Head to head
Taylor 612ce vs Taylor Builder's Edition 814ce Blacktop
The verdict
The Taylor 612ce and Taylor Builder's Edition 814ce Blacktop are closely matched overall — 61 to 61 on our estimated score.
Estimated from specs & owner reviews — a starting point, not a substitute for playing both.
Taylor 612ce wins on
- Lower price ($3,799 vs $4,499)
Taylor Builder's Edition 814ce Blacktop wins on
No standout advantage.
Scorecard
| Metric | 612ce | Builder's Edition 814ce Blacktop |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 61 | 61 |
| Build | 61 | 61 |
| Playability | 71 | 68 |
| Sound | 60 | 60 |
| Value | 52 | 51 |
Full specifications
| Spec | 612ce | Builder's Edition 814ce Blacktop |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Taylor | Taylor |
| Type | Acoustic-Electric | Acoustic-Electric |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | — | — |
| Body wood | Maple | Indian Rosewood |
| Neck wood | Hard Rock Maple | Neo-Tropical Mahogany |
| Fretboard | Ebony | West African Crelicam Ebony |
| Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Frets | — | — |
| Scale | 24.88" | 25.5" |
| Pickups | Expression System® 2 | Expression System® 2 |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $3,799 | $4,499 |
| Armrest | No | — |
| Back And Sides | Maple | Indian Rosewood |
| Back Configuration | 2-piece No Wedge | 2-piece No Wedge |
| Back Side Finish | Gloss 4.5 | Gloss |
| Body Binding | Ebony | Rock Maple |
| Bridge | Ebony | West African Crelicam Ebony |
| Bridge Pins | Ebony | West African Ebony with Green Abalone Dots |
| Controls | Expression System® 2 | Expression System® 2 |
| Cutaway | Venetian Cutaway | Beveled Cutaway |
| Fretboard Binding | Ebony | West African Crelicam Ebony |
| Fretboard inlay | Grained Ivoroid Wings | Element |
| Neck Finish | Satin | Satin |
| Nut Saddle | Tusq Nut, Micarta Saddle | Tusq Nut, Micarta Saddle |
| Orientation | Right Handed | Right Handed |
| Peghead Binding | Ebony | West African Crelicam Ebony |
| Peghead Finish | Gloss | Satin |
| Peghead Inlay | Grained Ivoroid Wings | Element |
| Peghead Type | Standard | Paddle, Standard |
| Pickguard | Dark Stained Maple | Indian Rosewood |
| Scale length | 24-7/8" | 25-1/2" |
| Top Finish | Gloss 4.5 | Gloss |
| Top wood | Torrefied Spruce | Adirondack Spruce |
| Tuners | Taylor Nickel | Gotoh |
| Bracing System | — | V-Class Bracing |