The Official GS Mini Upgrades / Mods / Customizations Thread

[dcameron]

Originally Posted by fazool

One thing to note: the standard bridge pins do not fit the GS Mini and they only sell plastic ones for the GS Mini.
Standard Martin bridge pins fit perfectly on a mini.

Between this and the fret marker upgrade info, this thread has already paid off for me big-time!!

[wborisenok]

Originally Posted by dcameron

Between this and the fret marker upgrade info, this thread has already paid off for me big-time!!

As a newbie, this is music to my ears

[Matt McGriff]

Some mods to one of my previous GSMinis. Gotoh 510 minis in gold/black, Nichols TRC w custom taylor Koa style inlay and ebony/abalone bridge pins.





I also put the Taylor gold mini tuners on my current Hog mini.

[wborisenok]

Matt, you're a true GS Mini guy huh? Sharp guitars! Did you install the tuners?

[Matt McGriff]

Yeah, I'm on my fourth. For some stupid reason I sold the first three. The tuners are simple to install. Taylor's are plug and play. The gotohs are simple as well. Just install the tuners, align them up in a nice, symmetric, alignment, and drill the screw holes. Use a drill bit slightly smaller than the screw and set the depth of drilling with some masking tape on the drill bit. Forgot to add that I put gold strap buttons on the necks of all of the ones I modded.

[dgaemc2]

I haven't done any mods to my 3 GSminis (Sitka, Hog, HV).
However, if I were to do so....the only one on my list would be to upgrade to 510 Gotoh tuners (black). Not essential, but would provide a nice look and provide more precise tuning.

[noledog]

Upgraded this hogtop mini I gifted to my former spouse: a custom ebony TRC in abalone/pau as well as some custom dyed bone pins from good ol' Bob Colossi to match the top & pickguard. Here are two vids I did with it prior to the mods simply recorded on my laptop. The bone added tad better timbre, and clarity in the low E string.
Review: http://youtu.be/aUXVmKHHi5A
Seminole Wind: http://youtu.be/ifltlIAeqgU

[wborisenok]

Nole, that's a beautiful Mini. I actually looked at a set of pins when I was at the shop today but decided I wanted to be picky about whatever ones I choose. I also reminded myself that I tend to go into "buy everything in sight even if it's unnecessary mode" when I go to the shop and it doesn't help my bank account. Haha. My Mini arrives on Tuesday and so far my list of mods is 3 deep!

[dgaemc2]

Very nice Noledog!!

I might also consider your bridge pin upgrade on my Hog mini even just for how good it looks.

I would also just like to say that I really enjoy all of your youtube demos.

You are a very good guitar player!

[piper_guitarist]

Originally Posted by okieboy

Got my Mini last week and am enjoying its unique voice. I'd like to add some more interesting and colorful bridge pins. Any suggestions about what to get and where to get them?

And -- thanks for this neat on-going thread!

Pinz from Rob Jewell. They're supposed to be a fairly universal size. They fit my Martin perfectly and someone mentioned Martin pins fit the GS Mini so I'm sure they'd fit.

I have the Paua pins and they are, in a word, stunning. You can have a look here: pinzuk.com.

[noledog]

Originally Posted by wborisenok

Nole, that's a beautiful Mini. I actually looked at a set of pins when I was at the shop today but decided I wanted to be picky about whatever ones I choose. I also reminded myself that I tend to go into "buy everything in sight even if it's unnecessary mode" when I go to the shop and it doesn't help my bank account. Haha. My Mini arrives on Tuesday and so far my list of mods is 3 deep!

Thank you Whitney! I look forward to your N-mini-GD...like muscle cars, mods are a blast, but also burn a hole in ye ol' pocket!...but it's so much fun.

Originally Posted by dgaemc2

Very nice Noledog!!

I might also consider your bridge pin upgrade on my Hog mini even just for how good it looks.

I would also just like to say that I really enjoy all of your youtube demos.

You are a very good guitar player!

Thanks for the kind props d2! If you get the bone pins, just take a pic of your top since the tops vary in color some. Then email it to Bob and he will email you back some pics of sets he has dyed or will dye to match your top or which ever you want. Thanks again for watchin', I appreciate you!

[JLed79]

I don't have a mini yet. I do and don't like them. Those that I've played feel a bit cramped in my left hand. If I can't get past that I'd love to get one and do some tasteful mods to it too. I do love the dyed pins Eric put in his. I'm wondering how it would look if I also added a bone saddle and had it dyed to match.... Maybe some mahogany fretboard marker dots... Could look cool....maybe.

[Gutch]

Was forced into replacing the bridge pins on my Mini Hog when one of the plastic ones snapped during a string change. Ordered plain Ebony ones from the Taylor site and they worked fine (Someone above said they wouldn't. That is incorrect information based on my experience).

Second swap was the tuners. Replaced the original issue with chrome Taylor standard tuners I had laying around after replacing them on my T5 with Gotohs. Smoother and more accurate than the original issue ones and were a direct and easy swap.

[Nedro]

When I figure out how to post photos I will add some. My upgrade includes Colosi bridge pins and saddle. A custom TRC. Ebony tuners. Removed the cheap plastic pick guard (waited a little too long as it has a small tan line). K&K mini next on the list.

[wborisenok]

Originally Posted by Nedro

When I figure out how to post photos I will add some. My upgrade includes Colosi bridge pins and saddle. A custom TRC. Ebony tuners. Removed the cheap plastic pick guard (waited a little too long as it has a small tan line). K&K mini next on the list.

How'd you handle the tan line? And did you replace the old pick guard with a different one?