Taylor Gold Label 714e

A versatile Indian rosewood Super Auditorium loaded with innovative features.

September 24, 2025

When Taylor introduced its Gold Label line earlier this year, it added a completely new tonal option to the company’s choices of guitars. Delivering a more vintage-inspired character than any Taylor before, the Gold Labels are positioned as an alternative to the ultra-modern tonality inherent to the company’s standard V-Class braced instruments. And now that Taylor has brought back several of its classics with the traditionally X-braced Legacy series, players have three distinct lines and sounds to pick from. First introduced with the high-end Super Auditorium-sized Gold Label 814e and K14e (originally called the Gold Label 814e Koa), the line now includes several Grand Pacific models (we checked out the Gold Label 717e). The latest addition is a pair of Super Auditoriums that offer Gold Label features a more affordable price. We were happy to check out the new Gold Label 514e and 714e. In this video, I focus on the Gold Label 714e and offer a brief comparison with the 514e, which we’ll feature in a separate video.

Like all Gold Label models, the 714e offers a fascinating juxtaposition of traditional flattop tones and cutting-edge construction choices. Two aspects stand out in designer Andy Powers’s approach to these guitars. First, the tops are braced using what Taylor calls Fanned V-Class bracing—a variation of the V-Class bracing that Powers introduced several years ago. The pattern uses a shorter “V” that spans both sides of the soundhole from the upper bout to the bridge area, and six “fans” (similar to the pattern found on most classical guitars) radiating into the lower bout from just behind the bridge. The other innovation is the Action Control Neck that allows neck-angle resets in a matter of seconds. Adjusted by an easily accessible bolt in the neck block, this technology makes for easy action adjustments to accommodate the player’s preference, different string gauges and tensions, and changes in the guitar caused by variations in humidity.

While several of Taylor’s standard 700-series models are now built with koa wood, the Gold Label 714e returns to the classic combination of Indian rosewood and Sitka spruce. The woods are excellent, with even, tight grain on the top, and rich color and a great bookmatch on the back. Gold Label guitars also sport a unique look. Loosely inspired by various nonmainstream vintage instruments, the guitars have an exclusive peghead shape, a modified pickguard profile, and a variation on the traditional dots for the fingerboard. The rosette and purfling are a standard black-and-white design, with cream-colored body binding. Our demo guitar has the natural finish, and it is also available in sunburst and black top options. An L.R. Baggs Element VCT pickup package allows easy amplification.

The Gold Label 714e’s tonal character is obvious from the first strum: The guitar’s balanced voice features brawny lower mids and meaty-sounding treble strings, all supported by rich overtones.There is remarkable evenness from note-to-note across the length of the fingerboard: Where many guitars have a few notes that jump out in volume of tonal character, the Gold Label 714e was consistent throughout. The Super Auditorium body is similar to the popular small jumbo format popular with fingerstyle players and those looking for versatility. I found the Gold Label 714e delivers on both accounts: It’s a capable partner for fingerstyle playing in standard and alternate tunings, and it also offers a nice traditional flattop voice when strummed or flatpicked.

The Gold Label 714e is a really cool guitar. Whether you’re intrigued by its new features, want a guitar with Taylor’s legendary playability but a more vintage-like tonality, or are just looking for an excellent all-around guitar, I’d recommend giving one a try.