special run of GS Minis

[Doubleneck]

Originally Posted by dgaemc2

Personally, my favorite is the HV because it has nice treble, but rolled off a bit from the Sitka, has good headroom, has a warmth and richness quality similar to the Hog, but can also cut through much better than the Hog for fingerstyle. I would also like to mention that I think the HV has a better mid focus than my Sitka (for whatever reason) which I really like a lot! This could also just be differences in the individual guitars...I don't know?

One constant is that all feel great to play and are a lot of fun!!

I don't think its the guitar, its the Englemann, I hear the same thing with mine, you nail the discription of their sound. And yes these guitars are just fun to play. Ironic they are my cheapest guitar and its the one I pick up now.

[Doubleneck]

Originally Posted by dgaemc2

Hi Doubleneck,

Regarding most headroom, I rank my 3 minis in this order:
1). Sitka - also definitely the brightest sound which can be good at times.
2). HV Engelmann (very close second if not equal to Sitka).
3). Hog (much less headroom than either spruce top).

I really not sure I have experience lack of headroom. All I have are Sitka guitars. What do you hear when you overdrive the Mahogany? I'm hit the HV pretty hard and seems to perform?

[pjroberts]

Originally Posted by Doubleneck

And yes these guitars are just fun to play. Ironic they are my cheapest guitar and its the one I pick up now.

Agreed 100%. It is not so much any single attribute. It is the package of good raw materials and build (not exceptional, but exceptional is not necessary —*it is fit for purpose, a traveling, working guitar), versatile, middle of the road tone, and Taylor playability. Just received my Holden GSM (pix coming soon), and its playability is almost exactly like the hog I just sold, though the bone saddle upgrade I did on that one is coming to new mini soon:-) That balance is what makes this standout - Quality material and workmanship, good tone, and playability –*all in an affordable package. Add the Holden heritage and bonus Englemann, and you have an exceptional package for $550 US. Amazing. But most GS Minis are amazing too.

To me, the big differentiator here is still off-the-shelf playability. I recently got an awesome Eastman dread. Couldn't believe the tone and quality, and the sharp Adi top. TONE and growl IMO blows socks off most D28s I ran into (I'm ducking right now). But it does not come with playability built in, and it is soon going in for a set up. Then I should be good:-)

[Doubleneck]

Originally Posted by pjroberts

To me, the big differentiator here is still off-the-shelf playability. I recently got an awesome Eastman dread. Couldn't believe the tone and quality, and the sharp Adi top. TONE and growl IMO blows socks off most D28s I ran into (I'm ducking right now). But it does not come with playability built in, and it is soon going in for a set up. Then I should be good:-)

Most playable best set up guitar I have gotten from a maker, right out of the box. It all works together, size, scale length and I love the 1 11/16 neck. Wrap your hand right around it. And it is a very expressive musical instrument, Englemann may be a help here, cool subtle tones: "intimate"

[dgaemc2]

I absolutely agree!!
Congrats pjroberts on the HV. ....looking forward to your pictures!!

[zovanou]

this is the second mini i purchased the first was sitka sent it back did not work for me . real happy with the engleman ( keeper)
Makes me wonder what adi top would do hmm

[Doubleneck]

Originally Posted by zovanou

this is the second mini i purchased the first was sitka sent it back did not work for me . real happy with the engleman ( keeper)
Makes me wonder what adi top would do hmm

I think adi would be for a Dred. The Englemann seems made for a smaller guitar. Someone said Englemann rewards you when you play softer, its very true handles dynamics very well. There is a softness to its sound at times. I had always had Sitka on all my guitars, this really is different.

[HAPPYDAN]

Lovin' my Holden Mini, but I just had to tinker (dumb!). I changed strings to Elixir Lights, .012-.053 like recommended for my 114ce. The HV Mini comes with Elixir Mediums. I thought it might be easier on the fingertips. It didn't sound good at all. Kind of out of tune and balance. I put the Mediums back on. Lesson learned.

[The Growler]

Originally Posted by HAPPYDAN

Lovin' my Holden Mini, but I just had to tinker (dumb!). I changed strings to Elixir Lights, .012-.053 like recommended for my 114ce. The HV Mini comes with Elixir Mediums. I thought it might be easier on the fingertips. It didn't sound good at all. Kind of out of tune and balance. I put the Mediums back on. Lesson learned.

Minus want mediums to drive the top. They were designed for mediums. Easy and cheap lesson to learn.

[dgaemc2]

I agree completely! The GSminis require medium gauge strings to sound good.
Personally, I prefer the Elixir Nano Medium 80/20s. Initially they sound too bright, but after a few hours play time they settle in and sound great for months!

I have also tried the Elixir Nano Medium PB's and didn't care for them nearly as much. While the PB's definitely sound okay initially (but darker), I found that they lost their zing quickly and sounded dead on my GSmini's.

Just my preference and YMMV!

[jtj]

I have just succumbed to the GAS epidemic. I feel so ashamed. Come Tuesday the HV mini will arrive and I have a feeling, I'll be better then.

[varve]

Originally Posted by jtj

I have just succumbed to the GAS epidemic. I feel so ashamed. Come Tuesday the HV mini will arrive and I have a feeling, I'll be better then.

The nice thing is, it may be tough to be disappointed, judging from the reception! Hope you have a similar experience!

The more of these HV Mini's I hear, in person and in the sound clips, the more it seems that the Engelmann hits a nice middle ground between the bright projection of Sitka and the warmth and richness of Mahogany, borrowing the good things from both.

The Sitka and Mahogany models are the standard lines, of course, high volume and common, and Engelmann is not likely to ever replace these because of the sourcing difficulties of the wood. But because of this particular circumstance, we have a special opportunity to experience this very popular instrument, I would suggest, at its best.

For those interested in how a large majority of the wood for the guitar industry is produced, Pacific Rim Tonewoods has a really good website, and a new blurb on the Holden GS Mini Project

http://www.pacificrimtonewoods.com/

If you play a Taylor, Martin, or a Gibson, there is a very good chance your soundboard came thru PRT. As you will see, they also supply Collings, Macpherson, H&D, Goodall, Eastman, and a host of others... It's a cool story, and a great company!
Cheers, Dave

[J.R. Rogers]

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