I like the 114 better for fingerpicking and the 214 better for strumming. You can tell the difference in Sepele and Rosewood. The Rosewood was “hollowed” out in the mid range but had a warm base. The sepele really brought out the mid range. Depends what you need the guitar for. The hollowed mid range of the 214 is good for singing over since the voice is a mid range instrument. The 114 is good when you want the guitar to be the main “voice” of a song.
@@fabieng6864 Yesterday I was able to play the 214ce and 114ce back to back, and the tonal difference was from my point of view quite negligible. They felt very similar and the 214 mainly had more "eye candy". So it definitely looked better and sounded maybe a little different. And I also played the Academy 12e and again it sounded very similar. With the 314 and upwards the difference in tone became more drastic. But they're way out of my budget. And given that I played a lot of acoustic guitars and the Academy was by far the most comfortable to play and sounded good through my amp (Roland AC 33) I definitely will get the Academy 12e for Christmas. The GS Mini was too much of a compromise sound wise, but it's amazing to play, it's small, it's super comfy, it's easy to carry and the sound through the amp was very, very good. But only with the upgraded Koa version with the ES2 System on board. And this one is 1099 €...
I love both of these guitars, but the 114ce definitely gets my vote. During my recording, the 114ce articulates every note so perfectly! 214 is however much better for live performance. They both feel and play exactly the same.
I definitely expected to like the 214ce better, but the 114ce's sweet midrange won me over. I've always been a mahogany fan, so I guess that holds true, even in laminates. Great job, as always, Tony.
Agree. I'm surprised at the number of comments in favor of the 114. They are very similar, but the 214 sounds like a more expensive guitar to my ears. Not saying that expensive always equals better, but......
I preferred laminate guitars when I first started playing too. You can't recreate rich resonant tones from laminate wood though, brightness is a different story.
Actually you CAN get rich resonant tones from laminate and I defy almost anyone to hear the difference. I tried 214s, 314s, 414s, and 514s. The 214 I bought sounded BETTER than all of the 314s and 414s and one of the 515s. Every guitar is unique. The 114 in this video sounds more like a Martin than a Taylor. Look at the tone knobs in this video... lol. When you play them yourself side by side in a practice room, the difference from the 114 is staggering, but from the 214-515 the differences become far more subtle. And I have owned most major brands except Gibson.
From my ears, it sounds like the 114CE each string had more brightness and definition, but it could get jangly at times The 214CE each string sounded more mellow, but individual strings could get lost in the tones of other strings. Neither produced a "bad" sound, just overall different.
100% agree on the brightness of the 114CE. Both sound great if you're looking for a solid acoustic. Not sure you can go wrong if you just want something to play on and nothing top end.
I bougth the 214e today, i played back and forth between the 114e and 214e, the 214e spoke alot more to me, it was brigther and more responsive to my ears :)
I'm such the strummer, so I like the 214ce's "darker" sound. The 114ce sounded slightly "abrasive" when it was being strummed hard, but that's just me!
Thank you so much for such a well produced, mic'd, performed demo! I've been considering one or the other and this was very informative. I have more of an opened mind now.
If it comes down to how to they sound the 214 has a softer, fuller, and more mellow contemporary tone. While the 114 has stronger, raspy, folk style to it. So its not which one is better its what type of sound do you want? And from experience the fuller and softer the guitar can be the more expensive the price tag.
Actually...the 114 has a better balance...IMO the 214 sounds a bit muddy due to the mushy bass. The 114 has better string to string separation and seems louder. But it could just be the example of the materials. You could play 3 or 4 of the same model and due to the top spruce wood choices there will be some that sound better than others. Every tree is different... fact of life!!
214 is a very slightly richer tone but it gets lost in the mix more when playing with others, I own the 114 and it's wonderful enough, if I was to upgrade I'd go a level higher than the 214 as the difference is minimal and the 114 is a better group instrument as it cuts through the mix better.
I think for me the 214 has a more mellow fuller sound. Rings better with my voice. Different strokes for different folks tho. Can’t go wrong with a Taylor.
They both sound great...wouldn't mind owning both for different uses, but overall, for my playing style I think the 114 fits what I do better (I tend to like a twangy, low end snap for single note picking and arpeggios). Thanks for the comparison vid. Very well done. : )
Just a followup...I picked up a 114 without the cutaway a couple of weeks ago...I haven't been this happy with an acoustic purchase since I bought a Martin HD-28 a few years back. It's a different beast, obviously, but I can't believe the build and sound quality from the Taylor considering it's price. I've payed a lot more for guitars I wasn't nearly as happy with. I'm a fan. :)
I preferred the 114 for finger picking because it seemed to be brighter and had more clarity. For strumming I preferred the 214 since it had a warmer tone and wasn't as brash.
A couple of years ago, I was about to buy a 214ce, but I tried both a 114ce and a 214ce at a local Guitar Center. Then, the 114ce sounded louder to me probably because the coating on the 214 made it sound quieter. So I picked the 114ce. And I heard the "wood" sound from the 114's body more than the 214, which is another reason why I picked the 114ce. Mine is a updated version and has walnut laminated wood on the body, though. But whenever I play guitar on stage I use the pickup, so the sound difference doesn't really matter, but I'm happy with my 114ce now. It's a matter of my satisfaction, I guess.
I wanna buy an acoustic guitar for my studio I have around 1000 dollars, can anyone recommend me which is the best guitar of this budget to record in studio pop songs?
I went to Guitar Center the other day and a/b'ed both of these guitars back and forth. I wanted to like the 114ce more, or at least the same, but the 214ce was so much more rewarding to play. The 114ce was good, but lacked articulation and low end in comparison
I went to the Guitar Center today and tried them both. I agree with this comment. Seems like the mid is lacking in the 114 which would explain why some people hear the pronounced bass and treble. That's because the midrange is missing.
I've always preferred darker, nylon-esque tones from steel string guitars. For that purpose, the 214 is closer to what I'm after. Regardless, both sound gorgeous.
I prefer the 114 simply because I'm listening with a mix engineer's ear. I think having a more pronounced midrange and less low end is going to make it way easier to fit into a mix. I don't really care what the guitar sounds like by itself because I rarely intend to use it that way.
Good job. I think that the sound difference is so minute that it does not matter. Playing style and mic placement were very controlled here, but the smallest variation in either would make more of a difference that the tone of the wood. The choice comes down to looks.
Do you use the same mic for all your videos? I am also interested in the Martin DCPA5K but I just want to make sure the sound test is fair so I can compare them.
214 is just smoother and nicer to the ear. The 114 is bright and that doesnt help the cause on the higher strings. A bit sharp on the ear. 214 is perfect.
When he was just playing open chords, I really liked the 114ce. I don't primarily play acoustic, I use it here and there to add something to songs, and to me, the 114ce has that sound I'm looking for when there's a rock song and I need the acoustic to provide a little accent.
I know it's not to do with the sound but personally I much prefer the matte finish top to the gloss finish top. Makes it feel less tacky in my opinion. Also helps reduce fingerprints
Hi nice demo of both models.Are these models both considered small body acoustic guitars? They're the only types of acoustic models I can play. Iam looking to purchase a taylor soon.Thanks
Neck on 114 is slimmer and easier to play. I also preferred it for fingerpicking. More high end on the notes, easier to hear. 214 is also good, but not as good for fingerstyle.
I chose the 114CE over the 214. Much of my decision was due to my Martin D18 sounding so similar to the 214. I actually prefer the sound of the 114 for the more bluegrass style that I play these days. These are both incredible Taylor instruments and the prices are more than fair. Good luck everyone.
I agree in this video, I totally experienced playing the both of them the 214ce just feels more comfortable than 114ce more warmer when you strum it, but since I'm into plucking ng lead playing I like the 114ce better, its just so clear & crisp that could definitely cut through the mix when playing it in a band setting.
I tried both of these at guitar center few weeks ago. The 214 feels better in the hands. The neck is smoother if you play with your palms against the neck. The fret board is smoother. It just feels like liquid in the lap. BUT the 114 just sounds downright better. The differences between the two in real life and in this video compare pretty well. Coming from someone who has tried both, you can trust the audio of this video.
In some very small ways I actually felt that the 214 sounded worse. It's an incredibly small difference. In some ways the 214 was superior, but there was almost this kind of slight trebly variation or lack thereof between them which could have just been a knob slightly turned up (or down) on one by a few percent.
I ABed both these today. I preferred the feel on the 114. The deep end sound was better on the 214 but I still preferred the 114. It comes down to taste. I couldn't tell them apart by ear alone.
It's not really a fair comparison. All guitars are unique--especially ones made of wood (as opposed to carbon fiber or w/e). There can be lesser good 114s than other 114s and same thing with 214s. After my last experience I will never order a guitar over the net to save sales tax. If you find a good one in a store that knocks you out--get that one. You can get stung by thinking they're so much the same you can order them. My 210CE came with a defective power supply (besides not knocking me out like the one I played in the store).
If all guitars - even the same model - are unique, why bother do any comparisons at all? Not every one can tell every nuance of different guitars, nor care that much. I found his Mahog Vs Spruce vid to produce very similar sounding guitars. Can't split these two. If you have to listen that hard to hear a difference, it ain't worth hearing...
To me the 114ce sounds just a tad darker over all, where the 214ce was a bit more resonant and crisp over all. Both sounded very good so I believe that the choices here would be one of what types of music you intend to play. I'm also wondering how each one would sound amped. (The "e" in the "ce"). The choice of amps and equalization can make a world of difference for any decent instrument.
Thanks mate for answering my question.. one follow up.. how about if you compare a 114ce vs a GS mini.. i dont know if its just me but i find 114ce sounding thin.. and the GS mini is like much more bolder.. any thoughts of this? THANKS MAN!
I would go with the 114e (not ce), no cutaway that most people will never use. I prefer my guitar body to not be amputated. Also much prefer the Satin finish. I found a mint 314e for $450 on Facebook Marketplace 😮. It’s awesome.
my 214ce is all satin finish, and anyone that knows guitars knows that the back and sides dont make any difference but the tops sure do even martin guitars admited that tonewood is not a really a real thing at all. other then the top that matters the most as well as body style and dimensions and of course the stings you use also make a huge impact on the sound of the guitar..
I actually just bought the 114e (No cutaway) and Tried both of them. The 214 was in person exactly as this video describes as having slightly more low end. I liked the brightness and matte finish of the 114 but theyre both amazing guitars
Ok... nice review! But, my friend what about if you set the bass/middles/highs nobs the same way in both guitars? So we can listen the different when they are set equally. Just saying!
Up front I have to say more crisp - clearer and sharper / brighter sound on 114ce compared to 214ce wich sounded more bassy, subdued and warmer! But hearing can appear different from person to person sometimes, but for me its no doubt in my soul, ears and mind I definitely do like 114ce more. In short it is better balanced from the sound you get from it!
Noticed that you had the guitars mic'd, Could you demo it with the electric? I am searching for an acoustic (under a $1000) where I could do live gigs with. I recently played a gig with my Martin HD28 (no pick up installed, don't want one) and I used a Dean Markley pickup but the cable got in the way. So I am looking for a performing guitar to play at clubs with. I love my Martin and don't want to put a pickup in it. thanks
What is the price for 114ce ? How much more for the 214ce ? I like everything about these guitars. They are not bulky and fat like a dreadnought but not too small like a 00. They are the best of both worlds. 114ce sounds a bit louder and brighter. 214ce has a rounder tone with more low mids, more dread alike without making the shoulder of picking hand uncomfortable (aplies for both).
They both sound good, and their sound is super similar. So if you could get a deal on either, it would be a good buy. My preference is the 114CE between what I heard here. The 114 seems to project a little louder, that may be the lack of finishing on the soundboard, and it also sounds more bright and present than the 214.
I too play almost exclusively finger style, kept dropping pick in hole when I was a kid. IN THE MARKET for an nice inexpensive axe that's easy to bar & hold down a note quick & clean. I assume price escalates with model # any suggestions ?
I'd like to add electronics to a Taylor 114. I'd like to add 'onboard' pickups - I don't want just a soundhole pickup. This is for my daughter so she can start to learn 'coffeeshop' type playing for a small audience. For now, she'd be plugged into a Fender Frontman 25R. Any recommendations?
What do you think much better for strumming and little riffs with this two?? really having a hard time thinking what to get.. Hope you guys can help me..
Hi wt u recommend? I am spending $1000. I have option of Taylor 114e and Yamaha AC3M. But I like Yamaha AC3M Piezo pickup sound which is not in taylor.
The 214ce has a lower, more punchy tone, where as the 114ce has a brighter and lighter tone in my opinion. I don't let videos decide my purchase, but they do help me decide which I think sounds better.
That's a well made comparison. The 214 sounds beautiful but also it sorta reminds me my yamaha a3r that I've sold to buy the 114. The a3r was screaming quality and finish perfection but it didn't have that crispiness and snappiness I wanted from an acoustic, in other way it was too well behaving ;) The 114 all the way for me in this video but I guess it's all up to personal preferences, as other comments clearly indicate. Thanks for the vid!
I like the 114 better for fingerpicking and the 214 better for strumming. You can tell the difference in Sepele and Rosewood. The Rosewood was “hollowed” out in the mid range but had a warm base. The sepele really brought out the mid range. Depends what you need the guitar for. The hollowed mid range of the 214 is good for singing over since the voice is a mid range instrument. The 114 is good when you want the guitar to be the main “voice” of a song.
Damn, I would love to have a 214CE but with the satin finish of the 114.
Both are laminated on the back 🧐🧐🧐no difference !!!
@@fabieng6864 Yesterday I was able to play the 214ce and 114ce back to back, and the tonal difference was from my point of view quite negligible. They felt very similar and the 214 mainly had more "eye candy". So it definitely looked better and sounded maybe a little different. And I also played the Academy 12e and again it sounded very similar. With the 314 and upwards the difference in tone became more drastic. But they're way out of my budget. And given that I played a lot of acoustic guitars and the Academy was by far the most comfortable to play and sounded good through my amp (Roland AC 33) I definitely will get the Academy 12e for Christmas. The GS Mini was too much of a compromise sound wise, but it's amazing to play, it's small, it's super comfy, it's easy to carry and the sound through the amp was very, very good. But only with the upgraded Koa version with the ES2 System on board. And this one is 1099 €...
I love the brightness of the 114CE, hence I got one! The 214CE sounds warmer and mellow, not bad at all, like all Taylors
difference is very small
114ce sounds a little "brighter"
For me 114ce sounds better
I agree. 114E has brighter sound
I love both of these guitars, but the 114ce definitely gets my vote. During my recording, the 114ce articulates every note so perfectly! 214 is however much better for live performance. They both feel and play exactly the same.
I'm hurting myself, why am i always watching Taylor guitar Review even though i can't afford to buy it even the cheapest one😢
LakeRouge 9 I feel you 😞
You are not alone
Save, im saving up right now
I’ve been saving for months and months and I’m close to getting one finally.
me too. :(
I definitely expected to like the 214ce better, but the 114ce's sweet midrange won me over. I've always been a mahogany fan, so I guess that holds true, even in laminates. Great job, as always, Tony.
214ce has a warmer fuller tone. The 114 is thinner and brighter. It still sounds good, but the 214 is definitely the better sounding guitar.
Agree. I'm surprised at the number of comments in favor of the 114. They are very similar, but the 214 sounds like a more expensive guitar to my ears. Not saying that expensive always equals better, but......
@@shawnsnow6413 114 definitely sounded better, i like a nice bright tone. I'm not debating the price difference but a warmer tone sounds cheaper to me
I preferred laminate guitars when I first started playing too. You can't recreate rich resonant tones from laminate wood though, brightness is a different story.
Actually you CAN get rich resonant tones from laminate and I defy almost anyone to hear the difference. I tried 214s, 314s, 414s, and 514s. The 214 I bought sounded BETTER than all of the 314s and 414s and one of the 515s. Every guitar is unique. The 114 in this video sounds more like a Martin than a Taylor. Look at the tone knobs in this video... lol. When you play them yourself side by side in a practice room, the difference from the 114 is staggering, but from the 214-515 the differences become far more subtle. And I have owned most major brands except Gibson.
@@petertrast yup
From my ears, it sounds like the 114CE each string had more brightness and definition, but it could get jangly at times
The 214CE each string sounded more mellow, but individual strings could get lost in the tones of other strings.
Neither produced a "bad" sound, just overall different.
100% agree on the brightness of the 114CE. Both sound great if you're looking for a solid acoustic. Not sure you can go wrong if you just want something to play on and nothing top end.
I bougth the 214e today, i played back and forth between the 114e and 214e, the 214e spoke alot more to me, it was brigther and more responsive to my ears :)
Master Obi Wan, cheers from Brazil
I'm such the strummer, so I like the 214ce's "darker" sound.
The 114ce sounded slightly "abrasive" when it was being strummed hard, but that's just me!
And me
Yall are awesome, bought my 114ce after I watched the review!
Thanks so much for your review! I just bought a 114. LOVE the sound, and the articulation of each string!
214CE sounds feel so good...
The 214 has a sweetness in the tone that the 114 doesn't. The 114 doesn't sound bad....it's just a matter of taste!
Getting the 114e tomorrow So nice and bright. Fills rooms
how was it after 5yrs
How is it after 8 years?
Thank you so much for such a well produced, mic'd, performed demo! I've been considering one or the other and this was very informative. I have more of an opened mind now.
Thanks a ton for all your reviews and initiatives Tony! They have been more than helpful. Keep up the great work bro!
I prefer the 114's tone, especially for the finger-picking. The 214 just sounded a bit too muddy to me.
Same
All gloss sounds muddy, satin/matte finish will always sound more open in any price range because the wood can breath, unlike full glossed body..
I agree
I feel the opposite. I guess I like mud.
Hello! Is there a difference in the comfort and hardness of the left hand for fingerpicking? Thanks a so much!
If it comes down to how to they sound the 214 has a softer, fuller, and more mellow contemporary tone. While the 114 has stronger, raspy, folk style to it. So its not which one is better its what type of sound do you want? And from experience the fuller and softer the guitar can be the more expensive the price tag.
for me, 214ce made a clean sweep. I have beed considering about both 2 models, but now I know that I definetely love the sweeter one.
Actually...the 114 has a better balance...IMO the 214 sounds a bit muddy due to the mushy bass. The 114 has better string to string separation and seems louder. But it could just be the example of the materials. You could play 3 or 4 of the same model and due to the top spruce wood choices there will be some that sound better than others. Every tree is different... fact of life!!
This might be a stupid question, but what song is played at 2:50? It sounds so familiar, I just can't think of the name.
I'm wondering too - would be nice if someone could answer this,
214 is a very slightly richer tone but it gets lost in the mix more when playing with others, I own the 114 and it's wonderful enough, if I was to upgrade I'd go a level higher than the 214 as the difference is minimal and the 114 is a better group instrument as it cuts through the mix better.
I don't think the price difference justifies the VERY slight sound difference. 114 = Winner
They also look slightly different. The binding, headstock, back and sides, and finish is different. Sometimes it's not always about the sound
Yeah, for sure Alex. I agree
Yep
I think for me the 214 has a more mellow fuller sound. Rings better with my voice. Different strokes for different folks tho. Can’t go wrong with a Taylor.
Sounds like someone is tone deaf lol 214
This video is 10 years old. I don't know how these models may have changed but does this still reflect the difference to any extent?
Love my 114ce, sounds great, even for a "bottom" line Taylor at $850
I'm from the future and it's 1k now 😢
I actually liked both, but for me 114ce is much more crisp and bright.. I'd go with 114
What are the names of the songs your are playing in the demonstration?
They both sound great...wouldn't mind owning both for different uses, but overall, for my playing style I think the 114 fits what I do better (I tend to like a twangy, low end snap for single note picking and arpeggios). Thanks for the comparison vid. Very well done. : )
Just a followup...I picked up a 114 without the cutaway a couple of weeks ago...I haven't been this happy with an acoustic purchase since I bought a Martin HD-28 a few years back. It's a different beast, obviously, but I can't believe the build and sound quality from the Taylor considering it's price. I've payed a lot more for guitars I wasn't nearly as happy with. I'm a fan. :)
I preferred the 114 for finger picking because it seemed to be brighter and had more clarity. For strumming I preferred the 214 since it had a warmer tone and wasn't as brash.
The 214 has a more bassy rounder sound with slight more separation between notes
That is what sold me on the 214. Love that deep bass and more unique tones if each string especially in the fingerstyle.
A couple of years ago, I was about to buy a 214ce, but I tried both a 114ce and a 214ce at a local Guitar Center. Then, the 114ce sounded louder to me probably because the coating on the 214 made it sound quieter. So I picked the 114ce. And I heard the "wood" sound from the 114's body more than the 214, which is another reason why I picked the 114ce. Mine is a updated version and has walnut laminated wood on the body, though. But whenever I play guitar on stage I use the pickup, so the sound difference doesn't really matter, but I'm happy with my 114ce now. It's a matter of my satisfaction, I guess.
I wanna buy an acoustic guitar for my studio I have around 1000 dollars, can anyone recommend me which is the best guitar of this budget to record in studio pop songs?
DeltaRecords he's got a nice video review of his top
What is the song you play at 2:50 mark of video? Have heard other people use it and really enjoy it.
I went to Guitar Center the other day and a/b'ed both of these guitars back and forth. I wanted to like the 114ce more, or at least the same, but the 214ce was so much more rewarding to play. The 114ce was good, but lacked articulation and low end in comparison
I went to the Guitar Center today and tried them both. I agree with this comment. Seems like the mid is lacking in the 114 which would explain why some people hear the pronounced bass and treble. That's because the midrange is missing.
David Griffis Yes!
I've always preferred darker, nylon-esque tones from steel string guitars. For that purpose, the 214 is closer to what I'm after. Regardless, both sound gorgeous.
The higher strings in 214 blend better with the rest of the chord. In 114 they're just too loud
I think that’s mic placement.
A couple of times I thought the 214 sounded better, but most of the time I couldn't tell the difference.
I have some nice microlab speakers on my pc.
114 definitely sounds brighter/crispier and the tones are more distinct vs the 214, which is warmer and muddier in terms of it's sound.
I prefer the 114 simply because I'm listening with a mix engineer's ear. I think having a more pronounced midrange and less low end is going to make it way easier to fit into a mix. I don't really care what the guitar sounds like by itself because I rarely intend to use it that way.
great review, you saved me some $$$ and opened my ears to how much I like the evenness of the bass-mid-high on the 114.
Good job. I think that the sound difference is so minute that it does not matter. Playing style and mic placement were very controlled here, but the smallest variation in either would make more of a difference that the tone of the wood. The choice comes down to looks.
Do you use the same mic for all your videos? I am also interested in the Martin DCPA5K but I just want to make sure the sound test is fair so I can compare them.
214 is just smoother and nicer to the ear. The 114 is bright and that doesnt help the cause on the higher strings. A bit sharp on the ear. 214 is perfect.
I have a 214ce-k and I feel like the 214ce just sounds a bit more rich than the 114 but it's all personal preference and they all sound great!
I picked up a 114ce for $500 used that was in new condition. Couldn't pass it up. I love it. I sits nicely next my Martin GPCX.
When he was just playing open chords, I really liked the 114ce. I don't primarily play acoustic, I use it here and there to add something to songs, and to me, the 114ce has that sound I'm looking for when there's a rock song and I need the acoustic to provide a little accent.
114 sounds brighter so i think its more what you were looking for cuz its able to cut through the mix better
I can only here a subtle difference between the two. They both sound great. If I had two pick one, I would pick the 114ce.
I know it's not to do with the sound but personally I much prefer the matte finish top to the gloss finish top. Makes it feel less tacky in my opinion. Also helps reduce fingerprints
Just bought the 114. Seems to have a brighter tone and I don't like the white trim around the body on the 214 and the gloss finish.
Hi nice demo of both models.Are these models both considered small body acoustic guitars? They're the only types of acoustic models I can play. Iam looking to purchase a taylor soon.Thanks
I would consider these both medium body guitars.... -Chad
Neck on 114 is slimmer and easier to play. I also preferred it for fingerpicking. More high end on the notes, easier to hear. 214 is also good, but not as good for fingerstyle.
214 sounds a tad warmer
I chose the 114CE over the 214. Much of my decision was due to my Martin D18 sounding so similar to the 214. I actually prefer the sound of the 114 for the more bluegrass style that I play these days. These are both incredible Taylor instruments and the prices are more than fair. Good luck everyone.
I agree in this video, I totally experienced playing the both of them the 214ce just feels more comfortable than 114ce more warmer when you strum it, but since I'm into plucking ng lead playing I like the 114ce better, its just so clear & crisp that could definitely cut through the mix when playing it in a band setting.
Thank you for a very good comparison of these two guitars; very helpful insight.
Just got a 114ce today love it! Great sounding acoustic and feel
Great video. We have both in my house - a 214ce and a 114 (noncutaway). I think the 114 is sweet.
I tried both of these at guitar center few weeks ago. The 214 feels better in the hands. The neck is smoother if you play with your palms against the neck. The fret board is smoother. It just feels like liquid in the lap. BUT the 114 just sounds downright better. The differences between the two in real life and in this video compare pretty well. Coming from someone who has tried both, you can trust the audio of this video.
In my opinion there is a HUGE difference. The 214 is just a fuller, richer sound. And I'm buying a 214 tomorrow. Yes!!!!!
In some very small ways I actually felt that the 214 sounded worse. It's an incredibly small difference. In some ways the 214 was superior, but there was almost this kind of slight trebly variation or lack thereof between them which could have just been a knob slightly turned up (or down) on one by a few percent.
i would go with the 214....sounds warmer :-)
I think so
Thanks so much for the helpful comparison!
That was exactly what I was looking for :)
I ABed both these today. I preferred the feel on the 114. The deep end sound was better on the 214 but I still preferred the 114. It comes down to taste. I couldn't tell them apart by ear alone.
The 114 definitely sounds brighter and much more rich
It's not really a fair comparison. All guitars are unique--especially ones made of wood (as opposed to carbon fiber or w/e). There can be lesser good 114s than other 114s and same thing with 214s. After my last experience I will never order a guitar over the net to save sales tax. If you find a good one in a store that knocks you out--get that one. You can get stung by thinking they're so much the same you can order them. My 210CE came with a defective power supply (besides not knocking me out like the one I played in the store).
If all guitars - even the same model - are unique, why bother do any comparisons at all? Not every one can tell every nuance of different guitars, nor care that much. I found his Mahog Vs Spruce vid to produce very similar sounding guitars. Can't split these two. If you have to listen that hard to hear a difference, it ain't worth hearing...
To me the 114ce sounds just a tad darker over all, where the 214ce was a bit more resonant and crisp over all. Both sounded very good so I believe that the choices here would be one of what types of music you intend to play. I'm also wondering how each one would sound amped. (The "e" in the "ce"). The choice of amps and equalization can make a world of difference for any decent instrument.
Great comparison! Your commentary is spot on - the 114 is a bit more middy than the 214.... a little more "in your face".. and I like that :)
Thanks mate for answering my question.. one follow up.. how about if you compare a 114ce vs a GS mini.. i dont know if its just me but i find 114ce sounding thin.. and the GS mini is like much more bolder.. any thoughts of this? THANKS MAN!
I would go with the 114e (not ce), no cutaway that most people will never use. I prefer my guitar body to not be amputated. Also much prefer the Satin finish. I found a mint 314e for $450 on Facebook Marketplace 😮. It’s awesome.
Which one should you choose if you could get them at the same price?
my 214ce is all satin finish, and anyone that knows guitars knows that the back and sides dont make any difference but the tops sure do even martin guitars admited that tonewood is not a really a real thing at all. other then the top that matters the most as well as body style and dimensions and of course the stings you use also make a huge impact on the sound of the guitar..
What's that song at 2:16?! It's so good o.o
I actually just bought the 114e (No cutaway) and Tried both of them. The 214 was in person exactly as this video describes as having slightly more low end. I liked the brightness and matte finish of the 114 but theyre both amazing guitars
I like the 114CE especially the fingerpicking
Ok... nice review! But, my friend what about if you set the bass/middles/highs nobs the same way in both guitars? So we can listen the different when they are set equally. Just saying!
Its the 114 for me, its just so bright
I think I prefer the forward mids of the 114, just a really articulate sound. I own a 114 by the way, so that was my choice.
Which is the better deal? An excellent condition used 214 with a hard case or a new 114 with a gig bag for the same price.
Up front I have to say more crisp - clearer and sharper / brighter sound on 114ce compared to 214ce wich sounded more bassy, subdued and warmer! But hearing can appear different from person to person sometimes, but for me its no doubt in my soul, ears and mind I definitely do like 114ce more. In short it is better balanced from the sound you get from it!
Noticed that you had the guitars mic'd, Could you demo it with the electric? I am searching for an acoustic (under a $1000) where I could do live gigs with. I recently played a gig with my Martin HD28 (no pick up installed, don't want one) and I used a Dean Markley pickup but the cable got in the way. So I am looking for a performing guitar to play at clubs with. I love my Martin and don't want to put a pickup in it. thanks
I noticed the 2017 Taylor 114ce now has a black pick guard. Do you know if there are any other changes made to this newest model?
The Taylor 214ce has a smoother sound. If you are recording/performing It is definitely worth the extra $$$
Exactly as you said. I love the bright mids of the 114ce, my next guitar.
What is the price for 114ce ? How much more for the 214ce ? I like everything about these guitars. They are not bulky and fat like a dreadnought but not too small like a 00. They are the best of both worlds. 114ce sounds a bit louder and brighter. 214ce has a rounder tone with more low mids, more dread alike without making the shoulder of picking hand uncomfortable (aplies for both).
Currently about $800 for 114ce and $1100 for 214ce.
They both sound good, and their sound is super similar. So if you could get a deal on either, it would be a good buy.
My preference is the 114CE between what I heard here. The 114 seems to project a little louder, that may be the lack of finishing on the soundboard, and it also sounds more bright and present than the 214.
like the warmer sound of the 214, I myself have a bright sounding guitar which I personally don't really like for fingerstyle picking
I too play almost exclusively finger style, kept dropping pick in hole when I was a kid. IN THE MARKET for an nice inexpensive axe that's easy to bar & hold down a note quick & clean. I assume price escalates with model # any suggestions ?
Like the review except for not plugging them in.. Do they both have same pickup?
+jordanblake17 Yes, both use the ES-T pickup system. -Chad
Thanks Chad i'm leaning toward the 114c. I also own an Ibanez acoustic.
I'd like to add electronics to a Taylor 114. I'd like to add 'onboard' pickups - I don't want just a soundhole pickup.
This is for my daughter so she can start to learn 'coffeeshop' type playing for a small audience.
For now, she'd be plugged into a Fender Frontman 25R.
Any recommendations?
have both guitars same preamplification?
What do you think much better for strumming and little riffs with this two?? really having a hard time thinking what to get.. Hope you guys can help me..
Hi wt u recommend? I am spending $1000. I have option of Taylor 114e and Yamaha AC3M. But I like Yamaha AC3M Piezo pickup sound which is not in taylor.
Suprised how big the difference actually was :O i would go with the 214 \m/
Immediately 214ce sounded better. Replaying only confirmed the first impression.
warmer
What type of strings are you using in this video?
The 214ce has a lower, more punchy tone, where as the 114ce has a brighter and lighter tone in my opinion. I don't let videos decide my purchase, but they do help me decide which I think sounds better.
Extremely helpful! Thanks so much!
why is the pickguard of 114ce is in tortoise color, where taylor website shows is in black color pickguard?
did you demo on a customised 114ce?
+Vince Teo This video was shot in 2013..... Taylor changed the pickguard used since then. The standard Pickguard is now black.
That's a well made comparison. The 214 sounds beautiful but also it sorta reminds me my yamaha a3r that I've sold to buy the 114. The a3r was screaming quality and finish perfection but it didn't have that crispiness and snappiness I wanted from an acoustic, in other way it was too well behaving ;)
The 114 all the way for me in this video but I guess it's all up to personal preferences, as other comments clearly indicate.
Thanks for the vid!
does anyone know the song he plays at 2:49?