Taylor 914ce 2015 opinions

[southbeck]

Hi,

I´ve been offered a trade for one of my electric guitars to a Taylor 914ce 2015 with Es2.
I´m just looking for some opinions on the Taylor. Anyone tried these from 2015? How do they stand against their newer models? They didin´t have the V-class bracing back then from what I understand.
I´m not really in need of a new acoustic but you know, GAS and so on. I also always wanted a nice Taylor but wonder if 2015 is a good year to go for.
Thanks!

[rmp]

I can't say one year for another is better, Taylor is pretty consistent.

A 900 series Taylor is just about "as good as it gets" for Taylors

I'd just take a really good look at it, and make sure it's been cared for properly.

These guitars are very prone to climate changes, and if not properly looked after, can make a huge difference in playability.

[SpruceTop]

Originally Posted by southbeck

Hi,

I´ve been offered a trade for one of my electric guitars to a Taylor 914ce 2015 with Es2.
I´m just looking for some opinions on the Taylor. Anyone tried these from 2015? How do they stand against their newer models? They didin´t have the V-class bracing back then from what I understand.
I´m not really in need of a new acoustic but you know, GAS and so on. I also always wanted a nice Taylor but wonder if these is a 2015 is a good year to go for.
Thanks!

I have an early 2016 Taylor 614ce (spruce over maple) and it's a powerhouse with a clear, rich, and warm tone resulting from its Andy Powers revised X-bracing and other build modifications. Look for the Taylor 914ce to offer the same dynamics but with the extra resonance that rosewood can provide. Also, I had a 2014 Taylor 814ce that was a wonderful sounding guitar and the Taylor 914ce would offer a similar tone but with fancier but very tastefully done cosmetic appointments.

Although it may be a bit of a reach being a different body style, I have a 2019 Taylor 717e (spruce over rosewood) with V-Class bracing and it sounds powerful, balanced, and warm. I'm a fan of V-Class bracing but I'll say that my Taylor 614ce X-Class has more of a bass-register resonance and punch which should be even more pronounced in the 2015 Taylor 914ce. In other words, IMHO the Taylor 914ce won't disappoint you and it will also have a more powerful preamp signal output than the newer versions of the ES2.

I hope the above helps?

[southbeck]

Thank you! Appreciated. I´m guessing as well I probably won´t be dissapointed. Have played really nice Taylors before and from what I understand the 914 line should be as good as they can be, I guess. If you like the Taylor sound.

[southbeck]

The 914 I´m offered as a trade is almost four hours drive away from where I live. But I wen´t to a guitar store in town that has a 2021 814ce to get an idea of how the 914 is. I know they are not the same model and not even the same year. And the 814 also has V-class bracing. So I´m not sure how much I can build a opinion based on that one. But, the 814ce was an absolutely amazing guitar. Quite floored actually. Very balanced with shimmering highs and extremely dynamic. Really touch sensitive. The sound also seemed to pop out more of the guitar than from what I´ve heard of the 914 without v-class. But that´s based on clips so it´s hard to tell.

[Glennwillow]

The Taylor 914CE is a really nice guitar, and if it's been taken care of, it should still be top notch.

Regarding the V-Class bracing, some people like it a lot, and some people feel that the X-bracing with modifications by Andy Powers made for a much better sounding guitar, with more bass than the V-Class delivers. It depends on what you like. For me, I am pretty sure I would prefer the 2015 Taylor 914CE over the latest V-Class 914 models.

In your shoes, I would take a road trip and check it out.

- Glenn

[B. Adams]

I have a 2018 914, which is V braced, so it's not an apples to apples comparison, but it's an amazing guitar. I've had several people tell me it's the best sounding guitar they've ever heard. Not just of ones they've played or held, but any guitar they've heard. I can't say I disagree, I love it.

As for the 2015 you're looking at, I think it's definitely worth a 4 hour drive to check it out. Especially if you can meet halfway.

[Br1ck]

I paid a lot of attention when the V bracing came out. Opinions of those that played both side by side were about 50/50. My very cynical view was that Taylor needed to do something dramatic to boost sales and this along with their first in class marketing was the solution.

As always, do you like the guitar? Is it something you might choose over all the competition? Would you really rather have a J 45? Only you can decide.

[Athens]

What are you going to trade for it.....?

[southbeck]

Originally Posted by Athens

What are you going to trade for it.....?

A Music man Luke III 2015. It’s a quite expensive guitar as well but it should be a good deal for me. Great guitar the Luke though.

[jimmy bookout]

The guitar in question falls into the time (IMO) where Taylors were the best (2013-2018). I can't remember what they (Taylor) called this last version of X-bracing, but I played 2 Taylors of this vintage, and thought both were the best sounding Taylors I've ever heard. I have owned a few Taylors (and own one now) and have been searching for a 12 fret GC from this era WITHOUT the ES to buy. Being lefty makes that a tough guitar to put my hands on.

[TedBPhx]

Originally Posted by southbeck

A Music man Luke III 2015. It’s a quite expensive guitar as well but it should be a good deal for me. Great guitar the Luke though.

Had to look those up. Had no idea Ernie Ball made guitars that expensive. This trade is a good deal for you as I suspect the Taylor is much easier to sell than the MusicMan.

[southbeck]

Originally Posted by jimmy bookout

The guitar in question falls into the time (IMO) where Taylors were the best (2013-2018). I can't remember what they (Taylor) called this last version of X-bracing, but I played 2 Taylors of this vintage, and thought both were the best sounding Taylors I've ever heard. I have owned a few Taylors (and own one now) and have been searching for a 12 fret GC from this era WITHOUT the ES to buy. Being lefty makes that a tough guitar to put my hands on.

That sounds very promising! Funny thing is I actually traded a Taylor 322 12 fret without v class for the Music man Luke I might trade for the 914.

[Guilty Spark]

My 914c(e) is a 1998, so I can't speak to the newer models. I certainly treasure it and it's a lifelong keeper. But I can't imagine you'd be disappointed with just about ANY Taylor 914. And here's the thing:

If you don't find it quite to your liking, you can always flip it for something else. You shouldn't have much trouble selling it.

[cliff_the_stiff]

Taylor 914 guitars are great guitars regardless of the bracing.
Older models will have opened up some, and should mellow out the treble tones.
V bracing I think has interesting qualities- but I wouldn’t choose or reject a Taylor guitar based on either bracing pattern used.