In the very high end category, The Guitar Channel is pleased to present you this guitar review of the new version of Taylor K14ce Builder's Edition guitar equipped with the new V-class bracing presented at NAMM 2018 (see this interview with Andy Powers, the master builder at Taylor to know everything).
In order to highlight the qualities of this instrument, The Guitar Channel has called on two professional guitarists to record the demos below in the showroom.
Many thanks to Shaï Sebbag and Hugo Martin for their collaboration.
K14ce presentation
K14ce specifications
- Solid roasted Sitka Spruce Top
- V-class bracing
- Solid back and sides in Koa
- Ergonomic cutaway and armrest
- Mahogany neck
- Ebony fingerboard and bridge
- Taylor Expression 2 Preamp
- Gotoh mechanics
Photo Album
Shaï Sebbag demos
In the 3 videos below you will be able to hear the same guitar take with 3 sound recording methods. Firstly the mix of the internal preamp and external microphones (AT2020 and KM184), the internal preamp alone and finally the external microphones only.
Sound: internal preamp + external microphones
Sound: internal preamp only
Sound: external microphones only
Hugo Martin demo
Hugo Martin is a full-time guitar teacher in Paris, France (lescoursdeguitaremoderne.com) and also a member of The Guitar Channel club. Already playing a Taylor guitar, he wished during his visit to the showroom to try the K14ce.
This time the sound is a mix of the internal preamp mixed with a little post-production reverb in Final Cut Pro with a little camera mics added for the atmosphere of the room.
Sound: internal preamp + camera mics
What I enjoyed the most
- The sound
- The playability
- The projection of the guitar
- The quality of the internal preamp
- The look of Koa
What I enjoyed the least
- Slight imperfection in the finish
Conclusion
At more than € 5,500, we are very clearly in the very high end realm. The decoration inevitably adds to the final price without adding anything to the sound. Not only the K14ce sounds great but in addition it is very beautiful, as long as we love a very decorated instruments.
Does the V-class bracing keep its promises?
Honestly, it's very difficult to say. To get a better idea, it would have been necessary to be able to have a K14ce side by side with the old bracing and one with the new one.
No doubt this guitar is a beautiful machine to make music. It sounds beautiful, the comfort of play is incomparable. Its internal preamp works very well (see the videos above to judge) especially if you complement the sound with one or more external microphones.
Is the K14ce for you?
In this price range, there are excellent luthiers able to offer custom instruments of very high quality. The competition is very tough to settle. We can legitimately ask the question. To buy Taylor is also to buy an instrument from a prestigious brand whose resale value will be better than for a luthier instrument.
Until the next gear review or interview, keep on playing the guitar!
Pierre Journel.
