Head to head
Taylor 812ce-N vs Taylor Builder's Edition 814ce Blacktop
The verdict
The Taylor 812ce-N 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 812ce-N wins on
- Lower price ($3,999 vs $4,499)
Taylor Builder's Edition 814ce Blacktop wins on
No standout advantage.
Scorecard
| Metric | 812ce-N | Builder's Edition 814ce Blacktop |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 61 | 61 |
| Build | 61 | 61 |
| Playability | 68 | 68 |
| Sound | 60 | 60 |
| Value | 51 | 51 |
Full specifications
| Spec | 812ce-N | Builder's Edition 814ce Blacktop |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Taylor | Taylor |
| Type | Acoustic-Electric | Acoustic-Electric |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | — | — |
| Body wood | Indian Rosewood | Indian Rosewood |
| Neck wood | Tropical Mahogany | Neo-Tropical Mahogany |
| Fretboard | Ebony | West African Crelicam Ebony |
| Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Frets | — | — |
| Scale | 25.5" | 25.5" |
| Pickups | ES-N® | Expression System® 2 |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $3,999 | $4,499 |
| Armrest | No | — |
| Back And Sides | Indian Rosewood | Indian Rosewood |
| Back Configuration | 2-piece No Wedge | 2-piece No Wedge |
| Back Side Finish | Gloss 4.5 | Gloss |
| Body Binding | Maple | Rock Maple |
| Bridge | Ebony | West African Crelicam Ebony |
| Controls | ES-N® | Expression System® 2 |
| Cutaway | Soft Cutaway | Beveled Cutaway |
| Fretboard Binding | Maple | West African Crelicam Ebony |
| Fretboard inlay | Element | Element |
| Neck Finish | Satin | Satin |
| Nut Saddle | Tusq Nut, Micarta Saddle | Tusq Nut, Micarta Saddle |
| Orientation | Right Handed | Right Handed |
| Peghead Binding | None | West African Crelicam Ebony |
| Peghead Finish | Gloss | Satin |
| Peghead Inlay | None | Element |
| Peghead Type | Slotted - Nylon | Paddle, Standard |
| Pickguard | None | Indian Rosewood |
| Scale length | 25-1/2" | 25-1/2" |
| Top Finish | Gloss 4.5 | Gloss |
| Top wood | Spruce | Adirondack Spruce |
| Tuners | Classical Nickel | Gotoh |
| Bracing System | — | V-Class Bracing |
| Bridge Pins | — | West African Ebony with Green Abalone Dots |