little martin v. baby taylor v. gs mini?

[syko1031]

Hello everybody - I've been using this forum since i bought my first taylor in 2008 - a 414 - but this is actually my first post! thanks for all the taylor-education you guys provided for me when purchasing the 414

well i'm looking to get a travel guitar. I've checked out the little martin and baby taylor and i definitely prefer the sound of the taylor. however, the construction of the guitar seems a little flimsy(particularly the neck) compared to the rock solid little martin.

so my questions :

1) How is the construction of the baby taylor in the long run?

2) How do Little Martins sound with elixir 80/20 lights? does the brightness of the strings balance out the muddiness of the guitar sound?

3) Is the extra price on the GS mini worth it if i'm only looking for a dependable, playable guitar?

4) Can someone please PM me a good price for the baby taylor and the GS Mini?

Thanks a lot everybody!

(btw, i really admire the administrator and member's pro-active effort to keep this forum enjoyable and friendly)

[Bltprf502]

LXM's are thin sounding regardless of strings. So are the Baby Taylors. Get a GS mini. Its a REAL guitar... AWESOME!

[Saltire Bob]

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[DennisG]

I've played all three, and there's no comparison: the Mini is far superior to either of the others, and it's not even close.

[allin]

No question! The GS mini is in a class all by itself in regard to a travel guitar. It's about twice what the baby and Martin are but it five times the guitar. Do yourself a favor...get the mini!

[imwjl]

I would let how you will or might use the guitar dictate what's best. One acquaintance wanted a smaller not so expensive guitar and in my case I wanted one where durability and handling the elements was important so I got the Little Martin.

I've had comments that the Little Martin sounds great even though my purchase was for resistance to sand, snow, rain, sweat, sunblock, birthday cake and climate I'd never expose a fine guitar to. I've also used the Elixirs you mentioned. To me they sound like cr_p on and feel like grease on any guitar I've ever tried and no string will make an inexpensive small travel guitar sound like a great full-sized guitar.

YMMV, but I am very glad I went with the plastic and plywood that has put up with more than wood could.

[tonesweettone]

I've played each of these extensively, and IMHO the GSmini far surpasses the guitars in this pack. You need to play one and see for yourself, though.

-John

[ErikH]

I'd say the GS mini is very much worth the extra money if you can afford it.

[Dwight]

I found the Martin to be a little neck heavy.

[macfawlty]

Taylor Baby is like a toy guitar. Also, to a slightly lesser extent, the Martin LXM. Big Baby only slightly better (although some owners would disagree). The GS mini is a great entry into the small guitar market. I almost bought one, but decided on the Martin 000x1e, only because I like the sound a little better. I wouldn't hesitate on the GS mini. Good value. I'll probably get one eventually.

[Bltprf502]

I like the Big Baby too, but its almost a full sized guitar. I played my GS last night and its in a class all its own. The others can be bough used for less than half of a new GS mini, but I don't think it worth the savings. I also have has a CA Cargo (2 of them) and I like the GS mini much better for less $ than the CA.

[leeasam]

between the 3 of the guitars you mentioned--NO CONTEST!! GS mini

[twowheel]

I have been playing the mini every day since I bought in October while I search for a full size acoustic. I have a Baby Taylor and there is no comparison. I have not played the others. I have changed to Ernie Ball medium light titanium strings. bone bridge and pins. Yesterday installed the ES Go pick up through a small Vox amp. This is an amazing "little" guitar, plugged or unplugged.

twowheel

Taylor GS mini
Fender VG Strat
Baby Taylor

[phil_harmonic]

I once owned a Little Marton LX1 but took it back as I could not get into it's tone. I preferred it's tone to the Baby Taylor, prob due to med strings giving more low end. I ended up with a Laguna LD1 Little Brat but it does not sound that great either so I don't play it unless it's the only thing around. It's reaaaaaly hard to get into the tone of a small guitar, esp after playing my 914CE. Yeah, I'm spolied

[TwoMartinMan]

Between the 3 mentioned, I'd take the GS Mini. But I prefer the full scale neck on a Big Baby Taylor.