What Is the Taylor Next Generation 324ce?
in the fast-evolving world of guitars, the saying ‘stagnation leads to regression’ rings truer than ever.
Taylor, in particular, has been unwavering in its quest for improved sound quality and playability, led by its visionary CEO and chief designer, Andy Powers. “As guitar makers, we recognise the diverse range of players and styles,” he explains. “This diversity demands various sounds, feels, and visual aesthetics that resonate with today’s creative musicians.”
With this vision, Taylor is refreshing its acclaimed Grand Auditorium model, which has been a staple in their lineup for three decades. known for its comfortable size, vibrant tone, and broad appeal, the GA is now being updated with features tailored to meet the demands of modern acoustic players.
The first major update is the soundboard bracing, a crucial element in the guitar’s tonal quality. In 2018,Andy Powers introduced V-Class bracing,which he claimed improved playability,tone,and even tuning stability. Initially met with skepticism, the guitar community soon recognized the advantages of this innovative design.
Now,Andy has taken it a step further by implementing a scalloped version of this bracing. This subtle modification is said to enhance the guitar’s lower frequencies, providing a richer bass response.
Additionally, the neck joint has been redesigned with a longer tenon that extends deeper into the body, which Taylor asserts leads to substantially improved sustain, warmth, and resonance.
Moreover, the guitar features a unique adjustment mechanism designed to counteract the effects of climate changes that can affect action height during travel.
inside the guitar’s body, there’s a nut at the neck joint that can be accessed using a “quarter-inch nut driver” or a truss rod wrench. Turning it right lowers the action, while turning it left raises it.
It’s as straightforward as righty-tighty, lefty-loosey, and using the nut driver means you don’t even have to loosen the strings, while the truss rod wrench requires you to slacken them first.
While players in the UK might set and forget the action, those in regions with fluctuating climates may need to adjust accordingly. though, our experience with the 324ce revealed it arrived with perfectly set action, eliminating the need for any adjustments.
Another meaningful enhancement is the introduction of the Claria pickup system, which replaces the previous Expression System 2. This new setup features an under-saddle piezo pickup with specially designed EQ controls located in the soundhole’s top rim.
What’s new? Taylor claims it provides “discrete soundhole-mounted volume, mid-contour, and tone controls that allow for extensive tone shaping.
Musicians will find it easy to quickly adjust their sound for any performance setting, offering remarkable plug-and-play functionality.” The volume and tone controls are self-explanatory, but the mid-contour feature is particularly intriguing. It offers a scooped midrange at one end and full-bodied mids at the other, theoretically covering a wide range of tonal needs.
While all these innovations are impressive, the guitar must also deliver in terms of performance. Let’s take a closer look at its components.
The 324ce features a mahogany top, known for its warm tones and midrange clarity, aligning with Taylor’s goal of emphasizing the bass and mids while maintaining shining, clear treble notes.
The choice of sapele for the back and sides further enhances this, as Taylor claims it adds a sparkling quality to the overall sound.
The neck is also crafted from mahogany, featuring a scarf joint just below the headstock, topped with an ebony fingerboard that boasts 20 polished frets. The tuners are Taylor-branded in a sleek matte black finish, complementing the black Tusq nut and ebony-veneered headstock. With its dark Edgeburst finish, the 324ce is designed for a elegant aesthetic. Let’s see how it performs sonically.
Specifications
- Price: $2,699 | £2,975 | €2,899 (includes case)
- Origin: USA
- Type: Grand Auditorium
- Top: Neo-tropical mahogany
- Back/sides: Sapele
- Max Rim depth: 113mm
- Max Body Width: 400mm
- Neck: Neo-tropical mahogany
- Scale Length: 648mm (25.5″)
- Tuners: Taylor logo’d satin black with satin black buttons
- Nut/Width: Black Tusq/44.4mm
- Fingerboard: West African Crelicam ebony
- Frets: 20,medium
- Bridge/Spacing: Ebony with Micarta saddle/55mm
- Electronics: Taylor Claria pickup system
- Weight (kg/lb): 2.04/4.5
- Options: None
- Range Options: Taylor’s Next Generation 300 series includes the Builder’s Edition 324ce (£3,695) and the 314ce Studio (£2,255).visit the website for more details.
- Left-Handed Models: Not currently available
- Finish: Gloss medium stain with shaded Edgeburst top
- Contact: Taylor Guitars
Playability and Tone
Taylor’s neck profile has long been a favorite among players for its comfort and ergonomic design. Transitioning from a C-profiled Strat to a Taylor feels seamless and natural.
The resonance of the body is palpable as you play, indicating that the extended neck tenon and the combination of tonewoods are truly effective.
Initial strumming reveals a bright and rich tone, with excellent note separation-each note in a chord remains distinct. Additionally,the bass frequencies are clear and well-defined.
But how does the enhanced midrange and bass perform? We were pleasantly surprised to feel the bass vibrations resonate throughout the guitar’s body.
The body resonates beautifully as you play, showcasing the effectiveness of the extended neck tenon and the synergy of the tonewoods. Importantly, the enhanced bass response does not compromise the clarity of the treble notes, which remain bright and sweet, resulting in a well-rounded tonal palette.
After connecting the guitar to our Boss Katana-50 EX amplifier set to the acoustic mode, we quickly found ourselves comfortable with the mid-contour control adjustments, allowing us to achieve a sound that was rich, warm, and full.
By adding a hint of reverb from the amp, we were pleased with the results, confident that we could easily create a sound suitable for open mic nights, gigs, or casual play at home.
While the soundhole-mounted controls might potentially be slightly more challenging to operate compared to Taylor’s traditional rotary knobs from the Expression System 2, we adapted to them fairly quickly.
Final Thoughts
Rating: ★★★★
Taylor has claimed that this is their most user-pleasant version of the 324ce, and we wholeheartedly agree. It’s a tough contender to beat.
With a price tag just under £3,000,it may seem a bit premium for anyone other than a dedicated acoustic player,but we’ve noticed retailers offering it for around £2,500.
Guitar World conclusion: The thoughtful enhancements Taylor has made to its Grand Auditorium series are evident in the 324ce. It truly accommodates a wide range of playing styles, and the plugged-in sound is also easily adjustable.
Video Demonstrations
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After connecting the guitar to our Boss Katana-50 EX amplifier set to the acoustic mode, we quickly found ourselves comfortable with the mid-contour control adjustments, allowing us to achieve a sound that was rich, warm, and full.
By adding a hint of reverb from the amp,we were pleased with the results,confident that we could easily create a sound suitable for open mic nights,gigs,or casual play at home.
While the soundhole-mounted controls might potentially be slightly more challenging to operate compared to Taylor’s traditional rotary knobs from the Expression System 2, we adapted to them fairly quickly.
Final Thoughts
Rating: ★★★★
Taylor has claimed that this is their most user-friendly version of the 324ce, and we wholeheartedly agree. It’s a tough contender to beat.
With a price tag just under £3,000, it may seem a bit premium for anyone other than a dedicated acoustic player, but we’ve noticed retailers offering it for around £2,500.
Guitar World conclusion: The thoughtful enhancements Taylor has made to its Grand Auditorium series are evident in the 324ce. It truly accommodates a wide range of playing styles, and the plugged-in sound is also easily adjustable.
Video Demonstrations
Peach Guitars
Watch On
