Taylor Next Generation Builder's Edition 514ce Grand Auditorium Acoustic-Electric Guitar Tobacco Kona Burst

For over three decades, Taylor's Grand Auditorium has set the benchmark for modern acoustic design—and now, the next evolution has arrived. The Taylor Next Generation Builder's Edition 514ce represents the pinnacle of the brand's forward-thinking philosophy, fusing player-focused comfort with massive performance upgrades. Built on the GA platform, this USA-made acoustic-electric pairs a solid Sitka spruce top with urban ash back and sides, enhanced by Taylor’s new scalloped V-Class bracing for greater low-end warmth and open-string richness. The revolutionary long-tenon Action Control mahogany neck strengthens the neck-to-body connection while allowing for precise, tool-free string height adjustments. Rounded out by a neo-tropical mahogany beveled armrest, chamfered edges and the all-new Claria electronics, the Next Generation Builder’s Edition 514ce blends elite acoustic engineering with a playing experience built for the modern stage.

Sitka Spruce and Urban Ash With Scalloped V-Class Bracing

The solid Sitka spruce top delivers clarity, dynamic range and articulate response across a wide range of playing styles, while urban ash back and sides contribute focused, mahogany-like warmth and midrange presence with enhanced tonal balance. Taylor’s new scalloped V-Class bracing introduces a fuller low end and richer open-string resonance without sacrificing the pitch accuracy and projection that define the V-Class platform. The Grand Auditorium body shape offers exceptional versatility, responding with sensitivity to light fingerstyle passages and maintaining clarity under more assertive strumming. A beveled cutaway ensures comfortable upper-register access without interrupting the guitar’s fluid silhouette.

Long-Tenon Action Control Neck for Stability and Effortless Adjustability

The 514ce Next Generation’s long-tenon Action Control neck blends structural refinement with practical adjustability. Built from neo-tropical mahogany and joined to the body with an extended tenon, the neck improves vibration transfer for added warmth and depth while reinforcing long-term stability. Taylor’s innovative Action Control system allows players to fine-tune string height quickly and precisely—without removing the neck or detuning strings—making it easy to maintain a consistent feel in changing environments. A genuine West African ebony fingerboard provides a smooth, articulate playing surface, and the 25.5" scale length offers balanced tension suited to both fingerstyle nuance and confident flatpicking.

Taylor Claria Electronics for Clear, Mix-Ready Amplified Tone

Developed with input from touring artists and live sound engineers, Taylor’s all-new Claria system reimagines traditional undersaddle pickup design to deliver consistent, natural amplified tone. A proprietary preamp refines the piezo response to reduce harshness, while discreet soundhole-mounted controls—including a versatile Mid-Contour adjustment—allow quick, intuitive shaping. Whether performing solo or sitting in a full-band mix, the 514ce Next Generation offers reliable, stage-ready clarity with minimal setup and predictable results.

Builder’s Edition Comfort and Premium Appointments

As part of the Builder’s Edition collection, this 514ce is crafted with performance-focused comfort in mind. A neo-tropical mahogany beveled armrest and chamfered body edges reduce fatigue during long sessions, while a gloss finish highlights the guitar’s clean, modern lines. Faux pearl compass inlays and an ebony headstock overlay complement the understated aesthetic. Premium hardware—including Gotoh 510 antique chrome tuners, an ebony Curve Wing bridge, Micarta saddle and black TUSQ nut—ensures tuning stability and precise intonation. The guitar ships in a Taylor deluxe hardshell case for secure transport and protection.

The Next Generation Builder’s Edition 514ce: Modern Design, Player-First Refinement

The Taylor Next Generation Builder’s Edition 514ce merges advanced bracing architecture, an innovative neck design and refined electronics into a cohesive Grand Auditorium platform built for contemporary performance. With its balanced tonal voice, precision setup flexibility and comfort-driven detailing, it reflects Taylor’s commitment to evolving acoustic design while keeping the player’s experience at the forefront. It all equates to a thoughtfully engineered instrument for musicians who expect both technical innovation and lasting musicality.