The Taylor Next Generation Builder’s Edition 814ce Honduran Rosewood/Sinker Redwood takes Taylor’s flagship Grand Auditorium platform into truly exceptional territory.

Its solid sinker redwood top delivers warmth, touch sensitivity and a remarkably broad dynamic range, while solid Honduran rosewood back and sides add a lush low end, bell-like treble detail and a complex harmonic character. The result is a powerful yet refined acoustic voice that responds beautifully to delicate fingerstyle playing, expressive flatpicking and confident strumming.

Taylor’s latest scalloped V-Class bracing increases volume, sustain and open-string resonance, while the Action Control Neck offers outstanding playability with precise string-height adjustment. The Claria acoustic pickup system provides a clear and adaptable amplified sound for professional live and recording applications.

Premium Builder’s Edition features—including a beveled armrest, beveled cutaway, chamfered body edges and Curve Wing bridge—make this one of Taylor’s most comfortable and sophisticated professional acoustic guitars.

At a Glance

Feature	Details
Brand	Taylor
Model	Next Generation Builder’s Edition 814ce
Series	800 Series
Collection	Builder’s Edition
Guitar Type	Electro-acoustic guitar
Body Shape	Grand Auditorium
Top	Solid sinker redwood
Back and Sides	Solid Honduran rosewood
Bracing	Scalloped V-Class with relief rout
Neck	Neo-Tropical mahogany
Fretboard	West African Crelicam ebony
Scale Length	25½ inches
Nut Width	1¾ inches
Cutaway	Beveled cutaway
Electronics	Taylor Claria acoustic pickup system
Finish	Gloss Shaded Edgeburst top with Kona Edgeburst back and sides
Main Appeal	Exceptional tonal richness, dynamic range and playing comfort
Best For	Fingerstyle, recording, songwriting, accompaniment and professional performance
Skill Level	Advanced and professional
Condition	Brand new

Why Choose the Taylor Next Generation Builder’s Edition 814ce?

Premium Sinker Redwood Top

Sinker redwood offers an exceptional combination of warmth, responsiveness and dynamic range.

Its touch-sensitive character allows lightly picked notes to sound full and expressive, while its higher volume ceiling means it can also handle more confident strumming without quickly becoming compressed.

The tonal response has some of the warmth and immediacy associated with cedar, combined with greater power, brilliance and headroom. This makes the guitar equally rewarding for detailed fingerstyle playing and stronger rhythm work.

Solid Honduran Rosewood Back and Sides

Honduran rosewood is a dense tonewood with a smooth, refined and harmonically complex response.

It produces warm, lush bass frequencies, clear bell-like trebles and a broad overtone profile. Individual notes retain excellent definition, while sustained chords develop a rich harmonic halo.

Compared with more familiar Indian rosewood, Honduran rosewood offers a particularly focused and high-fidelity character that suits the precision and balance of Taylor’s Grand Auditorium body.

Scalloped V-Class Bracing

Taylor’s scalloped V-Class bracing with relief rout builds on the company’s original V-Class architecture.

Material is carefully removed from selected areas of the braces, allowing the soundboard to move more freely. This produces greater warmth, stronger bass response and increased open-string resonance while retaining the sustain, projection and pitch accuracy associated with V-Class construction.

The design helps the sinker redwood top reveal its full dynamic range, from subtle fingerstyle detail to powerful full-chord projection.

Action Control Neck

The Action Control Neck uses an extended long-tenon joint that creates a stronger connection between the neck and body.

This increased contact contributes additional warmth, depth and sustain by allowing vibration to transfer efficiently throughout the instrument.

Taylor’s patented adjustment system also allows an experienced technician to alter the string height without reshaping the saddle or carrying out invasive neck work. The playing feel can therefore be adjusted precisely to suit different techniques, string gauges and performance requirements.

Taylor Claria Acoustic Pickup System

The Claria acoustic pickup system combines a redesigned undersaddle transducer with a dedicated Taylor preamp.

It delivers a clear, dependable amplified voice that can be adapted to different venues, sound systems and musical styles without extensive external processing.

Three controls positioned discreetly inside the soundhole provide adjustment over:

• Volume
• Mid Contour
• Tone

Turning the Mid Contour control below its centre position reduces midrange emphasis for a warmer, more open strumming sound. Turning it above the centre adds presence and focus for fingerstyle playing, melodic lines and band arrangements.

Beveled Neo-Tropical Mahogany Armrest

The integrated wooden armrest softens the point where the player’s forearm meets the upper edge of the body.

This reduces pressure during longer sessions and allows the picking arm to rest in a more natural position. The Neo-Tropical mahogany bevel also provides an elegant visual contrast against the Honduran rosewood body.

Beveled Cutaway

Taylor’s beveled cutaway provides comfortable access to the upper register.

Its compound construction smooths the edge between the body and neck heel, giving the fretting hand more space when reaching higher frets.

This is particularly useful for melodic fingerstyle arrangements, lead passages and extended chord voicings.

Chamfered Body Edges

Carefully softened body edges improve comfort where the guitar rests against the player.

The subtle chamfering removes the hard feel often associated with traditionally bound acoustic guitar bodies, helping the instrument sit naturally whether played seated or standing.

Curve Wing Bridge

The West African Crelicam ebony Curve Wing bridge features rounded, flowing edges.

This reduces the feeling of a sharp bridge beneath the picking hand while maintaining accurate string energy transfer into the soundboard.

Its sculpted profile complements the wider comfort-focused philosophy of the Builder’s Edition design.

Grand Auditorium Versatility

The Grand Auditorium is Taylor’s flagship body shape and one of the most adaptable acoustic guitar designs available.

Its dimensions provide enough lower-bout capacity for confident strumming while retaining the clarity, balance and responsiveness required for fingerstyle playing.

The defined waist helps control the midrange, allowing the guitar to work equally well for:

• Solo acoustic performance
• Vocal accompaniment
• Flatpicking
• Fingerstyle arrangements
• Studio recording
• Full-band performance
• Open and alternative tunings

Premium Gotoh 510 Tuning Machines

Gotoh 510 tuning machines offer exceptionally smooth and precise tuning adjustment.

Their high-quality gear action makes small pitch corrections easy, which is especially valuable for recording, performance and alternative tunings.

The antique gold finish complements the warm colouring of the rosewood, redwood and shaded body treatment.

Sophisticated Shaded Finish

The sinker redwood top features a gloss Shaded Edgeburst, while the Honduran rosewood back and sides are finished with a Kona Edgeburst treatment.

The darker outer shading frames the natural grain of the tonewoods while maintaining an elegant and refined appearance.

Because natural wood figure and colour vary, each guitar has its own individual visual character.

Mother-of-Pearl Element Appointments

The Builder’s Edition 814ce uses elegant Element inlays crafted from mother-of-pearl.

Matching designs appear across the fretboard and peghead, complemented by:

• Green abalone single-ring rosette
• Bound soundhole
• West African Crelicam ebony trim
• Indian rosewood pickguard
• Ebony bridge pins with green abalone dots
• Antique gold hardware

The result is a premium presentation that enhances the instrument without overwhelming the natural beauty of its tonewoods.

What Does Builder’s Edition Mean?

Taylor’s Builder’s Edition collection focuses on the relationship between the player and the guitar.

These instruments combine premium tonewoods and construction with physical refinements designed to make the guitar feel smoother, more comfortable and more natural during performance.

Builder’s Edition features on this model include:

• Beveled wooden armrest
• Beveled cutaway
• Chamfered body edges
• Softened fretboard treatment
• Curve Wing bridge
• Precision Gotoh 510 tuning machines
• Premium gloss finish
• Player-focused neck construction

Each feature contributes to an instrument that feels refined in the hands as well as sounding and looking exceptional.

What Makes This a Next Generation Taylor?

Taylor’s Next Generation platform introduces three important developments.

Scalloped V-Class Bracing

The updated bracing pattern provides additional warmth, bass response and open-string resonance while retaining excellent sustain, projection and pitch accuracy.

Action Control Neck

The long-tenon joint enhances the tonal connection between the body and neck, while the patented adjustment system makes precise action changes quicker and less invasive.

Claria Electronics

The new undersaddle pickup and proprietary preamp provide adaptable amplified performance with intuitive soundhole-mounted controls.

Together, these developments improve acoustic response, long-term adjustability and professional stage performance.

Why Choose Sinker Redwood?

Sinker redwood offers a distinctive alternative to traditional spruce and cedar soundboards.

It combines:

• Warm and rich overtones
• Excellent response to a light touch
• Broad dynamic range
• Strong projection
• A higher volume ceiling than many cedar tops
• Smooth, expressive treble frequencies
• Clear note definition

Players can explore subtle dynamic changes without losing the ability to increase their attack when a musical arrangement requires additional volume and power.

This makes sinker redwood particularly suitable for musicians who combine delicate fingerstyle playing with more assertive rhythm work.

Why Choose Honduran Rosewood?

Honduran rosewood is known for its density, tonal clarity and exceptionally complex overtone profile.

Its warm bass response provides depth without becoming uncontrolled, while its bell-like trebles remain clear and musical. The strong harmonic content creates an expansive sound around the fundamental note.

It is especially effective for:

• Solo acoustic guitar
• Detailed fingerstyle music
• Studio recording
• Open tunings
• Complex chord voicings
• Expressive accompaniment
• Professional concert performance

Who Is the Taylor Next Generation Builder’s Edition 814ce For?

Professional Performing Guitarists

Its adaptable electronics, precision hardware and comfort-focused body make it ideal for demanding live work.

Fingerstyle Players

The sinker redwood top responds beautifully to subtle changes in attack, while Honduran rosewood provides depth and harmonic detail.

Singers and Songwriters

The Grand Auditorium body offers enough warmth and projection to support vocals while retaining clarity through the middle frequencies.

Recording Musicians

Its broad frequency range, strong note separation and complex overtones make it suitable for solo recording and layered arrangements.

Dynamic Players

Musicians who move between light fingerstyle passages and stronger strumming will appreciate the sinker redwood top’s wide dynamic range.

Players Who Value Comfort

The beveled armrest, cutaway, chamfered edges and contoured bridge make the instrument particularly comfortable during extended sessions.

Taylor Collectors and Enthusiasts

The rare tonewood combination and Next Generation Builder’s Edition construction make this an important premium model within Taylor’s flagship 800 Series.

Musicians Seeking a Long-Term Professional Instrument

Premium materials, modern neck adjustment and adaptable electronics make the 814ce suitable for years of recording, performance and creative development.

What’s Included?

• Taylor Next Generation Builder’s Edition 814ce 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 finish, neck, frets, bridge, tuning machines, electronics and overall playability. The Claria pickup system and its soundhole-mounted 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	Beveled cutaway
Bracing System	Scalloped V-Class with relief rout
Electronics	Taylor Claria acoustic pickup system
Top Colour	Shaded Edgeburst
Back and Side Colour	Kona Edgeburst

Body

Specification	Details
Top Wood	Solid sinker redwood
Back and Side Wood	Solid Honduran rosewood
Back Configuration	Four-piece with Simons wedge
Top Finish	Gloss
Back and Side Finish	Gloss
Body Edge Treatment	Chamfered
Armrest	Beveled Neo-Tropical mahogany
Rosette	Green abalone single ring
Soundhole	Bound
Pickguard	Indian rosewood

Neck and Fretboard

Specification	Details
Neck Construction	Taylor Action Control Neck
Neck Wood	Neo-Tropical mahogany
Neck Profile	Standard Carve
Neck Finish	Satin
Fretboard Wood	West African Crelicam ebony
Fretboard Binding	West African Crelicam ebony
Fretboard Inlays	Mother-of-pearl Element
Scale Length	25½ inches
Nut Width	1¾ inches

Peghead and Hardware

Specification	Details
Peghead Type	Paddle
Peghead Veneer	West African Crelicam ebony
Peghead Binding	West African Crelicam ebony
Peghead Inlay	Mother-of-pearl Element
Peghead Finish	Satin
Bridge	West African Crelicam ebony Curve Wing
Nut	Black TUSQ
Saddle	White Micarta
Bridge Pins	West African ebony with green abalone dots
Tuning Machines	Gotoh 510 antique gold
Strap Pin	Black
End Pin	Black
Factory Strings	D’Addario XS coated phosphor bronze light, .012–.053

Electronics

Specification	Details
Pickup System	Taylor Claria
Pickup Type	Undersaddle acoustic transducer
Controls	Volume, Mid Contour and Tone
Control Location	Inside the soundhole
Output	Standard ¼-inch instrument connection

Power Requirements

The Taylor Claria preamp is powered by a 9V battery housed in the end-pin compartment.

Connecting an instrument cable activates the electronics, so the cable should be removed when the guitar is not in use to preserve battery life.

A suitable battery provides approximately 150 hours of plugged-in operation. Keeping a spare 9V battery available is recommended for performances, rehearsals and recording sessions.

Builder’s Edition 814ce Sinker Redwood Compared with the Adirondack Spruce Version

Both Next Generation Builder’s Edition 814ce models use solid Honduran rosewood back and sides, scalloped V-Class bracing, the Action Control Neck, Claria electronics and the same comfort-enhancing body design.

The key difference is the soundboard.

Sinker Redwood Version

The sinker redwood top provides:

• Greater touch sensitivity
• Warmer overtones
• A smoother initial attack
• Strong response at lower playing volumes
• Broad dynamic range

Adirondack Spruce Version

The Adirondack spruce top provides:

• A firmer and more immediate attack
• Greater raw headroom
• Powerful projection
• Strong response to aggressive picking
• A more muscular tonal character

Choose sinker redwood for warmth, responsiveness and expressive dynamic control. Choose Adirondack spruce for maximum attack, power and headroom.

Next Generation Builder’s Edition 814ce Compared with the Standard Next Generation 814ce

The standard Next Generation 814ce provides Taylor’s flagship Grand Auditorium performance with traditional body contours and familiar 800 Series tonewoods.

The Builder’s Edition Honduran Rosewood/Sinker Redwood model adds:

• Premium Honduran rosewood construction
• Sinker redwood soundboard
• Beveled armrest
• Beveled cutaway
• Chamfered body edges
• Curve Wing bridge
• Gotoh 510 tuning machines
• Premium mother-of-pearl appointments
• Shaded gloss finish

Choose the standard model for the essential modern 814ce experience. Choose the Builder’s Edition for more distinctive tonewoods, enhanced physical comfort and premium visual presentation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is sinker redwood suitable for strumming?

Yes. It offers greater dynamic headroom than many softer soundboard woods, allowing it to handle controlled and confident strumming while retaining warmth and sensitivity.

Is the guitar suitable for fingerstyle playing?

Yes. The responsive top, balanced Grand Auditorium body and detailed rosewood overtones make it exceptionally well suited to fingerstyle technique.

How does Honduran rosewood differ from Indian rosewood?

Honduran rosewood is particularly dense and produces a smooth, focused response with warm bass, bell-like trebles and complex harmonic overtones.

What does the Claria Mid Contour control do?

Turning it below the centre position scoops the midrange for a warmer, more open sound. Turning it above the centre adds presence and focus for fingerstyle passages and lead lines.

Can the guitar connect directly to a PA system?

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

Is the Action Control Neck adjustable by the player?

The system makes action adjustments quicker and less invasive, but setup work should be completed by an experienced guitar technician.

Is the 814ce suitable for alternative tunings?

Yes. Its 25½-inch scale, rich bass response and strong note definition make it well suited to open and alternative tunings. A setup may be beneficial when making permanent changes to tuning or string gauge.

Is it suitable for professional recording?

Yes. Its wide dynamic range, complex overtones and clear note separation make it an excellent studio instrument. It can be captured with microphones or recorded through the Claria system.

Why does each guitar look slightly different?

Natural tonewoods vary in colour, grain and figure. Each instrument therefore has its own individual appearance.

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. An appropriate acoustic-guitar humidification system may be needed during dry conditions.

Fair Deal Music Verdict

★★★★★ 5/5

The Taylor Next Generation Builder’s Edition 814ce Honduran Rosewood/Sinker Redwood is a truly exceptional professional acoustic guitar.

Its sinker redwood top combines warmth and soft-touch sensitivity with enough headroom for powerful dynamic playing. Honduran rosewood adds lush bass, bell-like trebles and sophisticated harmonic complexity, creating a voice that feels expansive, refined and highly expressive.

Scalloped V-Class bracing enhances volume and sustain, while the Action Control Neck and Claria electronics bring modern practicality to an instrument built from extraordinary materials.

Add the beveled armrest, contoured cutaway, chamfered edges and precise Gotoh tuners, and the result is one of Taylor’s most complete combinations of tone, playability and craftsmanship.

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.