A Bracing Experience

The flagship model of Taylor’s most popular shape pushes further with the deluxe treatment, with three custom-style additions to this edition.

- Rob Laing

When Taylor’s master luthier Andy Powers took a leading role in redesigning the company’s 800 series back in 2014, it was a landmark in the company’s story of innovation, refining and enhancing a popular series with a combination of technological advancements. And the Grand Auditorium 814ce (reviewed in issue 380) was the jewel in the cutaway crown. The original model that helped make Taylor’s reputation was always likely to be the first on the wishlist for Powers to work on and it was eventually chosen to debut the second iteration of Taylor’s Expression System.

The mission statement centred on maximising the potential for tonal improvement in a number of ways that could combine to revoice the 814, from greater response with a notably thinner top finish on the spruce (reduced from 6 to 3.5 ‘mils’/ thousands of an inch), to tone-aiding protein glue and the fundamental switch from straight to Advanced Performance Bracing, slanted towards the back to further accentuate the rosewood’s low-end characteristics. The redesigned model was a winner with players, an all-rounder with its own distinct flavour that still exuded Taylor’s values. So what does this Deluxe edition bring to the success story? First, let’s take a look at what’s changed.

There are three new custom-style features here that all have their own distinct impact on the player’s experience with this version of the 814. The brushed-satin chrome Gotoh 510 tuners are a change to Taylor’s own-logo’d brand. These tuners are a top-of-the-range option with a higher 21:1 gear ratio that delivers on the reputation – they’re very smooth to the touch and in action. They also have a fresh aesthetic that falls somewhere in the region of a retro-futurist butter bean. Whatever it is, we like it.