Taylor Big Baby Thoughts

[Nick84]

BBTs are fun guitars. I’ve had a few and all have played great out the box.

I’ve currently got an all walnut BBT which is a great sounding guitar.

[Dayne]

Originally Posted by Acousticado

Fwiw, and jmo, the few GS minis I’ve played sounds boxy to me. I think a BB, Academy or 112 are better, in that order.

Thanks for the input!

[fpuhan]

As usual, YMMV. Of my four Taylors, my Big Baby Taylor-e is my least favorite. To me, it seems like a compromise guitar that promises a little of everything to everyone and sadly delivers none of it to anyone.

[Goat Mick]

I played and gigged a BBT for about a year when I first started gigging again about 15 years ago. I thought it was a really good guitar for what it was. It didn't sound the best played acoustically but it sounded good enough and with a Baggs M1 pickup it sounded great amplified. It did play every easily and had a nice, slim neck. If you would like something in a bit of a smaller package than a full size guitar, but a richer sound than a BBT take a look at the Taylor Grand Theater guitars (especially the GTe and AD11e). They're smaller and easier to play than even a Grand Concert body size and have a shorter scale.

[Dayne]

Originally Posted by Dayne

Thanks for the input!

So, I'll bite, which one of the other three is your favorite?

[Dayne]

Originally Posted by fpuhan

As usual, YMMV. Of my four Taylors, my Big Baby Taylor-e is my least favorite. To me, it seems like a compromise guitar that promises a little of everything to everyone and sadly delivers none of it to anyone.

So, I'll bite, which one of the other three is your favorite?

[Steve DeRosa]

Originally Posted by rllink

...Seven or eight years ago, when I got back into guitar, I was looking for something and I got the Big Baby into my head. I talked to my guy at Sweetwater about it one day and he steered me away from the Big Baby and toward the GS Mini. It was a long conversation, but all I remember is him saying that the GS Mini was a much better guitar for not a lot more money. I'm not saying to get a GS Mini, I'm just saying that he was not keen on them.

During the latter part of my teaching days I had elementary-school-age students with small-body Taylors - Baby, Big Baby, GS Mini - so I've heard/played them all...

The vocalist in our last band had a koa GS Mini that was nothing short of amazing - low-mid punch like a good 16-inch archtop but with more sustain, and more volume than you'd expect from a travel-size guitar - and I never missed a chance to play it during rehearsal breaks...

The mahogany-top GS Mini comes close, at a lower price. but IME you may need to play a few (for some reason the koa version seems to be more a little more consistent)...

I am saying to get a GS Mini, if (and only if) you stick with the hardwood tops - I too found the spruce versions unimpressive, and if you must have an inexpensive spruce-top Taylor I'd go up to a 112 or 114...

[Puddleglum]

I have thought for a very long time that the Big Baby is a great guitar. Not “great for the money” or “for a beginner,” etc, but a great guitar on its own. Some are better than others, and a good one can do what any good guitar does. I used to give lessons to a lady who has one from the early 2000s. It sounded almost as good as my Larrivee dread.

[Dayne]

Originally Posted by Puddleglum

I have thought for a very long time that the Big Baby is a great guitar. Not “great for the money” or “for a beginner,” etc, but a great guitar on its own. Some are better than others, and a good one can do what any good guitar does. I used to give lessons to a lady who has one from the early 2000s. It sounded almost as good as my Larrivee dread.

I'm thinking seriously about the Walnut version of the BBT. Thanks!

[emtsteve]

I have one of the newer BBT walnut and I added a K&K Mini. I think it sound very good acoustically and great plugged in. Easy to play and full scale but a slightly smaller body so in my mind you get the best of both worlds. I am a fan!

[Dayne]

Just pulled the trigger on an all Walnut BBT. Used of course!
Will post a pic when it arrives.
Thanks for all the help.

Soon I will be looking to sell my Baby Taylor.

[Puddleglum]

Originally Posted by Dayne

Just pulled the trigger on an all Walnut BBT. Used of course!
Will post a pic when it arrives.
Thanks for all the help.

Soon I will be looking to sell my Baby Taylor.

Great choice. The walnut is beautiful. Play it in good health.

[Dayne]

Originally Posted by Puddleglum

Great choice. The walnut is beautiful. Play it in good health.

Thanks Puddleglum! I bought it from an outfit in your state: Tone Shop Guitars in Southlake, TX. They seemed very responsive to my inquiries and shipped it out quickly.