Taylor Prototype 314ce Shamel Ash / Sitka Blacktop

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The Taylor Prototype 314ce Japan Limited Blacktop is a distinctive Grand Auditorium acoustic-electric guitar featuring Shamel ash back and sides, a Sitka spruce top, and a custom finish developed for the Japanese market. Its gloss Blacktop contrasts with Shaded Edgeburst back and sides and a matching satin-finished neck, creating a striking variation of Taylor's 300 Series design. Scalloped V-Class bracing, an Action Control Neck, and Taylor Claria electronics combine modern construction features with a comfortable, performance-oriented playing experience.

The Grand Auditorium body pairs a Sitka spruce top with Shamel ash back and sides, offering the dynamic response of spruce alongside the balanced tonal character of ash. Taylor's scalloped V-Class bracing with Relief Rout, Voicing G, is designed to enhance resonance, projection, and sustain. The guitar's gloss Blacktop is complemented by a Shaded Edgeburst treatment on the Shamel ash back and sides, with tobacco-colored shading that highlights the wood's natural grain. Black body binding, multi-line black-and-white purfling, and a three-ring rosette complete the distinctive appearance.

The neo-tropical mahogany neck features Taylor's Action Control Neck construction, allowing convenient adjustment of the guitar's playing action. Its Slim Carve profile and satin finish provide a comfortable feel, while the Crelicam ebony fingerboard features a 15" radius, 20 frets, and faux-pearl Gemstone inlays. A 25.5" scale length and 1 11/16" nut width provide familiar string tension and spacing, and the Venetian cutaway allows access to the upper frets. Matching Gemstone peghead inlays and a faux-pearl Taylor logo add further detail to this Japan Limited prototype.

The Prototype 314ce Japan Limited is equipped with Taylor's Claria electronics, featuring an undersaddle pickup and soundhole-mounted controls for amplified performance. A Crelicam ebony straight-wing bridge, matching ebony bridge pins, black TUSQ nut, and white Micarta saddle complete the string path. Taylor nickel tuning machines, a black pickguard, and black hardware accents complement the instrument's dark finish. Additional details include a J-Spec back label and D'Addario XS coated phosphor bronze strings. A brown Taylor AeroCase is included.

Highlights

• Japan Limited prototype with gloss Blacktop and Shaded Edgeburst Shamel ash back and sides

• Sitka spruce top with Shamel ash back and sides

• Scalloped V-Class bracing with Relief Rout, Voicing G

• Action Control Neck with Slim Carve profile and Gemstone inlays

• Taylor Claria electronics and brown AeroCase

Specifications

Body

• Body Shape: Grand Auditorium

• Body Style: Acoustic-Electric

• Cutaway: Venetian

• Top Wood: Sitka Spruce

• Back Wood: Shamel Ash

• Side Wood: Shamel Ash

• Back Configuration: 2-Piece, No Wedge

• Bracing: Scalloped V-Class with Relief Rout, Voicing G

• Bracing Wood: Sitka Spruce

• Body Lining: Kerfed

• Top Finish: Blacktop, Gloss

• Back and Side Finish: Shaded Edgeburst, Gloss

• Back and Side Color Treatment: Ash Stain, Brown Filler, Tobacco Shading

• Body Binding: Black ABS

• Top Purfling: Black/White/Black/White/White/Black

• Rosette: Three-Ring Black ABS

• Rosette Purfling: Black/White/Black

• Tail Strip: Crelicam Ebony

• Cutaway Cap: Shamel Ash

• Heel Cap: Black ABS

• Armrest: None

• Orientation: Right-Handed

Neck

• Neck Wood: Neo-Tropical Mahogany

• Neck Joint: Taylor Action Control Neck

• Neck Profile: Slim Carve

• Neck Finish: Shaded Edgeburst, Satin

• Neck-to-Body Joint: 14th Fret

• Fingerboard Wood: Crelicam Ebony

• Fingerboard Binding: Black ABS

• Fingerboard Radius: 15"

• Fingerboard Inlays: Gemstone, Faux-Pearl Italian Acrylic

• Side Dots: Silver

• Number of Frets: 20

• Fret Style: Standard

• Scale Length: 25.5"

• Nut Width: 1 11/16"

• Nut Material: Black TUSQ

• Peghead Type: Standard Paddle

• Peghead Veneer: Crelicam Ebony

• Peghead Inlay: Gemstone, Faux-Pearl Italian Acrylic

• Peghead Logo: Faux-Pearl Italian Acrylic

• Peghead Binding: None

• Peghead Finish: Satin

Hardware

• Bridge: Crelicam Ebony Straight Wing

• Saddle: White Micarta

• Bridge Pins: Crelicam Ebony

• Tuning Machines: Taylor Standard Nickel

• Tuner Buttons: Nickel

• Pickguard: Classic Black

• Truss Rod Cover: Black ABS

• Strap Pin: Black, Neck Heel

• End Pin: Black

• Factory Strings: D'Addario XS Coated Phosphor Bronze Light

Electronics

• Pickup System: Taylor Claria

• Pickup Type: Undersaddle

• Controls: Soundhole-Mounted

• Battery Compartment: Integrated Battery Box

• Configuration: Acoustic-Electric

Miscellaneous

• Brand: Taylor

• Series: 300 Series

• Model: Prototype 314ce Japan Limited

• Finish: Blacktop / Shaded Edgeburst

• Number of Strings: 6

• Orientation: Right-Handed

• Prototype Designation: Japan Limited J-Spec

• Back Label: J-Spec

• Case: Taylor AeroCase, Brown

Why Buy from Tone Shop Guitars?

Tone Shop Guitars is an independent Taylor dealer with locations in Addison, Southlake and Fort Worth, Texas. We offer free nationwide shipping on new instruments and multiple financing options.