Taylor GS Mini VS Martin Dreadnought Junior Comparison 

I love my GS mini Mahogany e. I`ve played it every day for over 6 years.

00:00 Taylor mic in front picking 01:01 Martin mic in front picking 01:51 Taylor mic in front strumming 02:17 Martin mic in front strumming 02:43 Taylor pickup strumming 03:09 Martin pickup strumming 03:34 - 10:52 blah blah 10:54 Taylor mic in front strumming 11:34 Taylor pickup strumming 12:12 Martin mic in front strumming 12:53 Martin pickup strumming 13:31 Taylor mic in front picking 14:02 Taylor pickup picking 14:28 Martin mic in front picking 14:56 Martin pickup picking

That's the way reviews are supposed to be done! Direct comparisons without interruptions. And then additionally, the info about the specs of the guitars. Very well done! Thank you.

The oil massage would explain the longer scale.

Lovely playing, beautiful and sensitive, bringing out the best in both guitars. I'm about to switch from a GS to the Martin. Loved your light sense of humour - not overdone, just right. Great stuff.

I love both guitars very nice to play in gigs they sound like a full size Taylor and Martin..

First of all, I am a fan of your playing Chris, so KUDOS! Great news, no one loses if they buy either one of these gems. Because of the solid wood on the Martin, I think I will choose that one. Probably some of the best personal therapy 500 dollars I could ever spend. Peace

they both sound great.....he forgot to mention that the Taylor has a slightly narrower neck than the Martin. It might make the Taylor a little more playable to my taste....but the slightly wider neck might make the Martin a bit more playable for fingerpicking....love 'em both...

Taylor distinct sound is really nice but am blown away with the warm n full sound of Martin Jr like always ...✌️

Plugged in they are both fantastic!

Taylor is more articulate, clear. Martin has a more base, warmer sounding, Both are lousy with pickups. Taylor is the better travel guitar being smaller.....but, I'll take the Martin because it a tone I like better.

So I watched a few reviews on this guitar before finding yours. The net result was not exactly a divorce, although close, after I arrived home with a brand new Martin D-Jr. to add to my modest collection of guitars. I love it and I find it easier to play with the slightly wider finger board than the Taylor. Thanks for a great review/comparison.

I checked out the koa gs mini and dreadnought today at the downtown location and i went with the koa, but I really wanted both! They're both really awesome!!

Thank you so much for this real helpful comparison - I watched it over and over to decide which guitar was "the one" for me - love your sense of humour too! :)

Both sound absolutely fantastic although once plugged in the Taylor wins. I don't know what Martin was thinking using that Sonitone system.

People can hate me on this, but i prefer the taylor much better because it sounds better booth acousticly and amplified.

The Martin sounds like a much bigger guitar, than it is. Very balanced with nice solid bass punch, and a nice focused tonal clarity....the GS mini, sounds thin and severely mid-range heavy. I agree that the pick-ups are both in need of EQ. I would say the GS is the better travel guitar being laminated. But the Martin is actually the better guitar in the real world.

Thank you for that demo. I would suggest all acoustic demos play the guitars up the neck. 12th and up as well.

I did not want a pick-up, as I only play for my own enjoyment,not for gigging. I chose the Martin Dreadnaught Junior as for less money I got a solid wood guitar with my preferred 1.75” nut size. They both sound great.

I have a feeling that I put that Martin through my LR Baggs gigpro it would be a pretty amazing sound.

Only Taylor I ever had was a baby Taylor. For what it was it sounded great! But I tend to be a Martin guy and got spoiled on D28s. If I run across a mini D I’ll definitely have to try it 👍🏻

So happy you got more GS Mini Koas , looking forward to getting mine this coming week. Thanks again for your help (and this comparison).

There is ZERO question to the answer to this video's premise. GS Mini destroys The Djr. Especially the koa GS. Its nowhere close. I love martin and my HD-28V would give my 814 and 916 a run for money if they all werent so different. But there is no question. Mini GS dominates this class.

I feel the Martin sounded better acoustically but when it came to being plugged in the Taylor sounded miles better

First of all, you are an excellent guitar player. I like the sound of the Taylor a little better, especially plugged in. The Martin has that familiar sound I love when played in front of the mic. When the Martin is plugged in, it sounds weak.

Thanks for taking the time to put together this very detailed comparison! I'm deciding on which one of these to get...each vid I see has me changing my mind! lol Here, to me, the Taylor definitely seems to have more "clarity" & better electronics, while the Martin seems a little "muddier". But in other video comparisons I've seen, the Martin sounded a little better than here. I'm sure different mics & placement make a difference. Of course I would love to be able to try them out personally, but no store around me carries either. But as of now, I'm leaning toward the Taylor. Thanks again!

Dang i like them both

Neither pick-up sounded good, but the Taylor's was better than the Martin. Over all - for my taste, of course - I'm overwhelmingly for the Taylor. I'm a finger picking / solo guitarist. The Taylor's are better suited for finger-style / solo guitar where extreme clarity and note separation as well as that extra sparkle on the notes works beautifully. Martin's, relatively speaking, are much more suited to strumming / rhythm playing. Big and warm, but muffled and far less defined than the Taylor. Both are fine quality instruments. It simply depends on your style and taste as too which is better.

I have a Taylor GS mini mahogany. Martin guitars and Taylor Guitars are supposed to sound different Martin's are famous for their Dark full tones and Taylors are famous for their chimney singing tones you decide

I have both and for me the Martin sounds bigger and fuller and if you run the Martin through a eq it's just amazing!

Love all your video's your a real natural at presenting Thanks you

Both guitars are very good but the Martin sounds much more loud and tone of the sound is Reacher.

I already have a GS Mini KOA so I might become one of those one-of-each people. :-)

I like them both....but the Taylor is actually a bit smaller....an actual travel guitar...which makes it more comfortable to play. If I were to buy the Martin, I think I would go ahead and buy the 00-15....I think I"ll buy the Taylor and then move up to a Martin 00 later....

Hello. There should be the same set of strings on both guitars for a couple of days. Elixir PB and Martin Bronze strings are too different in sound.

I went down to Guitar Center today and tried a bunch of 3/4 guitars including the Taylor. I couldn't hear much difference in the sound in guitars ranging from $150 to $500. I have a 15 y/o Hohner 3/4 which sounds better than everything I tried today, and I think it's the age that makes a difference. If you want a better sounding guitar I suggest you shop for one that is at least 10 years old- or as old as you can afford. Back in the mid-60's I had a classical that was built around 1935, and I sure wish I had kept it.

Superb video mate, probably one of the best comparisons I've seen, with some nice humour too :-)

Martin for bass and warmness, but Taylor much preferred for rock and high notes.

Nicely done.... wonder how many viewers ever went on a "snipe hunt" awesome review..

I owned a Taylor GS Mini Mahogany. Loved it... but the neck was a little thin and the width (1 11/16ths) was a little narrow. I played the Martin today. Very nice. The 1 3/4 neck makes the guitar. Both have parts to praise. If the Martin had Elixir pb's on it, it would be a little brighter and better. If the GS Mini had a 1 3/4 neck... it would run away with everything. If I can find a Martin priced right... I'd buy tomorrow. But here in Canada the MArtin is about $125 more than the compatible Taylor.

The Martin sounds nicer acoustically to my ears but the pick up sound is dire.

IMHO the Taylor is the winner in this demonstration. Seems more articulate and brighter. The Martin is too much in the middle - kinda wants have the deep resonance of a full size Dread but can't quite get there - and it wants to have the bright fun articulation of the small OM or GA guitars and doesn't seem to quite pull that off - at least not as well as the Taylor mini in this vid.

I was just in the guitar shop trying the same two out. I found that the Taylor paid more attention to detail than the Martin. First the frets on the martin were sharp on the edge not filed down like the Taylor, that's a character of a better made guitar. The bridge was far superior on the Taylor, Martin cut corners on theirs. They both had great action and a rich sound, tuners were comparable, Taylor seemed to be a bit tighter. The Martin had a slightly thicker neck, the Taylor was great for speed. Pound for pound, the Taylor took the prize, better bridge, lower action, fast, cleaner finish on the frets, overall better attention to detail made it a clear winner.

I got the Martin, to me it sounds much better, it was a hard choice, the mini GS looks so good with the curved back, the cool electronics and gig bag, I might get the mini GS in Koa....

Unplugged both guitars have a lovely sound, with the Taylor being brighter with a bit more crisp and the Martin a little warmer, earthier. Plugged, though...the Martin just sounds awful. So if you don't care for electronics, both make a great choice depending on personal preference, but if you plan on playing plugged as well, my guess is the Taylor - hands down.

Great to hear Chris play without the need for chat. 10/10

They both sound really good. I have played them both and owned a gs mini. The one I had didn't have the EST system. The only thing that seems definite to me is that the Est system sounds a little better than the sonitone system, But hey, that's just my opinion. For the money they both sound good. Thanks Alamo for the video. I'm gonna go order the Gs Mini with the pickup now.

I thought both guitars sounded better using the external Shure mic. As far as the pickups go, the Taylor pickup sounded much better than the Fishman. I kinda liked the Martin better, but I'd be just as happy with the Taylor (based on your demo/comparison). I'd need to play each one for myself in a LGS (local guitar shop) to make the final decision. In your demo, the last fingerstyle piece you played sounded fantastic on the Martin, IMHO. The Taylor held its own on the other demo pieces. If they are comparable in price, it would be difficult to choose between them, and I'd likely be pleased with either one. My two cents...

I have the GS mini its a great little gig, the Martin sounds good but sounds different. I`d have both

The Martin sounds bolder and bigger...being all solid it will age nicer. Definitely a 13/4 " is much much better...Richlite is not wood, but feels like wood and will weather better. Martin bag is not so good compared to the Taylor hard bag. The Taylor sounds better plugged in though.

I have a GS Mini and I really like it as a travel guitar. It sounds the same whenever and where ever you take it out of the case. It is now visiting my grandson who will be taking a guitar class at school this fall and needs a guitar that is up to that kind of commuting. Because of it's size and shape, the GS Mini is a great fit for smaller people - both women and teens. I have played a Martin D18 Dreadnought in the past and although the guitar has an amazing reputation, the body just doesn't suit me as I'm always trying to find a way to hold it comfortably. The one I played was terribly sensitive to changes in climate, temperature, etc and often wasn't as good as it could be, sounding fine in the treble but weak in the bass or visa versa. When it was happy it had a lovely tone - otherwise, not so much. I'll certainly pick up the travel Martin and try it out to see if I can get comfortable with the Dreadnought body shape. I'll be really interested in hearing how well this guitar travels with solid wood all around. The tone sounds great in the review's but I'd be interested to hear from people who take it 'on the road' with them. It would be great to hear whether it is temperamental when it has to live with changes of humidity, etc.

Was the Martin tone turned up? It sounded muffled. Im really jonesing for a Martin, I already have a Taylor 214.

I like the GS mini body shape better than the Martin body shape. Idk I just think it looks more appealing.

To me the Martin sounds richer here, more complex and colorful...this is true in live demo's when comparing both at my local shop. I do agree the Fishman system is less.

The Martin direct in sounds like crap imo. Otherwise, both sound great. I think I am going for the Taylor as it is for my 12 year old daughter and I think the smaller neck will suit her smaller hands better and giver her a guitar to really grown into for the foreseeable future. Great comparison.

I'm telling Tony Polacastro !!

I'm not sure, but for me, Taylor's pickups sounds better them Martin's one.

I have the Martin....dj Its perfect Thanks for the review

I'd take the Martin as a writing/practicing guitar. I don't really feel comfortable taking all solid wood outdoors. That's what carbon fiber is for! Or all laminate whatever floats your boat

After seen a lot of videos i think the GS Mini is the queen of the guitars under $1000, but i don't like it because it's too small.Yamaha fg730 would be second.

for me its taylor.. i love taylor

The Martin frets and nut are dressed/setup using a Plek machine at the Martin factory in Mexico. Also, the Volume and Tone controls are installed just inside the sound hole, so no holes are drilled in the solid wood body for them. I bought the Martin and love the sound and playability. My only gripe is the oversized Fishman jack/strap button on the bottom. I've tried 2 Martin leather straps and the button hole is too small to fit properly. End result, if you force the strap on it will twist the button, loosen the jack and twist the wires inside the guitar, plus the strap will fall off. I have not found any leather straps made to fit the Fishman(/Switchcraft?) jack/strap button. Recommendations, anyone?

Plugged in the Martin sounded muffled. The GS has a clearer sound

Can I please just have them BOTH? 🤣🤣 Great review, thanks. Regards, Dave

I have a 1956 000-18 Martin that I love, I have to say I still lean to Martin a richer sound, Mellow & comfortable.

very very nice intro! thank you!

When plugged the Taylor beat up the Martin, but unplugged and miked the Martin won by a nose.

Listened to this with my sony wh-1000xm4 and I think they sound pretty equal!! No big difference really...

Man.. I Own the Taylor GS Mini Koa-E and it is AMAZING. I haven't played the lil Martin but I think it does sound really good. However, the Fishman pickup doesn't hold up next to the ES-2 from Taylor in my opinion. The fact that the Martin is solid wood back & sides is really great! Honestly though, if my GS Mini Koa had solid back & sides it would be an almost perfect lil guitar. I am more of a Taylor guy in the sense of the clarity and brilliance in tone. It just sounds better to my ear. Great review too, keep it up! New subscriber here :)

i have got the martin :) just this Monday ....

It’s the electronics and design of the entire package to all work together that says Taylor apart, kind of like an Apple computer

The second song you play is beautiful. Too bad I find the sound from the Martin's mic quite awful. But taken externally it sounds good.

Tayler mini guitar have more clarety and balace and its more easy to hear the separation in a chord Both guitars sounds better with extern microphone. // Susanne from Sweden

I've owned 3 or 4 Minis (I buy/sell/trade guitars all the time). Great guitar--very consistent tone, quality and playability. I played 2 Martin Juniors over the past week and think they sound significantly better--louder, fuller, and the low E string much stronger. I assume it has to be the solid woods at work. The looks of the Martin bothers me--it looks like a toy dreadnaught, I assume it's because I've gotten used to how a dread is 'supposed' to look over decades of playing. But I have to give the Martin the nod, especially with an (okay, entry level) pickup already in it.

I really like the Martin acoustically but that Fishman sounds dreadful. Buy the acoustic model and a vintage Sound-hole pickup

Great way of testing!

Definitely Taylor Gs mini! !!! No doubt Taylor just has it going on. The Martin sounds ok, I just love the bright clear tone of Taylor guitars. I own a 110e dreadnought by Taylor and love it!!!

Hi Anyone could give me the name of the first picking song we ear at the begining of the video ? 🤓 Thanks !

The Martin has a familiar country sound that I love.

The Martin tone wins IMO, warmer a fuller sounding, the Taylor is brighter in the mids….I choose the Martin tone over the Taylor, every time

GS Mini all day every day.

Chriss, Why some GS mni comes with black headstock and others with wood? I´ve seen this in various Tayor models.

Where is the Martin made?

I bought Taylor Big Baby it’s good

Hello. Plz help me. I am difficult to choose between them . Jr 2 vs mahogany mini . Which do u prefer??

The Martin fishman pickup is terrible compared to the EST on the Taylor. But in terms of depth and warmth, Martin wins hands down. Taylor GS Mini is more bright and open but lacks in what Martin has (as mentioned). So hard to find a guitar with the best of both worlds...sigh.

I want a GS Mini - Sweet!

which out of these two models holds its tune well with a capo ?

Martin - Fingerstyle sound: 8/10- Strumming sound: 10/10- Size: 7/10- Hardware: 10/10 Taylor- Fingerstyle sound: 10/10- Strumming sound: 5/10- Size: 8/10- Hardware 10/10

For a small guitar, that obviously can't emulate a full-sized one, the Taylor wins. It's way more articulate. The Martin attempts a fuller sound, but ends up sounding muddy... and it's kind of missing the point... if you want a full sound, buy a bigger guitar. If you want a smaller, budget Martin, with a more articulate sound, but an 00LX or 00X. Just my tuppence worth.

I'm a big time Martin fan, but I own a GS Mini HOG, which IMO is the best sounding mini/travel guitar made. So that would be my vote over both of these. One thing you didn't mention regarding the GS Mini, which is a prime reason for it's surprising volume and body, is the arched back. As for electronics, Taylor couldn't make a decent sounding PUP/preamp system if their life depended on it. Even their highest end models stink. They should just get out of that business all together and farm it out to LR Baggs. Same goes for Martin and the Fishman "Sonotone" system. Just awful.

So Chris is the Taylor big baby larger than both of these?

Taylors are so rich ad articulate. I own three yet I haven't been able to find a Martin that didn't suffer from a muted dullness Just my opinion, of course. I'll keep looking.

What was the beginning song?

Martin cos full solid, just like wine, it will age better

The Martin is a better guitar altogether , it also has a nut whith of a standard Martin Dred so its easy to play and is all wood the Gs mini is is very small at the nut , not easy to play chords unless you are a five year old with small fingers , and of course the mini is plywood back and sides ,

brother that's Tony's music your playing.

Is he related to Andy Mckee?

Martin for the win I’m buying one but just saved myself a 100 dollars because I’m getting the one without the Fishman in it. It sounds muddy as heck but I mean who buys a travel guitar to plug it in? Martin got the throaty sing along tone. I’ll use my Gibson songwriter to plug in

can I use heavier guege strings on the dred jr?