Grand Parade

As the 514ce is retired from Taylor's catalogue in Europe, we take a look at the new Builder's Edition of the same model to examine the upgrades and refinements it brings to the table. A worthy alternative? Let's take a look

- David Mead

Originally, we were going to take a closeup look at two Grand Auditorium Taylors and compare the upgraded Builder's Edition to its rank and file sibling. But then we heard the news that the 514ce is being retired in Europe and so our review has changed tack accordingly. Taylor never stands still for long and the company's ongoing mission to review, upgrade and remodel its inventory is typical of a brand that is intent on remaining at the cutting edge of acoustic guitar design and manufacture. According to our records, the last time the 500 Series enjoyed a refresh was in 2022. Three years later and there's movement within the line once again.

The 500 Series has proved to be a popular one among players internationally and so it's really no surprise that change is afoot in this quarter. Furthermore, the Builder's Edition we see here is a rather splendid-looking beast with considerable visual impact from the moment it's drawn from its hard case. We've seen plenty of Builder's Edition instruments from Taylor pass through these pages before, celebrating models from the catalogue with upgraded features and constructional fillips such as bevelled arm rests and refreshed tonewood partnerships. Of this particular 514ce, Taylor says: “The Builder's Edition 514ce Kona Burst embodies Taylor’s commitment to innovative craftsmanship, player-friendly guitar designs and sustainable sourcing.” Interest piqued? So is ours.

First of all, though, and in order to appreciate the embellishments present in its slightly more lavish companion, we'll just take a look at what the standard 514ce comprised in terms of its sum of parts, as it will then provide a context for the changes Taylor has made to the model’s spec.