Taylor Gold Label 814e SB

Taylor’s Gold Label Collection is the renowned builder’s concept of a modern instrument that speaks to flat-tops of the 1930s and ’40s. The 814e SB is a traditional non-cutaway fitted with Taylor trademarks like a bolt-on neck, super-quick fretboard, and electronics. The Gold Label 814e SB uses Taylor’s Super Auditorium shape, which is larger than a Grand Auditorium and produces a deeper tone. On the exterior, a torrefied Sitka spruce top and Honduran rosewood back and sides produce a warm, easy tone, while fanned V-Class bracing and a long-tenon neck joint lend support inside. Cosmetics include a revamped headstock shape, script logo, and “Continental” inlays. The 814e SB has a Standard Carve mahogany neck with a shallow D shape the rests nicely in the hand. The ebony fretboard had a 15″ radius that makes it easy to fret and fingerpick. The ebony is West African Crelicam, coming from Taylor’s mill of the same name in Cameroon. Our tester had a warm, gold-brown sunburst finish, while the rosewood back and sides exhibit beautiful red/brown hue and grain. The two-piece back has a particularly attractive bookmatched rosewood (the alternative 814e uses koa). Twenty years ago, Taylor acoustics had a reputation for being bright and brash, but the 814e SB has a mellower voice – more mid-focused and balanced, which is particularly good for fingerpicking and gentle strumming. This isn’t a dreadnought “cannon,” like Taylor’s Legacy 810e, but has a more-refined voice. Plugged in to a Boss acoustic amp, the LR Baggs Element VTC electronics sounded fine, again blending the old with the new. All told, the Gold Label 814e SB scores highly across the board, delivering looks, tone, playability, and an affable personality. It’s on the higher side, price-wise, but offers a considerable amount of ornamentation including exquisitely detailed rosette, top binding, and fretboard inlays. – Pete Prown This article originally appeared in VG’s July 2025 issue. All copyrights are by the author and Vintage Guitar magazine. Unauthorized replication or use is strictly prohibited.