NAMM-Exclusive Beauty: Taylor Custom C14ce B5029 in Transparent Orange

Straight from the 2025 NAMM floor to our showroom, this Taylor Custom C14ce B5029 is a striking, limited-edition acoustic that merges the best of Taylor innovation with the craftsmanship of their Custom Shop. One of the few produced for this year’s show, it’s a rare chance to own something that feels as special as it sounds.

A New Twist on a Taylor Favorite

This custom build starts with Taylor’s most versatile body style—the Grand Auditorium—but reimagines it with the shallower depth of a Grand Concert, making it exceptionally comfortable to hold and play. Whether you're seated in a writing session or performing on stage, the lap-friendly profile feels intuitive and effortless.

Tonally, it’s all about balance and clarity. The solid Sitka spruce top brings a touch of sparkle and responsiveness, while the figured Big Leaf maple back and sides add warmth and a transparent, player-reflective character. Every nuance of your playing comes through with crystal definition and subtle harmonic depth.

The Z-Glide Neck: Speed Meets Innovation

One of this guitar’s most unique features is the Z-Glide neck, a groundbreaking design by Dean Zelinsky that flips conventional thinking on its head. Instead of relying on unfinished or satin-finished necks to reduce drag, the Z-Glide features a precisely engraved crosshatch pattern on the back of the neck that physically reduces the contact surface between your hand and the wood.

The result? Your hand only touches about 28% of the neck—the rest is air. That means less friction, faster movement, and a consistently smooth, silky feel up and down the fretboard. It’s one of the most tactile and performance-enhancing neck designs available on any guitar today—and a rare find on a Taylor.

As Zelinsky himself puts it: “Z-Glide is likely the first real breakthrough in guitar design in many years… satin or unfinished necks don’t come close to what the Z-Glide achieves in feel and playability.”

Custom Style and Premium Detail

Visually, this NAMM Custom doesn’t hold back. The Transparent Orange finish shows off the maple’s figured grain, accented by green abalone and mother-of-pearl Artist fretboard inlays, a matching abalone rosette, and a mother-of-pearl peghead logo. Elegant white binding, black/white purfling, and gold tuners complete the look.

It’s also loaded with Taylor’s proprietary V-Class bracing, offering improved volume, enhanced sustain, and more accurate pitch across the neck.

Plug In and Go

With Taylor’s ES2 electronics under the hood, you’ll get a clear, dynamic amplified sound that’s gig- and studio-ready—just plug in and go.

Whether you’re a collector, a tone chaser, or simply looking for something extraordinary, this Taylor Custom C14ce B5029 delivers on every front.