No matter where you want to jam, the Taylor GS Mini Acoustic is a small guitar that sounds great. Delivering a robust, full-bodied sound, this guitar is great for any musician on the move. Not only is this guitar incredibly portable, but it is also exceptionally convenient and extremely agreeable to play.
Taylor’s Grand Symphony Mini has a body entirely constructed of mahogany, giving the GS Mini an impactful, full-sized sound. The combination of mobility and tone offered by the Taylor GS Mini is a potent mixture sure to impress.
(4.6 / 5)Contents
Taylor GS Mini Mahogany GS Mini Acoustic Guitar Review
Key Features
- Body Material Type: Mahogany & Sapele
- Fretboard Material Type: Ebony
- Neck Material Type: Sapele
- Dimensions: 18″ x 42″ x 8″
- Weight: 11 lbs.
But wait, there’s more…
Tone Quality & Sound
Larger guitars most commonly have a resoundingly big sound. In contrast, smaller guitars have a more reserved, diminutive sound. This difference in consistency is mostly a result of a guitar’s body size.
Nevertheless, it would seem that the Taylor GS Mini Acoustic fixed this inequality through the use of high-quality materials and creativity.
Truth be told, the body style of Taylor’s GS Mini Mahogany is a contracted form of Taylor’s Grand Symphony guitar. So, not only does this guitar capture the full tone of its’ fully-grown predecessor, but it also boasts improved features.
The sound generated by the GS Mini is pleasant, yet sharp. Where most mini guitars fall short of putting out a sufficient bass tone, the Taylor GS Mini Acoustic doesn’t disappoint. In line with its powerful mid-range and treble tones, the GS Mini puts out a robust bass timbre as well.
So, whether you are strumming away vigorously or just playing gently, the GS Mini is consistent and perfectly balanced. With a remarkable sound for any beginner’s guitar, the GS Mini rivals most full-sized guitars.
Playability
Since Bob Taylor crafted his first guitar, his instruments gained notoriety for their playability. Ranging in price from a few hundred bucks to thousands of dollars, any Taylor is accessible. Being simple to use, the GS Mini is great for beginner’s who tend to get stifled by fussier guitars.
If you play more vigorously, raising the action might be a good idea since the Mini’s action is naturally low.
That said, a low action is beneficial to beginners and virtuosos alike. Where beginners can avoid constant string buzzing, professionals can slide up and down the fretboard with ease.
A good number of mini guitars on the market today are just not easily played. A primary reason the Taylor GS Mini has such a high-level of playability is due to the design of the neck joint. In fact, Taylor’s GS Mini Acoustic uses the same patented NT neck joint as its fully-grown brethren.
In Wood and Steel, a publication by Taylor, Bob Taylor says, “he was adamant about the Mini having the feel of a ‘real’ guitar, so he gave it the patented Taylor NT neck with the same action and feel as a full-size Taylor.”
Design
When first observing the mahogany Taylor GS Mini, it hardly looks smaller than average. Taylor doesn’t usually compromise the integrity of its models, and the same principle is evident in the GS Mini’s build. Both the back and sides of this guitar are made from Sapele. According to The Wood Database:
“Sapele is a commonly exported and economically important African wood species. It’s sold both in lumber and veneer form. Occasionally used as a substitute for Genuine Mahogany — sometimes referred to as ‘Sapele Mahogany.’”
Comparatively, built with Sitka Spruce, the top of the guitar is a solid wood often used in premium guitars.
The Taylor GS Mini Acoustic also has a satin-matte finish, a high-class feature found in its big-ticket counterparts. Even though most guitar companies save on costs by using cheap wood for bridges and fretboards, Taylor uses genuine Ebony.
What’s more, the GS Mini is thinner than standard full-bodied guitars, making it suitable for adults as well as children.
Optional Pickup Add-on
The ES-Go is a specially designed humbucker pickup for Taylor’s GS Mini. The installation of this optional pickup system is simple, requiring only a Philips-head screwdriver. There are around five steps until the ES-Go is ready to play, and the process isn’t exactly rocket surgery 😉.
Discretely tucked away in the sound hole, the ES-Go sounds quite natural. Not to mention, one doesn’t have too many EQ adjustments to make to have this guitar sounding tip-top.
Although the pickup adds about $99 to the Mini’s total price, if you intend to use this guitar regularly it’s a perfect modification.
Pros
- Sound quality compares to a full-sized guitar
- Keeps its tune
- Simple, yet durable, design
- Lightweight
- Thinner neck makes for more comfortable playing
Cons
- A little pricey
- The satin-matte finish makes the guitar more susceptible to nicks and scratches.
- Optional pickups mean enhancements require minor tweaking
All things considered…
The Taylor GS Mini Acoustic is an affordable, incredible sounding guitar that will offer endless hours of enjoyment. With the GS Mini, Taylor continues to manufacture quality instruments in the acoustic guitar’s wheelhouse. The Taylor GS Mini Acoustic isn’t just your run-of-the-mill acoustic guitar, such as Yamaha’s FA-100. This acoustic not only has an impeccable design but an equally immaculate sound quality as well.
As a matter of fact, this mini might even have you second-guessing the quality of more expensive, full-sized guitars on the market. Offering excellent value for its price, the GS Mini is an ideal choice for any guitarist looking for a good-quality, “starter guitar.”