Taylor GS Mini Showdown: GS Mini-e Rosewood vs. GS Mini-e Mahogany vs. GS Mini-e Koa

The compact GS Mini is one of the most popular guitar designs Taylor Guitars has ever offered. Over the years, the Mini has grown into a diverse family of models featuring different wood pairings, plus the fun-to-play GS Mini Bass. In this Showdown, Aaron Dablow and Daniel Fraire play and compare the GS Mini-e Rosewood, with layered rosewood back and sides and a solid Sitka spruce top; the GS Mini-e Mahogany, with layered sapele back and sides and a solid mahogany top; and the GS Mini-e Koa, with layered Hawaiian koa back and sides and a solid koa top. You’ll hear a strumming and fingerstyle demo for each and find out which model stands out to Daniel. Be sure to let us know your favorite in the comments below.

Find Taylor Guitars on:

About Taylor Guitars
Taylor Guitars was founded in 1974 by Bob Taylor and Kurt Listug, and has grown into the leading global builder of premium acoustic guitars. Renowned for blending modern, innovative manufacturing techniques with a master craftsman's attention to detail, Taylor acoustic guitars are widely considered among the best-sounding and easiest to play in the world. The company is a pioneer in the use of computer mills, lasers and other high-tech tools and proprietary machinery, and today, Bob Taylor is widely recognized throughout the musical instrument industry as a visionary acoustic guitar manufacturer.

#taylorguitars #acousticguitar #gsmini

[mdsmusiclibrary]

Strumming
0:37 rosewood
1:32 mahogany
2:14 koa

Fingerstyle
2:57 rosewood
3:13 mahogany
3:31 koa

[mauriciokatime]

Que bacano ver a Daniel Fraire, un latino demostrando el sonido de una de las mejores guitarras acústicas del mundo. Saludos desde Colombia Bro. Congrate!

[paul_sebastian]

I’ve had my GS mini mahogany for about 5 years now and love it, it’s my go-to noodling guitar, and become a real good friend.

[kcn-qtfc]

I am so happy with my mahogany GS Mini. The tone of it in this video is true to the tone I hear and feel when I play.

[kd]

Love my mahogany and this didn’t change my mind. Beautiful playing sir.

[paulgardner]

Just bought the Mahogany and I love it!

[daveallsopp]

I bought a gs mini in the U.K. just after xmas after having various different makes and sizes this has got to be the best all round guitar for your money and after watching many YouTube videos of comparisons on sound I do like the koa but the price put me off a bit, I do have a theory that you get what you pay for in this world but pound for pound the mahogany goes all the way, keep up the good work Taylor👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽

[BG-igfd]

I prefer the mahogany. Warmer and fuller. I guess I like that kind of a sound. But in other videos of other players, sometimes I prefer the koa.

[pateastes]

Tried several different ones at a music store, and the koa followed me home. Very nice!

[walterstreet]

I’m torn between the mahogany and the koa, I like them both, I was going to buy the koa, but the mahogany reminds me of my first guitar 56 years ago. Haven’t played in 45 years so I will be starting over again and it was recommended for therapy and I wanted to be able to play anyway

[mikebailey]

I have a GS Mini e Koa and love the sound it produces. 🎶

[mrsmilefailrocker]

Awesome GS Mini Mahogany and sapele sir, warm n light/soft bright

[mikemcnevin]

I personally think the rosewood sounded clearer, with almost a bell ring clarity to each note.

[randyx]

Love the appearance of both mahogany & Koa. Both have better mids & lows, but the Koa lets the highs come through as well.
I have both a Larivee & Taylor 214 with Koa sides & back. Next will be a GS Koa. Love the sound.
Also, I do some woodworking s I think the Koa is just a beautiful wood.

[paulstubbs]

Koa for me. Rosewood seemed nice all round (I own an 814CE so know that sound), mahogany just seems a little dark and lacked sparkle. Koa seemed nice and bright and had more life than the other two.

[NetMillionaire]

Love them all and I bought the Koa plus and love it. Sounds so good and (maybe even better plugged in!)

[davegutshall]

I've bought & sold several over the 12 years or so Taylor's been producing the GS Mini. Of the three top wood styles I've owned (Sitka, Mahogany, Koa), I'd give the visual beauty to the Koa models, but the tonal winner is the Mahogany model. Warmth, clarity, nice mid push - The 'Hog' is a completely satisfying acoustic tone from a compact and easy to carry instrument.

Just bought another Mahogany topped Mini for an upcoming vacation - I really need to hang on to this one!!!!

[StephenRybacki]

I've had my GS Mini-e Koa for maybe 5-6 years and it is really nice to take traveling! The sound is excellent, and the day I got it I went to a friends show where he asked me up to play along and it performed admirably!

[letsridehard]

Recently got the GS Mini Koa plus. What an amazing little guitar, it looks beautiful and sounds like a big guitar. I have 7 other guitars but this one I can’t out down

[kimrileymusic]

I bought the Rosewood, I like a brighter guitar