The Taylor Next Generation 714ce brings one of acoustic guitar making’s most expressive tonewood combinations into Taylor’s modern Grand Auditorium platform.

Pairing a solid Western Red cedar top with solid Indian rosewood back and sides, the 714ce produces a warm, textured and highly responsive voice. Cedar reacts quickly to a light touch, while rosewood contributes deep lows, clear trebles and a rich overtone character. The result is an inspiring acoustic guitar for fingerstyle players, singers, songwriters and musicians who want warmth without sacrificing definition.

Taylor’s Next Generation design introduces three major developments: scalloped V-Class bracing, the long-tenon Action Control Neck and the Claria acoustic pickup system. Together, these features enhance resonance, simplify playability adjustments and provide a natural, adaptable amplified sound for performance and recording.

At a Glance

Feature	Details
Brand	Taylor
Model	Next Generation 714ce
Series	700 Series
Guitar Type	Electro-acoustic guitar
Body Shape	Grand Auditorium
Top	Solid Western Red cedar
Back and Sides	Solid Indian 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
Electronics	Taylor Claria acoustic pickup system
Cutaway	Venetian
Finish	Natural gloss body
Main Appeal	Warm cedar response with rich rosewood overtones
Best For	Fingerstyle, songwriting, recording, accompaniment and live performance
Skill Level	Intermediate, advanced and professional
Condition	Brand new

Why Choose the Taylor Next Generation 714ce?

The Classic Cedar and Rosewood Combination

Western Red cedar and Indian rosewood create a rich, expressive voice that responds beautifully to musical nuance.

The cedar top produces a warm attack with excellent touch sensitivity, allowing softly picked notes and delicate fingerstyle details to speak clearly. It also introduces natural harmonic colour and a smooth character that can make the guitar feel immediately open and responsive.

Indian rosewood adds depth at the lower end, sparkling treble detail and a broad overtone response. Its naturally scooped midrange helps leave space for vocals and other instruments, making the 714ce particularly effective for accompaniment and recording.

Scalloped V-Class Bracing

The Next Generation 714ce features Taylor’s scalloped V-Class bracing with a relief rout.

This design builds on Taylor’s original V-Class architecture by strategically removing material from key areas of the braces. The scalloped construction allows the soundboard to respond with greater freedom, producing increased warmth, sustain and open-string resonance.

The guitar retains the clarity, projection and pitch accuracy associated with V-Class bracing while adding a deeper, more open low-end response.

Action Control Neck

Taylor’s long-tenon Action Control Neck is designed to improve both tone and long-term playability.

The extended neck joint creates a stronger connection between the neck and body, contributing to additional warmth, resonance and sustain. Its patented adjustment system also allows the string height to be altered without traditional saddle modification or major neck work.

This makes it easier for an experienced technician to maintain comfortable action as the guitar settles, travels between environments or adapts to a player’s changing preferences.

Taylor Claria Acoustic Electronics

The Claria acoustic pickup system has been developed to deliver a clear, reliable and adaptable amplified sound.

A redesigned undersaddle pickup is paired with a dedicated preamp, helping the guitar retain its natural balance and dynamic response when connected to an acoustic amplifier, PA system, mixing desk or recording interface.

Three discreet controls positioned inside the soundhole provide adjustment over:

• Volume
• Mid Contour
• Tone

The Mid Contour control allows the amplified voice to move between a warmer, more focused character and a brighter, more open presentation. This makes it easier to adapt the guitar to different rooms, sound systems and musical arrangements.

Grand Auditorium Versatility

Taylor’s Grand Auditorium is designed to balance playing comfort, projection and tonal versatility.

It offers enough body depth and low-frequency presence for confident strumming while retaining the definition and responsiveness required for fingerstyle playing. This makes the 714ce suitable for players who do not want to be limited to one particular technique.

Its balanced response also helps it sit naturally alongside vocals, keyboards, percussion and other guitars.

Responsive to a Light Touch

Cedar requires less energy than spruce to produce a full and expressive sound.

Fingerstyle patterns, gentle flatpicking and lightly strummed chords can therefore sound rich and developed without the player needing to attack the strings aggressively. Subtle changes in picking position and dynamics are reproduced clearly, rewarding players with an expressive and intimate connection to the instrument.

Premium 700 Series Appointments

The Next Generation 714ce combines its refined tonewoods with elegant visual details.

Appointments include:

• Crisp white body binding
• Green abalone single-ring rosette
• Green abalone Reflections fretboard inlays
• Faux-tortoiseshell pickguard
• Gold Taylor tuning machines
• Ebony bridge pins with green abalone dots
• Full-body natural gloss finish
• Black fretboard binding

The decorative features complement the natural colouring of the cedar and rosewood without overwhelming the guitar’s traditional appearance.

Venetian Cutaway

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

This gives players greater freedom when performing melodic arrangements, extended chord voicings, lead passages and higher-register fingerstyle parts.

What Makes This a Next Generation Taylor?

Taylor’s Next Generation models incorporate three major design updates intended to improve acoustic response, playability and amplified performance.

Scalloped V-Class Bracing

This updated internal bracing increases warmth, low-end bloom and open-string resonance while retaining the projection and pitch accuracy associated with V-Class construction.

Action Control Neck

The long-tenon neck joint strengthens the tonal connection between the neck and body. Its adjustment system also makes accurate string-height changes more straightforward.

Claria Pickup System

The new Claria system replaces the side-mounted controls found on many earlier Taylor electro-acoustic guitars with discreet soundhole controls for volume, tone and midrange shaping.

Together, these developments make the Next Generation 714ce more responsive acoustically, easier to maintain and more adaptable when amplified.

Why Choose a Cedar-Top Acoustic Guitar?

Western Red cedar is an excellent soundboard material for players who value warmth, touch sensitivity and harmonic richness.

Unlike a spruce top, which often responds most strongly when driven with greater picking force, cedar reaches its expressive range with a lighter touch. This makes it particularly rewarding for fingerstyle guitarists and musicians who use delicate dynamics.

Cedar commonly produces:

• A warm and rounded initial attack
• Strong response at lower playing volumes
• Rich harmonic detail
• Smooth treble frequencies
• An open and mature tonal character

Players with an especially aggressive strumming technique may prefer the additional headroom of a spruce-topped guitar. For controlled strumming, fingerstyle work and expressive accompaniment, cedar can provide exceptional depth and musicality.

Who Is the Taylor Next Generation 714ce For?

Fingerstyle Guitarists

The cedar top reacts immediately to subtle picking, while the rosewood body adds bass depth and high-frequency detail. Individual notes remain expressive and harmonically rich.

Singers and Songwriters

The naturally smooth attack complements the human voice, while the rosewood midrange profile helps prevent the guitar from competing excessively with vocals.

Recording Musicians

Its controlled attack, extended frequency response and overtone complexity make the 714ce a strong choice for solo recording, accompaniment and layered acoustic arrangements.

Live Performers

Claria electronics provide adaptable tone shaping for different venues and sound systems, while the Venetian cutaway supports upper-register playing.

Players Who Find Spruce Too Bright

The cedar soundboard offers a softer attack and warmer overall character than many spruce-topped acoustic guitars.

Experienced Players Seeking Greater Expression

The 714ce rewards control and dynamic technique. Changes in picking strength, hand position and articulation translate clearly into the sound.

All-Round Acoustic Players

Although particularly suited to fingerstyle and lighter playing, the Grand Auditorium body provides enough projection and tonal balance for strumming, flatpicking, accompaniment and solo performance.

What’s Included?

• Taylor Next Generation 714ce electro-acoustic guitar
• 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 guitar’s finish, neck, frets, hardware, tuning stability, electronics and general playability. The Claria pickup system and onboard controls are tested to ensure dependable amplified performance.

Any adjustment required before the instrument leaves us will be carried out 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	Natural
Bracing System	Scalloped V-Class with relief rout
Electronics	Taylor Claria acoustic pickup system
Country of Manufacture	USA

Body

Specification	Details
Top Wood	Solid Western Red cedar
Back and Side Wood	Solid Indian rosewood
Back Configuration	Two-piece without centre wedge
Top Finish	Gloss
Back and Side Finish	Gloss
Body Binding	White
Rosette	Green abalone single ring
Pickguard	Faux tortoiseshell
Armrest	None

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	Black
Fretboard Inlays	Green abalone Reflections
Scale Length	25½ inches
Nut Width	1¾ inches

Peghead and Hardware

Specification	Details
Peghead Type	Paddle
Peghead Veneer	West African Crelicam ebony
Peghead Finish	Gloss
Bridge	West African Crelicam ebony
Nut	Black TUSQ
Saddle	White Micarta
Bridge Pins	West African Crelicam ebony with green abalone dots
Tuning Machines	Taylor gold with gold buttons
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 pickup
Controls	Volume, Mid Contour and Tone
Control Location	Inside the soundhole
Output	Standard ¼-inch instrument connection

Power Requirements

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

Inserting an instrument cable activates the electronics, so the cable should be disconnected when the guitar is not in use to preserve battery life. Carrying a spare 9V battery is recommended for live performances and important recording sessions.

Taylor Next Generation 714ce Compared with the Legacy 714ce

Both models pair a Western Red cedar top with Indian rosewood back and sides, but they approach the combination differently.

The Next Generation 714ce uses scalloped V-Class bracing, the long-tenon Action Control Neck and Taylor Claria electronics. It offers a contemporary Taylor voice with excellent balance, sustain, tonal clarity and modern amplified flexibility.

The Legacy 714ce is inspired by Bob Taylor’s earlier designs. It uses traditional X-bracing and alternative electronics to create a more vintage-influenced response.

Choose the Next Generation 714ce for Taylor’s latest technology, modern tonal balance and adaptable Claria electronics. Choose the Legacy model for a design more closely connected to Taylor’s earlier Grand Auditorium construction.

Taylor Next Generation 714ce Compared with a Spruce-Top Grand Auditorium

A spruce-topped Grand Auditorium generally provides a firmer attack, greater volume ceiling and more headroom for powerful strumming.

The Western Red cedar top of the 714ce responds more readily at lower playing volumes. It produces a warmer attack, stronger harmonic colour and a smoother overall character.

Choose cedar when touch sensitivity, fingerstyle response and warmth are the priority. Choose spruce when maximum projection, attack and resistance to heavy strumming are more important.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Taylor Next Generation 714ce suitable for strumming?

Yes. The Grand Auditorium body handles controlled strumming very well. Cedar has a lower volume ceiling than spruce, so players with an extremely aggressive attack may prefer a spruce-topped alternative.

Is cedar more delicate than spruce?

Cedar is generally softer than spruce and can be more susceptible to small marks from heavy pick use or accidental impact. Using controlled technique and storing the guitar safely in its case will help protect the top.

Does a cedar top need to be played in?

Cedar commonly delivers an open and developed tone from the beginning. Like any solid-wood acoustic guitar, its response can continue to mature as it is played.

What does the Claria Mid Contour control do?

It changes the character of the midrange, allowing the amplified sound to move between a warmer, more focused tone and a brighter, more open presentation.

Can the 714ce be connected directly to a PA system?

Yes. It can be connected to a PA system, acoustic amplifier, mixing desk or recording interface. A suitable acoustic DI box can provide additional control when working with larger live sound systems.

Is the Action Control Neck adjustable by the player?

The system makes action changes quicker and less invasive than traditional adjustment methods. For accurate setup and to avoid unnecessary damage, adjustments should be carried out by an experienced guitar technician.

Is the guitar suitable for alternative tunings?

Yes. The rosewood body, long scale length and resonant bracing make it a strong option for many alternative tunings. A professional setup may be beneficial when changing permanently to significantly heavier strings or lower tunings.

How should the guitar be stored?

Keep it away from radiators, direct sunlight, cold draughts and rapid changes in temperature or humidity. Its hardshell case provides the best protection when the instrument is not being played.

Is the 1¾-inch nut width suitable for fingerstyle playing?

Yes. The nut width provides comfortable spacing for independent finger movement while remaining manageable for chords and general-purpose acoustic playing.

Can the Claria system be used for direct recording?

Yes. The guitar can be connected to an audio interface or acoustic preamp for direct recording. Its onboard controls make it easy to adjust the basic tonal character before the signal reaches recording software.

Fair Deal Music Verdict

★★★★★ 5/5

The Taylor Next Generation 714ce is an exceptional choice for players seeking warmth, responsiveness and premium modern performance from a professional electro-acoustic guitar.

Its Western Red cedar and Indian rosewood construction creates a lush, touch-sensitive voice with deep lows, clear trebles and rich harmonic colour. Scalloped V-Class bracing adds resonance and sustain, while the Action Control Neck offers outstanding playability and straightforward long-term adjustment.

Taylor’s Claria system makes the 714ce equally capable on stage, providing practical tone shaping without compromising the guitar’s elegant appearance.

For fingerstyle guitarists, singers, songwriters and expressive all-round players, the Next Generation 714ce offers a beautifully balanced combination of traditional tonewoods and forward-thinking Taylor design.

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

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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.