Disappointed by GS Mini

[Puerto Player]

The Emerald X7 is everything the Mini should be. I've had 3 Mini's so I'm not just talking.

[Suzidownunder]

I hadn't heard of Emerald guitars before this which inspired me to watch a YouTube video. Nice tones.
I'm not keen on the style but looks nicely built. It's yours carbon fibre?

[RussL30]

Originally Posted by Puerto Player

The Emerald X7 is everything the Mini should be. I've had 3 Mini's so I'm not just talking.

Not really fair to compare a $1700 guitar to one that’s in the $500-$800 range. Something in that price range would defeat the purpose of the GS Mini.

[DenverSteve]

Maybe the Mini has improved --------- in the 7 years since this thread started.

[DesertTwang]

Originally Posted by GBYork

We have a Big Baby at home and until recently I had a Baby which I brought in the USA. I thought that these would be good reference points for the GS.

Are you referring to the Baby Taylor? If so, then something is grossly off. I discovered the GS Mini while I was considering buying a Baby Taylor a few years ago, when travel guitar options were much more limited. The GS Mini had just come out, and I was not aware of its existence. The rep in the guitar store recommended I try it for comparison, and once I did, getting the Baby Taylor was completely out of the question.

At the time (ca. 2012), the Mini was by far the superior travel guitar out there, and I still love it. These days, I probably would give the Martin Dreadnaught Jr. my preference, but purely because I'm a Martin fan boy. I couldn't even say I like the tone better than the Mini's.

For what it is, the Mini is amazing. I've used it in bluegrass jams, and when I dig in, its volume puts some of the dreadnaughts in the circle to shame.

EDIT: Oh jeez. Another zombie thread???? What's up with those lately?? Sorry, didn't realize that.

[DukeX]

Originally Posted by DesertTwang

Are you referring to the Baby Taylor?

No, he said Big Baby, and the Big Baby is a 15/16 size full scale dread that plays and sounds awesome for its $400 price. YMMV.

[ahorsewithnonam]

Originally Posted by DenverSteve

Maybe the Mini has improved --------- in the 7 years since this thread started.

The OP has been gone from these boards for 6 years!

[JPVanderbilt]

I LOVE my GS Mini. Its tone and volume is way better than any other small guitar. And it's so easy to play - easy to sit on the couch and play forever. Does it have the sound of a full size guitar like a Taylor 214 or similar? Of course not. But I can put it in the overhead bin of an airplane, backpack with it, etc. LOVE IT. As always, try before you buy.

[$ongWriter]

I tried the GS mini, (scale length is way way way too short!!)...then tried the Martin Dred Jr. (I liked it better but it still felt like a toy)....now...I bought a used Rainsong Shorty with a K&K already installed....it's perfect...the 12 fret neck makes it amazing....listen TAYLOR!!!...DO A GS MINI WITH A short scale 12 FRET NECK...I'LL TAKE THE FIRST ONE!!!!!

[colder]

I've not ever been able to understand the hype around them, myself. I will say that I played an acoustic/electric one once that sounded good through the amp, but by itself I think the GS Mini doesn't represent a great value, when you consider what else could be found in the price range for a smallish guitar or even just a nice concert body.

[phavriluk]

I think that GS Mini offers something that its price competitors do not - - - the engineering and construction integrity of the Taylor NT neck. Not visible, not audible, but representing a great deal of value. All the conversations about neck resetting are not involving Taylor products.

Guitars aren't all about tone. How well they're designed and made matters.