In our Taylor 315ce review we’re going to take a deep look into this acoustic/electric guitar.
Taylor is well-known as one of the biggest manufacturers of acoustic guitars in the USA. They have been producing high-quality guitars since 1972. Their guitars are used by some of the biggest names in music including Prince, George Strait, and Taylor Swift.
If you’re thinking of buying the Taylor 315ce, we have all the information you need.
We’ll look at all the core features of this guitar, how it performs as well as its pros and cons. We’ll also explore some alternatives that are out there as well.
First, let’s look at the key specs of this guitar.
Key Specifications of Taylor 315ce Guitar
| Body Shape | Jumbo |
| Body Type | Hollow / Acoustic |
| Neck material | Mahogany |
| Number of Frets | 20 |
| Number of strings | 6 |
| Warranty | 2 year limited warranty |
| Latest price | Click here for latest price |
Core features of Taylor 315ce Guitar
The Taylor 315ce guitar is part of the popular Taylor 300 series. Here are the core features of this acoustic/electric guitar.
Shape and size
The Taylor 315ce is a jumbo guitar. This means that it has a pretty large body shape which is designed to produce a big sound.
The actual size of the guitar is perhaps best suited to acoustic players who sit down when playing. Although, if you don’t mind the extra-large dimensions then the shape of the 315ce shouldn’t faze you. It is suited to both those who are just learning to play the guitar as well as more experienced musicians.
Its size and shape are ideal for aggressive strumming. The shape gives you good access to the upper frets and this is achieved with the Venitian cutaway.
Sound
Probably the main thing you want to find out about the Taylor 315ce – how does it sound?
Taylor created their own pickup system that helps to produce a really pure acoustic sound and this is evident with this guitar. With the Taylor Expression System – which uses magnetics and works similar to a microphone – you get a warm and natural tone.
The Expression System uses three magnetic sensors. Two Dynamic Body Sensors are placed on the underside of the soundboard while the other (a Dynamic String Sensor) is found underneath the fretboard.
All together this helps to achieve a great-sounding guitar. It has a very good balance, offers bright highs, booming lows and its sound will suit all types of guitar players.
Construction
The Taylor 315ce is well constructed.
The body top is made from spruce while the body itself is crafted from Sapele. The neck of the guitar has been made from mahogany.
It is a pretty durable guitar as well so it should stand up to the rigors of playing on frequently. We do really like the overall aesthetic that this jumbo guitar offers. It strikes a great balance between looking good, using solid wood, and also being well constructed to add durability as well.
Unless you are planning on repeatedly throwing this guitar off a wall, you shouldn’t have any issues with its longevity.
Other features
There are some other features of the Taylor 315ce to tell you about.
It uses something called New Technology (NT) on the neck. Acoustic guitars are often renowned for becoming slightly wrapped and out of line with the neck – this is usually down to the changes in humidity and the fact that the fretboard often lacks sufficient support.
With the Taylor 315ce, the New Technology (NT) creates a more stable neck. It has been used on Taylor guitars since 1999. This also makes the neck adjustable as well and it should take you less than 10 minutes to adjust it if you want.
There are also three control knobs on the guitar for volume, bass, and treble.
Warranty
Finally, what kind of warranty do you get with the Taylor 315ce guitar?
It is covered under Taylor Limited Warranty which gives you a warranty period of 2 years. Even though the Taylor 315ce is well built and you shouldn’t encounter any problems, it is good to know that the warranty is available.
Depending on where you purchase the guitar form, you can also potentially buy additional cover. This can provide cover against accidental damage, environmental damage, and also wear and tear.
How does the Taylor 315ce Guitar perform?
There is a reason the Taylor 315ce is favored by many major musicians. It plays extremely well.
The 315ce offers an authentic and warm sound with really good highs, lows, and mids. Whether you are using this as an acoustic guitar or hooking it up to an amp, it will play well. In fact, there is very little to no distortion with this guitar too.
The Expression System definitely helps to create a fantastic sound with the two Dynamic Body Sensors and the Dynamic String Sensor. If you are looking for a true jumbo sound with a guitar, the Taylor 315ce definitely offers this and performs as well (or even better) than you would expect.
Pros of Taylor 315ce Guitar
Overall we think the Taylor 315ce is great and these are the best bits.
Authentic Sound
The 315ce offers a real jumbo sound and is a great acoustic guitar. Highs, lows, and mids are all great on this guitar and it sounds as good as something you would pay double the price for.
Taylor Expression System
The Taylor Expression System was designed to ensure a natural and warm acoustic sound and it certainly achieves this with the 315ce. It features three sensors (Two Dynamic Body Sensors and a Dynamic String Sensor) as well as control knobs for volume, bass, and treble.
Well constructed
The guitar is very well constructed. It has a combination of Mahogany, ebony, and spruce wood. The Mahogany also adds more to the mid sounds. This not only creates a durable guitar but it really adds something to the overall aesthetic as well. The Taylor 315ce looks great and plays great too.
Warranty
You get a two-year warranty with this guitar under the Taylor Limited Warranty. You can also add on additional protection depending on where you buy the Taylor 315ce.
Adjustable Neck
The New Technology (NT) that Taylor has been using on its guitars since 1999, helps to maintain a straight neck. This also allows it to be adjusted as well and you can do this in less than 10 minutes. A really good addition to an already well-made guitar that helps to solve the common neck issues with acoustic guitars.
Hardshell case included
When you buy the Taylor 315ce, you get a hardshell case included. This is great because it means you don’t need to source one of these yourself or pay extra money for one either. A small thing but something that is a big advantage.
Cons of Taylor 315ce Guitar
There are some things about the Taylor 315ce to make you aware of.
Boominess on the 7th fret
Even though the sound on the 315ce is great overall, some people do report a kind of ‘boominess’ sound on the 7th fret. It creates a sort of dull tone. We wouldn’t say that this is a massive issue and it might be a problem with one of the sensors, but it is worth highlighting it in any case.
Is quite big
I suppose the clue is in the name ‘jumbo’ guitar however some people may find the overall size and shape of the Taylor 315ce a bit big. The dimensions of the guitar are 17 inches (width) x 4 5/8 inches (depth) x 21 inches (length).
Not the easiest to find
This isn’t a new guitar and it has been around for a while. It can be a little difficult to locate one at times however there are still many 315ce’s that come onto the market. It is a very popular guitar so while finding one can be a bit time-consuming, it is by no means impossible.
Are there any alternatives?
Taylor 316ce
If you want to stick with Taylor but find that the 315ce isn’t for you, then going one up to the Taylor 316ce is an option.
This acoustic guitar provides a really good bass with a natural loud sound. It also does a really good job on the lower notes. This guitar is made from solid Sitka spruce (top wood), solid Sapele (back and sides), and mahogany (neck). So, like the 315ce, it is very well built and constructed.
It features the Taylor Expression 2 with three calibrated pickup sensors.
One thing to note is that it is a bit more expensive than the 315ce. There isn’t a wild difference between the two but you will need to pay some extra dollars to pick up a 316ce. Overall, this is a really good jumbo acoustic guitar that produces a naturally fantastic sound.
Yamaha LL-TA TransAcoustic Jumbo Acoustic-Electric Guitar
Yamaha is a brand we like and we’ve had a look at quite a few of their guitars in the past.
The Yamaha LL-TA TransAcoustic Jumbo Acoustic-Electric Guitar features a similar jumbo design to the Taylor 315ce and can also be used as an acoustic guitar or in an electric setup. The back and sides are made from solid rosewood while the neck is manufactured with 5-ply mahogany. The TransAcoustic feature allows you to add reverb and chorus without the need for an external amp.
This is a very sturdy and well-built guitar. It offers a great sound that you would expect and it is a really fun guitar to play. It is certainly on par with many Taylor and Martin models (Read our full comparison). This guitar also comes in a bit cheaper than the Taylor 315ce and the Taylor 316ce as well.
If you are looking for a solid and great-sounding jumbo guitar, this offering from Yamaha is definitely worthy of consideration. While it can be difficult sometimes to work out if the TransAcoustic feature is turned off or not, there isn’t much to dislike about this guitar overall.
Takamine GN77KCE Mini Jumbo Acoustic-Electric Guitar
If the guitars that we have already listed here are a bit expensive for your budget, the Takamine GN77KCE Mini Jumbo Acoustic-Electric Guitar will be more suitable.
It comes in a good bit cheaper than the Taylor 315ce and the other alternatives we have listed. That isn’t to say that it is a bad guitar.
It offers a decent sound with highs, lows, and mids and does deliver good bass too. It probably isn’t going to blow you away but for the price, we were nicely surprised at how well it performs. The Takamine GN77KCE has a scaled-down jumbo shape so the actual size might suit some people better than a true jumbo guitar.
This guitar is mainly made from Hawaiian Koa Laminate with some rosewood construction as well.
It is ideal for any type of guitar player that wants something that is cheap but wants better quality than some of the budget guitars out there.
A very good guitar for what it costs and it offers a decent level of sound and performance to suit a smaller budget.
Frequently Asked Questions about Taylor 315ce Guitar
Question: What is the Taylor 315ce guitar made from?
Answer: The Taylor 315ce is made from several materials. Spruce is the material used for the body top which the body has been made from Sapele. The neck of this guitar has been constructed with mahogany.
Question: What is the Taylor Expression system?
Answer: The Taylor Expression System is a technology that is used to create a warm, authentic acoustic sound. It comprises three control knobs for volume, bass, and treble as well as three sensors – two Dynamic Body Sensors and a Dynamic String Sensor.
Question: Will the neck on the Taylor 315ce remain straight?
Answer: The Taylor 315ce guitar features something called New Technology (NT). This creates a more stable neck and ensures that it shouldn’t be impacted over time. It also allows you to adjust the neck of the guitar as well.
Question: Does the Taylor 315ce guitar have a warranty?
Answer: Yes. You get a two-year warranty with the Taylor 315ce guitar.
Question: Is the Taylor 315ce suited to beginners?
Answer: Yes. This acoustic guitar is suited to all types of musicians from learners to experienced guitar players. You don’t need to be an experienced player to learn with the Taylor 315ce and it is the favored guitar of many professionals and enthusiasts.
Question: Do I need to buy a case separately for the Taylor 315ce?
Answer: No. The Taylor 315ce should come with a Taylor hardshell case although you can purchase another guitar case if you wish.
Final thoughts – the Taylor 315ce offers an authentic acoustic sound and is packed with great features
Taylor is renowned for producing great guitars – hence why so many professional musicians prefer them – and the Taylor 315ce is no different.
If you are looking for a jumbo acoustic/electric guitar, you can do a lot worse than opting for the 315ce.
We like a lot of what this guitar has to offer. It is very well constructed and has a lovely traditional aesthetic to it. This is also a durable guitar as well.
In terms of sound quality, it produces a warm and natural acoustic tone that is certainly better than some other acoustic guitars we’ve looked at. The Taylor Expression System definitely helps with this and is a neat piece of technology. We also like the New Technology (NT) on the neck that should help keep it straight over time and the fact that it makes the neck adjustable too.
There are some downsides to the 315ce. Mainly this is around some reports of a ‘boominess’ dull overtone on the 7th fret as well as its jumbo size. However, they are minor complaints really for what is a really good guitar.
Whether you are taking your first steps into guitar playing or you have been performing for many years and want to add a solid jumbo acoustic guitar to your collection, the Taylor 315ce delivers what you need for a very reasonable price.
Check out more reviews from Tayor guitars:
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