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Builder's Edition 816ce (2019)
6-String | Lutz Spruce Top | Indian Rosewood Back and Sides | Tropical Mahogany Neck | West African Crelicam Ebony Fretboard | Expression System® 2 Electronics
6-String | Lutz Spruce Top | Indian Rosewood Back and Sides | Tropical... More
Series:
800
UPC: #00887766105749
Note: Each guitar has unique visual traits due to differences in wood grain. Guitars ordered through this website or found in stores may feature minor visual variations from the ones pictured here.
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For model availability, check with an authorized Taylor dealer near you. (See local options below.)
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Left!
Preorder Today
Coming Soon!
Call to order!
For model availability, check with an authorized Taylor dealer near you. (See local options below.)
Get It Today Locally
Responsibly Sourced Materials
Materiales obtenidos de forma responsable.
Taylor está comprometido con el abastecimiento ético de materiales y la búsqueda continua de prácticas más sostenibles.
Deluxe Hardshell Case Included
Estuche rígido deluxe incluido
Protective and durable Deluxe Hardshell Case included at no extra charge.
Estuche protector rígido deluxe y duradero incluido sin cargo adicional.
Lifetime Warranty with Registration
Garantía de por vida con registro
Factory Expert Service & Support
Servicio y Soporte Técnico de Fábrica
Responsive customer service from factory experts trained to help you get the most out of your guitar.
Expertos en servicio al cliente de fábrica capacitados para ayudarte a aprovechar al máximo tu guitarra.
Overview
- Builder's Edition guitar loaded with comfort features
- Redesigned Grand Symphony body for big, bold voice
- Solid Indian rosewood & spruce produces depth and clarity
- Soundport cutaway for immersive, symphonic response
- Includes ES2 pickup and deluxe hardshell case
Overview
Builder's Edition 816ce
Watch VideoThe first guitar to feature our updated Grand Symphony body shape, the Builder's Edition 816ce introduces a fresh sound and style to the Taylor line. Made with solid Indian rosewood back and sides, a Lutz spruce top, and V-Class bracing, this acoustic-electric boasts a soundport cutaway, which leaves the back of the guitar intact for maximum resonance while allowing sound to disperse in an immersive, wide-angle way. The result is a surround-sound experience characterized by warm, sparkling tone that balances clarity and power, one that performs as well in solo settings as it does in larger groups. Finished off with chamfered edges and built-in ES2 electronics, the Builder's Edition 816ce serves up a truly unique musical experience.
Editor's Pick Award
How good does the new 816ce look and feel? Don’t get me wrong: The former is beautiful, but the redesign has a more unique visual appeal with its eye-catching soundport cutaway. The natural Lutz spruce top practically radiates in sunlight, as does its green abalone rosette.
Editor's Pick Award
The Builder’s Edition 816ce has practically perfect playability.
Editor's Pick Award
The soundport adds dimension, and the wider panorama leads to a more symphonic sound.
“It is reassuring to note that a human armed with a chisel and old-fashioned ingenuity is capable of making waves—waves of both surf and sound, perhaps the biggest revolution in acoustic guitar architecture since the dawn of X-Bracing.”
Features
Indian Rosewood
The tonewood superstar. Popular, traditional, and versatile, Bob Taylor puts Indian rosewood among the greatest tonewoods ever.
Lutz Spruce
This natural hybrid of Sitka and White spruce also shares characteristics with Adirondack spruce, responding with power, richness and volume.
Expression System® 2
The Expression System® 2 captures more of a guitar’s dynamic properties using a breakthrough behind-the-saddle design.
V-Class Bracing
Our patented V-Class bracing is a revolutionary new pattern — a new sonic engine — that marks a major shift away from traditional steel-string bracing patterns.
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Questions & Answers
Preguntas frecuentes
7 questions
Where is the 816ce made?
El Cajon, California, USA
Can the Builders Edition 816CE be built with a radius armrest as well as it’s regular features?
Sorry, no. Our Builder's Edition models are built specifically to our head designers specifications. They are not modifiable.
Hi, I am enjoying my 816 BE and wondering, how many od those guitars have been made? (well, or madw until now as I guess you still make them)
Not counting one off or left handed versions, 1482.
Can a 1/78 inch nut be had on a steel string taylo for fingerstyle?
Not on this model but a 1 7/8" nut width is available on many 300 series and higher models that don't have a cutaway. There's a $150 up charge for that feature and any authorized Taylor dealer can take the order.
Does this guitar come in a left-handed version?
Does this guitar come in a left-handed version?
Show all 7 questions
Is this guitar available with a gloss finish?
Is this guitar available with a gloss finish?
Can I order this model with a narrower nut width?
Can I order this model with a narrower nut width?
Reviews
Rated 4.9 out of 5 from 8 ratings
Wonderful guitar
Wonderful sound and easy to play guitar. Very happy with my purchase.
- How I Use It
- Home/Recreational
- Describe Yourself
- I'm fairly new but have some experience
The best Guitar ever!
The best Guitar ever!
I had owned 616ce from 2015 before. This guitar overrides all guitars from Taylor what I tried to play.
But 816ce brings more ideal song like grand piano from Bosendorfer.
I have this guitar since November 2024 and I fall more and more in love with this!
I had owned 616ce from 2015 before. This guitar overrides all guitars from Taylor what I tried to play.
But 816ce brings more ideal song like grand piano from Bosendorfer.
I have this guitar since November 2024 and I fall more and more in love with this!
- How I Use It
- Home/Recreational
- Describe Yourself
- I've played for many years
- Describe Yourself
- Mostly acoustic player
Excellent acoustic
This guitar did not disappoint! This is the 1st guitar I bought without playing it 1st. Its warm tone is so pleasing to the ear exactly what I've been looking for.
- How I Use It
- Stage/Live Performance
- Describe Yourself
- I've played for many years
- Describe Yourself
- Mostly acoustic player
Best Guitar I've Ever Played!
The Builder's Edition 816ce has amazing playability, sound, and looks. I have loved this guitar since the moment I picked it up in the store. I own six guitars, a few are vintage, but my 816ce has become my primary instrument for both practice and the stage. Highly recommended!
- How I Use It
- Home/Recreational
- How I Use It
- Stage/Live Performance
- Describe Yourself
- I've played for many years
Best I’ve ever played!
Something special about this guitar! I’ve spent years buying a guitar every few years but never getting that x factor I was looking for as a professional songwriter, but I walked in and played this and instantly fell in love. When I decided I was going to spend that kind of money I played everything else several times and I always kept coming back to this as the best.
The notes just seem to emanate off of it whether playing dog or hard, with out without a pick. There’s tones and a resonance I hear on this guitar that I just didn’t on others. Andy Powers directors cut Builders 816 guitar is definitely the best I’ve ever played!
The notes just seem to emanate off of it whether playing dog or hard, with out without a pick. There’s tones and a resonance I hear on this guitar that I just didn’t on others. Andy Powers directors cut Builders 816 guitar is definitely the best I’ve ever played!
- How I Use It
- Home/Recreational
- How I Use It
- Studio/Recording
- How I Use It
- Stage/Live Performance
- Describe Yourself
- I've played for many years
- Describe Yourself
- I'm a professional musician
- Describe Yourself
- Mostly acoustic player
- Describe Yourself
- I play both acoustic and electric
A LIFETIME COMPAGNION
AN INNOVATIVE, PERFECTLY BALLANCED AND VERY BEAUTIFUL GUITAR.VERY PLAYABLE AND IN SOME CLOSED SPACES YOU GET A QUITE "GLOBAL" SOUND
- How I Use It
- Home/Recreational
- Describe Yourself
- I've played for many years
- Describe Yourself
- Mostly acoustic player
A fine special and hopefully lifetime guitar and companion
I am not a hell of an experienced giuitarist but I think that this is the best e-acoustic guitar I could choose among others of same price and fame, far beyond my ability to cover its pontentials! ( I have seen for instance in U.T.. Mr.. Nathaniel Murphy indulging in his acoustic funk jazz thing with MY (laughs) 816ce , if you know what I mean)
I bought it after having been for some years with no guitar at all! ,because I could afford the price and because at last! have now the time to play as long as it pleases me ((been a lawyer for over 40 years)
So let's check the stars
1* Aaesthetics
2* Innovation (sound port in comb. with bev.cutaway)
3*Ballance and playability,
4*Resonance and responsivness
5*Tuners
I bought it after having been for some years with no guitar at all! ,because I could afford the price and because at last! have now the time to play as long as it pleases me ((been a lawyer for over 40 years)
So let's check the stars
1* Aaesthetics
2* Innovation (sound port in comb. with bev.cutaway)
3*Ballance and playability,
4*Resonance and responsivness
5*Tuners
Doesn't have the exact sound I'm wanting. I would like to have a little more boldness. I do appreciate the craftmanship and the overall sound... This is my forth Taylor and I do love them all.....
Hi Keith,
The 816ce is a great guitar but if it's not the exact sound you're looking for, we have many others to choose from. Please contact your dealer or our customer service team for recommendations. Thanks!
The 816ce is a great guitar but if it's not the exact sound you're looking for, we have many others to choose from. Please contact your dealer or our customer service team for recommendations. Thanks!