Two Taylor Voices. One Ultimate Showdown.
Sponsored by Taylor Guitars:
Two distinct Taylor voices go head-to-head in the latest episode of Showdown. On one side, the Gold Label 710e delivers an old-soul acoustic experience, pairing a classic square-shoulder Dreadnought body with Indian rosewood back and sides, a torrefied Sitka spruce top, and a deeper body design. Its fanned V-Class bracing produces a rich, warm voice with impressive power and depth.
Facing it is the Next Generation 814ce, Taylor’s latest evolution of its flagship Grand Auditorium. Featuring Indian rosewood back and sides and a Sitka spruce top, the 814ce builds on its legendary versatility with scalloped V-Class bracing. The result is enhanced low-end warmth, increased volume and sustain, and a more resonant, open-string response.
Award-winning singer-songwriter Joshua Taylor puts both guitars through their paces, offering a direct comparison of two very different approaches to acoustic guitar design and tone. Whether you gravitate toward the powerful, woody character of the Gold Label 710e or the balanced, contemporary voice of the Next Generation 814ce, there’s plenty to discover.
Watch Showdown and decide: which Taylor is your favorite?
Explore Taylor’s Next Generation Guitars
Two very different sounds. The Gold Label was smooth and silky and precise. But, for me, it lacked punch.
The 814 was brighter and, in my opinion, articulated a broader set of moods and colors than the GL. It rang more clearly for me and that carries more energy to the sound.
If I was buying a guitar it would be the 814 because the music I play is usually bright and upbeat but I want my quieter more mellow accompaniment to ring clearly nonetheless.
I believe I can hear the difference. They both sound good. The first example sounded a bit softer and the second brighter, although both sound good