Taylor 324ce Review

Written by Mark Le. Last updated on September 21, 2020.
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Taylor 324ce Review

TL;DR: Here is why you should buy Taylor 324ce.

✅ Eco-friendly manufacturing utilizing repurposed wood
✅ Convenient electronics settings with a behind-the-saddle pickup system
✅ Grand auditorium shape for fuller sound
✅ V-class bracing design
✅ Rich mid-range tone

The one thing a nice acoustic guitar brings with it is a sense of nostalgia. Every player remembers their first acoustic guitar and the special story it unearths.

This is the reason why picking out the Taylor 324ce was such a special experience. Whether it’s for a post-choir-practice jam session or a community performance, this is a reliable instrument. If you’re a lover of string instruments like myself, then the 324ce guitar might be of interest to you.

However, picking out the perfect guitar is always a tricky business. Without the right set of features, your acoustics have chances of falling flat.

No need to worry just yet! I have compiled everything there is to like, dislike and make a note of in this comprehensive Taylor 324ce review. Before getting into specifics, though, let’s start with overarching factors to consider when buying any guitar.

What To Look For in Your New Guitar?

Shape

The shape of a guitar determines the tonal output. In simple words, how rich and deep your guitar sounds depends on its shape. There are a few different shapes and sizes to go with as per your requirement.

Dreadnoughts are the most popular shape for guitars. There are also mini, travel size, and concert size guitars. Other varieties are Grand Auditorium and Orchestra guitars. These last options fall somewhere in the middle of the size chart and deliver a balanced and rich tone.

Build and Design

The build and design of a guitar refer to more specific features than the overall shape. The design includes factors like cutaways, bracing, and even the materials it is composed of. The kinds of strings can also be an important factor depending on the genre you play.

Build and design vary from guitar to guitar, from brand to brand. That is why personal preference should be kept in mind instead of just trusting a sales pitch. The location of performance, the kind of music you play, and your particular style should all be considered beforehand.

Electronic Settings

Finally, we come to electronic settings. These often overwhelm those of us unaccustomed to high tech features. However, thanks to newer models, most guitars come with built-in pickup systems. What that means is that your acoustic with electronics just needs to be plugged in, and it's ready to go.

If you need an electronic system, then make sure you buy an acoustic-electric guitar. Not every acoustic comes with a built-in system, although one can be added later on.

When I play for the congregation, I want everyone to hear each note. For this, an amplifier is indispensable. Electronics cost a little extra and require some getting used to, but it's worth it when every face lightens up!

Introducing the Taylor 324ce

With all these factors in mind, I present to you the Taylor 324ce. Taylor is a well-known brand in the arena of acoustic guitar-making. Their designs are renowned for being innovative and sonorous. This model, I can safely say, lived up to its reputation.

The unique thing about the 324ce from Taylor’s Builder’s Edition is that it is eco-friendly. Our Church was organizing a local fundraiser for afforestation measures when I coincidentally came across the 324ce. It intrigued me because it is built from removed trees in urban areas of Southern California.

Using repurposed wood is a novel way of combining environmental concerns with the love for music. Not to mention, the 324ce is built with careful craftmanship and has a stunning look. Plus, it definitely does not compromise on sound.

I have to admit that the pricing was a little steep as far as acoustics go. However, it can be afforded as a one-time investment in a luxury model.

Pros

  • Eco-friendly manufacturing utilizing repurposed wood
  • Convenient electronics settings with a behind-the-saddle pickup system
  • Grand auditorium shape for fuller sound
  • V-class bracing design
  • Rich mid-range tone

Cons

  • No alternatives for left-handed players
  • Relatively steep pricing

Features & Benefits

In my Taylor 324ce review, I want to focus on the details that make this a finely crafted musical instrument. Here are some of the features that made it stand out for me.

Silent Satin Finish

Every guitar needs finishing for protection and aesthetic purposes. This guitar comes with a specialized Tobacco Kona Burst Silent Satin finish on the body.

It’s only natural for your hands to rub against the guitar body during playing, but that can cause disturbances mid-performance. The Taylor 324ce makes use of a Silent Satin finish to eliminate any such extra noise.

Plus, I have to mention that the entire look was attractive yet modest, topped off nicely with this finishing.

V-class Bracing

The bracing system supports the soundboard of an acoustic, and thus influences the quality of sound produced. Most guitars traditionally used the X-bracing system, which compromises on either the volume or sustain.

The Taylor 324ce is unique because of the iconic V-Class bracing it uses. The V-Class bracing architectural design revolutionized acoustic sounds thanks to Taylor’s innovation. What this means is that you have a powerful sound output for longer durations on each strum.

What I liked best was not having to sacrifice on the resonance and impact of my playing. It lets you play at a perfectly balanced mid-range.

Urban Ash Material

As I previously mentioned, this guitar is made from repurposed wood. The wood used is Shamel Ash, also called Urban Ash, due to its origins. Old-school acoustic players might be skeptical of this kind of unknown material. However, there is no such thing to worry about.

Urban Ash gives you the same crisp and resounding tone a mahogany acoustic would deliver. Each note is clear, and there are no messy overlaps. With a brand name like Taylor, the quality of material can be counted on.

Grand Auditorium Shape

Since the shape of a guitar is important for sound output, I prefer a Grand Auditorium design. It is a sturdy and proven shape and ensures that everyone at the congregation can nod along to the music.

Not to mention, this shape suits my fingerstyle playing as well as strumming style. So, I can add a few impressive tricks into my performances!

Cutaways - Taylor 324ce Review

The Builder’s Edition series by Taylor features Beveled Cutaways. In my opinion, these are better oriented for musicians who like using every part of their fretboard. Overall, this contributes to a better player-friendly experience.

Expression System 2

Last but not least, we have the electronics system of the Taylor 324ce. Expression System 2 is a trademarked behind-the-saddle pickup system by Taylor. The unique positioning of the system makes performing much easier from a technical viewpoint.

These days, the Expression System 2 has replaced the under-saddle pickup systems. The older systems often had brittle and synthetic sound output, which have now been done away with.

The Taylor 324ce has given me no reason to complain about tonal quality even when amplified. I can comfortably play in open spaces for special Church services and occasional concerts.

Customer Reviews

Even after reading about all the features, trusting a product’s quality might require more affirmation. That is why I have attached some customer reviews for your convenient reference.

Taylor 324ce Review 1
Taylor 324ce Review 2

Alternatives - Taylor 324ce Review

As much as I loved this guitar, I agree that it might not be perfect for every guitarist out there. So here are a few other options and alternatives you can look into.

  • The first alternative is the Takamine EF341SC. This acoustic-electric guitar comes in a dreadnought shape, with a Cedar and Maple wood composition. The pickup system has an under-saddle design and gives you generally good sound output. The affordability of this guitar is better for those on a budget.
  • Another alternative is the 312ce from Taylor. It comes with the same brand name with some altered features. The material of the body is Sitka Spruce and Sapele, and the neck and heel are made from tropical Mahogany. This 12-Fret Grand Concert is slightly smaller in size but comes with top-notch sonority.
  • Lastly, for those looking for more traditional options, the Martin 000-15M is a good suggestion. This is an old-school guitar without a pickup system from a reliable brand. The composition is entirely mahogany, so you don’t need to question sound quality.

Conclusion

The last thing I want to say about the Taylor 324ce is that it’s unlikely to leave you with any regrets. I have played it during worship sessions, services, and Church concerts without any disappointments so far. Every specialized feature complements the other, and the total design is very thoughtful.

Although I would highly recommend this purchase, the pricing can be a reason for reluctance. There are more affordable guitars in the market that you can look into if this is the case. However, what convinced me was the environmentally friendly outlook of this model. The Taylor 324ce does its bit for sustainable development, and extra expenditure is worth that much in my mind.

Now that you know a bit more about guitar features and the Taylor 324ce, you can make a wiser purchase. I hope there is nothing holding you back from enjoying a nice musical worship session at your next service!

Article written by Mark Le
An enthusiastic and charismatic Christian – dedicated to living a life of full service to the ministry through helping churches in bridging the gap between the Gospel and Technology.

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