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Taylor Gold Label 814e: A Familiar Classic, Refined
The Taylor Gold Label Collection grabbed our attention immediately with its tone, but like any great Taylor, the visual impact is just as striking. Among the Gold Label models we’ve brought into Vera Guitars, one stands out every time it comes off the wall: our first Taylor Gold Label 814e, featuring a beautifully bookmatched Honduran rosewood back that never fails to stop people mid-conversation.
Spin the guitar around, and the reaction is instant.
So what is it about this particular 814e that makes it such a standout? The short answer is simple: everything works together. Design, materials, playability, and tone all land exactly where you want them to. Let’s take a closer look.
A New Take on Taylor’s Most Iconic Shape
One of the defining features of the Gold Label 800 Series is the introduction of a new body shape: the Super Auditorium.
The original Grand Auditorium is arguably Taylor’s most influential design. Introduced in the early 1990s, it bridged the gap between dreadnought power and OM balance, becoming a go-to shape for players across virtually every style.
With the Gold Label 800 Series, Taylor subtly expands on that idea. The Super Auditorium increases the body dimensions slightly—just under a quarter inch in both length and width—while retaining the familiar depth of the Grand Auditorium. The result is a guitar that feels immediately familiar, yet noticeably more expansive.
Tonally, the Super Auditorium offers a warmer, louder voice than the standard 814ce, with added low-end presence that enhances the overall complexity of the sound. Importantly, it does this without sacrificing the clarity and top-end shimmer that define Taylor acoustics.
Taylor Gold Label 814e – Key Specifications
Body: Super Auditorium
Top: Torrefied Sitka Spruce
Back & Sides: Honduran Rosewood
Neck: Neo-Tropical Mahogany
Neck Profile: Taylor Standard Carve
Scale Length: 25.5"
Nut Width: 1.75"
Fretboard: West African Crelicam Ebony
Bracing: Fanned V-Class
Electronics: LR Baggs Element VTC
Finish: Gloss (Natural or Sunburst)
Premium appointments include a long-tenon neck joint, antique chrome Gotoh 510 tuners with ebony buttons, grained ivoroid binding, mother-of-pearl Continental inlays, and a deluxe hardshell case.
Thoughtful Design Choices
One of the most notable decisions in the Gold Label Collection is the move to the LR Baggs Element VTC pickup system in place of Taylor’s Expression System. While the Expression System remains one of the strongest proprietary acoustic pickups available, LR Baggs is widely regarded as an industry benchmark.
The Element VTC delivers a natural, high-fidelity amplified tone with simple soundhole-mounted volume and tone controls. An onboard compressor subtly manages low-end response, keeping the signal clean and balanced when plugged in.
All of these details contribute to an instrument that feels refined, responsive, and thoughtfully built—very much in line with the best work to come out of El Cajon.
How Does It Sound?
The torrefied Sitka spruce top plays a key role in the Gold Label 814e’s voice. Torrefaction enhances responsiveness and articulation, especially in the upper midrange where pick attack lives, while smoothing the highs and tightening the low end.
Paired with Taylor’s Fanned V-Class bracing, the Honduran rosewood really gets to shine. Compared to Indian rosewood, Honduran rosewood tends to be a bit more controlled and balanced, offering tight low end, clear mids, and a firm, polished treble—an ideal match for Taylor’s tonal identity.
The neck is exactly what players expect from Taylor: effortless, smooth, and comfortable. The wider nut width favors fingerstyle players, while the full 25.5" scale length keeps string tension lively for strumming. The Crelicam ebony fingerboard adds a smooth, premium feel under the fingers.
Whether played lightly or driven hard, the Gold Label 814e remains balanced across the frequency range, with strong projection and excellent dynamic response. Plugged in, the LR Baggs system faithfully captures the guitar’s natural tone without coloration or hype.
Final Thoughts
If the standard Taylor 814ce has earned its reputation as one of the most versatile acoustic guitars ever made, the Taylor Gold Label 814e deserves a seat right beside it. This model builds on everything players already love, adding warmth, depth, and refinement through thoughtful design updates.
Yes, it’s slightly larger than a traditional Grand Auditorium and carries a bit more weight thanks to its dense Honduran rosewood construction—but those traits directly contribute to its fuller, more authoritative voice.
This is a guitar for players who want classic Taylor balance with added richness and power, both unplugged and amplified.
If you’d like to experience the Gold Label difference for yourself, stop by Vera Guitars in Charlotte, North Carolina, and spend some time with this exceptional instrument. Once you hear it—and see that stunning rosewood back in person—it’s hard not to fall for it.
Gold Label 814e Sunburst
$4,699.00
The Taylor Gold Label 814e Sunburst redefines what a high-end acoustic-electric can be, balancing master-grade tonewoods, boutique construction, and studio-ready tone in one of Taylor’s most celebrated body shapes. Finished in a glowing hand-rubbed sunburst, this guitar delivers a rich… read more
