Taylor 812ce VS 814ce: any differences?
Body shape/size, scale length, arm rest
The Grand "Concert" is actually a bit smaller than the Grand "Auditorium". I did not know this before today, so if I've gotten that wrong in other comparisons, I apologize. At any rate, that makes the 812ce a bit smaller than the 814ce, and - in my view - the preferable model of the two.
It also has a slightly shorter scale length, which will reduce string tension and make them feel more loose. Lastly, the 812ce has a sort of arm rest on the upper bout of the guitar's body, which is basically a rounded off section on the body's curved edge so you don't have to rest your arm on a right angle. Of the two, I'd go with the 812ce.
| Specification | Taylor 812ce | Taylor 814ce |
|---|---|---|
| Body Shape | Grand Concert | Grand Auditorium |
| Top Wood | Sitka Spruce | Sitka Spruce |
| Back & Sides Wood | Indian Rosewood | Indian Rosewood |
| Finish | Gloss | Gloss |
| Scale Length | 24.875" | 25.5" |
| Electronics | ES-2 | ES-2 |
| Bracing | V-Class | V-Class |
| Neck Wood | Tropical Mahogany | Tropical Mahogany |
| Fingerboard Material | West African Ebony | West African Ebony |
| Fingerboard Inlay | Element | Mother-of-Pearl Element |
| Nut Width | 1.75" | 1.75" |
| Tuning Machines | Taylor Open Gear | Taylor Smoked Nickel |
| Bridge Material | West African Ebony | West African Ebony |
| Strings | D'Addario XS Phosphor Bronze, .012-.053 | D'Addario XS Phosphor Bronze, .012-.053 |
| Case | Hardshell Case | Hardshell Case |
You can see the contoured edge of the body on the upper bout. This makes for a very comfortable arm rest, especially if you're sitting down and playing. Image via Southampton Guitar Repairs
The 814ce is a bit bigger, given the grand auditorium body shape, so it feels more like a dreadnought and will have a broad/balanced/warmer tone when compared to the 812ce. Image via Tatsuya
5 Differences Between the 812ce and 814ce
Body Shape
The 812ce's body is a grand concert shape, while the 814ce is a grand auditorium. The concert-style body is slightly smaller, which could give it an edge in comfort, depending on the player. It also has the brighter natural tone of the two.
Scale Length
The 812ce has a shorter scale length (24.875 inches) compared to the 814ce (25.5 inches). This affects string tension and playability, with the 812ce having lighter tension and easier playability, ideal for acoustic players with smaller hands or those seeking a more comfortable playing experience.
Electronics
Both guitars are equipped with Taylor's Expression System 2 (ES2) electronics, but they may have slight variations in their electronic configurations due to the differences in body style and construction.
Overall Tone and Projection
The 812ce's Grand Concert body style, combined with its tonewoods and bracing, produces a clear, focused, and balanced sound, excellent for recording and ensemble play. The 814ce's Grand Auditorium body, being large, is a little more full and heavy, perhaps a better fit for chord progressions and strum-heavy styles.
Arm Rest
The 812ce includes a radiused ergonomic armrest with rosewood inlay which is not in the 814ce. You can see the contour fairly well in this photo.
The arm rest is an underrated feature, especially if you're after a guitar that's comfortable in your hands, whether sitting or standing. I think this should be in all acoustic guitars.
Which Taylor acoustic is the better value?
With the 800 series Taylor acoustics, you're not going to have any quality issues. So I would make this called based on how you feel about the body size, scale length, and arm rest. Remember, the tone from the 814 is a little darker, while the 812 will be naturally brighter, because of the smaller body size alone.
As with most Taylors, you can easily plug in the ES-2 to get more control over your sound.
If you have questions about our Taylor 812ce VS 814ce comparison, jump in via the comments section below.
I'll help out as much possible.
Taylor 814ce and 812ce Price Tracker
Prices updated Fri, August 21st, 2026.
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