« Taylor 414 CE »

I bought the 414ce guitar from Sounds Great Music, near Manchester England. I'm left handed and had gone there to look at an old, second-hand Antoria guitar to knock around on (priced at £199.00 by the way). Anyway I went into the high-end guitar room and there was this left-handed, Taylor 414ce. I'd never had my hands on a quality accoustic before as nobody seems to ever stock them. This was a big mistake! I fell in love with the sound, the feel and the sheer quality. I had to ask the price and it was £1389.00 ... gulp! I left the shop without the guitar and continued looking around other shops. Nothing came close and a week later I went back to the shop and bought the Taylor. (After all it was only a mortgage more than the Antoria I'd originally planned on).

As stated above, the guitar was and is, the best accoustic I've ever played. It just sings. I have copy of one of the Taylor CD's and it sounds just the same as those guitars on the CD. It's an absolute pleasure to play, it's easy, tuneful and the tone is outstanding. My old accoustic sounds dead besides the Taylor. Sounds Great Music put a warning in their ad's which goes something like "Don't pick up a Taylor guitar unless you want to buy one .. because you will". I know what they mean. To jump from a price point of £199.00 going into the shop, to buying a guitar at nearly £1400.00 gives you some idea of the pulling power of a Taylor. And I don't care, it's worth every penny and more importantly, it's a guitar for life I feel.

I have to say I don't like the look of the "New Technology" joint at the Head-stock. Having said that it is perfectly matched and is just a minor niggle really. Other than that, I can find nothing else to dislike.

Simply superb. Beautiful woods, good electronics, great neck and a very shapely body. (Venetian cut-away)

This is the first really good guitar that I have owned (I'm only a guitar hobyist not a performer). Being left handed limits choice and often there is premium to pay on top of the standard price. This was not the case with the Taylor. It's possible that had I had the opportunity to pick up a quality left handed one earlier I may have bought it. (a message there retailers!) As it is I am over the moon with my purchase. It's a great instrument to own and have the pleasure of playing.

Thanks Taylor and thanks to Sounds Great Music for having the guts to stock lefties.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com