You know that sound. That shimmering, velvet-wrapped acoustic tone that defined an entire era of rock radio? That isn’t a Gibson. That isn’t a Martin. That is a Taylor 514c.

In the recording industry, this model is the “Holy Grail” of studio secrets. Super-producer Rob Cavallo owned a specific 514c—nicknamed “Excalibur”—that became the designated hitter for the biggest bands in the world. When the mix got dense, when the tunings got weird, and when the song had to be a hit—they put the other guitars away and grabbed the Taylor.

Here is the story 99% of people don’t know.

The “Iris” Miracle

You know that opening riff? That relentless, drone-like strumming? John Rzeznik had to tune his guitar to a bizarre, high-tension tuning (B-D-D-D-D-D) to play it. Every other acoustic they tried turned into a muddy, sonic mess. They needed separation. They needed air. They grabbed the Taylor 514, and that iconic, glassy chime was born.

The “Boulevard” Switch

In the music video, Billie Joe Armstrong walks down the street with a beat-up Gibson J-45. But in the studio? That Gibson was too “thumpy.” They needed a guitar that could cut through a massive wall of distortion without losing its soul. The Taylor 514c provided that “hi-fi” cinematic sheen that made the song a global anthem.

The Taylor Legacy 514ce is your chance to own that exact sonic DNA.

THE ALCHEMY

Why It Sounds Like Magic

Taylor has opened the vault to bring back the specs that purists have been screaming for. This isn’t about moving forward; it’s about capturing the magic they caught 20 years ago.

The “Forbidden” X-Bracing

Modern Taylors use V-Class bracing, which is precise and perfect. But this Legacy model brings back the traditional X-Bracing. Why? Because X-bracing is looser. It allows the lower mids to bloom and resonate with a warmth that hits you right in the chest. It’s not “perfect”—it’s emotional.

The Cedar Secret

This is the cheat code. 90% of guitars use Spruce. This uses Western Red Cedar. Spruce reflects sound; Cedar soaks it up and projects it. That is why the “Iris” riff sounds so massive—Cedar naturally compresses the sharp notes and boosts the quiet ones. It smooths out your playing dynamics automatically.

The Studio Swap

Taylor ditched their standard electronics for this model and installed the L.R. Baggs Element VTC. This is the pickup the pros use. It preserves that woody, organic “breath” of the Cedar top when you plug in, rather than sounding like a plastic piezo.

FROM THE FLOOR

Why Cory Hand-Selected This One

At Moore Guitars, we don’t believe in “stock.” Every guitar has to earn its place on our wall. We passed on others to get to this specific serial number.

“I’m not supposed to get attached to the inventory, but this one made it really hard.

I sat down just to check the tuning, hit a DADGAD chord, and literally lost track of time. I looked up and twenty minutes had gone by. It’s the vibration—you feel it deep in your chest before you even hear it. It has this haunting, dark warmth that usually only exists on records, not in real life.

I picked this specific one because it felt like it had a ghost inside it. It doesn’t just project sound; it breathes.

Honestly? It breaks my heart a little bit to put this one back in the case. Whoever buys this is getting a soulmate, not just a guitar.”

— Cory, Moore Guitars