I have a 414ce circa 2009. Hate the sound plugged from day one. High end is crisp but low end is BOOMY!!! Bad boomy. No warm mids at all. Sounds great unplugged, terrible plugged in. I also have a takamine EF341. That's my #1 now sounds amazing plugged in, at half the price. But the frets are wearing way too fast (I gig 150+ times a year). Anything I can do to warm up my tone?
I am the owner of guitar the Taylor 214e jambo...I bought her in USA...This tale and guitar is not...wonder! POlecam all her warmly...My beautiful, unique sound...no guitar will equal this mark of guitar...I thank You for this splendid instrument...Anatol B. Poland
I like how back when this video was made they said saddle piezo pickups are bad but now the latest system got rid of the body sensors and the magnetic pickup and now have piezo pickups, I’ve had both and can’t stand using either. The sound not only is horrible but the system exaggerates every finger squeak and handling noise. When I sent an email to Taylor they said it’s my playing technique and the system is just amplifying the exact sound from the guitar acoustically, I’m thinking of selling my current Taylor, I love the guitar but never play it out because of the crap plugged in sound, besides my Rainsong Guitar plays even better than it.
I’m curious why they changed from this system to the expression 2 system. Just spent $3000 on a brand new body build for my 1998 W14-C that took a dive on stage, and the pick up sounds nice, I suppose, but too delicate. Can’t really use it for any high intensity songs on stage.
The newer Taylor guitars have ditched the fuse - at least my 712CE which is around 4 years old does not have a fuse. I understand the idea, but the practicality of a fuse, buried inside the guitar makes it difficult to deal with, especially if you pop that fuse during a gig. The other thing is the fuse style, very Taylor specific. So in my 416CE, I decided to put a short across the fuse and just make sure I test the wall socket for proper grounding AND that all equipment is grounded properly. BTW, you have NEVER seen a pure electric guitar with a fuse.
Agreed! When I serviced my guitar, the fuse was blown and I never knew it... it was replaced, and a week later it was blown away (I live in a country with TERRIBLE electrical connections ha). Also, not being in the States, the fuse was the equivalent of $40 each time it was changed. Not too practical. Still a good idea though...
I tried the 114ce in the store today. The guitar plays very well and sounds good, but indeed the expression sound system sounds horrible. You hear every hiss when you move your fingers. Very dissapointing.
Mine kept cutting out in the middle of gigs, nobody can find the issue, sounded awful anyway! using a cheap sound hole pickup now and sounds way better!
This video is outdated/no longer accurate, I think. Also, you can't electrocute yourself with an under saddle pickup, because the metal part is encased between the saddle and bridge, neither of which conducts electricity. The Taylor "safety feature" was them fixing a problem they created (well I guess the endpin jack, lol).
Sorry Taylor i tried the taylor 224 ce k Dlx with the new expression system Over and over again , made adjustments and could not get it to sound like a guitar in a live sutuation on stage. Mayby its just good for studio work. But dont buy it for a gigging guitar on stage. It will fight you all the way. Its a pity you did,nt stay with fishmann pickups. With fishman pluged in it still sounds lije a guitar . Good luck
Because your guitar only got one Dynamic Body Sensor. My 814ce also got just one. Some Taylors got two for exaple the guitar these guys are talking about. Have fun with you Taylor.... Greetings from Germany
I keep hearing reviews like listed here, that this system sucks. You know, you guys at Taylor should stick with guitars. You took away the Fishman System, you took away the Grover Tuners. (Luckily, I still have one with both.) You're making electric guitars that from what I've read are mediocre. Remember what Orvil Redenbacher said: "Do one thing and do it better than anyone else". I also remember an interview with Ian Anderson and why he decided to play the flute. He said it was because he knew he'd never be the best at guitar. Taylor, get back to your roots and start making acoustic guitars again and stop trying to be things you're not. That is why Martin is still #1.
I have a 414ce circa 2009. Hate the sound plugged from day one. High end is crisp but low end is BOOMY!!! Bad boomy. No warm mids at all. Sounds great unplugged, terrible plugged in. I also have a takamine EF341. That's my #1 now sounds amazing plugged in, at half the price. But the frets are wearing way too fast (I gig 150+ times a year). Anything I can do to warm up my tone?
I am the owner of guitar the Taylor 214e jambo...I bought her in USA...This tale and guitar is not...wonder! POlecam all her warmly...My beautiful, unique sound...no guitar will equal this mark of guitar...I thank You for this splendid instrument...Anatol B. Poland
where is the "tips and tricks " video that you mentioned to deal with the toggle switch. 1 or 2 mine has only one 714ce
Yes, I need to see the “tips & tricks” video mentioned here ….
I have a 2003 314ce Fall Limited with ES, but my battery pack is AA instead of 9v. Why the switch to 9v over AA?
I like how back when this video was made they said saddle piezo pickups are bad but now the latest system got rid of the body sensors and the magnetic pickup and now have piezo pickups, I’ve had both and can’t stand using either. The sound not only is horrible but the system exaggerates every finger squeak and handling noise. When I sent an email to Taylor they said it’s my playing technique and the system is just amplifying the exact sound from the guitar acoustically, I’m thinking of selling my current Taylor, I love the guitar but never play it out because of the crap plugged in sound, besides my Rainsong Guitar plays even better than it.
love my taylor's but have to play out with takamine best pick ups
i have an expression system that uses 2 AA bat. does mine have the groud protection? and all this other stuff?
I’m curious why they changed from this system to the expression 2 system. Just spent $3000 on a brand new body build for my 1998 W14-C that took a dive on stage, and the pick up sounds nice, I suppose, but too delicate. Can’t really use it for any high intensity songs on stage.
I just bought a 316ce, and I only see one switch on the preamp board. I wonder why that is?
The newer Taylor guitars have ditched the fuse - at least my 712CE which is around 4 years old does not have a fuse. I understand the idea, but the practicality of a fuse, buried inside the guitar makes it difficult to deal with, especially if you pop that fuse during a gig. The other thing is the fuse style, very Taylor specific. So in my 416CE, I decided to put a short across the fuse and just make sure I test the wall socket for proper grounding AND that all equipment is grounded properly. BTW, you have NEVER seen a pure electric guitar with a fuse.
Agreed! When I serviced my guitar, the fuse was blown and I never knew it... it was replaced, and a week later it was blown away (I live in a country with TERRIBLE electrical connections ha). Also, not being in the States, the fuse was the equivalent of $40 each time it was changed. Not too practical. Still a good idea though...
It’s sad that venues cant just make sure their power is run correctly. Just be on the same circuit as the system and you’re good!
How do you take off backless bottom part of Guitar and see the things inside the Guitar? How you take off?
Likely it is built at their factory for roadshow displays.
Take a big saw and just cut it off. Then when you’re ready to play, glue it back on.
Are ES2 and ES3 active or passive sources? If I use a DI box -Do I want a active or passive one? Thanks!
You didn’t mention the dummy pickup under the fretboard sensor pickup, or show a closeup of it.
Very interesting insight. Thanks for posting.
Nice review , i like it
Does the T5z have an LED battery indicator too ?
I just registered my 310ce and it took about one month. If your worried then call Taylor Guitars. Good luck :D
I tried the 114ce in the store today. The guitar plays very well and sounds good, but indeed the expression sound system sounds horrible. You hear every hiss when you move your fingers. Very dissapointing.
Mine kept cutting out in the middle of gigs, nobody can find the issue, sounded awful anyway! using a cheap sound hole pickup now and sounds way better!
I've had 4 taylors so far. The 2 with the expression system crapped out. The fishman worked great.I love the guitars but not the ES
really? I've had mine for 11 years now. Still a workhorse of a guitar!
This video is outdated/no longer accurate, I think. Also, you can't electrocute yourself with an under saddle pickup, because the metal part is encased between the saddle and bridge, neither of which conducts electricity. The Taylor "safety feature" was them fixing a problem they created (well I guess the endpin jack, lol).
Nope
Good afternoon! Friend, I have a Taylor 310 CE bought this year. I wonder what the next stringing him? Elixir is 0.10, 0.11 or is 0.12? Thank you.
Sorry Taylor i tried the taylor 224 ce k Dlx with the new expression system
Over and over again , made adjustments and could not get it to sound like a guitar in a live sutuation on stage. Mayby its just good for studio work. But dont buy it for a gigging guitar on stage. It will fight you all the way. Its a pity you did,nt stay with fishmann pickups. With fishman pluged in it still sounds lije a guitar . Good luck
I heard Expression system when 1st released at Frankfurt and it was so bad, they would only let you listen on headphones so it was harder to tell.
Because your guitar only got one Dynamic Body Sensor. My 814ce also got just one. Some Taylors got two for exaple the guitar these guys are talking about. Have fun with you Taylor.... Greetings from Germany
I keep hearing reviews like listed here, that this system sucks. You know, you guys at Taylor should stick with guitars. You took away the Fishman System, you took away the Grover Tuners. (Luckily, I still have one with both.) You're making electric guitars that from what I've read are mediocre. Remember what Orvil Redenbacher said: "Do one thing and do it better than anyone else". I also remember an interview with Ian Anderson and why he decided to play the flute. He said it was because he knew he'd never be the best at guitar. Taylor, get back to your roots and start making acoustic guitars again and stop trying to be things you're not. That is why Martin is still #1.
his pickups, shit all over the martin thin line saddle pickup, thank god for the ES-2 saddle pickup, got a similar thump to the maton pickups
expression 2 system sucks ! love the guitar 214 ce , but the magnetic pick up under the neck - is single coil - they need to remove it !
The pick up system in my 214ce sucks! Too much feed back when you turn the bass up... otherwise the guitar sounds tinny and to bright!
Exactly I’ve been battling that for years gigging
Terrible system. Please fix it.
I pulled the expression system out of my 614ce for obvious reasons. Horrible pickup system!
What did you do with your guitar ? I have a 114 ce but the knobs don’t work what do you recommender me ?
I don't like the expression system.
Just buy an acoustic guitar that doesn't have a battery and have a guitar that doesn't go flat
It’s such an awful system
You guys talk. No action 😂
Taylors do not sound good,well built playable good looking. Sound like thin cabinet