I have been dragging my gs min koa around the US on my trips for over 3 years. ( airline pilot). My guitar has probably over 100 k travel miles on it. Great guitar.
@GIGI hi. Yes. The case still works but is getting worn on the edges. I’m thinking of getting the case from Taylor that comes with the Koa plus now. It’s much more stout( allegedly) and is available fir purchase from them on its own.
I have the mahogany and I am just absolutely in love with this little guitar. It really holds it own. Another really nice perk is the wood is so strong! I had moved my guitar out of the way (or so I thought) so it would be safe and my husband wound up detouring his path and knocking it to the floor in the middle of the night. I heard a big "smash" as it fell on our wooden floor and I cringed knowing I would find a bunch of dents and scratches on the guitar in the morning. I was too afraid to look! When I got up, I inspected the whole thing, and there was not one scratch! I can''t believe how durable it is! And it is a beautiful and unique looking instrument. The wood on the sides shimmers in the sunlight. It is just magical in every way.
I closed my eyes and only opened them when the Mahogany was played. Spruce sounds like every other guitar. Koa is deep and lovely but sounds a bit held back. Mahogany has a sweet tone to it
Agree. I've played both in the store. After playing only one chord the decision was clear. The Mahagony sounds better. The Koa is too trebly and has no bass
looking for a guitar with small scale, thin neck for small hands. in th early 70s my vintage gibson j-12 had mahogeny back and sides. beautiful tone. so i'm partial to the mahogeny of this guitar. it had a warm tone that you liked?
@@jolujo5842 on my budget i purchased a Yamaha Storia II, mahogeny top, back, sides. and no varnish. Low action, slim neck. Mellow, beautiful tone. resonate. My ears love it. An experienced player friend does too.
Just came back from testing the Spruce, I was really impressed by the sound it makes for such a small guitar! I was not aware that they had 2 other models that sound so different from each other, and every comment here is not helping deciding which guitar is better, need to go test them all!
Mahogany sounds better recorded, but the spruce is what I want in front of people. Mahogany and koa are darker and have less dynamic range from loud to soft. Spruce just sings. Be it Martin/Taylor/Gibson, whatever brand, their highest-end guitars are generally going to be spruce-topped for the nuance of tone across all timbres.
This is the best review of these guitars currently on RUclips along with Tony's from the acoustic letter. I bought a Mahogany GS mini, since I was missing a travel guitar from my guitarsenal.
Great comparison! Well done. Thanks for posting. That Koa GS Mini is one of the best sounding guitars I have heard...Of any size! The warmth of Mahogany with some added high-mid shimmer, and tons of tonal character. Top shelf stuff.
The spruce is balanced and even across the band, the mahogany seems extra bright and toppy, the koa somewhere between the two but closer to the mahogany. I'd go Spruce myself.
Got my spruce top at the start of the pandemic last year, and it's become my most-played guitar, and I'm mostly an electric guitar player. Just can't stop picking it up. It's so damn convenient and sounds even better a year later.
Koa, by a hair. My friend has the mahogany. It's an awesome guitar, especially for the price, and regardless of the size. It nearly competes with my Martin HD28 gunboat, plus for some tunes the compact size makes fingering easier. The two sound great together. In the demos above I liked the koa best followed by the mahogany, which surprised me because I normally don't prefer mahogany to spruce. The koa was only slightly better than the mahogany, so I'd probably go with the latter given the price difference. Thanks for the post!
Great comparison/review! Not too long, not too short, with a good mix of spoken parts and playing parts. You can really hear the difference between the 3 guitars! I’m torn between the Koa and the Mahogany - I prefer the looks and the sound of the Koa but it’s a bit more expensive than the Mahogany, which still sounds really good…
Best comparison on every angle! My favorite is Mahogany. I own one, and I've been seduced by its warm tone. Spruce is definitly too bright. Koa could have been the perfect match but it only comes in electric model (so higher price) and the tone a a bit brighter than mahogany. But a taylor mahogany guitar sounds always brighter than any other brand in my opinion, and after several tests I can say that it sounds between traditional mahogany guitars and traditional spruce guitars.
Ended up getting a KOA ..... just a beautiful warm tone .... and I love it! With the pick up, it sounds great with an decent amp too. (And the appearance is a bonus but that wasn't my reason for the purchase). Having said that, the word is still: Never buy unless you've tried it, since apparently all KOAs vary in tone.
Mahogany's my first choice,Spruce next then Koa. Had a plan on buying a Taylor Guitar, taking me some time searching for demos,nice one guys,thank you.
Really nice video, I bought the mahogany (should be here any day now) and this confirms I made a good choice, love the sound. The koa is absolutely gorgeous but I think the sound is slightly better on the mahogany. Great video, thanks for sharing.
I really like the unique look and tone of the Koa, Of course the Spruce is really balanced as you'd expect, The Mahogany sounded a little muddy on the bottom end but all are great guitars. Agree, the more a guitar is played, the better they sound.
Thanks for getting to it, instead of life stories ( not that I don't care - it's just I wanted to hear comparisons) I luv the spruce, and the mahogany. THANKS
Loved the “I could have lied” bit by RHCP! Totally did not expect that since not everyone knows the song from the BSSM album. And because of this review I’m buying one GS mini!
I love the Taylor GS-Mini E and hope to pick up a Mahogany version. :D Thanks for the comparison! The female player's vial or crystal necklace was rubbing or clanking on the guitars as she was playing. Ye may want to stop that if you're selling those to the public. :D
Nice review and performance!! I own GS mini koa and it is really easy to performance on the street. I was not interested in mahogany back/sides so far. But once I plugged in rosewood back/sides guitar on the street, I realized the single tone was less punchy and weaker than koa. So if I bought next one, I wanna take mahogany mini.
I spent a happy morning trying all three and came away with the koa, which I really like; warm, clear and just great to play. Although a small bodied guitar I have traded some volume for a more subtle tone using Martin silk & steel strings which yield a smooth even tone through the mids and highs. I use the same strings on a Martin 000-28 for the same reason. Since getting the Taylor last year, the Martin has been in its case...
I've got the mahogany (from PMT!) - but I found this vid really useful. The mahogany remains my choice, but I was surprised at how different all three sound A/B/C'd. We now use the Mini GS miked up for all our rock acoustic guitar tracking, played with a Gibson 351 H, as it doesn't have any of the problem lower frequencies plus sounds a lot better than our other contender acoustics (which had been either the Martin LX1E or the 1962 Gibson J-45). I'm amazed at what a great guitar this is. For gigs, I play with fingers, and my Mini GSe is VERY much better than the J-45. I'd never played a Taylor before, and I'm now looking really hard at getting a full-size mahogany V-Class e model for solo acoustic gigs.
I have a Limited EditionTaylor 412ce and a Vintage Martin D18 and yet I still use my Mini when I upload most of my videos to RUclips. You can really get your arms around it. I love the smaller scale and yet it has a big sound. And they come with the Expression system electronics now! Even better.
can't believe I just read that, a vintage D18 sounds amazing, even a new one, so much more sound, Im a little guy, don't know much about guitars, never thought my D18 was a big guitar lol
OMG she is so freaking HOT!!! Such a resplendent British beauty! Great comparison video as well. You BOTH play great but I particularly like the way she strums the guitar; it's very unique and I've never seen anyone do it that way before. It looks very elegant as well as efficient. I have 2 Taylor GS Mini Spruce/RWs both RH & LH, 2 Taylor GS Mini Mahogany/Sapeles both RH & LH and 1 Taylor GS Mini Koa RH. They ALL SOUND AMAZING but the Mahogany has the sweetest tone for me. It has a rather polite or more sophisticated attack that is very smooth, very rich, and very deep. Nevertheless, you can't go wrong buying any one of them; I suggest if you can afford it buy more than one kind for different musical applications. I did, and I've never been sorry that I've spent the extra money on ANY of them! Also, if you are patient, you can find really nice Mahogany GS Mini tops that looks just as good or even more amazing than the usually stunning Koa tops that we are all used to seeing. Both my Mahogany GS Mini guitars are like this front, back, and sides and I have a really stunning looking Koa GS Mini to compare them to. I totally think that both my Mahogany versions look so much better and they were both cheaper --especially my LH one that had no electronics in it. Here is the best sounding video I've found that exemplifies the sound you can get out of the Mahogany GS Mini: ruclips.net/video/1__824uEdzM/видео.html P.S ...After the Mahogany I like the Spruce/RW (which they didn't review here) and then the all Koa as far as sound is concerned. Personally I am not partial to the standard model; I think Spruce sounds better when combined with either Rosewood or Walnut. If you want to get really good sound out of a Spruce/Sapele combination, then you have to step up to a Taylor 114ce.
My pick would depend on the setting. I've played both the spruce and the mahogny a lot and I think they are equally good. I think the spruce works better with other instruments, like in a folk session for example, not only is it a bit brighter but it's also louder which makes it cut through nicely. Mahogny/Koa would be preferable for a singer/songwriter, especially females as it complements higher pitched voices nicely.
It's also worth mentioning that the stock strings on these guitars are quite bright and metallic sounding. A different set of strings on the spruce can make it a bit more mellow, a combination which I personally prefer. So if I could have only one it would be the spruce version.
This is the best comparison video of GS Mini I have seen. I'm trying to decide which to go for and I'm still unsure. I like the Koa for strumming, the Spruce for fingersyle/fingerpicking, I find the mahogany warm but as if its playing holding its breath. Muffled I guess. I play a Cole Clark Little `Lady amongst others and not sure if I want to sell her and get a GS mini oh decisions!!!
Thanks for demo and really playing the guitars, really nice to hear the difference, always thought spruce would have the clearest ring top to bottom, very surprising indeed.
Got super lucky, picked up a 114CE for $999 and a mahogany GS Mini for $199 with a 2022 BOGO Christmas deal. My first Taylor guitars, and I just can't believe how incredible they sound. Just amazing.
xexxodusx.....you said it mate. What an awesome lil' ax. The tone, build quality and projection from this beautiful instrument is way more than you would expect. Just love it !
Please! Someone list all these songs out so I can look them up and play. This video has really got me stoked to play my new GS mini. I didn't realize I had options when I bought it. But so far I'm happy with the spruce version.
Hi James, Yes, this guitar did get sold (as mentioned, I might've actually bought it myself!) but since this vid was released, we've had more arrive in our stores around the UK. If you contact your local PMT, they should be able to email pictures of the Koa models that they've got in stock. You can find a list of our stores and contact details at www.pmtonline.co.uk Hope that helps :-)
Thanks for the useful comparison video!! In terms of sound to me: koa > mahogany >> spruce. Sadly the Koa is only available with pick up system. Not wanting to pay extra for a pickup I'm never gonna use anyway, I went for the mahogany,. Which luckily IS available without pickup.
I sat in guitar center tonight and played the shit out of the sitka top/sapele sides, the mahogany and the koa. More often than not the tone of a guitar comes down to personal choice but to me, the koa sounded much better than the mahogany and sitka/sapele. The differences were subtle, I'm not saying that it sounded a lot different, I just enjoyed the tone of the koa a lot more than the others. I liked it so much that since guitar center had one in the back that hadn't been on display, I took it home. I've since spent a couple more hours playing it and it's quickly becoming my favorite acoustic. I have a 1965 Hummingbird that I inherited from my grandad and this is just so much easier to play and sounds nearly every bit as good (in a different kind of way). I've never had a travel sized guitar but it's gonna be hard to go back to a full size. From a totally unbiased point of view and from someone who doesn't get wrapped up in the drama of guitars and guitar choices, this little guitar is worth every penny, and more. Oh and one last thing... I suggest everyone try to go out and play the guitars and see what sounds the best to you, in real life. I had decided I thought the mahogany sounded the best on video but when I heard the koa in real life, I was blow away by it.
Thought the Koa sounded like a tin can. Mahogany has a solid rich tone with the spruce capturing more of the high notes. Between the mahogany and spruce would depend on the song. I get a feeling that a “darker” song (like CSNY’s Helplessly Hoping) would benefit from the mahogany while something brighter (like America’s Ventura Highway) would benefit from the spruce. Lastly, Copobolo blows Koa away.
Me too, got it last night, played both for hours. Both were good, Koa a little brighter but also had better mids, and great lows. Both were super loud. Bit the bullet and got it on black Friday, can't go wrong with 15% off the top! I even played every martin and taylor in there, under 2 grand, nothing sounded better to my ears.
My feeling is that in Picking Mahogany is the best , Scrumming goes for Spruce/Koa. I'd vote for Koa due to how deep it sounds and it excells in picking and scrumming.
Safe to say (I think)... Spruce is best UNPLUGGED vs other 2 KOA is best PLUGGED vs other 2. KOA looks the best but just a bit out of my price range (Couch player here) I’ll buy a cheap Yamaha JR if I want to be next to a campfire 🔥
Koa...I love the compressed, rhythmic, yet bright and warm tone. I find it the perfect balance. Clean, but not dull or dry. Yet, unlike everyone else, I HATE the way it looks. Too funky!
I love my gs mini.I can't put it down.This guitar is beautiful and sounds better than the other brands.Gibson , Martin can't make a high quality guitar like this one
Interesting my wife bought me this guitar for my birthday last year. In store I loved the mahogany by miles, but in the review I like the spruce better. I wonder if I would still like the spruce better in real life. Go play them people!
Very underrated guitar channel ever..and meg is so cute with her free hair. The sitka is loud and have more bass to it, The mahogany is kinda in the middle its still has a similar sounds to sitka but it sounds softer while the Koa is more brighter than the two. I'll take mahogany.
I like the look of the mahogany the best, but the spruce is just more powerful, rich, and full. The mahogany lacks volume and punch, though sounds a good deal brighter.
Own a mini e KOA...hands down the most comfortable guitar I've ever played and sounds absolutely gorgeous...also extra special with the rareity of the wood and th grain ...awesome review dudes 👍🏻
I was looking for a travel guitar and when I went to Guitar Center I tried this one and the Little Martin there was no comparison in terms of the volume and the fullness of the guitar this one has better quality and it feels more like a guitar. I went for the mahogany and I’m in love with it. I bought it for travel and it’s really easy to checking in on a flight because it fits perfectly on the cabin overhead compartment. In order to check in your guitar in most airlines the guitar has to be 90 cm tall and the case has to be cushioned. This guitar was designed for travel and specially airline carry-on travel, most airlines won’t give you problems with this one.
Mahogany is the one I like the most. The spruce top seems a bit contained, while the Koa seems muffled. They all sound good, but have to go with the Mahogany as it seems more balanced across the spectrum. Only if used with the medium strings which add soo much to the sound. Just listen to the 6:36 and 6:54 sound... very nice.
I love the woody tone from a spruce so right off the bat I was like SPRUCE definitely... but by the end of the video I think I'm deciding to go with the koa. It has meat and not over the top brights. The mahogany just sounds too rakey for my taste.
I bought a Koa model after trying the spruce and mahogany ones. I was lucky to have twelve koas to choose from and gave them a try out against a good mahogany as a benchmark. I changed the strings to 11 gauge without any real loss of volume which made it easier for me to pick. I am really pleased with my choice, the guitar looks and sounds great and is getting nicely played in after 6 months use. Personal choice really but the koi model has a nicer top range over the mahogany for me. I tend to finger pick blues type stuff which suits this guitar.
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I have been dragging my gs min koa around the US on my trips for over 3 years. ( airline pilot). My guitar has probably over 100 k travel miles on it. Great guitar.
@GIGI hi. Yes. The case still works but is getting worn on the edges. I’m thinking of getting the case from Taylor that comes with the Koa plus now. It’s much more stout( allegedly) and is available fir purchase from them on its own.
I have the mahogany and I am just absolutely in love with this little guitar. It really holds it own. Another really nice perk is the wood is so strong! I had moved my guitar out of the way (or so I thought) so it would be safe and my husband wound up detouring his path and knocking it to the floor in the middle of the night. I heard a big "smash" as it fell on our wooden floor and I cringed knowing I would find a bunch of dents and scratches on the guitar in the morning. I was too afraid to look! When I got up, I inspected the whole thing, and there was not one scratch! I can''t believe how durable it is! And it is a beautiful and unique looking instrument. The wood on the sides shimmers in the sunlight. It is just magical in every way.
The first RUclips comparison I can really hear the difference among them.
Congratulations!
I closed my eyes and only opened them when the Mahogany was played. Spruce sounds like every other guitar. Koa is deep and lovely but sounds a bit held back. Mahogany has a sweet tone to it
I've got the Koa version. Very nice guitar, especially in this price range.
I think the Mahogany is the best overall sound for this guitar in my opinion. Koa is second best (first for looks), and lastly the Spruce.
Yep, my choices too. Even though I own the Koa!
I agree with you in the same order.
Every time I visit the local music shop, I reach for the mahogany one.
I'd go with the one I decided to buy out of the three: the Koa
Agree. I've played both in the store. After playing only one chord the decision was clear. The Mahagony sounds better. The Koa is too trebly and has no bass
I went in and tried koa, spruce, walnut and mahogany. I purchased the mahogany.
looking for a guitar with small scale, thin neck for small hands. in th early 70s my vintage gibson j-12 had mahogeny back and sides. beautiful tone. so i'm partial to the mahogeny of this guitar. it had a warm tone that you liked?
You have ears like mine👍
Own a GS Mini Mahogany myself
@@jolujo5842 on my budget i purchased a Yamaha Storia II, mahogeny top, back, sides. and no varnish. Low action, slim neck. Mellow, beautiful tone. resonate. My ears love it. An experienced player friend does too.
If i get good, i want a 57 Gretsch (copy) like Eddie Cochran Duane Eddy had
is it true that the unvarnished guitars are more delicate with humidity & cold?
Just came back from testing the Spruce, I was really impressed by the sound it makes for such a small guitar! I was not aware that they had 2 other models that sound so different from each other, and every comment here is not helping deciding which guitar is better, need to go test them all!
Mahogany sounds better recorded, but the spruce is what I want in front of people. Mahogany and koa are darker and have less dynamic range from loud to soft. Spruce just sings. Be it Martin/Taylor/Gibson, whatever brand, their highest-end guitars are generally going to be spruce-topped for the nuance of tone across all timbres.
This is the best review of these guitars currently on RUclips along with Tony's from the acoustic letter. I bought a Mahogany GS mini, since I was missing a travel guitar from my guitarsenal.
GUITARSENAL, I love it
Great comparison! Well done. Thanks for posting.
That Koa GS Mini is one of the best sounding guitars I have heard...Of any size! The warmth of Mahogany with some added high-mid shimmer, and tons of tonal character.
Top shelf stuff.
This is by far the most useful comparison of the gs minis I’ve watched!
This guy always plays songs that I loved as a teenager! 🎵 Keep on rocking in a free world! 🎵
The spruce is balanced and even across the band, the mahogany seems extra bright and toppy, the koa somewhere between the two but closer to the mahogany. I'd go Spruce myself.
Our ears hear very similar! I'm with you on the choices.
ArielsSmartyPants mahogany for me
Got my spruce top at the start of the pandemic last year, and it's become my most-played guitar, and I'm mostly an electric guitar player. Just can't stop picking it up. It's so damn convenient and sounds even better a year later.
Mahogany starts out that way but becomes very mellow once it opens up.
Koa, by a hair. My friend has the mahogany. It's an awesome guitar, especially for the price, and regardless of the size. It nearly competes with my Martin HD28 gunboat, plus for some tunes the compact size makes fingering easier. The two sound great together. In the demos above I liked the koa best followed by the mahogany, which surprised me because I normally don't prefer mahogany to spruce. The koa was only slightly better than the mahogany, so I'd probably go with the latter given the price difference. Thanks for the post!
Great comparison/review! Not too long, not too short, with a good mix of spoken parts and playing parts. You can really hear the difference between the 3 guitars! I’m torn between the Koa and the Mahogany - I prefer the looks and the sound of the Koa but it’s a bit more expensive than the Mahogany, which still sounds really good…
Meg is the main reason I watch your guys videos, she just does something to my soul.
Best comparison on every angle!
My favorite is Mahogany. I own one, and I've been seduced by its warm tone. Spruce is definitly too bright. Koa could have been the perfect match but it only comes in electric model (so higher price) and the tone a a bit brighter than mahogany.
But a taylor mahogany guitar sounds always brighter than any other brand in my opinion, and after several tests I can say that it sounds between traditional mahogany guitars and traditional spruce guitars.
Ended up getting a KOA ..... just a beautiful warm tone .... and I love it! With the pick up, it sounds great with an decent amp too. (And the appearance is a bonus but that wasn't my reason for the purchase). Having said that, the word is still: Never buy unless you've tried it, since apparently all KOAs vary in tone.
Mahogany's my first choice,Spruce next then Koa. Had a plan on buying a Taylor Guitar, taking me some time searching for demos,nice one guys,thank you.
Really nice video, I bought the mahogany (should be here any day now) and this confirms I made a good choice, love the sound. The koa is absolutely gorgeous but I think the sound is slightly better on the mahogany.
Great video, thanks for sharing.
Mahogany for me, keep up with the awesome demos!
Love the looks of Koa but I like the sound of the Mahogany. Thanks, guys!
I bought my spruce top brand new, 10 years ago. Now it has aged beautifully and is a golden honey color. It knocks the socks off the hog.
Totally fell in love with the Koa version, visually, and sonically :-)
Jesus, the tone of the koa wood is unbelievably smooth. Wow.
Good Bass … and the only guitar with overtones…
I really like the unique look and tone of the Koa,
Of course the Spruce is really balanced as you'd expect,
The Mahogany sounded a little muddy on the bottom end but all are great guitars.
Agree, the more a guitar is played, the better they sound.
The best review I've ever seen. Really like the way that you compare it.
Thanks for this great demo. I’ll be buying a Koa GS mini-e very soon :)
Just got back from guitar Center and I tried out the Koa and the Spruce. The spruce sounded soooo much better. 🤟🏼
I bought the Koa. I love it.
I remember playing the Koa and Mahogany. Koa looked great for sure but was weaker sounding compared to the Mahogany.
Ordered the mini Koa-plus yesterday! Thanks for your excellent demo. 😎🎸👍
Thanks for getting to it, instead of life stories ( not that I don't care - it's just I wanted to hear comparisons) I luv the spruce, and the mahogany. THANKS
Great demo guys! Meg is adorable. Love the bangs and the guitar chops! We need some John Lennon or Jeff Buckley in the next demo though!
Thanks man!
Loved the “I could have lied” bit by RHCP! Totally did not expect that since not everyone knows the song from the BSSM album. And because of this review I’m buying one GS mini!
The best of the three guitars is definitely the Koa - GS. 😁 It looks beautiful and the sound is awesome.
Nice video. I do wish a pick was used for the strumming sections. Using your fingers to strum give a way different tone. I can't choose.
I love the Taylor GS-Mini E and hope to pick up a Mahogany version. :D Thanks for the comparison! The female player's vial or crystal necklace was rubbing or clanking on the guitars as she was playing. Ye may want to stop that if you're selling those to the public. :D
Nice review and performance!! I own GS mini koa and it is really easy to performance on the street. I was not interested in mahogany back/sides so far. But once I plugged in rosewood back/sides guitar on the street, I realized the single tone was less punchy and weaker than koa. So if I bought next one, I wanna take mahogany mini.
Loving the way that mahogany sounds
Great video guys, and really helpful as I’m trying to decide on which model to pick up! Very nice playing to both of you as well! Thank you
I bought the Mahogany and I love it!
It's really hard to make a decision between the mahogany and the koa but I already own a Baby Taylor Mahogany, so I guess koa will be my pick.
I spent a happy morning trying all three and came away with the koa, which I really like; warm, clear and just great to play. Although a small bodied guitar I have traded some volume for a more subtle tone using Martin silk & steel strings which yield a smooth even tone through the mids and highs. I use the same strings on a Martin 000-28 for the same reason. Since getting the Taylor last year, the Martin has been in its case...
I wouldn't complain with either one but i went with the mahogany. Stunning!
I've got the mahogany (from PMT!) - but I found this vid really useful. The mahogany remains my choice, but I was surprised at how different all three sound A/B/C'd. We now use the Mini GS miked up for all our rock acoustic guitar tracking, played with a Gibson 351 H, as it doesn't have any of the problem lower frequencies plus sounds a lot better than our other contender acoustics (which had been either the Martin LX1E or the 1962 Gibson J-45). I'm amazed at what a great guitar this is. For gigs, I play with fingers, and my Mini GSe is VERY much better than the J-45. I'd never played a Taylor before, and I'm now looking really hard at getting a full-size mahogany V-Class e model for solo acoustic gigs.
I have a Limited EditionTaylor 412ce and a Vintage Martin D18 and yet I still use my Mini when I upload most of my videos to RUclips. You can really get your arms around it. I love the smaller scale and yet it has a big sound. And they come with the Expression system electronics now! Even better.
can't believe I just read that, a vintage D18 sounds amazing, even a new one, so much more sound, Im a little guy, don't know much about guitars, never thought my D18 was a big guitar lol
OMG she is so freaking HOT!!! Such a resplendent British beauty! Great comparison video as well. You BOTH play great but I particularly like the way she strums the guitar; it's very unique and I've never seen anyone do it that way before. It looks very elegant as well as efficient.
I have 2 Taylor GS Mini Spruce/RWs both RH & LH, 2 Taylor GS Mini Mahogany/Sapeles both RH & LH and 1 Taylor GS Mini Koa RH. They ALL SOUND AMAZING but the Mahogany has the sweetest tone for me. It has a rather polite or more sophisticated attack that is very smooth, very rich, and very deep. Nevertheless, you can't go wrong buying any one of them; I suggest if you can afford it buy more than one kind for different musical applications. I did, and I've never been sorry that I've spent the extra money on ANY of them!
Also, if you are patient, you can find really nice Mahogany GS Mini tops that looks just as good or even more amazing than the usually stunning Koa tops that we are all used to seeing. Both my Mahogany GS Mini guitars are like this front, back, and sides and I have a really stunning looking Koa GS Mini to compare them to. I totally think that both my Mahogany versions look so much better and they were both cheaper --especially my LH one that had no electronics in it.
Here is the best sounding video I've found that exemplifies the sound you can get out of the Mahogany GS Mini:
ruclips.net/video/1__824uEdzM/видео.html
P.S ...After the Mahogany I like the Spruce/RW (which they didn't review here) and then the all Koa as far as sound is concerned. Personally I am not partial to the standard model; I think Spruce sounds better when combined with either Rosewood or Walnut. If you want to get really good sound out of a Spruce/Sapele combination, then you have to step up to a Taylor 114ce.
My pick would depend on the setting. I've played both the spruce and the mahogny a lot and I think they are equally good. I think the spruce works better with other instruments, like in a folk session for example, not only is it a bit brighter but it's also louder which makes it cut through nicely. Mahogny/Koa would be preferable for a singer/songwriter, especially females as it complements higher pitched voices nicely.
It's also worth mentioning that the stock strings on these guitars are quite bright and metallic sounding. A different set of strings on the spruce can make it a bit more mellow, a combination which I personally prefer.
So if I could have only one it would be the spruce version.
This is the best comparison video of GS Mini I have seen. I'm trying to decide which to go for and I'm still unsure. I like the Koa for strumming, the Spruce for fingersyle/fingerpicking, I find the mahogany warm but as if its playing holding its breath. Muffled I guess. I play a Cole Clark Little `Lady amongst others and not sure if I want to sell her and get a GS mini oh decisions!!!
Loving hearing a bit of Steve Mason chucked in there!
Meet The Humans, what a great album :-)
I am partial to the Sitka Spruce top (wishing I could have gotten one with walnut sides and back while they were still in production.)
I always get a chuckled when the Brits say “I’ve been so and so” at the end of a video. Leaves me wondering who are you now that the video is over? 😂
That Koa model is just gorgeous.
Thanks for demo and really playing the guitars, really nice to hear the difference, always thought spruce would have the clearest ring top to bottom, very surprising indeed.
Got super lucky, picked up a 114CE for $999 and a mahogany GS Mini for $199 with a 2022 BOGO Christmas deal. My first Taylor guitars, and I just can't believe how incredible they sound. Just amazing.
Just a really fantastic review and showcase of an excellent product.
Big thumbs up 👍
That was a really excellent comparison. Thank you!
Love the look of the Koa and mahogany but like the spruce sound the best
Nice review! Thanks
I'm thoroughly obsessed with koa.
xexxodusx.....you said it mate. What an awesome lil' ax. The tone, build quality and projection from this beautiful instrument is way more than you would expect. Just love it !
Please! Someone list all these songs out so I can look them up and play. This video has really got me stoked to play my new GS mini. I didn't realize I had options when I bought it. But so far I'm happy with the spruce version.
Tone wise, Koa and Mahogany are too close to choose from imo...but looks is a different matter, that Koa is stunning! Easily my pick of the bunch :-)
Yeah, I kinda fell in love in love with that particular Koa model when we were filming and might have just bought it myself!
Hi James,
Yes, this guitar did get sold (as mentioned, I might've actually bought it myself!) but since this vid was released, we've had more arrive in our stores around the UK. If you contact your local PMT, they should be able to email pictures of the Koa models that they've got in stock. You can find a list of our stores and contact details at www.pmtonline.co.uk
Hope that helps :-)
Love the Koa sound!
Thanks for the useful comparison video!! In terms of sound to me: koa > mahogany >> spruce. Sadly the Koa is only available with pick up system. Not wanting to pay extra for a pickup I'm never gonna use anyway, I went for the mahogany,. Which luckily IS available without pickup.
I sat in guitar center tonight and played the shit out of the sitka top/sapele sides, the mahogany and the koa. More often than not the tone of a guitar comes down to personal choice but to me, the koa sounded much better than the mahogany and sitka/sapele. The differences were subtle, I'm not saying that it sounded a lot different, I just enjoyed the tone of the koa a lot more than the others.
I liked it so much that since guitar center had one in the back that hadn't been on display, I took it home. I've since spent a couple more hours playing it and it's quickly becoming my favorite acoustic. I have a 1965 Hummingbird that I inherited from my grandad and this is just so much easier to play and sounds nearly every bit as good (in a different kind of way). I've never had a travel sized guitar but it's gonna be hard to go back to a full size. From a totally unbiased point of view and from someone who doesn't get wrapped up in the drama of guitars and guitar choices, this little guitar is worth every penny, and more.
Oh and one last thing... I suggest everyone try to go out and play the guitars and see what sounds the best to you, in real life. I had decided I thought the mahogany sounded the best on video but when I heard the koa in real life, I was blow away by it.
I have the Mahogany mini gs. fucking love it!
Thought the Koa sounded like a tin can. Mahogany has a solid rich tone with the spruce capturing more of the high notes. Between the mahogany and spruce would depend on the song. I get a feeling that a “darker” song (like CSNY’s Helplessly Hoping) would benefit from the mahogany while something brighter (like America’s Ventura Highway) would benefit from the spruce. Lastly, Copobolo blows Koa away.
The Cocobolo is a $9k guitar you idiot 😂 it blows away most guitars on so many levels Lmao
I like the mahogany, but the Koa sounds really rich too!
I like the Sitka Spruce sound the best!
Excellent demo thanks,bthink i will go the whole Hog 😄
I have the koa version, and having listening to this video I am convinced I made the right choice. Mahogany came 2nd.
Me too, got it last night, played both for hours. Both were good, Koa a little brighter but also had better mids, and great lows. Both were super loud. Bit the bullet and got it on black Friday, can't go wrong with 15% off the top! I even played every martin and taylor in there, under 2 grand, nothing sounded better to my ears.
My feeling is that in Picking Mahogany is the best , Scrumming goes for Spruce/Koa. I'd vote for Koa due to how deep it sounds and it excells in picking and scrumming.
Thanks for this great video. I like the spruce but that's just my opinion.
am I the only one who likes the spruce one the most? :'(
I went in expecting to prefer the mahogany but in this demo I also preferred the spruce
Spruce Minis are great; but my pick is Koa, and I've played all three variations on this video.
The spruce is louder and fuller. No contest in my opinion.
Reindert D. No you're not the only one
Me too I think it's warmer sound
I love the spruce top guitar the most. Why? Better balance. The other two seem muffled to me.
I though I would like the Mahogany model before watching this video.
But I feel now the Spruce version is most "balanced".
Bought the spruce top n layered Ovangkol limited edition recently... Loved it to death...
Three months ago I bought the Koa version and I looooove it :-)
Safe to say (I think)...
Spruce is best UNPLUGGED vs other 2
KOA is best PLUGGED vs other 2.
KOA looks the best but just a bit out of my price range
(Couch player here) I’ll buy a cheap Yamaha JR if I want to be next to a campfire 🔥
Koa...I love the compressed, rhythmic, yet bright and warm tone. I find it the perfect balance. Clean, but not dull or dry. Yet, unlike everyone else, I HATE the way it looks. Too funky!
Guitars? What guitars.... All I saw was Meg's pretty face :). Thanks for this Sam and Meg!
Excellent review and comparison. Thanks.
I love my gs mini.I can't put it down.This guitar is beautiful and sounds better than the other brands.Gibson , Martin can't make a high quality guitar like this one
Interesting my wife bought me this guitar for my birthday last year. In store I loved the mahogany by miles, but in the review I like the spruce better. I wonder if I would still like the spruce better in real life. Go play them people!
In the mini...Koa soo sweet tone wise..
Love the Koa looks and sounds great I would love one.I wonder who got that in review its stunning thanks guys..
Very underrated guitar channel ever..and meg is so cute with her free hair.
The sitka is loud and have more bass to it, The mahogany is kinda in the middle its still has a similar sounds to sitka but it sounds softer while the Koa is more brighter than the two.
I'll take mahogany.
I like the look of the mahogany the best, but the spruce is just more powerful, rich, and full. The mahogany lacks volume and punch, though sounds a good deal brighter.
I prefer the mahony guitar. Beautyful sound.
They all sound great, but the Koa does it for me!
Own a mini e KOA...hands down the most comfortable guitar I've ever played and sounds absolutely gorgeous...also extra special with the rareity of the wood and th grain ...awesome review dudes 👍🏻
I was looking for a travel guitar and when I went to Guitar Center I tried this one and the Little Martin there was no comparison in terms of the volume and the fullness of the guitar this one has better quality and it feels more like a guitar. I went for the mahogany and I’m in love with it. I bought it for travel and it’s really easy to checking in on a flight because it fits perfectly on the cabin overhead compartment. In order to check in your guitar in most airlines the guitar has to be 90 cm tall and the case has to be cushioned. This guitar was designed for travel and specially airline carry-on travel, most airlines won’t give you problems with this one.
Surprised to hear that Chili Peppers in the demo. Nice!
Mahogany is the one I like the most. The spruce top seems a bit contained, while the Koa seems muffled. They all sound good, but have to go with the Mahogany as it seems more balanced across the spectrum. Only if used with the medium strings which add soo much to the sound. Just listen to the 6:36 and 6:54 sound... very nice.
Mahogany Koa Spruce ... Mahogany sounds like a much bigger guitar to me
I love the woody tone from a spruce so right off the bat I was like SPRUCE definitely... but by the end of the video I think I'm deciding to go with the koa. It has meat and not over the top brights. The mahogany just sounds too rakey for my taste.
I like all three , but the mahogany has a warmer sound which I prefer. Also Meg isa absolutely adorable.
Just bought a koa e and I love it!
I like the sound of spruce. The Koa looks nice n tribal though, and has a nice ring to match
I bought a Koa model after trying the spruce and mahogany ones. I was lucky to have twelve koas to choose from and gave them a try out against a good mahogany as a benchmark. I changed the strings to 11 gauge without any real loss of volume which made it easier for me to pick. I am really pleased with my choice, the guitar looks and sounds great and is getting nicely played in after 6 months use. Personal choice really but the koi model has a nicer top range over the mahogany for me. I tend to finger pick blues type stuff which suits this guitar.