Taylor 814ce VS 914ce - Is the 914 really better?

[@janrandles8683]

All in the ears of the beholder. I have the 914ce that I bought in 2019 with the new bracing system. I like a darker tone and it suits me better than the brighter tone on the 814. Plus it is darned gorgeous to the eyes. Everytime I open the case it takes my breath away. Plays easy and comfortable to hold for extended periods.

[@2speedy4u22]

I like them both. Definitely a difference between the two but I could be quite satisfied with either!

[@RandySchartiger]

The 814ce to my ears produces the warmer tones and seems to have more sustain and punch, both sound pretty sweet tho. Richard Simmons LOL!

[@rebeccalongoria7506]

This is a great way for all acoustic players to hear a difference. I'm glad you put this together!

[@JohnShalamskas]

I bet the bone saddle on the 914 versus Micarta on the 814 accounts for most of the tonal difference. Time to try a bone saddle on my 814! I have installed bone bridge pins, which added volume and extra mids / overtones. Sounds as if a stick of mahogany was used in the bracing. A good investment of $11.

[@sonofprovence]

I had money to buy either guitar, and so compared them side by side for an hour. I had to go for the 814ce. It impressed me more.

[@russsalsman3512]

I think I like the 814 better as well.

[@JohnShalamskas]

I just bought an 814CE and love it. The tone is rich and balanced. To get the 914 sound from my 814 I think I'd try a little less midrange EQ and a touch more highs. I guess I should hook it up to my headphones and play with the EQ sometime...

[@muriloninja]

I think 814ce takes this one! It's splitting hairs but its been said, warmer or brighter is basically what it comes down to from what I can tell.

[@clinkman007]

Mmmmm...thing is I’ve played 2 identical acoustic guitars and they sounded as different as these 2. I’ve been playing 50 years now and found that the wood, being a natural product of course, dictates the sound of the guitar and will vary from one to another due to slight differences in density, natural resonance etc so I thinks it’s difficult to compare these 2 guitars and apply it to all 814s and 914s. In fact I played both in my local guitar shop today and found the reverse...the 814 was brighter and 914 was warmer and my preference was the 914 whereas in this video I preferred the 814. So...when buying a guitar, especially as expensive as these, always try them out, play them back to back where possible, and if they have say, 3 identical guitars, try them all, they will all sound a bit different. I don’t mean to disparage this vid, it was a very good comparison of these two individual guitars, but use your ears when choosing your guitar....just my personal opinion.

[@steelz78]

The 814ce voicing to my ear has a more dynamic sound with greater definition.

[@Bobo_Tapia]

Love the a/b-ing! More please! I prefer the warmth of the 914. Always liked when my strings got a bit dull, making my gitter warmer (less bright).

[@chuongbeats]

I prefer the sound of 814CE, clearer, more punch and volume, as well as body. I tested the new 2014 model at shop and found out that its sound has improvements compared to the old 814CE model.

[@aggelosanagnostakis3355]

914 is clearer but less volume but amazanig quality it's like studio sound.!like playing on piano that clear! 🙂! 814 sounds more acoustic wormer woody totally acoustic sound. I would go for 814 with eyes closed only bad about is the default noises you can catch sometimes with a false movement on playing.. 914 is hiding every defaults and mistakes of playing... There are both amazing guitars! It took me 1 year playing in shops both to réalisé what's best for my ears 😂😂

[@HEAVYROTAYION]

I like 814ce

[@vrortiz1]

I have an 816ce that I bought a year or so ago - really brilliant sound with a clear resonant bass. I just got a wonderful deal on Taylor Custom - not at all apples to apples comparison - the Custom is a cedar/mahogany/Koa blend with a 12-fret neck. Mid range much more balanced mid-range and a longer, ringing sustain and wonderful playability - especially for finger pickin'. Kind of like wine. After a certain point, the differences for another 50%+ in cost just gets more and more subtle. Its there, but takes some playing and listening to appreciate/really detect. Both are really great guitars.

[@shahidsarkar3620]

816 CE is the best. I have played all 3.

[@MrHeliosoul]

Last year I bought the 814ce v-class, but I ended up exchanging it for the 914ce v-class after about two weeks. There was just something about the 914ce that sounded more pleasant, brilliant, rosewoody, and Taylor like than the 814ce. The d-42 style abalone inlays, the gold gotoh tuners and absence of a pick guard (which better shows off the beautiful sitka spruce top) made the choice to no brainer.

[@mohamedabdulaal2399]

814 in sound and looks.

[@CocoKoi321]

The 914ce has a slight brighter midrange And the 814ce has a warmer bolder low end The 914 sounds like it uses more body for the low end, not exactly warm ish, but a more cathedral vide to it And as you said I think matches the 814 It has a more earthy vibe I like the 914 But I'm still waiting for that review of the 714ce

[@azzurres1]

The is 814 is warmer the 914 brighter and clearer.. can we say what is really better? its a matter of preferences..isnt it? blonde / brunette ?

[@ozguy3393]

IMHO 814 is warmer more mids and woodsy sounding, but it may be out of tune a little bit compared to the 914 cause when the 814 sustains on the chord comparisons there appears to be some beat frequencies beating or slow phasing wave movement..the 914 seems to have more harmonizing accuracy in the decay that rings even and is more full body sounding more down in the lower frequencies, both are very good choices .. I would personally go for the 914 cause it seems to have some taming of dynamics like an acoustic has when applying a compressor lightly but not with that synthetic compressor timbre .. I would prefer a fuller body sound on the low end then just wait it out for the mid and upper frequencies to increase as the sound board breaks in as it ages allowing it to have a more flexible sound board which would give it more ability to articulate the higher frequencies with more definition then I d have fuller body lows and eventually more upper frequencies..thats just me though

[@mrj335]

@@ozguy3393 Hi i am thinking of buying a used 814. Most important for me is that the tone is warm not necessarily bright or toppy. Will the 814 give me that. Of course there is 2 or more grand in the price difference. Thsnk you. Joseph

[@tattooyu]

They both sound pretty amazing with a good player like that, but the 814ce had a honk in the mid/low-mid that I didn't care for. The 914ce seemed to be more balance across the tonal spectrum to my ears, and without that bump in the mid/low-mid, the upper range seemed to sing more, but that's just MY ears. What about yours?

[@locngo]

Even in the same line, same model, each guitar sound different. I have a 914 custom with vine inlay and it feel GREAAAAATTTTTT to play. NT neck makes things so easy and safe as well for future reset

[@hapshan]

The 814 is just so beautiful, that rosewood pick guard is stunning. Sadly I could probably never afford one.

[@letsridehard]

Yes you will, just believe in yourself, if other can do it, so can you 💪

[@aquariushealth]

I have tried and compared both of these guitars. Last week I went to a guitar store to buy the 814ce, but before making the purchase, I asked to try out the 914ce. I could not believe the difference, the 914ce is louder, clearer, and more balanced. Even my friend who knows nothing about guitars noticed the clear difference between the two. I could not get my self to buy the 814ce after this, instead, I decided to save up and buy the 914ce in the near future. I just wish I could compare the k24ce to the 914ce, but unfortunately for me there are no more K24CEs available for sale in Dubai at this moment.

[@craigwickham7963]

You should try it again with a different pair of 814 and 914. Try it blind folded. Two 814s next to each other will have a slightly different sound and feel.

[@JustHonestContent]

Between 6:00 to 6:20 you can clearly hear the difference in sound. I own an 814CE (just a price limitation), but love both.

[@DataTypeX]

About a year ago - I sat in the guitar store and played both of these for about an hour. Left with the 814ce and extremely glad I did!! Price had nothing to do with it. The 814 was just a better sounding guitar. They both played identical. Yea... the 914 is better looking.... but... looks does not trump sound. It's really TOO fancy for my taste.

[@GeroLubovnik]

Tony... I think you got the sound evaluation backwards. The 814 is warmer with more projection while the 914 offers a little more brightness, tighter bass and a big more clarity. That's my experience both from your video and in person.

[@huggyjd]

I like the sound of the 914ce.

[@thomaslau935]

To enjoy these sounds, I suppose to get both rather than making a comparison between the two. Different tones of the guitars fit to different songs while playing. Gratefully, I owe a 810E (Brazilian Rosewood) and 912CE. Both are my lovers.

[@TheRycooder]

always GREAT bids by the way. ....thank you!

[@salabb]

I like how the 814 sounds

[@truleejammin]

I just purchased a new 814 for the sound and looks. No regrets at all. Both are great guitars. The 814 was just a better match than the 914 for me.

[@slowhand500]

The 814ce sounds way better than the 914ce to my Martin ears. I owned a special edition 810, a 510 and a 214L3 and traded them all. They just don't hold up over time. Too lightly built for my taste. IMHO Thanks Tony!

[@pickin4you]

I have to totally agree with you here. I also own Martins and the 814ce sounds much better to me, but still its not a Martin. If I were to own any other guitar, other than martin, and was buying one for great sound, it would be a Taylor.

[@rtgray7]

Don't hold up over time??? First time I've heard that about a Taylor. No doubt we have a Martin snob here. I own Martins and Taylors and like them both but, unless I want to play Bluegrass, I'll take a Taylor over anything. Tat 914 is SCREAMING for the new bracing!

[@rtgray7]

By the way Slowhand, Tony compared 2 Taylors. Not a Taylor and a Martin. If you don't like Taylors, just don't watch the reviews but don't use this as an avenue to espouse your preference of Martins. Some of us do more than flatpick like Martin snobs.

[@pickin4you]

rtgray7 I love my Martins, but if anyone has ever seen the video that comes with each Taylor guitar, and see how they are built, that are built stronger than a Martin. Just do not have that Martin sound, though I do love the sound of quite a few Taylors, and if I had the money, would buy one in a heart beat and it would sit right along side my 2 Martins. Taylors intonation across the strings is a tad better than Martin. You capo a Taylor, and there is no need for adjustment of a string or two. I still love my Martins, but would own any good sounding guitar.

[@pickin4you]

rtgray7 Martin Snob is a tad harsh coming from someone who says they own Martins.

[@mybluemars]

Both these guitars sound great, but for me the 914CE plays a bit smoother. Thank you for posting.

[@Rodneymugz]

Lol, i think the 914ce is just more Cute or beautiful but as in sound i would prefer the 814ce, it is warm while the 914ce is bright

[@grabber_blu_angel]

Honestly I've played all of the 14ces, and I like the sound of the 714ce by far the best. Really like the 214ce too.

[@bambostarla6259]

@David Tirtha The recent 700 series has lutz instead of sitka spruce

[@mkrtgnsr]

I would like to see a comparison between the K 24 CE all koa verses 814

[@briansmith611]

Personally while I ove them both, the 814ce has the sound I'm looking for

[@abigaillynn15]

This guy is funny! Very subtle comedy when he says his name. I really like his reviews.

[@MackDaddyVic]

914 is darker but only a little. Overall both amazing sounding guitars.

[@kaldesjarlais375]

want straight bluegrass flat picken ?, get a d-28 but the 814 is way more versatile, more transparent, clearer -zingier highs for strumming, that's why they're so dam popular

[@danielmartin978]

Awesome reviews guys!! Would you consider doing a Lowden review?

[@AustinAdams]

Thanks for comparison mr richard simmons.

[@dustinbaconflipper]

814ce to me sounds nicer. 914ce is also pretty nice, but sounds darker.

[@donny5429]

In my opinion, they’re quite the same. However, I’m a simple guy that doesn’t want my guitar to be too aesthetically pleasing. If you ask me, I’m taking the 814.

[@stantonkramer2986]

I know Tony said the 914 was darker than the 814. Marty Schwartz says the 614 is darker than the 814. I would disagree. FWIW, the *new* 614 and 914 are similarly voiced the 914 sounding like a 614 on steriods. I've played them all (today) so have 1st hand experience in back to back (to back) comparisons. In both the 914 and 614 there is more presence in the mid range than the 814. They are all great sounding guitars. A lot depends on the voicing you're looking for and the kind of music you play and with whom.

[@dessheehan6468]

I own both of these guitars (by sheer luck of finding the 814ce used at an amazing price). The aspect that is not mentioned here at all is the weight of the 914 vs the 814. When you pick up the 914 you know it's full wood, the 814 is a good bit lighter. The 814 is brighter for sure but the warmth that the 914 has just isn't there. They are both incredible guitars and just because one has a higher model number than the other doesn't mean one out ranks the other at all. Both built for different purposes in my opinion. Any guitar owner should be happy to have either.

[@rickysreviewsandhowtos]

my 2006 fall limited 914ce is heavy compared to most acoustics as well, it's the first thing people mention when they pick it up (although not many get to pick that one up 😂😂)

[@FUNGAFONUA1910]

814ce suits me

[@Xminor79]

On my speakers, the 914 wins. Seems to have a deeper and more clear bottom end.

[@chaslatorre2890]

I agree...914 has a bigger brighter sound on my speakers.

[@NitroAl]

Listen to them on some good quality headphones and you will most likely change your mind

[@Powertuber1000]

The 914 has better mids.

[@markhayes8617]

This was very helpful!!!! Thank you.

[@tweed0929]

814 is a powerhouse.

[@redneckrampage6840]

They both sound like theyre hooked to an amp it’s amazing

[@ianpatterson6202]

The 914 seems a bit brighter, a little less muddy depending what's being played but i am listening to this through computer speakers which i doubt does either of these justice, they both sound great though, good playing too.

[@danijayyy1]

While the 914ce is a bit bassier, the 814ce has more low-mid, which makes it sound fuller to my ears.

[@MuireannBradley]

To my ears there's no contest, the 814 wins hands down, seems to respond a lot better & much punchier & to me sounds fuller with much better projection. The only thing the 914 has over 814 is the gotohs, great tuners! But I wouldn't pay an extra 1000 bucks for them! Unless you really love the inlays on the 914 the 814 is without a doubt the better choice. Another great comparison, thank Tony !!! How about comparing the Gibson Lg2 Americana & the American Eagle next ?Sitka vs Adirondack???

[@AndEis93]

The 814ce looks so much better than the 914ce... I own a 2005 814ce and I love it.

[@karlsmith7016]

I only have a 514ce but it's still really good

[@FollowingFollowers]

814.....looks and sounds better to me......the 914 is too fancy and it screams out "I'm expensive steal me!"

[@aebious8886]

Exactly!

[@saoirsepaddy]

I prefer the sound of 914 ce , I had 2002 910 ce sadly I had to sell it Man I wish I still had it T_T

[@mikeparlett]

Don’t kill me but I think the 814 has a clearer more defined tone than the richer brother. I’m digging it generally over the 914.

[@bambostarla6259]

I kind of prefer the 814ce. Not to mention it is 2000$ cheaper

[@EricRyanSound]

814 has so much more articulation and separation! Wow! #suprised

[@kofiofosu9051]

This 814 sounds better. I just played a 2016 914 that sounded better than a 2020. Each individual guitar is unique

[@sonofjay99]

In two of the clips, I think the 914 sounds a bit richer, but most of the time it sounded a little flatter. I prefer the look of the 814 with the pick guard, and I think the inlays around the body of the 914 look a little gaudy. It looks to me like the 914 is trying to look like a more expensive guitar, not necessarily a better guitar.

[@Bflatest]

I think the difference is the looks not the sound on this particular comparison

[@shahidsarkar3620]

912 ce BE is the best among those. A melody machine with great playability

[@lucas.fernands]

I like 814. It's the better acoustic guitar I already played. Eu gosto do 814. É o melhor violão que ja toquei.

[@derykstearns]

Richard Simmons? I thought you were tony Pollocaster

[@shahidsarkar3620]

816ce BE and 912 ce BE the best among the top liners

[@GeroLubovnik]

I'd love to hear a comparison between the 914ce and 614ce.

[@rosewoodsteel6656]

I prefer the 914. To my ears, it has a more balanced, darker tone.

[@joeherrjr]

I prefer the 914. The 814 sounds more Martin-like to me.

[@brocluno01]

Agreed ... :)

[@samsoceans]

Considering both guitars aren't plugged and the mic is the only source of sound, this comparison really focuses on the REAL quality of the instruments. 814 sounds much better (to my ears). 914 sounds much darker, maybe it's less versatile? I don't know, and I'm not saying it's not a great guitar. 814 is fenomenal. That's awesome. Maybe this video put me on the right direction. ByeBye money :')

[@darrenfearis4220]

This video confirms I prefer the 814ce. Not that I will ever be able to afford one

[@johntaylor6243]

Short shorts...reference to the OTHER Richard Simmons? If you ever wear tiny nylon shorts, I may have to be appalled. Oh yeah good review as usual. I noticed your left knee does quarter notes while the right does whole notes.

[@carl6405]

Nice pickin! Sounds like you have some influence Doc Watson?

[@jazmineyazmin]

Simple: the 914ce is brighter and smoother but if you like the 814ce then go for it

[@shaunmcinnis1960]

Martin up. The 814 sounds better, but I want the 914

[@sayheydude101]

IMO, the 814 is warmer. Anyway, the sound is really dependent on the speakers you're using to listen, so go play 'em.

[@lordjs9726]

I think I prefer the 914ce.

[@robertwhelan4620]

I liked the 814 a lot better.

[@SL-yn2gw]

Agree, and it's much more cheaper

[@brandonkeller478]

the 914 is a bit brighter while the 814 is darker in comparison. It all comes down to personal taste at this point

[@NitroAl]

Richard Simmons? Short shorts? It's the 814ce for me Bro The 914 sounds to me like the low to mid range washes out the high end when finger picking. I would like to hear the 814ce V's a Maton Messiah EM100c or SRS60c

[@jmthonon]

Like 814. More expressive and better dynamic. Sound Alive. 914 more flat.

[@Farhadsadiq]

I think he is Tony polecastro how come he is Richard Simmons :)

[@pramotes3270]

like 814ce

[@taskmaster83]

i heart my 814. but for gigs i use martin drs2.

[@kaldesjarlais375]

814 beast

[@kindface]

814 certainly sounds warmer than the 914

[@mprater86]

Man ... I really think the 814 sounds best.

[@rmoraespinto]

Thanks for the demo. 914 is much zinguier -- which, to me, is bad.

[@dungvuvan7657]

814 nice!

[@CoSmicGoesRacing]

I think either guitar is great. I do not see a clear winner here. There are some songs where the 814 excels at and likewise with the 914. They both have their strong and weak points in tone. I think it comes to preferences.

[@MeeeVsWeee]

814 sounds a little boxy to me compared to the 914 all though both sound great

[@EricRyanSound]

If I get the 814e with the 'performance package' (bone saddle/nut - bracing - goto 5/10) with still have the same clarity, articulation and tone?

[@ColtWKnight]

I much prefer the 814.

[@JayJay-wf2oe]

914ce is definitely better but i still pefer D41 from Martin

[@markstaggs1246]

I Have 22 Subscribers no way not for me I like Taylor's better and I have both

[@JayJay-wf2oe]

@@markstaggs1246 Yeah both are fine guitars

[@oscarleong922]

for me 814 is more warm and qutie more bass and the 914 is more bright and lesser bass

[@a-fox]

Wouldn't the pick guard create a tighter top thus more highs?

[@durdicamac9662]

I think there will be similar difference between two 814ce's or two 914ce's...we are focusing on the something that is not so important...99.9 % of the people that will ever listen to you play don't care about those....I bet that more then half people on the Eric Clapton's concert don't notice when the string on his Stratocaster breaks...

[@slowhand500]

rtgray7, If that was the first time you've heard that about Taylor guitars, you must be very young, deaf or you read the comment section in Wood and Steel. Yes, I think Martin guitars hold up over the years better than Taylor guitars. Why do I think that, and I stress the I in this sentence, because it's my opinion. I'm not a Martin snob. If you want to buy me an 814, I'll take it, but I'm not going to spend my retirement check on one. Like I said before, I've owned 3 Taylors and gave them a chance man, and the last one I bought, I had to send back to Taylor to have a new body put on because my luthier, Bruce Petros, couldn't get the action down to 3/32-2/32 without it buzzing after he put 2 shims under the tongue of the fretboard in the bolt on neck. Taylor has great customer service, I'll give you that much, but their guitars are too lightly built, they are too sensitive to humidity changes, and their neck profiles are too skinny for my playing styles. That's my opinion. I wouldn't buy a Martin Performing Artist Series either because it's Martin's version of a Taylor build. I own and play 3 Martins, a 1973 D-35, a 1994 Custom-15 and a 00015M, and I bought them all brand new. I like Martins because they have a sound and durability that I've never found in the 3 Taylors I've owned. It's not like I didn't give Taylors a try. The 810 I owned sounded great, had an Engleman spruce top, but after a couple of years it was a mess. The top would go up and down with the weather even though I kept it cased with proper humidification. My favorite was the 510 but I had the same problems with it and like I said before I had to send the 2002- 214L3E, solid sapele back and spruce top back to Taylor just to get it to play right. Look, Martins and Taylors are 2 different animals. I not only want a guitar to sound good but I want it built so it will last for 75 to 100 years. That's what I get in a Martin. Walk into any guitar store that has some used Taylors for sale and tell me if you can find one without enough flaws (usually a sunken top and high action) and tell me if you'd buy one. Martin snob....No. The reason I play Martins is that they are usually well built 99.99% of the time, they have a certain sound and feel that suits my plying style and they are built to last. End of story.

[@rtgray7]

MOST everything you have stated here is BS and YOUR opinion as you say. I won't waste anymore of my time on you after this but your flippin lying about the quality of Taylor and you know it. Taylors are BY FAR the easiest guitars to adjust and repair. You have let your emotions get in the way here. Do some research-and not on a Martin Snob Forum. You just keep pickin your Bluegrass and playin your Martins only. If you want a loud, antique looking, big bass sound to cut through a banjo, get you a freakin Martin! Whoowee!! If you want a versatile, easy to play, great looking and all around great sounding guitar, get a Taylor. SIMPLE. By the way, I'm in my forties and my Martins are a D2-R that I learned to play on and wouldn't sell it for nothing. Also a D28 which sounds awesome. BUT I have a 416, 514 and 812 Taylor and I'll take the 812 and 514 over either Martin. I would rate the D28 next. The 416 and the D2-R are a push. Don't waster your time responding as I will not read your closed minded gibberish...

[@slowhand500]

rtgray7 OK, I won't respond. It's all a matter of preference. I don't only own Martin dreadnoughts, I have 000's an OM styles too. From my standpoint, I just don't like Taylors after owning 3 of them. I just didn't bond with those guitars. You get it, don't you? I got an email of your reply, so I replied.

[@sexycheeseburgernameisfort8320]

slowhand500 fuck that's a paragraph... I ain't reading that

[@JimLBon]

Richard, you’ve changed...