The mahogany is still my favorite, rich and full. The walnut also sounded very nice, a close second to the mahogany. I don't care for the koa, seems kind of brittle-bright. I know others love it, and it certainly is beautiful, but tonally, it seems much harsher than the others.
I honestly was not even interested in these GS mini's and had no intention of even trying one. I happened to be at the guitar store tonight testing several bigger guitars out and saw the mini hanging on the wall. Decided to test it out and I was blown away, it sounded so rich and full just a beautiful guitar. Also the scale seems a little smaller making it easier to play. I am definitely going back to buy it.
This weekend my local GC had all three in a display out on the main floor. In that environment (lots of background noise), the clear winner was the walnut. You could very clearly hear yourself play with plenty of nuance. Could not even hear the others. In quiet environments the hog sounds good. No love for the Koa here. Disclaimer: I do own a walnut model.
For all those commenting how upset they are about the Mahogany not being available as an E, Taylor does sell a pickup kit that snaps inside the guitar very easily. The guitar actually already has the mount installed for the pick up you can buy for it. To me, as someone who already has a full size Taylor E model, it’s clear to go with the Mahogany, as you’re saving $300 from the Koa, and if you decide to spend the extra $99 on the electric pick up for the mahogany, that’s available. I may decide to buy the pick up for it, but I’ve got a full size 314ce already if I want to hook up to an amp.
I played all three at local store and ended up buying the walnut.. it’s brighter and louder not plugged in.. perfect for playing in an open space.. i absolutely love it!
I used to like a super bright tone and good low end, but over time I like a more balanced tone. Mahogany does it for me. Phosphor bronze strings would really bring out its full sound.
I gave the Koa one a strum and was blown away by the clean tone and volume. My favorite of the three. I shied away from the mini-scale fretboard. Just seemed like a junior model guitar. Ended up getting a 12-fret parlor for much less $ and not nearly Taylor quality. Taylor 12-frets cost $2500-$3500. Wish they'd come up with a compromise.
Tested all of ‘em today, ended up buying the Koa. I’m a hog guy, being a big big d18 fan thought I’ll end up with a hog. The recording on this video doesn’t do justice for the koa! The balance, clarity and NOTE SEPARATION from the koa is just unbelievable. You have to test the koa IN PERSON to truly appreciate its unbelievable tone. I don’t easily get impressed like this, but damn, this guitar is the best guitar purchased I made, considering Im fortunate enough to own a number of high end guitars. I can’t put the damn guitar down since I got it. No wonder even the boutique ukulele luthier continues to utilise koa. In a smaller guitar body it just makes perfect sense.
Walnut is best. For a small guitar it’s gonna be brighter So the walnut redistributes the tones and makes them much more mellow, and it has king sustain
As you should Doc ... support MSU Cats! Surprisingly for an inexpensive guitar, as others have commented, the Mahogany does seem to have better overall sound but, for the most part, a fuller sound with slightly more sustain. If I were a "beginning" guitarist, I would probably chose the Mahogany. The price on these Taylor starter guitars have come down substantially.
The hog sounds dull to my ear. My koa has started to open up in the bass after a year's playing. I think it will mature more over time than the others. They don't mention which strings the guitars were set up with. I have tried Elixir Nanoweb 12-53 and was not entirely satisfied. The low E string sounds muffled and poorly intonated. Martin FlexCore sounds much better on my mini. I think Andy Powers is right, there is more to intonation than the compensation at the saddle. All three guitars have laminated backs and sides. Their tonal differences are mainly due to the top wood, which is solid in all three. I think the Walnut should be presented as spruce since the spruce top is what gives that guitar it's tonal character. The walnut veneer is mainly an aesthetical issue.
Koa trebley, walnut trebley + bass bomb, mahogany very round, but focused on middles. Personally if you has no particular rieason to cut through the mix I would avoid koa. The choice between the other two is personal taste/use.
Here the answer from Taylor: Josh Mundt (Taylor Guitars) Aug 20, 10:17 AM PDT Hello, Thank you for contacting us. From time to time we have to put certain models on production hold to make room for models that are in higher demand. This is the case with the GS mini-e MAH. I am sure we will see this back in production at some point. Just not sure when. Best, Josh Mundt Customer Service Rep (800) 943-6782 (619) 258-1207 taylorguitars.com
I played them both yesterday and the mahogany gs mini smashed the similarly sized/priced Martins out of the water in terms of sound, play-ability and comfort. In the end, the only reason I was considering the Martin was simply to own a Martin - which is ridiculous. GS Mini Hog all the way...
I like them all, but the Walnut sounds to me less balanced in frequency,. I wish they'd had the Mahogany with pickups coz I although I hear sound differences between it and the Koa, I cannot say which I prefer. Maybe that's why the Mahogany is still without the "-e", they want to sell the more expensive one :)
Gunslinger320 slightly smaller. I have a Gibson LG0 and my neighbor generously lent me his mahogany GS Mini to take home and compare. Slightly smaller body and fretboard is smaller. But they are similar.
The mahogany is still my favorite, rich and full. The walnut also sounded very nice, a close second to the mahogany. I don't care for the koa, seems kind of brittle-bright. I know others love it, and it certainly is beautiful, but tonally, it seems much harsher than the others.
The mahogany sounds best to my ear.
it's louder than the other two.
It sounds mellow and well-balanced. Too bad they don't sell it with a pickup system.
Tried both - the Mahogany definitely has a brighter sound with a more powerful high end, but there being no pickup system is a killer for me. :-(
BMAC Love the Mahogany! I use it for my homestudio and on stage👍🏽
@@billfroug It seems to be!
Or is it mahogany on top?
Skip to 3:30 to hear the comparisons if you're uninterested in their talking/opinion.
Such a hero
I honestly was not even interested in these GS mini's and had no intention of even trying one. I happened to be at the guitar store tonight testing several bigger guitars out and saw the mini hanging on the wall. Decided to test it out and I was blown away, it sounded so rich and full just a beautiful guitar. Also the scale seems a little smaller making it easier to play. I am definitely going back to buy it.
Do you think that gsmini can be a main guitar? Like recording and live perform with it
This weekend my local GC had all three in a display out on the main floor. In that environment (lots of background noise), the clear winner was the walnut. You could very clearly hear yourself play with plenty of nuance. Could not even hear the others. In quiet environments the hog sounds good. No love for the Koa here. Disclaimer: I do own a walnut model.
Played all of them in the shop. Love each of them. That's why I don't have one. I can't decide which to buy!
For all those commenting how upset they are about the Mahogany not being available as an E, Taylor does sell a pickup kit that snaps inside the guitar very easily. The guitar actually already has the mount installed for the pick up you can buy for it. To me, as someone who already has a full size Taylor E model, it’s clear to go with the Mahogany, as you’re saving $300 from the Koa, and if you decide to spend the extra $99 on the electric pick up for the mahogany, that’s available. I may decide to buy the pick up for it, but I’ve got a full size 314ce already if I want to hook up to an amp.
Why are three out of four minutes of a video billed as "Ultimate GS Mini Comparison" talking?
I own the mahogany and I honestly believe that its rich and mellow tone is superior to many guitars that are three times the price.
I played all three at local store and ended up buying the walnut.. it’s brighter and louder not plugged in.. perfect for playing in an open space.. i absolutely love it!
I used to like a super bright tone and good low end, but over time I like a more balanced tone. Mahogany does it for me. Phosphor bronze strings would really bring out its full sound.
IMO toss up between the KOA and the Mahogany
the mahagony sounds full in bottom end and high end feels Balanced
I gave the Koa one a strum and was blown away by the clean tone and volume. My favorite of the three. I shied away from the mini-scale fretboard. Just seemed like a junior model guitar. Ended up getting a 12-fret parlor for much less $ and not nearly Taylor quality. Taylor 12-frets cost $2500-$3500. Wish they'd come up with a compromise.
I would prefer them clean.
Without pickup system installed.
KOA sounds different from my Ｂｒａｚｉｌｉａｎ Rosewood but is charming as well
Tested all of ‘em today, ended up buying the Koa. I’m a hog guy, being a big big d18 fan thought I’ll end up with a hog. The recording on this video doesn’t do justice for the koa! The balance, clarity and NOTE SEPARATION from the koa is just unbelievable. You have to test the koa IN PERSON to truly appreciate its unbelievable tone. I don’t easily get impressed like this, but damn, this guitar is the best guitar purchased I made, considering Im fortunate enough to own a number of high end guitars. I can’t put the damn guitar down since I got it. No wonder even the boutique ukulele luthier continues to utilise koa. In a smaller guitar body it just makes perfect sense.
Koa always sounds "boxy" to me. Like the Walnut. Love the Mahogany.
Thank you. Koa for me. Sounded broader spectrum !
Very clear differences in the differences comparisons - but you have to move on to 3.30 to get to them.
Walnut is best. For a small guitar it’s gonna be brighter
So the walnut redistributes the tones and makes them much more mellow, and it has king sustain
mahogany by far
In love with the walnut sound
walnut, then mahogany, then koa
As you should Doc ... support MSU Cats! Surprisingly for an inexpensive guitar, as others have commented, the Mahogany does seem to have better overall sound but, for the most part, a fuller sound with slightly more sustain. If I were a "beginning" guitarist, I would probably chose the Mahogany. The price on these Taylor starter guitars have come down substantially.
The hog sounds dull to my ear. My koa has started to open up in the bass after a year's playing. I think it will mature more over time than the others. They don't mention which strings the guitars were set up with. I have tried Elixir Nanoweb 12-53 and was not entirely satisfied. The low E string sounds muffled and poorly intonated. Martin FlexCore sounds much better on my mini. I think Andy Powers is right, there is more to intonation than the compensation at the saddle. All three guitars have laminated backs and sides. Their tonal differences are mainly due to the top wood, which is solid in all three. I think the Walnut should be presented as spruce since the spruce top is what gives that guitar it's tonal character. The walnut veneer is mainly an aesthetical issue.
In Taylor website, they mention the guitars are equipped with Elixir Phosphor Bronze Medium.
I love my mahogany gibson but I was surprised that I liked the Walnut. Who knew and now I need to go over the the store and play with it.
koa warm sound with low end, walnut bright sound with high end, mahogany balanced
After watching this, I can say that I got the perfect one for me, GS Mini Mahogany ♥️
That was a really good review. Thank you.
Koa trebley, walnut trebley + bass bomb, mahogany very round, but focused on middles. Personally if you has no particular rieason to cut through the mix I would avoid koa. The choice between the other two is personal taste/use.
Why did they get rid of the pickups in the mahogany model :/
Here the answer from Taylor:
Josh Mundt (Taylor Guitars)
Aug 20, 10:17 AM PDT
Hello,
Thank you for contacting us. From time to time we have to put certain models on production hold to make room for models that are in higher demand. This is the case with the GS mini-e MAH. I am sure we will see this back in production at some point. Just not sure when.
Best,
Josh Mundt
Customer Service Rep
(800) 943-6782
(619) 258-1207
taylorguitars.com
I cant decide between the GS Mini vs
rhe Martin X (0X2MAE). Thoughts?
I played them both yesterday and the mahogany gs mini smashed the similarly sized/priced Martins out of the water in terms of sound, play-ability and comfort. In the end, the only reason I was considering the Martin was simply to own a Martin - which is ridiculous. GS Mini Hog all the way...
Great Video! Perfect way to actually hear the difference in all 3. Best comparison video out there. I own the Hog and the Nut.
First olace - koa and mahog
You guys should blindfold Quinton for these comparisons! I think it would be fun!!!😁
just close your eyes
@@jerryx2000 I mean so Quinton would have to guess which guitar he's playing without actually seeing it.
I like them all, but the Walnut sounds to me less balanced in frequency,. I wish they'd had the Mahogany with pickups coz I although I hear sound differences between it and the Koa, I cannot say which I prefer. Maybe that's why the Mahogany is still without the "-e", they want to sell the more expensive one :)
They came first with the ES2 Pickup, like the grand ones. Got the Koa version with this PU and for me the new PU is a step back, sorry.
The ES-B and ES2 uses the same behind-the-saddle-pickup. What differs is the preamp.
That's the point. The ES-B preamp needs a big hole in the side of the guitar. I don't like holes and preamps in that way in guitars …
Mahogany for me as well.
I thk i will take KOA
Are these the same size as a Gibson LG0/lg1/LG2 etc???
No, they are smaller than the Gibson LG.
Gunslinger320 slightly smaller. I have a Gibson LG0 and my neighbor generously lent me his mahogany GS Mini to take home and compare. Slightly smaller body and fretboard is smaller. But they are similar.
What mic are you using?
Neumann KM-184
These are awesome guitars!!!
e- Walnut vs Mahogany 뭐를 골라야 좋을지 진짜 모르겠다. 아몰랑
Hoon S walnut
Mahogany > Koa > Walnut
mahogany is the best to me
For me, you are the best
I love my all mahogany!
Definitely Koa and second preference would be walnut.
The left guy always looks like a Andy Powers in Taylor Guitars. Am I alone?
Mahogany!
koa is sweeter and more clear
The mahogany and koa sound s better
Darn. New real wood headstock faceplates. Earlier versions are flat black
Get total details before buy it bestmusically.com/taylor-gs-mini-e-koa-acoustic-electric-guitar/
walnut
Koa wins. Mahog is too muted; Walnut is too treble-y.
whoa, $800 for laminate? Ixnay. I'd revisit a small-body Yamaha, lots more value there.
Not just "couch guitars" at all!!
KOA + A Thousand Years :)
Taylor gs mini ovangkol ltd !
Awful comparison - all talking then just a few chords
Говорите нормально нихрена не понятно, вы прикалуетесь, у меня малому 3 месяца он понятней мяукает и агукает!!!
Why would anyone make a guitar with a mahog top?