Blacktop Sophistication—Adirondack Power, Zero Compromise
If you’ve been chasing a truly pro-level acoustic that feels as good as it sounds, this Builder’s Edition 814ce Blacktop is the kind of guitar you buy once and keep for life. Adirondack over Indian rosewood, V-Class bracing, and Taylor’s Builder’s Edition ergonomics all come together in a Grand Auditorium that’s equally at home on stage, in the studio, or on the couch.
Adirondack Spruce Top & Rosewood Depth
The heart of this guitar is the Adirondack spruce top over solid Indian rosewood back and sides. Adirondack has more headroom and snap than Sitka—dig in with a flatpick and it roars, back off with fingers and it blooms with piano-like lows and glassy highs.
Rosewood fills in the spaces with lush overtones and warm low-end, so chords sound huge and single notes have that three-dimensional halo. Strummers get a wide, cinematic wash of sound; fingerstylists get separation and detail without losing warmth.
V-Class Bracing: Louder, Longer, More In Tune
Taylor’s V-Class bracing isn’t just marketing—it genuinely changes how the guitar moves air. You get more volume, a longer, more even sustain, and intonation that locks in all the way up the neck.
Real talk: big open chords ring without fighting themselves, and up-the-neck voicings stay sweet instead of going sour. Whether you’re tracking in a studio or looping live, this thing stays in tune with itself in a way old-school X-braced guitars just don’t.
Builder’s Edition Comfort: Bevels Where It Counts
The beveled armrest and beveled cutaway aren’t just eye candy—they change how the guitar feels against your body. The top edge disappears under your picking arm, and the cutaway lets you live above the 12th fret without wrestling the body.
Chamfered body edges and the smooth satin-finished neo-tropical mahogany neck make it feel broken-in from day one. You get that fast, easy Taylor neck feel, but with a more refined, boutique vibe that invites long sessions without fatigue.
Blacktop Aesthetics & Kona Edgeburst Back
The gloss blacktop gives this 814ce a sleek, modern edge, while the Kona edgeburst on the back and sides keeps a touch of classic warmth. Rock maple binding and ebony appointments tie it all together in a way that looks high-end without being flashy.
On a dim stage or under studio lights, the black top and dark rosewood just glow. It’s the kind of guitar that looks as serious as it sounds.
Stage-Ready with Expression System® 2
Taylor’s Expression System® 2 is built for players who actually plug in. Instead of quacky piezo harshness, you get a more natural, airy version of the guitar’s acoustic voice—warm lows, clear but non-brittle highs, and a midrange that sits in a mix.
Whether you’re running direct to FOH, into an acoustic amp, or straight into an interface, ES2 makes this a legit plug-and-play workhorse. It takes EQ and effects well and keeps feedback at bay when the volume comes up.
Dialed In by Moore Guitars
This Builder’s Edition 814ce Blacktop is in our Evansville, Indiana shop right now, fully inspected and ready to ship. What you see in the photos is exactly what you’ll pull out of the case.
Every guitar gets our FREE Player-Perfect™ Pro Setup (a $100+ value). Tell us your preferred string gauge, action, and tuning habits at checkout, and our techs—who are all real players—will dial it in like it’s going into their own rig. You should have zero disappointments when you hit that first chord.
And with our 72-Hour Love-It Guarantee, you’ve got three days at home to make sure it inspires you every time you pick it up.
Want more photos, have trade questions, or just need to talk it through? Call (888) 794-8482 and talk to a real player—no scripts, no pressure, just honest guidance.
