Has anyone led worship w/ Taylor GS Mini?

northwestern · #1 06-30-2021, 09:32 AM

I have a D18 with a LR Baggs Anthem but it’s just too big sometimes so I’ve been looking into getting a smaller bodied guitar. Sounds crazy but I’m wanting to experiment with a Taylor GS mini koa or mahogany with the LR Baggs Anthem SL or M80. Sounds weird right? I lead for anywhere between 1000-2000 people with a full band.

NotveryGood · #2 06-30-2021, 10:16 AM

Nothing weird about it. Plugged in ,any guitar will fill the room . Unplugged however.............

edward993 · #3 06-30-2021, 11:04 AM

Plugged in, practically anything will work. If you've got a halfway decent soundman, you've got absolutely nothing to be concerned over. Your GS mini --or any small-bodied guitar-- is zero detriment, and arguably becomes a sonic asset as more instruments/voices come on stage. It really is a non-issue ...enjoy

And FWIW, I'd opt for an Anthem SL over the M80.

Edward

Guitarplayer_PR · #4 06-30-2021, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by northwestern

I have a D18 with a LR Baggs Anthem but it’s just too big sometimes so I’ve been looking into getting a smaller bodied guitar. Sounds crazy but I’m wanting to experiment with a Taylor GS mini koa or mahogany with the LR Baggs Anthem SL or M80. Sounds weird right? I lead for anywhere between 1000-2000 people with a full band.

It doesn't. I've done it and I'm still alive!!!

In fact, smaller guitars tend to cut better through a mix and the GS Minis cut very, very well.

Wellington · #5 06-30-2021, 07:36 PM

I laughed reading the title as the ongoing stereo type and butt of many jokes are that in order to be a worship leader you have to play a Taylor lol

Italuke · #6 06-30-2021, 08:03 PM

I've led church services with a ukulele. Ok granted, it was a tenor...

TDavis · #7 06-30-2021, 08:13 PM

Have you considered trying it with a Martin DJr-10? If you like the sound and feel of a Martin…it might be a great option.

Guitarplayer_PR · #8 06-30-2021, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wellington

I laughed reading the title as the ongoing stereo type and butt of many jokes are that in order to be a worship leader you have to play a Taylor lol

Taylor is the closest thing to what a "worship music tone" might be.

northwestern · #9 07-01-2021, 12:29 AM

In case anyone was wondering, turned out to be too small. Great tone though for its size. I did play a Breedlove wildwood that blew my mind for its price though.

Brent Hahn · #10 07-01-2021, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guitarplayer_PR

Taylor is the closest thing to what a "worship music tone" might be.

Yep, "worship music tone" is a thing. You don't last long in that kind of setting by bucking convention.

roylor4 · #11 07-01-2021, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by northwestern

In case anyone was wondering, turned out to be too small. Great tone though for its size. I did play a Breedlove wildwood that blew my mind for its price though.

Why didn't you buy the Breedlove??

Shadowfox · #12 07-01-2021, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by northwestern

I have a D18 with a LR Baggs Anthem but it’s just too big sometimes so I’ve been looking into getting a smaller bodied guitar. Sounds crazy but I’m wanting to experiment with a Taylor GS mini koa or mahogany with the LR Baggs Anthem SL or M80. Sounds weird right? I lead for anywhere between 1000-2000 people with a full band.

Worship pastor here, there's a massive drop off from a dread to a GS Mini. Why not just go down slightly to a Grand Auditorium or even an OM?

Also, the scale length of a GS Mini doesn't bode well with me, hates how it feels.

phavriluk · #13 07-01-2021, 10:48 PM

Playing through a PA system? Turn up the volume.

douglasfan1 · #14 07-02-2021, 12:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by northwestern

I have a D18 with a LR Baggs Anthem but it’s just too big sometimes so I’ve been looking into getting a smaller bodied guitar. Sounds crazy but I’m wanting to experiment with a Taylor GS mini koa or mahogany with the LR Baggs Anthem SL or M80. Sounds weird right? I lead for anywhere between 1000-2000 people with a full band.

Heard people leading worship with Maton EMD6, not bad but still missing the bass that a normal acoustic guitar should have. The tone is a quite thin. Although it is not notable during full band, it is very obvious when fingering with vocal.

I can't say you cannot use it for worship as there is no music instrument you cannot use for worship. Just bare in mind the tone of your guitar in the worship. Volume should be fine as that's a matter of PA system and pickup.

One thing I should mention is that there is a reason for Dreadnought guitar being so popular. It sounds so well for accompany singing. Remember we are talking about the tone, not the volume. If you would like to try a smaller body guitar, will you consider OM/000 or small Jumbo guitar?

northwestern · #15 07-02-2021, 01:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shadowfox

Worship pastor here, there's a massive drop off from a dread to a GS Mini. Why not just go down slightly to a Grand Auditorium or even an OM?

Also, the scale length of a GS Mini doesn't bode well with me, hates how it feels.

Yup realized it was a massive change. Sounded better in my head. Might grab the Breedlove but I’m still looking. I spent so much $ on my D18 that I want to find something a little more affordable. The Martin 000-15M was pretty good and looked briefly into the basic Taylor 214 dlx but I just can’t do the brightness on those for some reason.