Taylor 414-CE Grand Auditorium Cutaway Acoustic-Electric Guitar  

The Taylor 414-CE is easily one of the best values out there in acoustic guitars.  I was worried about how bright it sounded when I played one at the local guitar store, but I fell in love with how it played so I rolled the dice and ordered one from MF.  It was defiantly a bit too bright out of the box, but changing the strings made a huge difference.  I also added some Taylor rosewood bridge pins and a bone saddle; two very cheap upgrades.  After these minor changes I couldn't be happier!  The tone is snappy but not brittle and this thing projects like no other.  I knew I would love how it looks and plays but thought I would be settling a bit on the tone; happily, after the changes/upgrades I am just as thrilled with how it sounds.  Buy it, you won't be disappointed!

Mine is a 2002 that has the Fishman Prefix electronics, which is a great little device to have on board.  The more expensive models had a little bit more of a sophisitcated Fishman unit, but mine does well.  I would give this part a 7, and the upgraded version of the Fishman a 9.

Other features like the binding, the nut, the Grover tuners (which are smooth and accurate), the finish I give a 9.  They would get a 10 if the stock string end pegs were something a little fancier than black plastic, but they do their job.  The ebony fretboard is beautiful and nice to play on, so an easy 10 there.  All things combined make for a strong 9 in features.

Overall the quality of woods and the sound this produces earn it a 9.6 or so, so I'm rounding it up to 10.  I've had this guitar for almost 10 years (bought new in the beginning of '03) and it is a quality instrument.  Before purchasing, I spent several trips around different stores auditioning many acoustic guitars in the under-$2000 range, and time-after-time this one was the winner.  At one of the auditioning sessions, even my wife noticed the difference in sound when I compared it to a Guild.  It just has a great tone and beautiful projection of the sound, more robust and bigger/fuller than others I auditioned.

A great value.  It isn't cheap, but I assure you this is a quality, well-made and great-sounding instrument for your money.

I think I've covered everything about this above, but it is a quality instrument with a fantastic, full and hi-fi sound projection.  The Fishman electronics are nice, but what really shines is the acoustic sound of this guitar.  The ebony fretboard is beautiful and solid to play on, the Grover tuners are smooth and accurate, the neck and body woods are gorgeous, and the overal playability of the guitar is fantastic.