Taylor 110ce-S

A new variation of Taylor’s popular entry-level dreadnought is the most affordable 100 series model.

September 22, 2023

Taylor Guitars has built its reputation on the sound and playability of its medium-to-high-end instruments built in El Cajon, California. But not everyone can afford to spend $2,000 or more on a guitar, and for almost 20 years, Taylor has offered several more-affordable lines that are built in its secondary production facility just across the border in Tecate, Mexico. Using the same high-tech approach to guitarmaking that Taylor pioneered in California (as well as support from Taylor staffers who move between the facilities), the Tecate-made lines have grown to encompass a wide range of models. Earlier this year, Taylor introduced a new version of its popular 110 model. Using sapele instead of the walnut currently used on other 100 series models, the new 110ce-S dropped the price to $799, making it an attractive option for anyone looking for a full-size, full-featured Taylor on a budget. Taylor also introduced grand concert, grand auditorium, and GS-Mini versions with sapele back and sides, but in this video, I take the dreadnought-size 110ce-S for a spin in the Peghead Nation video studio.

For the 110ce-S, Taylor used a version of the dreadnought shape it used to use in all of its lines before replacing it with its Grand Pacific shape a few years ago. Like all the Tecate-made guitars, the guitar also includes traditional X-bracing rather than Taylor’s original V-Class bracing. As the “ce” in the name indicates, the guitar has a cutaway and Taylor’s ES2 electronics. The sapele used for the back and sides is layered (a type of laminated wood), rather than solid, and the wood on our demo guitar has attractive grain patterns and coloring. The top is made from solid Sitka spruce and has relatively wide grain and some variations in color. The guitar’s neck is hard rock maple, and with a width of 1¹¹/₁₆ inches, it’s slightly narrower than those found on most current higher-end Taylor models. Because the 100-series models emphasize value and functionality, the guitars have simple appointments. The 110ce-S has a satin finish, basic black body binding, and simple black-and-white rosette, as well as small position marker dots in the fingerboard.

It’s phenomenal how much Taylor feel, sound, and character this guitar has for a price less than $800. Its big voice leans toward a traditional dreadnought sound, its neck and setup offer the classic Taylor feel and playability, and its overall vibe is one of an instrument that is ready to work, not that of a typical entry-level model. Plugging the guitar in only enhances this impression. With the same pickup and electronics package found in much pricier Taylors, this guitar has the stuff to be a serious gigging machine, either as a main guitar or backup for a more expensive Taylor model.

Players looking for a great flattop with easy playability and a maximum of bang-for-the-buck should definitely check out the new Sapele 100’s. Besides the 110ce-S I checked out, the concept is also available in grand concert (112ce-S), grand auditorium (114ce-S), and GS Mini sizes.