The ULTIMATE Taylor GS Mini Comparison! - GS Mini Koa vs Walnut vs Mahogany vs Spruce vs Ovangkol
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 9 ก.พ. 2025
- The Taylor GS Mini is not just a guitar, but an entire range of instruments from one of the preeminent guitar manufacturers in the world. The line has grown over the years with options and tonewood to meet any players needs. Whether it is for travel, a child sized guitar or simply to enjoy Taylor's modern take on a parlor, the Taylor GS Mini has a model for you! We compared five models on price, features and tone to help you make the decision of which one works best for you. The range includes the original GS Mini with a spruce top, the GS Mini Mahogany, the GS Mini-e Walnut, the GS Mini-e Koa and the 2019 NAMM Limited GS Mini-e Ovangkol.
Listen and Chris McKee explains the recipe that has made the GS Mini such a success, the difference in price and features and demonstrates the tonal variance available from each model.
* Cast your vote! - Poll at the end of the video*
*Features 1:37
*Mahogany 4:40
*Walnut 6:58
*Ovangkol 8:28
*Koa 10:56
*Playing 14:10
*Recap 22:10
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![Shootout + Opinion: HARLEY BENTON GS-TRAVEL-E vs. TAYLOR GS MINI-E [MAHOGANY]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/WUoZ4-DTMhs/mqdefault.jpg)
*Quick Sound Comparison*
14:11 mini 16:53
14:42 mini-m 17:55
15:16 e-walnut 18:58
15:51 e-ovangkol 20:00
16:19 e-koa 21:04
I'll be getting one, thanks buddy.
Loved your explanations on the technical details that this series carries. Really helped me choose the right one for me.
Which one did you get
This listing for each demo is very useful. If you start each one for a few seconds and flip to the next you clearly hear the differences. I had one of the original Minis with that poor fit-it-yourself electro systems. I now have the Walnut E and it's superb.
Thanks
You did the lord's work with this comment!
I'm obsessed with the Walnut but I wouldn't turn down the Koa either 🌟
@@MildExplosion Glad it helped you, I ended up getting the GS mini e Koa. I do abit of fingerstyle and find that the deeper tones are so soothing.
Have a full sized Yamaha for the times I need a brighter sound. Can't go wrong with the walnut ver either, both sound awesome.
This is the best comparison review I have ever seen.
You got a subscription just for this video. You took the time not only to play the instruments but show the different models, explain the differences, the unique qualities and sales faff, and played them all in a similar fashion. I salute you sir. I had felt this was the guitar for me. You may even have made a sale down the road (curse you nickles and dimes).
I have a Mahogany and it is absolutely the best. I play it almost every day and I can’t believe how it sounds, plays. I am relatively new to playing and just in the learning process and this guitar has really helped me so much, I love it.
It is so much fun to own and highly recommend it.
Great review Chris, you are always so informative and fun to watch. Thank you for all of your great reviews.
Brad from Babylon, New York.
I’ve got a the koa version....over time it has developed a really rich sound. Highly recommend.
Same here, it just keeps getting better.
I just bought mine so glad to hear that. How long before you noticed the change ?
So true. I bought mine almost a year a half ago. Wound take out, here and there, play it minimally. Still has the stock strings. A few days ago I was planning to sell it. Too many guitars in the stable. Played with it for a few minutes, then took it off the selling list. The sound had been greatly improved. I love the sound of it more than the other many features. Amazing warm sound that can show clarity and brightness when needed. Definitely staying with me. 😁😎🤠
.....just as koa guitars do
These guitars are amazing!! I wish Taylor would release a small scale guitar like this but with a cutaway. Maybe a GS Mini-EC in the future would be great!! Love your videos
I'm 6'3" 400lbs as wide as I am tall, and I adore my Mahogany GS Mini, it feels and plays like an electric guitar.
Are the shorter frets much of a concern or issue?
Owned it for years, became one of my main acoustics, you can be sure that any difficult stuff for a standard acoustic, becomes much easier on the great gs mini
I own a monogamy, and now I want a koa... thank man, for taking the time of making this videos! 🙌🏻
You're a monogamist? Are they lawful?
Hector Sanchez same here: monogamy, but lusting after something else 😉
Be careful, Hector, you might turn into a polygamist - and that gets expensive!
@@hvhvgitaar Clever, clever - my type of mind.
the koa, ovangkol, and walnut all sound the most amazing to me. nice sound for a little guitar.
I own the mahogany one and I love it sooo much. I've had it for about 6 years now and it's still my favourite acoustic guitar :)
I never seen anyone fall asleep after every song they play. Great bedtime music.
The Koa looked amazing. I am pleasantly surprised by the Walnut and ovangkol mini.
Just got a GS Mini-e Ovangkol today from my local shop. It was the last one. Absolutely love it, I was torn between the Walnut and Ovangkol, and tried them both for about two hours. My heart and ear decided for the Ovangkol, now at home I'm having a blast playing it. They are all excellent guitars.
GS minis are fantastic guitars. I already had a mahogany, but couldn't resist picking up a koa on the BOGO sale Taylor is having. I picked it up when I bought a 214ce, and I must say the koa has become my favorite guitar. Absolutely gorgeous guitar! The mahogany is louder (honestly it even seems louder than the 214) and warmer than the koa, but the koa is more articulate and sounds terrific. You really can't go wrong with any of the GS minis.
Another great demo. Really like just listening to you play. After listening to your demos, I now have the GS mini-e bass, and the GS mini-e rosewood.
The Koa sounds like a ukelale. The spruce tops sound like Martin's and the mahogany has the richest most pleasant tone.
My sister just gifted me with a GS Mini Mahogany ... I was amazed at the quality and tone 👍💓
Thank you Taylor for producing these gems!
Man, you must have heard some amazing ukes!
Not long after viewing this video I came across a used GS Mini in mahogany, for $50 less than the new price. I pulled the trigger and when I went to pick it up I found out that it had the Taylor pickup already installed (that detail wasn't in the product description). That was a nice bonus, even though I don't own an amp! I've only owned it for a couple of days, but I already love it.
Its a beautiful guitar
Are you sure it isn't a baby mahogany. It has serial preamp.
Best dam Demo I've ever seen and the finger picking was absolutely beautiful ! Ty so much ! Best GSMINI DEMO ON TH-cam
This was a great comparison, thanks for posting. I'm planning on getting one very soon at my local guitar store (in the northeast) and I'm leaning towards the Mahogany--seems like it's the best for campfire-style strumming. The Koa sounds amazing too.
Thanks!
Was gearing towards to buy the mahogany but that ovangkol is perfect for me just the right balance of bass, mid range and treble. Thanks for the review!
Funny I normally am not an ovangkol fan, but I really liked it for this
I just purchased from your online store because of your very informative videos! You sold me the guitar, so I won't buy from anyone else! Thanks Chris! I am super excited to receive my GS mini - Koa.... also, AJ was really helpful throughout the process with online chat and email! He sent me pictures of the koa wood guitars you had in stock so I could see the grain of the wood prior to purchasing. Same as cash financing plus free shipping made this a no-brainer! Thanks again!
The walnut was the bomb. Very impressive. Loved the tone and bass was pronounced, even throughout the ranges. Would definitely buy.
I can't actually play guitar, but out of all these, the Koa definitely sounds the best to my ears. I've been playing a bit on a $60 classic nylon string "Stagg C440", but it's still very tempting to go for a Koa GS Mini. Very tough choices because it's very hard to audition them physically these days.
And then nowadays there's the Koa Plus, which is absolutely gorgeous.
I really like the idea of a more compact guitar though, but I think I have to get better to get to the point where I'd appreciate this more.
Reason I comment now is I've found myself watching this video for the 4th or 5th time ._.
Really beautiful playing during the second half of the video. Really random, but it totally made me start thinking about friends I never catch up with, but really should.
I love when you play dude you are passionate I can tell how much you love it. You play with emotion
I'm split between the Walnut and Olvangkol..tho every time I listen to the Olvangkol I fall more in love
the walnut imo.. much brighter clear tone for me
Thank you so much. Love this comparison. It’s very helpful. I think a GS Mini -M is in my future! Blessings to y’all in this difficult COVID 19 time.
Indeed I purchased a mahogany GS mini last week and I love it. Wonderful sound from such a small instrument. No wonder they are so popular!
I spent an hour playing/comparing the Koa and the Mahogany versions and for me it came down to this: the KOA looks better (imo) and sounds really good. The Mahogany looks alright but sounds really Really good. Slightly warmer and more sustain compared to the KOA. I bought the Mahogany version and so far I am super happy with it. Plan to install a LR Baggs Anthem SL as I have read great things about this combo
I've noticed the Koa's need a little time to "mature" before hitting their sweet spot
Was the action on your gs mini high when you bought it?
@@bowerybums7846 i’ve had the spruce version for over a year and yes, the action is very high. I keep meaning to bring it in for a set up.
By far the best video on the range. Very informative. That koa sounds incredible. Very well rounded.
I installed a pickup under the saddle in my GS Mini Mahogany, and left some of my DNA inside the guitar - darn Super Glue thought that my finger was part of the pickup!
I have the spruce top with rosewood back and sides. Great tone and projection.
TRULY EXCEPTIONAL TAYLOR GS MINI REVIEWS !! THANK YOU FOR YOUR EXPERTISE AND DETAILED PERFORMANCE !!
maybe the best comparison I've ever seen. fun and educational to listen to! thank you.
Mahogany for me. It sounds sweet and intimate. Koa a close second, with more projection; to me it sounded country&western. The spruce ones were all fine, but quite indistinct.
Outstanding comparison! I will be looking to buy a mini in the next few months and this really helps! Thanks
Great to hear!
I have had my Mahogany GS Mini since 2014 and love it! Favorite guitar out of all the guitars I have owned. So much so I sold all my other acoustics including a Martin D-15.
I'm a fan of mahogany but the walnut example is very balanced and expressive. The koa low end is impressive. Pretty top too!
You can make the spruce tops sing with your plucking but the koa is a really special magical thing.
It has that warmth with just enough brightness. Mahogany sounds nice but maybe a little too one dimensional for what I want to do. Nice playing and thanks for sharing. 😎😎😎
The mahogany fingerboard looks amazing.
I spent over 3 hours at GC yesterday trying out the spruce/Mahogany/Koa.....I love the clean bright sound of the Spruce, I will be buying the Spruce top, Beautiful sound.
Great review. Thanks, Chris! I have an older Spruce top/Rosewood back and sides. Feeling like it is more special since they don't make them anymore!
I have the mahogany. I think it sounds quite close to the Koa but the inner devil of me just wanting to buy one just because it is beautiful to look at!!
Glad you pointed out which was the back of your head
Got the koa yesterday and it's so sweet
Weird but I think the Spruce/Sapale has the best overall tone from listening to your demo. More definition and overall clarity.. I think my ears want to give the Koa bonus tone based on how beautiful it is.. the Spruce/walnut is great but a lil sharp on some struming. The Mahogany top seems like it lacks definition and sounds a bit muddy and seriously lacks projection. Im sure in person they are all amazing.. ESPECIALLY when comparing to the other companies offerings.. Taylor is my favorite acoustic manufacturer, I would never part with my GA8e, It does it all..and VERY well. The lil Grand Symphony is a bit pricey but you cant say that your not getting what your paying for. The layered wood sides and back are def key to its durability and longevity as a travel companion. I would LOVE to see Taylor start using the V brace in these lil guns!
"James Hill", as in THE James Hill, master uke player - is that YOU?
@@usernamemykel no..sadly I never have had the pleasure of a Uke.. They are very intriguing in the right hands.. Which excludes mine! 😁
@@jameshill2015 Look up, on YT, "James Hill ukulele", "Jake Shimabukura (sic?) ukulele", and "Honoka and Azita ukulele". NO WAY is the uke only a "hula dance" strumming rhythm instrument - or a Tiny Tim "Tiptoe Through the Tulips" instrument (Miss Vicky must've been on drugs) - despite it's small size, it has grown in leaps and bounds. If one (or two for that matter) plays the guitar, the uke is a cinch - two less strings to fret about (pun intended), but you might want to change string #4 - the "high G", to a "low G" - to follow the pattern (highest pitched strings near the floor, lower pitched strings towards the ceiling) of a guitar. Check it out, my friend. I've 4 guitars but 5 ukes - the ukes are overtaking!
I was actuallygonna grab one at G.C. and give it a shot.. Seen quite a few vids on TH-cam that struck my interest..but I am no famous Uke player...just a crane operator that loves guitar!
@@jameshill2015 Don't need to be famous to really enjoy a uke.
One can buy inexpensive ones (+-$90.00) and keep one in every room to just pick up and play - they are so versatile/portable/lightweight/FUN!
There are a couple of ukulele clubs within driving distance to me - all great folks. They strum chords and sing - I prefer to play melody/chords and keep my mouth shut so I don't catch flies, but that's just me...
I picked up a pre-owned Koa GS mini-e today for a fantastic price. It's a beautiful guitar. It gives off great sound for a smaller guitar.
great comparison
Love your guitar reviews! Someday I hope to get Koa. It's the most beautiful small guitar that I have ever seen.
I think the Mahogany & Ovangkol sound best when fingerpicked. The Koa sounds fantastic no matter how you play it but I am a bit bias because I do own a mini-e Koa Plus.
I am a proud owner of the Walnut GS mini and the tone is so warm, crisp and articulate!
Awesome video. Very comprehensive. I really need to go into a shop to experience it first hand.
i have an all solid wood guitar, and i have those that arent with a solid top, there is definitely a difference. not only in sound, loudness, and definitely the feel of how it vibrates while you play. all solid wood guitars are addicting to use.
Amazing how I tought the Koa would sound best but.. It only looks the best.. I am pleasantly surprised by the Walnut
I thought the mahogany sounded the best I was surprised how easy it was to hear the difference though my phone
Excellent video. Thanks.. I bought the Koa bass today.
Very happy with it.
I polished my Koa gs, really brings the grain out also gave the braces a going over with fine grit paper to smooth the insides out. The tone improved a lot over 18 months it's now has the sort of tone that suits jazz quite well.
How did you polished the satin finish?
Love your reviews/demo's! Keep on makin' em!
Best GS mini comparison on the net! Thank you!
I personally own a Koa, totally recommend it 10/10... but it’s more pricey.
Is not having a pick guard on the koa a problem? Are you noticing any scratches now that you've had it a year? Trying to decide between mahogany and koa. Thanks.
@@onehundredhourchallenge836 couldn't see it being a problem, you can always add one on later🙂
@@onehundredhourchallenge836 Totally agree. While some in the comments claimed that they like the spruce top with Walnut, or ovangkal side and back the most, I'm with Bob Taylor, all spruce tops sound similar. The Koa stands out!!
I have the Koa version and I love it. I hope you guys do a demo of the Koa plus. I think I might get that one, especially since on that one the upgraded the pickups and preamp to the ones used on the high end Taylors
I love the finger picked piece that you played Chris. Can you post a link to it? There's not a stinker in that group of guitars. However, when you played the Koa version it sounded like going from mono to high definition sound. Koa is beautiful looking and to me surpasses the others in tone. Thanks for the great review and playing.
great comparison video- very helpful!
Walnut is my personal preference! The brightness in the sound is beautiful.
That's the version I have. I much prefer it to the original Mini I had many years ago. Very rich tones and well-balanced.
Is the gs mini original comes with the sapele wood?
my taylor 114ce is walnut and the bright tone is what i love most about it over other makes, like rosewood
As ever, excellent, well-sequenced demonstrations. I have the Walnut e. Lovely guitar but haven't as yet figured out which strings will give me the perfect sound that I hear in my head.
As always, Chris, GREAT , helpful comparisons.....Thank you
Excellent video. Well paced
What a comparison video should be
My like's in this order: Koa, Mahogany, Ovangkol, Walnut
Love the look of the Mahogany & Koa but preferred the sound of the Walnut (decisions!🙈). Really impressive guitars. Will be getting a GS Taylor over the weekend! (From a guitar newbie). 👌🎶
I have the mahogany, love it. This is the best review I have seen!!!
Damn that Koa looks insanely gorgeous! 😳
Awesome comparison, love that Koa... What's the finger picking tune at the end?
Please do GS mini 2020 edition!!
Did they change them for 2020?
Builder no bro , new version is came
I like the sound of the Koa, it sound so smooth and gentle..
We're pretty obsessed with Koa ourselves! It's a very unique and beautiful wood!
Great review! I think I like the warmer tone of the mahogany and Koa. Very nice playing too!
This is an awesome review. Thank you.
Walnut and Ovangkol really add some bass.
Great review! You really helped me out with choosing the right GS mini for me. I really loved your fingerpicking tune! What song were you playing? One day I'll have to make my way down to the Alamo from Canada. Cheers!
Have the Koa. Love it!
Just bought the Sapele GS mini. Man! It is worth more that anything above its price point. I played the $8k Martin. So I can absolutely say it is WAAAAAY above the price point
I live on a sailboat on the Chesapeake and travel from the Chesapeake to England around down to the Bahamas. Which one of these models do you think will hold up the best? Sound is not as important as the guitar itself holding up under the sailing conditions. Thank you.
I agree with your main point. But one thing to consider is with better technology comes less work and labor. Martin, Taylor Gibson etc make high quality instruments but marketing plays a big part in overall cost since labor costs have theoretically gone down with computers doing the job people once had to do in a fraction of the time and with pinpoint accuracy. We are paying for brand name , technology, wood and materials, labor and marketing which is tied to brand name. With certain types of wood becoming scarce or even illegal to use... that really jacks prices up far beyond what that same wood cost in 1930. So yes. I agree the affordability is better relative to everything else but that is comparing an average guitar from each age period.
I love your videos and learn so much from your expertise.
Great personality and awesome guitar knowledge
Koa always reminds me of the lines on watermelon rinds.
The back of mine always reminds me (and others) of a Rorschach inc blot test. Which I like lol
I have the Koa. No regrets.
Wish the walnut came in a non electric version. The standard pickups don't capture all the body sounds when playing percussive fingerstyle. The spruce is beautiful though so cant complain really.
I've to agree with Bob Taylor, the three spruce tops with different side and back laminate wood materials sound similar. People who could differentiate the three got much better hearing than me. The Mahogany sounds warm but the Koa has the most balance sound.
I've the GS MIni in Mahogany, and a Hawaiian-made Kanile'a K-2T Tenor ukulele in Koa - both incredible instruments. Paid more than twice as much for the uke than the guitar, but I certainly have received my money's worth of enjoyment!
Those koa ukulele prices are crazy when you see what you could get from Taylor for the same price. The Taylor 224ce -K DLX is a full size Koa guitar and costs roughly the same amount as the tiny ukulele from Kanilea.
@@oaktree1628 Yes, Taylor makes great guitars, in fact I recently bought a "Walnut" GS Mini to keep company with my Mahogany GS Mini - different wood tones for different "moods".
However, KOA is neither Mahogany or any thing else BUT Koa - and there's only one source for it - Hawaii. So one pays for it's beautiful and unique tone along with it's limited source. When I heard the girls of the YT channel "Honoka and Azita" play their Koa ukes, I just had to have one. Definitely a very good decision. ...and BTW - they're gorgeous!
usernamemykel - I bought a Kala ziricote ukulele for when I’m in a ukulele mood, but I hardly play it. It sounds very nice as I got it bc the price was right, but does not compare with the regular size guitars that are now in my possession as well, one of which is the Taylor 224ce-K DLX.
@@oaktree1628 I don't need a full-size Taylor guitar because I've a CF Martin for my full-size needs. You mentioned Kala - I bought a really nice sounding and beautiful looking Kala KA-SRMT-TRI solid Spruce tenor model (no longer available, was $420 when available). That was the last uke I bought before deciding on the Kanilea Koa K-2T. I really enjoy the Kala. I'm sorry to hear that you're not enjoying your Kala much, and I'm wondering if part of it is because you stayed with the "high G" string it came with? All my ukes (5) have been re-fitted with "low G" strings, to more resemble how a guitar is organized. They come with a "high G" for a "happy"/"banjo-y" sound, which I can do without.
Have you changed your G string (and are you a pole dancer?) ; )
usernamemykel - yes, I stayed with the original strings, and no, I’m not s pole dancer...lol :)
@alamomusiccenter just wondering, what's the name of the song you played at 16:53 ? (Can't get enough of it😅)
I think it's the new Koa e-Plus, yet to come...thanks!
Great, informative video. What was the name of the finger-style piece you were playing?
GS mini’s are just simply amazing.
Imo the koa looks beautiful and sounds the best...
The mahogany looks and sound best to me.
the mahogany sounds so distinctly different between strummed and fingerstyle
What song is he playing at 16:53?
Do Taylor ever do a line of GS Mini Koa without the electronics?
What a great review, and beautiful playing! Are these all factory set up and using Elixir strings?
I got the KOA . Im in Love 😍😍😍Thanks for a great video 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻❤️
The Ovangkol and Spruce sound best to me. The others sound a bit boxy or harsh. My least favourite is the Koa
I just bought the koa and I ❤️❤️❤️