important role in the 324ce’s smooth and balanced response.

Unlike spruce, mahogany is a hardwood. It produces a naturally compressed attack that helps reduce sharp volume peaks when the strings are played firmly. This creates a consistent response that can feel particularly controlled beneath the fingers or pick.

The mahogany soundboard provides:

• A warm initial attack
• Natural dynamic compression
• Clear note definition
• Strong midrange projection
• Smooth response when strummed
• Excellent articulation for fingerstyle playing
• A mature and played-in tonal character

The result is a guitar that responds evenly across different playing intensities without becoming harsh or excessively bright.

Solid Mahogany Back and Sides

The solid neo-tropical mahogany body reinforces the guitar’s dry, woody and focused personality.

Compared with Indian rosewood, mahogany produces fewer surrounding overtones and places greater emphasis on the core pitch of each note. This allows chords to remain organised and individual lines to retain clarity.

This makes the 324ce especially effective for:

• Vocal accompaniment
• Layered studio arrangements
• Fingerstyle passages
• Percussive acoustic playing
• Blues and roots music
• Folk and country
• Contemporary singer-songwriter material

The guitar sounds substantial on its own while remaining easy to position alongside other instruments.

Taylor Grand Auditorium Body

The Grand Auditorium is Taylor’s flagship mid-sized acoustic body shape.

Its proportions sit between a smaller Grand Concert and a larger dreadnought, delivering a practical combination of comfort, projection and tonal balance.

The body offers:

• Enough low-end support for rhythm work
• Clear middle frequencies
• Detailed treble response
• Strong fingerstyle articulation
• Sufficient headroom for controlled strumming
• Comfortable proportions for extended playing
• Excellent cross-genre versatility

The 324ce can move naturally between chord accompaniment, melodic work and detailed fingerstyle passages without feeling designed around only one technique.

Taylor V-Class Bracing

The soundboard is supported by Taylor’s V-Class bracing architecture.

V-Class bracing is designed to combine soundboard flexibility with longitudinal stiffness. This helps the guitar produce strong acoustic volume while allowing notes to sustain clearly and remain harmonically consistent.

Its benefits include:

• Increased acoustic projection
• Long and musical sustain
• Clearer pitch relationships
• Improved note-to-note consistency
• Better chord definition
• Stronger response across the fingerboard
• Controlled performance under a firm attack

This works particularly well with the all-mahogany construction, adding openness and sustain while preserving the guitar’s focused tonal character.

Smooth Natural Compression

One of the defining characteristics of the 324ce is the natural compression produced by its hardwood top.

A mahogany soundboard tends to smooth the transition between softer and louder notes. This gives rhythm playing a controlled and even character and helps intricate fingerstyle passages remain balanced.

The natural compression can also be useful during recording, where a consistent acoustic response may require less corrective processing.

Comfortable Taylor Neck

The neo-tropical mahogany neck uses Taylor’s familiar Standard Carve profile.

Its slender shape provides a modern, approachable feel without becoming excessively narrow. The satin neck finish supports smooth movement between positions, while the 1¾-inch nut offers useful string spacing for fingerstyle playing and detailed chord voicings.

The neck is suitable for:

• Conventional chord work
• Barre chords
• Fingerstyle arrangements
• Hybrid picking
• Melodic upper-register playing
• Players moving from electric to acoustic guitar

Taylor’s established adjustable neck-joint system also allows a qualified technician to alter the neck angle using precision shims, supporting comfortable long-term setup maintenance.

Venetian Cutaway

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

This makes the 324ce suitable for acoustic lead work, extended chord voicings and arrangements that move beyond the open-position range.

Its soft curve maintains the elegant appearance of the Grand Auditorium body while adding practical upper-register access.

Taylor Expression System 2 Electronics

The Taylor 324ce features Expression System 2 electronics.

The ES2 uses three individually calibrated pickup sensors positioned behind the saddle. This allows the sensors to respond to the saddle’s natural movement and capture more of the guitar’s dynamics than a conventional undersaddle design.

The upper-bout controls provide adjustment over:

• Volume
• Bass
• Treble

These straightforward controls make it easy to tailor the amplified signal for different rooms, amplifiers and PA systems.

The ES2 is suitable for:

• Acoustic guitar amplifiers
• PA systems
• Mixing desks
• Direct boxes
• Audio interfaces
• Rehearsal
• Live performance
• Direct recording

Satin Shaded Edgeburst Finish

The guitar features a medium stain across the body with a darker Shaded Edgeburst treatment on the top.

The finish complements the naturally rich colour of the mahogany and gives the 324ce a warm, understated appearance. Its satin surface reduces excessive reflection and allows the wood grain to remain visible.

The satin finish also contributes to the guitar’s practical, performance-focused character.

Understated 300 Series Appointments

The 324ce has a clean and contemporary visual specification that suits its professional workhorse character.

Appointments include:

• Shaded Edgeburst top
• Medium-stained mahogany body
• Black body binding
• Black fingerboard binding
• Firestripe pickguard
• Three-ring black rosette
• Faux-pearl Gemstone fingerboard inlays
• Matching Gemstone peghead inlay
• West African Crelicam ebony peghead veneer
• Satin-black tuning machines
• Ebony fingerboard and bridge

The combination of dark hardware, warm timber and subtle detailing gives the guitar a distinctive but restrained appearance.

Identifying This Pre–Next Generation Model

This Taylor 324ce should not be confused with the later Next Generation version.

Pre–Next Generation Taylor 324ce

This model features:

• Solid mahogany top
• Solid neo-tropical mahogany back and sides
• Standard Taylor V-Class bracing
• Taylor’s established shim-adjustable neck joint
• Expression System 2 electronics
• External volume, bass and treble controls
• Satin-finished body
• Faux-pearl Gemstone inlays

Taylor 324ce Next Generation

The later model features:

• Solid mahogany top
• Solid sapele back and sides
• Scalloped V-Class bracing
• Taylor Action Control Neck
• Claria Acoustic Pickup System
• Soundhole-mounted controls
• Full-gloss body
• Weathervane inlays

The pre–Next Generation 324ce is an excellent choice for players who prefer the cohesive sound of an all-mahogany body, Taylor’s established neck-adjustment system and the familiar ES2 electronics platform.

Why Choose an All-Mahogany Acoustic Guitar?

An all-mahogany acoustic guitar provides a distinctly different response from a traditional spruce-topped instrument.

Spruce generally offers an open and dynamic sound with crisp projection. Mahogany produces a warmer, more compressed attack with greater midrange focus and fewer surrounding overtones.

An all-mahogany guitar offers:

• Warm and woody tonal character
• Strong midrange projection
• Smooth dynamic response
• Clear fundamental notes
• Controlled harmonic complexity
• Excellent vocal accompaniment
• Focused recording performance
• Consistent response beneath different picking strengths

This makes the 324ce particularly suitable for players who want a guitar that sounds direct, intimate and expressive rather than broad or heavily scooped.

Who Is the Taylor 324ce For?

Singer-Songwriters

The focused mahogany midrange provides a supportive foundation beneath a vocal without surrounding it with excessive bass or treble overtones.

Its smooth dynamic response also allows a performance to move naturally between restrained verses and fuller choruses.

Fingerstyle Guitarists

The Grand Auditorium body responds clearly to detailed fingerstyle technique, while the 1¾-inch nut provides comfortable string separation.

Mahogany’s strong fundamental note helps each part of an arrangement remain distinct.

Studio Musicians

The controlled overtone response makes the 324ce easy to record and place within a mix.

It produces a full and characterful acoustic sound without creating excessive frequency build-up when multiple guitar parts are layered.

Performing Musicians

Expression System 2 electronics provide a reliable amplified signal, while the satin finish and hardshell case support regular professional use.

The Grand Auditorium body is versatile enough for solo acoustic performances, full-band arrangements and vocal accompaniment.

Blues, Folk and Roots Players

The dry, woody response and warm attack work especially well for:

• Acoustic blues
• Folk
• Americana
• Country
• Roots rock
• Alternative acoustic music
• Percussive rhythm styles

Players Seeking a Warmer Taylor Voice

Taylor guitars are often associated with clear treble response and modern articulation.

The all-mahogany 324ce retains that precision while offering a warmer, darker and more midrange-focused tonal character.

Players Who Record at Home

The guitar’s balanced dynamics and focused frequency range make it well suited to home recording environments.

Its natural compression can help maintain an even signal, while the ES2 provides a convenient direct-recording option.

How Does the Taylor 324ce Compare?

Taylor 324ce vs Taylor 314ce

Both guitars use Taylor’s Grand Auditorium body, V-Class bracing and ES2 electronics.

The 314ce typically combines a spruce top with solid sapele back and sides, producing a more open top end, wider dynamic range and additional strumming headroom.

The 324ce uses mahogany throughout the body, providing a warmer attack, stronger midrange and more controlled overtone response.

Choose the 314ce for broad all-round projection and a more traditional spruce-topped response. Choose the 324ce for woody warmth, smooth compression and focused midrange character.

Pre–Next Generation 324ce vs Next Generation 324ce

The pre–Next Generation model uses all-solid mahogany construction, standard V-Class bracing, Taylor’s established adjustable neck joint and ES2 electronics.

The Next Generation model uses a mahogany top with sapele back and sides, scalloped V-Class bracing, the Action Control Neck and Claria electronics.

Choose this pre–Next Generation 324ce for its cohesive all-mahogany voice, familiar external controls and proven Taylor neck architecture.

Choose the newer version for increased top-end shimmer, the latest action-adjustment system and Mid-Contour-equipped Claria electronics.

Taylor 324ce vs Taylor 322ce

Both models share all-mahogany construction and a warm, focused tonal character.

The 324ce uses the full-sized Grand Auditorium body and 25½-inch scale, producing greater projection, firmer string tension and additional rhythm headroom.

The 322ce uses a smaller Grand Concert body and shorter scale, providing a more compact feel and reduced string tension.

Choose the 324ce for maximum versatility and acoustic projection. Choose the 322ce for intimate fingerstyle playing and compact comfort.

Taylor 324ce vs Builder’s Edition 324ce

The standard 324ce focuses on Taylor’s classic Grand Auditorium layout with a conventional Venetian cutaway and clean 300 Series appointments.

The earlier Builder’s Edition 324ce pairs a mahogany top with Urban Ash back and sides and adds ergonomic features such as a bevelled armrest and cutaway, chamfered edges and premium tuners.

Choose the standard 324ce for cohesive all-mahogany tone and traditional Grand Auditorium construction. Choose the Builder’s Edition for enhanced body comfort, Urban Ash character and a more elevated specification.

Taylor 324ce vs a Spruce and Rosewood Guitar

A spruce-and-rosewood acoustic generally produces deeper bass, brighter trebles and a more expansive overtone response.

The 324ce provides a stronger midrange, warmer attack and more controlled harmonics.

Choose spruce and rosewood for tonal width and shimmering complexity. Choose the 324ce for focus, warmth and a direct connection between the player and the fundamental note.

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
• Mahogany top, back and side 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 perform.

Technical Specifications

General

Specification	Details
Model	Taylor 324ce
Series	Taylor 300 Series
Number of Strings	6
Orientation	Right-handed
Guitar Type	Steel-string electro-acoustic guitar
Body Shape	Grand Auditorium
Cutaway	Venetian
Colour	Medium stain with Shaded Edgeburst top
Electronics	Taylor Expression System 2

Body

Specification	Details
Top Wood	Solid tropical mahogany
Back and Side Wood	Solid neo-tropical mahogany
Back Configuration	Two-piece, no wedge
Bracing	Taylor V-Class bracing
Top Finish	Satin
Back and Side Finish	Satin
Body Binding	Black
Armrest	None
Rosette	Three-ring black plastic
Pickguard	Firestripe

Neck and Fingerboard

Specification	Details
Neck Joint	Taylor adjustable neck joint
Neck Wood	Neo-tropical mahogany
Neck Profile	Taylor Standard Carve
Neck Finish	Satin
Fingerboard Wood	West African Crelicam ebony
Fingerboard Binding	Black
Fingerboard Inlay	Faux-pearl Gemstone
Scale Length	25½ inches
Nut Width	1¾ inches

Peghead

Specification	Details
Peghead Type	Taylor paddle
Peghead Veneer	West African Crelicam ebony
Peghead Inlay	Faux-pearl Gemstone
Peghead Binding	None
Peghead Finish	Satin
Tuning Machines	Satin black

Hardware and Factory Setup

Specification	Details
Bridge	West African Crelicam ebony
Nut	Black TUSQ
Saddle	White Micarta
Bridge Pins	West African Crelicam ebony
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 is powered by one standard 9-volt battery housed in the guitar’s end-pin battery compartment.

A fresh battery provides approximately 30 to 40 hours of plugged-in use.

The guitar can be played acoustically without battery power. A functioning battery is required when connecting the ES2 to an acoustic amplifier, PA system, mixing desk, direct box or audio interface.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this the Next Generation Taylor 324ce?

No. This is the established pre–Next Generation model with all-solid mahogany construction, standard V-Class bracing, Taylor’s traditional adjustable neck joint and Expression System 2 electronics.

Is the Taylor 324ce made entirely from solid mahogany?

Yes. The top, back and sides are made from solid mahogany.

What does an all-mahogany guitar sound like?

An all-mahogany guitar produces a warm, woody response with a strong midrange, clear fundamental notes and controlled harmonic overtones.

Its hardwood top also provides natural compression for a smooth and balanced attack.

Is the 324ce suitable for fingerstyle playing?

Yes. The Grand Auditorium body, 1¾-inch nut and focused note response make it highly suitable for fingerstyle arrangements.

Can the 324ce handle strumming?

Yes. Its V-Class bracing and Grand Auditorium body provide useful projection and sustain for rhythm playing.

The mahogany top naturally smooths the attack, making the guitar particularly suitable for controlled and medium-strength strumming.

Is the 324ce suitable for recording?

Yes. Its focused midrange and controlled overtones help it sit naturally within a recorded mix.

It can be recorded with microphones, through the ES2 electronics or with both signals blended.

Is the guitar suitable for professional live performance?

Yes. Its all-solid construction, comfortable neck, ES2 electronics and versatile body make it suitable for regular professional use.

What controls does the ES2 system provide?

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

Does the ES2 include a built-in tuner?

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

What is Taylor V-Class bracing?

V-Class bracing is Taylor’s soundboard-support architecture designed to improve volume, sustain and harmonic consistency while maintaining clear note definition.

Can the playing action be adjusted?

Yes. Taylor’s established neck joint allows a trained technician to alter the neck angle using precision shims.

The truss rod, nut and saddle can also be adjusted as part of a professional setup.

Can the 324ce be used with alternate tunings?

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

A professional setup may be helpful when permanently moving to substantially lower tunings or changing string gauge.

Is mahogany less versatile than spruce?

Not necessarily. Mahogany has a more focused and compressed tonal response, but the Grand Auditorium body gives the 324ce excellent versatility across fingerstyle, strumming, recording and live performance.

Will the solid mahogany sound change over time?

Yes. Solid tonewoods can become more open and resonant through regular playing, although the amount and pace of tonal development will vary between individual instruments.

Fair Deal Music Verdict

★★★★★ 5/5

The pre–Next Generation Taylor 324ce is an exceptional all-mahogany electro-acoustic guitar with a warm, focused and immediately musical personality.

Its solid mahogany construction produces a powerful midrange, woody low end and smooth natural compression, making the guitar particularly effective for singer-songwriters, fingerstyle players and studio musicians. The Grand Auditorium body adds enough projection and versatility for confident rhythm work without losing the intimate character of the tonewoods.

Taylor’s standard V-Class bracing provides excellent sustain and harmonic clarity, while the established adjustable neck system supports dependable long-term playability. Expression System 2 electronics also deliver a familiar and reliable amplified platform for professional performance.

For players who prefer the cohesive sound of an all-mahogany body and the proven pre–Next Generation Taylor specification, the 324ce remains a superb professional workhorse.

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.