One of the best videos in the topic!! Good tips, I am now exploring short scale electric guitars for the first thing my life. I didn't know they exist. I have always had problems stretching fingers. Let's see how I feel with a Jaguar about to come. Regarding woods, I don't know about acoustic guitar but rosewood in electric guitar is not a warmer wood despite what people think. Rosewood is very dense, heavy and hard wood (like a stone) and does not add warm to sound but more bright. I guess the confusion is because of our brain is cheating us with wood colors. Dark color does not mean warmer and bright color brighter.
Thank you so much for your comment! I'm sure you'll have a lot of fun with your new Jaguar! It's an interesting point about tonewoods. Two guitars made from the same woods can sound hugely different depending on the manufacturer and model. And also sound different to different ears. To my ears, rosewood sounds warm, I think it's the good bass response.
Thanks very much Emily. I'm a mandolin and tenor guitar player, my tenor guitar has a 21 3/4 inch scale length which is short but very comfortable and having only four strings, a narrow neck. I've got three nice ukes but don't play them hardly, so I'm thinking seriously of selling them and buying a travel accoustic guitar. I've watched a few videos about shorter scale but this is by far the best as it's from your perspective as an actual player. I will be primary using it finger style for melodies and some over chords and I'm in Lancashire so will buy over here. I've liked and subscribed. Take care, David.
Thanks so much for your comment and support, David! I'm pleased you like the video. I tried to make the video I wish had been around years ago when I was struggling with my HUGE acoustic. There are plenty of places to find specifications and technical details about short scale guitars but I wanted to share what to think about when buying one. Ukuleles have a special place in my heart but if you're not playing them, a travel guitar could bring you a lot more joy :)
Beautiful guitar! I've heard a few people mention that they wish the nut size was larger. It's such a personal preference thing. The narrower nut is one of the things that makes it easier for me to play.
I tried a whole bunch of these GS minis at my local Guitar Center and I have to say I wasn't impressed by the build quality of any of them. I have a cheap $250 Yamaha acoustic amongst a bunch of other much more expensive acoustics (Gibson, Martin and Yairi). The Yamaha holds its own in terms of build quality, but not sound quality. The Taylor GS minis I tried had necks which were uneven on the back of the neck (kind of wavy, and very distracting to play). All of the ones I tried suffered from the same problem. I've never experienced this before on anything but really low end guitars (< $100). Maybe a bad batch ? not sure. Tone-wise I found the mahogany dull, the koa wasn't great with fingerpicking as it doesn't have much mid range. Spruce top is best if you can find it, but you might need some duller vintage sounding strings. I was going to buy one, and in the end I didn't after trying them. I'm now looking at something like a Lowden Sheeran L04 or Martin Jr-10, both of which sound better than the GS minis in my opinion. The Martin has a 24" scale but wide nut at 1.75". The Lowden has a longer scale at 24.8" with a 1.71" nut width. Both are less expensive than the GS minis. Main lesson is, don't order one online unless you've tried it first. With lots of guitar stores closing down these days, that's easier said than done. I'll keep looking, and see what comes up.
Absolutely, you need to find a guitar that's right for you, and you'll only know you've found the right one by playing it. My local store had a lot of Taylors and Yamahas. After trying a bunch, the GS Mini spruce was my favourite in playability and sound. It's a very personal thing. The build quality of mine is fantastic, so perhaps the ones you've seen were a bad batch. They are incredibly popular so I hope that Taylor aren't letting standards slip to meet demand. I hope you find a model you like soon, let me know what you get 😊
I'm really struggling with the C chord on my standard dreadnaught, so thank you this video was very helpful, it's good to know I can get something smaller when I'm ready to upgrade. What are your thoughts on a 12-fret guitar? Would they still have the same length between frets?
It depends on the guitar model. They are usually a slightly shorter scale length but not that much shorter. You might find it easier to hold and play though. Mounting the neck at the 12th fret means you don't reach your arm out as far to play cowboy chords and the guitar might sit better in your lap. Try to figure out what's making it tricky for you to grab that C. It could be one thing like scale length, or a combination of things like it was for me (guitar body size, nut width, scale length etc). Definitely worth trying out a 12 fret guitar though! Take your current one with you to the store and switch between it and the ones you try out to kind of 'reset' yourself so you can really feel the difference between each one.
Some guitars have slightly short scale length such as 000 guitars or some models of dreadnoughts also. One big difference in scale length to me is feel. With a short scale length, it is easier to play in the sense there is less tension on the strings, but also the strings can feel like spagetti with the same string guage, if that makes any sense haha. If you are accustomed to a longer scale length, it might take time to adjust. Some guitar models even have a slightly extra long scale length, which increases the tension, and therefore it increases the volume and tone slightly, as there is more tension on the top if the guitar. It is easier to bend the notes on a short scale length, so that is helpful for some styles of music. Also as a beginner you can probably play longer with short scale length, as it doesn't cause so much pain in the fingers, and maybe those with arthritis would find it easier to play with a short scale length. Easiest to fret would be short scale length with very light strings. So in my opinion short scale length or longer scale length both have their pros and cons.
That's the beauty of it. There's something out there for everyone. I wish I'd known about short scale guitars years ago though! I love playing guitar now that I've got one 😁
Hi Greg, it's a Taylor GS Mini. There are a few different wood combinations available. Mine is the Sapele. It's a Sitka spruce top with Sapele back and sides. I've tried the Baby Taylor as well which is smaller but the sound isn't as rich. Try a few and see which one you find easiest to play and you like the sound of 😊
hello Emily thank you for the info since having an operation that went wrong l am now seeking a smaller guitar, I enjoyed your video in fact l have been looking at you Taylour babe,,,,all the best to you allan in stoke on trent
Hi Allan, thanks for your comment. Sorry to hear about your operation, hopefully you are doing ok. Taylor makes some very lovely guitars. I initially thought I wanted a Baby Taylor, but after playing one in a shop, I much preferred the sound of the GS mini which is the one that's in the video.
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One of the best videos in the topic!! Good tips, I am now exploring short scale electric guitars for the first thing my life. I didn't know they exist. I have always had problems stretching fingers. Let's see how I feel with a Jaguar about to come. Regarding woods, I don't know about acoustic guitar but rosewood in electric guitar is not a warmer wood despite what people think. Rosewood is very dense, heavy and hard wood (like a stone) and does not add warm to sound but more bright. I guess the confusion is because of our brain is cheating us with wood colors. Dark color does not mean warmer and bright color brighter.
Thank you so much for your comment! I'm sure you'll have a lot of fun with your new Jaguar! It's an interesting point about tonewoods. Two guitars made from the same woods can sound hugely different depending on the manufacturer and model. And also sound different to different ears. To my ears, rosewood sounds warm, I think it's the good bass response.
Thanks very much Emily.
I'm a mandolin and tenor guitar player, my tenor guitar has a 21 3/4 inch scale length which is short but very comfortable and having only four strings, a narrow neck.
I've got three nice ukes but don't play them hardly, so I'm thinking seriously of selling them and buying a travel accoustic guitar.
I've watched a few videos about shorter scale but this is by far the best as it's from your perspective as an actual player.
I will be primary using it finger style for melodies and some over chords and I'm in Lancashire so will buy over here.
I've liked and subscribed. Take care, David.
Thanks so much for your comment and support, David! I'm pleased you like the video. I tried to make the video I wish had been around years ago when I was struggling with my HUGE acoustic. There are plenty of places to find specifications and technical details about short scale guitars but I wanted to share what to think about when buying one. Ukuleles have a special place in my heart but if you're not playing them, a travel guitar could bring you a lot more joy :)
I’m 73 and I still consider myself a beginner and I bought a gs mini koa,I wish it had a larger nut size
Beautiful guitar! I've heard a few people mention that they wish the nut size was larger. It's such a personal preference thing. The narrower nut is one of the things that makes it easier for me to play.
I tried a whole bunch of these GS minis at my local Guitar Center and I have to say I wasn't impressed by the build quality of any of them. I have a cheap $250 Yamaha acoustic amongst a bunch of other much more expensive acoustics (Gibson, Martin and Yairi). The Yamaha holds its own in terms of build quality, but not sound quality. The Taylor GS minis I tried had necks which were uneven on the back of the neck (kind of wavy, and very distracting to play). All of the ones I tried suffered from the same problem. I've never experienced this before on anything but really low end guitars (< $100). Maybe a bad batch ? not sure. Tone-wise I found the mahogany dull, the koa wasn't great with fingerpicking as it doesn't have much mid range. Spruce top is best if you can find it, but you might need some duller vintage sounding strings. I was going to buy one, and in the end I didn't after trying them. I'm now looking at something like a Lowden Sheeran L04 or Martin Jr-10, both of which sound better than the GS minis in my opinion. The Martin has a 24" scale but wide nut at 1.75". The Lowden has a longer scale at 24.8" with a 1.71" nut width. Both are less expensive than the GS minis. Main lesson is, don't order one online unless you've tried it first. With lots of guitar stores closing down these days, that's easier said than done. I'll keep looking, and see what comes up.
Absolutely, you need to find a guitar that's right for you, and you'll only know you've found the right one by playing it. My local store had a lot of Taylors and Yamahas. After trying a bunch, the GS Mini spruce was my favourite in playability and sound. It's a very personal thing. The build quality of mine is fantastic, so perhaps the ones you've seen were a bad batch. They are incredibly popular so I hope that Taylor aren't letting standards slip to meet demand. I hope you find a model you like soon, let me know what you get 😊
I'm really struggling with the C chord on my standard dreadnaught, so thank you this video was very helpful, it's good to know I can get something smaller when I'm ready to upgrade. What are your thoughts on a 12-fret guitar? Would they still have the same length between frets?
It depends on the guitar model. They are usually a slightly shorter scale length but not that much shorter. You might find it easier to hold and play though. Mounting the neck at the 12th fret means you don't reach your arm out as far to play cowboy chords and the guitar might sit better in your lap. Try to figure out what's making it tricky for you to grab that C. It could be one thing like scale length, or a combination of things like it was for me (guitar body size, nut width, scale length etc). Definitely worth trying out a 12 fret guitar though! Take your current one with you to the store and switch between it and the ones you try out to kind of 'reset' yourself so you can really feel the difference between each one.
Some guitars have slightly short scale length such as 000 guitars or some models of dreadnoughts also. One big difference in scale length to me is feel. With a short scale length, it is easier to play in the sense there is less tension on the strings, but also the strings can feel like spagetti with the same string guage, if that makes any sense haha. If you are accustomed to a longer scale length, it might take time to adjust. Some guitar models even have a slightly extra long scale length, which increases the tension, and therefore it increases the volume and tone slightly, as there is more tension on the top if the guitar. It is easier to bend the notes on a short scale length, so that is helpful for some styles of music. Also as a beginner you can probably play longer with short scale length, as it doesn't cause so much pain in the fingers, and maybe those with arthritis would find it easier to play with a short scale length. Easiest to fret would be short scale length with very light strings. So in my opinion short scale length or longer scale length both have their pros and cons.
That's the beauty of it. There's something out there for everyone. I wish I'd known about short scale guitars years ago though! I love playing guitar now that I've got one 😁
good work M
Thanks! 😊
What guitar is your short scale
I’m 62 years old and my hands are small and I need an easier acoustic to buy
Thank you
Greg
Hi Greg, it's a Taylor GS Mini. There are a few different wood combinations available. Mine is the Sapele. It's a Sitka spruce top with Sapele back and sides. I've tried the Baby Taylor as well which is smaller but the sound isn't as rich. Try a few and see which one you find easiest to play and you like the sound of 😊
GS mini is a lovely thing.
I love mine. It sounds beautiful and is so nice to play ❤️
hello Emily thank you for the info since having an operation that went wrong l am now seeking a smaller guitar, I enjoyed your video in fact l have been looking at you Taylour babe,,,,all the best to you allan in stoke on trent
Hi Allan, thanks for your comment. Sorry to hear about your operation, hopefully you are doing ok. Taylor makes some very lovely guitars. I initially thought I wanted a Baby Taylor, but after playing one in a shop, I much preferred the sound of the GS mini which is the one that's in the video.
Is that a big baby?
It's a GS mini ☺️