Best Taylor Guitar Under 2k? 224ce-K Deluxe Review

Here is a quick box opening and review for the Taylor 224ce-K DLX Grand Auditorium. Is it the Best Taylor Guitar Under 2k?
I have gone back and forth on this guitar and ultimately I decided I was just being too picky. It sounds different than I expected but in the end I really liked it.

Check it out!

SPECIFICATIONS
Body
Body type: Auditorium/OOO
Cutaway: Single
Top wood: Solid Hawaiian koa
Back and sides: Layered Hawaiian koa
Bracing pattern: Taylor Standard II (Forward shift pattern)
Body finish: Gloss
Orientation: Right handed
Neck
Neck shape: Taylor Standard Profile
Nut width: 1.687" (42.8 mm)
Fingerboard: Genuine West African ebony
Neck wood: Solid sapele
Scale length: 25.5"
Number of frets: 20
Neck finish: Satin
Electronics
Pickup/preamp: Yes
Brand: Taylor
Configuration: Behind-the-saddle transducer with Adjustable Sensors
Preamp EQ: 2-band
Feedback filter: Phase
Tuner: No
Other
Headstock overlay: Genuine West African ebony
Tuning machines: Gold die-cast
Bridge: Genuine West African ebony
Saddle and nut: Micarta "Wave"/NuBone
Number of strings: 6
Special features:
Case: Deluxe hardshell case
Accessories: None
Country of origin: Mexico

[GoodxJ]

Even though the Big Baby Taylor is one of their cheapest guitars I still love that guitar the most of the Taylor's I've played!

[carpediem]

Just got this guitar & love it… personally, I didn’t find it too bright or boomy (very tonally balanced IMO). you’re style is pretty aggressive which is perhaps better suited to a dread. 👍

[windfinder]

I just bought one, partly based on this video, and I am really happy. I think you need some different strings for your playstyle. For me, this guitar has amazing warm tones, and crisp highs. I will try some different strings eventually, but I find the unique sound of all koa is incredible. And it looks like nothing else... Thanks for the video!

[AshwinShankar-nsgq]

Honestly for your play style you should try Martins. Even their road series would sound great

[XneverstopfightingX]

Not gonna lie, I paused the video right after the Bali song flair you put in there. If I could slow clap in a way that you could hear I would definitely do it. I see way too many unboxings with “safety knives” and keys and whatever else is laying around. Props to you for having some flair! Rock on!

[josephsantana]

314ce V class is the way to go. All solid wood and an incredible tone that’s very balanced.

[guitarisonfire]

I bought mine and I love it so much. You need a spruce top for the style of playing that you do. I find mine sounds better doing finger style playing. I don’t really strum my guitar that hard lol. I also heard that the bass will open up more later. Keep on rockin brother 😇🤘🤘

[CSabinzx]

Nice Review!! I've had my 224ce-K for alittle over 2yrs now and can tell you it sounds waaaay better today then it did new! And I loved the sound/look of it brand new when I got it. Thing I would suggest if you haven't done so by now, is get rid of those plastic Bridge Pins and put in a set of Ebony that'll help with the tone over all. The more you play it the better that Koa becomes.

[mcas]

Got mine back in Nov. 19 Love it looks great. Sometimes I just look at it and wish I were more worthy of it!

[jonboulet]

I have heard that over time the Koa really starts to open up and the sound evolves and ages nicely. Would be cool to see a follow up video 5 years later (assuming you still have it).

[sardiver]

Beautiful guitar. I can see the blem, the light catches it top left, holding the guitar upright looking at it. Small area that’s not shiny. No biggie though. They all get banged up if your playing : )

[richardturner]

Koa is a very love it or hate it type of top wood.I feel like this review is spot on about how this guitar sounds. Personally I feel like the boomyness of the low end gives this character over the sea of spruce top guitars in the tailor lineup. But definitely if you want more midrange go for a spruce top. The way this guy plays the way he really digs into the strings I think he’d like a Martin d series for midrange.

[Mickelock]

I love your review, that is why I bought the guitar itself even knowing the tone It offers. By the way, beautifull sounding little song there.

[markpeters]

Koa takes about 5 years to really open up, I have one that is 22 years old and it blows all my other acoustics away

[lornepeters]

Koa top guitars will mature and will give you a better expressive experience over time.

I bought the Taylor 324ce Mahoney because of tone wood's natural compression. The mid range is more rounded and balanced. My Taylor 324ce sounds warmer in tone after 4yrs of owning than it did when I first bought it. Give it time for the tone wood to open up.

Hope this helps. Cheers!

[sgib]

Dynamics my guy. Dynamics. You do play a heavy hand. That’s part of your issue. Allow the instrument to speak.

[jaaackhammer]

I've played it at the store and didn't find it chimney or thumps. If your micing it try a royer r10. Hands down the best mic for acoustic and micing an Amp. Sounds so clean and clear and gets rid of the thumping. Tried about 30 other mics before I found the royer.

[areject]

Soo beautiful. Thinking about buying one

[thomasboss]

Per Taylor luthier “ the worst a Koa guitar will ever sound is the day it was made”, so play, play, play it. Heavy strum will just let it’s voice out quicker. I’ve got a 222ce- k DLX coming via ups. Can’t wait.

[acrwalter]

Beautiful! Congrats man!!! Awesome work. The best to you man