The GS Mini stands out among mini guitars for its exceptional sound quality that belies its compact size. While many other mini guitars compromise on sound and playability, the GS Mini overcomes these challenges. It's the top choice for skilled players, especially those seeking portability, versatility for both indoor and outdoor use, and a user-friendly experience, even for those who previously struggled with guitar playing.
● Want a portable mini guitar without compromising on sound quality/volume.
● Regular mini guitars often go out of tune easily and are stressful to play.
● Looking for a guitar of a size that won’t be in the way at home.
● Previously gave up on the guitar because the strings were hard to press, but want to try again.
● For those who are unsure which variation of the GS Mini to choose due to its many variations
This review will introduce the high-quality mini guitar, Taylor GS Mini, by an ex-musical instrument store clerk Yosh (@Yosh_Guitar).
Pros of Taylor GS Mini
High-Quality Mini Guitar
While major brands like YAMAHA and Morris offer many inexpensive models for mini guitars, their sound and playability are not necessarily high quality.
The Taylor GS Mini is more expensive than these, but it’s not just a shrunken version of a regular guitar. It’s designed from scratch, achieving the highest quality in terms of sound and playability among mini guitars. Since it’s made with high quality, the string height is appropriate, making it easy to play. There’s no need to worry about common mini guitar issues like going out of tune easily due to the short scale or cheap pegs.
It’s so good that even those with high-end guitars buy it as a second guitar. Since its launch in 2010, over 350,000 units have been shipped, proving its globally recognized quality.
Regular Size Class Sound
Its unique design for its size achieves a sound that exceeds its size. The body back is rounded, directing the internal echo towards the sound hole. The sound hole is as large as that of a regular-sized guitar, ensuring a clear sound output. As a result, it sounds better than regular-sized guitars priced below $300.
It has a clear, sparkling, and balanced tone, with a slightly subdued bass due to its small body. Many reviewers describe its sound as “dry,” and most are satisfied with its volume that exceeds its size. It produces clear harmonics, making it suitable for both strumming and fingerpicking.
Same PU as Higher-End Models (e-model only)
The pickup is the ES2, the same as the one used in American-made models. While typical piezo pickups tend to produce a hard, line-like sound, Taylor’s piezo pickup achieves a natural acoustic sound through its unique design.
The preamp used is the ES-B, which is equipped with Taylor’s mini guitars. It’s convenient to have a built-in tuner, but the tone adjustment is only through the TONE knob, different from the preamps in higher-end models. Still, it produces a more natural sound than the cheap line-like sound of electric-acoustic guitars priced below $1,000. The GS Mini-e Koa Plus is the only model equipped with the ES2 preamp like the higher-end models.
Cons of Taylor GS Mini
Slightly Larger for a Mini Guitar
While it falls under the category of Baby Taylor mini guitars, it’s slightly larger compared to Baby Taylor and Little Martin. The total length of the Baby is about 857mm, and the GS Mini is about 930mm. From a simple “portability” perspective, this can be seen as a demerit. However, it’s still smaller than a regular guitar, and the size is optimized to improve the sound. If you appreciate this balance, the GS Mini is a good choice.
Be Cautious of the String Gauge When Shipped
The strings that come with it are Elixir’s phosphor bronze medium gauge. The intention is to enhance the resonance by using thicker strings due to the short scale. Those who are retrying the guitar or usually play electric guitars might find the strings hard to press.
In that case, switching to a light gauge or custom light gauge might be a good idea. The sound might lose some of its sharpness, but it won’t be significantly worse.
Differences/How to Choose Between GS Mini’s Mahogany, Rosewood, and Koa
| Specification | Top Material | Body Material | Market Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| GS Mini Mahogany | Mahogany | Sapele | $599 |
| GS Mini-e Mahogany | Mahogany | Sapele | $699 |
| GS Mini Rosewood | Spruce | Rosewood | $699 |
| GS Mini-e Rosewood | Spruce | Rosewood | $799 |
| GS Mini-e Rosewood Plus | Spruce | Rosewood | $1,199 |
| GS Mini-e Koa | Koa | Koa | $999 |
| GS Mini-e Koa Plus | Koa | Koa | $1,199 |
Each model has different top and body materials, leading to different sound characteristics. All models have a clear and balanced tone as a base, but their differences are:
- Mahogany: Among the three, it has a narrower range and a slightly mellow sound. It’s easy to produce sound even with a soft touch, making it suitable for fingerpicking. It’s great for casual playing on a sofa and is also beginner-friendly.
- Rosewood: It has a clear, all-around sound with distinct contours. With a spruce top, you can experience the most typical acoustic guitar sound. It responds well, making it suitable for both strumming and finger-style.
- Koa: It has a bright treble and a prominent midrange. Its dynamic range and response are intermediate among the three models. It’s unique even among acoustic guitars, making it recommended as a second guitar for those seeking a new sound.
The Plus model is equipped with the ES2 preamp, similar to the higher-end models. It’s recommended for those who want to use it extensively for recording or live performances. However, the ES-B preamp found in other models is also quite usable.
Conclusion
The GS Mini is popular as a mini guitar with a sound that exceeds its size. Many cheap mini guitars have issues with sound quality, intonation, and playability, making playing them stressful. The GS Mini addresses all these issues, making it the most recommended mini guitar for proficient players. It’s perfect for those who:
- Want a portable size with a professional sound and stress-free playability.
- Want a second guitar with a sound that’s suitable for both outdoors and indoors.
- Those who once gave up on the guitar because they couldn’t press the strings.
