Full solid GS Mini’s?

Cool555 · #1 11-20-2018, 10:50 PM

Will Taylor make Full solid Gs mini’s? I understand that Gs mini’s are the best sellers for Taylor guitars. You reckon a full solid will sound better than the current laminated (back n sides) ones?

Tnfiddler · #2 11-20-2018, 10:54 PM

Strictly my opinion, but I’m gonna go with the old adage, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!” Why would they change a huge success?

Cool555 · #3 11-20-2018, 11:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tnfiddler

Strictly my opinion, but I’m gonna go with the old adage, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!” Why would they change a huge success?

Yes...it makes sense!

Just wondering if they will sound better and be even more popular than the current one...

nolegsfngrpickn · #4 11-20-2018, 11:05 PM

They should offer the GS Mini as an option to their custom shop. I'd buy one.

Tnfiddler · #5 11-20-2018, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cool555

Yes...it makes sense!

Just wondering if they will sound better and be even more popular than the current one...

I don’t know if they would be a success. Knowing Taylor, they’d jack the price up to $1200-1300 dollars and that would take away the magic of the current ones. For a really low price, especially if you shop around for a good used one, you can get a phenomenal little guitar that will hold its own on the stage, especially with the ES2 and is perfect to have laying around the house to play. I don’t know that I’d want them to upscale it. I can let my kids play my Koa mini and not freak out about it getting a ding in it. I also don’t have to sweat humidity fluctuations with the laminates like I do my solid woods.

RussL30 · #6 11-20-2018, 11:35 PM

I don’t necessarily think they’d sound better. I think the arched back contributes to the big sound the little body produces. They couldn’t do that with a solid back and I think it would negatively affect the positives of having such a little guitar with a huge sound.

jdto · #7 11-20-2018, 11:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RussL30

I don’t necessarily think they’d sound better. I think the arched back contributes to the big sound the little body produces. They couldn’t do that with a solid back and I think it would negatively affect the positives of having such a little guitar with a huge sound.

Yup. You’d definitely lose some of the GS Mini magic if the back had to be braced.

ChalkLitIScream · #8 11-20-2018, 11:40 PM

Wouldnt hurt to release a ltd run of all solid minis to be fair. WOuld be a nice experiment. You can still keep the layered minis as usual, but just put out a ltd run to see how it fairs. no harm done.

Cool555 · #9 11-20-2018, 11:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nolegsfngrpickn

They should offer the GS Mini as an option to their custom shop. I'd buy one.

Depending on the price (US$1,000 or thereabouts for the Koa), I would buy one
too! Ideal for guys like myself (of smaller stature).

jdto · #10 11-20-2018, 11:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChalkLitIScream

Wouldnt hurt to release a ltd run of all solid minis to be fair. WOuld be a nice experiment. You can still keep the layered minis as usual, but just put out a ltd run to see how it fairs. no harm done.

Uhm...if it fails and doesn’t sell, it would do some harm. They’d have to design and test new bracing for the all solid GS Mini backs and it would have to sound different and good enough to warrant the price increase. If it were a marketable and feasible product, I bet Taylor would do it. The fact they haven’t so far, combined with the success of the GS Mini in all its incarnations, tells me that an all-solid isn’t a no brainer and might hurt.

steelvibe · #11 11-21-2018, 12:00 AM

I really like the GS Minis, especially the mahogany topped version. I'm good with the laminate, it's the neck I can't get along with. IMO, Make it at least a 24" scale and bring that neck carve up to a 1.75 nut and then you have a winner

sstaylor58 · #12 11-21-2018, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steelvibe

I really like the GS Minis, especially the mahogany topped version. I'm good with the laminate, it's the neck I can't get along with. IMO, Make it at least a 24" scale and bring that neck carve up to a 1.75 nut and then you have a winner

Agree, I like everything about them but would like the 1-3/4” nut too. C’mon Taylor, pleeeaaasse!

#13 11-21-2018, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cool555

I understand that Gs mini’s are the best sellers for Taylor guitars.

They are best-sellers they're cheap and durable. Going to solid wood construction would erase both of those advantages/selling points.

Cool555 · #14 11-21-2018, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sstaylor58

Agree, I like everything about them but would like the 1-3/4” nut too. C’mon Taylor, pleeeaaasse!

Do Taylor representatives (staff) read this forum? I think they do...

Earl49 · #15 11-21-2018, 11:08 AM

The premise behind the GS Mini - and the Baby Taylor and Big Baby before that - was to use laminated backs without bracing to keep the cost down. Simplified manufacturing and laminated woods = lower price. If you go to all solid wood, the price will jump up to probably equal the 300 series. So the Mini won't be a great seller at ~$1500. Taylor already makes the 200 and 300 series to cover those price points (you sell a LOT more guitars that are $700 than $5000).

A sold Mini likely would not sound any different, or much different. The tops are still solid spruce, only the back & sides are laminate. Just my opinion, but the shallow arch of the back does not make any huge difference in the sound, despite the conventional wisdom. As for the narrow necks, Bob Taylor has stated that the target market is entry level and newbies, so the 1-1/16" neck just feels better and easier to beginners. Don't expect to see 1-3/4" necks on GS Mini any time soon. They would have to produce both neck sizes and dealers would have to stock both "models".

This comes up every once in a while. But you cannot get luxury car features at economy car prices.