The Taylor GS Mini is nearly the same size as their Grand Concert guitars. A better comparison would be the Little Martin vs the Taylor Baby. I'd consider the GS Mini as a small 'proper' guitar rather than a travel guitar.
Since when did we start sizing guitars dependent on airline travel guidelines? The GS Mini is closer in size to a Grand Concert than what it is to a Taylor Baby or Little Martin.
Steve G Grand Concert is nearly 2" longer than GS Mini, but the Taylor Baby is nearly 2" shorter than the GS Mini so the GS falls in between on length. However, on body width, the GS Mini is only 5/8ths slimmer than the Grand Concert, and nearly 2" wider than the Taylor Baby, so on width the GS Mini is closer to the Grand Concert. When it comes to depth, the GS Mini a little deeper than the Grand Concert (4 7/16th vs 4 3/8ths) and over an inch deeper than the Taylor Baby. So, to summarize, out of 3 measurements (L/W/D) the GS Mini is closer in size to the Taylor Grand Concert in 2 of them (W & D) than it is the Taylor Baby, and on the length measurement sits more or less in the middle. Out of the three measurements, in not one is the GS Mini closer to the Taylor Baby. Grand Concert: L 19 1/2" W 15" D 4 3/8" GS Mini: L 17 5/8" W 14 3/8" D 4 7/16" Taylor Baby L 15 3/4" W 12 1/2" D 3 3/8" It's on the Taylor website if you want to check. I'm right, you're wrong. Goodnight.
I like them both but ....the GS is almost twice the price of the Martin, way bigger too. I have a little Martin LX1e and love it. The fishman pickup in it sounds great through a Fishman loudbox. I have a house full of guitars and play lil Martin more than any of the others. Very comfy while watching TV. GS sounds good acoustically but I don't like the sound of the add-on pick up.
I just picked up one of these Martin LX1e from my local Guitar Center. I love the size and the sound. Got it at 15% off the $439.00 tag price $374.00 or so, and I added 3 years of insurance on it for another $99.00 (covers nearly everything) The comparison between the LX1e and a Taylor Mini GS is apples and oranges....two completely different categories. This little Martin is Sweet !
Ohh~~ thanxs for the comparison - I was looking for a travel size and these are the two that pops up the most! I was looking for a smaller sized one and lucky I saw your review before buying!!
I am a fingerstyle guitarist. I tested both guitars (GS Mini and LX1E) at my local music store and ended up buying the Martin LX1E. The reasons: More comfort and easier to play, plug-in sound quality. It has been 4 years now and never regretted it.
Plugged in is a whole different story. The little Martin sounds full while the taylor sounds stringy. That’s typical for those guitars. For a finger picking style, one person singing and playing, Martin is better. For strumming style, full band, the taylor is better.
Best review I've found on the topic thus far after an hour looking for a smaller parlor/travel guitars for my wife. I own a Taylor 314ce so I was leaning towards the Martin to give a totally "different" tone when we jam, but after this review I think it will be the Taylor. Love the sound and style of the Martin as well so I understand anyone picking the Martin in this shootout; but to my ear the Taylor is more crisp and clear tonally. Thanks for the great comparison review.
I picked up the LX1E. When I first used it, it sounded very boxy but it has become more rich and crisp since I bought it. I like a smaller guitar and this seemed great. Would love the GS Mini though too.
Thoroughly excellent comparison. I have one of the original models of the Taylor and it's superb. The Martin also sounds good but with far less depth and bass ... nice for bright finger-picking tones.
I'm a owner of a little Martin lx1e. I like the bright clear "special" sound. A friend of mine ownes the taylor GS. It is a beautiful one. But for me i prefer the sound and handling of the martin.
I bought a GS mini yesterday not the guitar I was looking for but I was recommended it by the sales person. I was blown a way from the start the sound was so bright . I have a shoulder injury and the size suited me perfectly it was really comfortable to play what can I say great sound from a small guitar.
The taylor sounds like a really good guitar but the lx1 just has a very distinctive sound. I noticed it at GC when I picked it up and was just startled by the unique tone. It sounds bigger than it is but it also sounds smaller than a standard guitar so it has this large but twangy sound that's freakin awesome. I loved this guitar way before I even knew sheeran used it on his albums but I was not surprised. It has tons of personality in the sound. Its like a rally car of guitars. Totally different than others and great in its specific range. If you are a fan of big, deep, and resonate tones you'll probably hate it. But there's a billion guitars like that if you have a thousand to spend. Ok now I'm rambling but I just think martin knocked out of the park with that thing
Hi, I did click the link and sign up for the letter, BUT I could find nowhere "Tony's tabs and video lessons of these songs" in the website, like it say in the bottom right inlay. How do I get them? Thanks
Hey can i know what song or short intro you use for demonstration? I like them a lot and would like to learn them for fingerstyle practice/ technique work.
I’ve got a Harley Benton GS travel, definitely not in the same league as regards prestige or maybe build quality to an extent but when you consider its price and playability it’s an absolute steal! OK I had to do a little bit of setting up and put new (Elexir) strings on it but having tried both of the reviewed guitars I just couldn’t justify the extra cost for what I wanted it for! My full size guitars are Taylor and Martin so I do know what the difference between cheap and expensive is and I do think both brands are superb quality!
I would honestly recommend the Martin over the Taylor if you're not wanting to spend a lot of money. I got mine yesterday with a case for 199.99 guitar center. It plays and sounds great and its very portable.
Watching and listening to this on my iPad I can say that the sound from the Taylor sound way better than the Martin, I think I would rather pay the extra for the Taylor
The Martin sounds just like the Taylor would sound if it had a beach towel stuck inside the body. I wish the demo videos gave examples of how the electronics sound as well. But thanks for the review. It was well done as always.
I'm shocked that the Martin sounds so cheap! I'm glad to know I made the right call buying a Taylor instead. My FIL owns a Martin and I had to overcome some family-loyalty silliness in order to go Taylor. :)
Just wanted to say to everyone that this comparison was done because a lot of people had asked us to compare the two models. These are both two very unique guitars which both offer different features. Yes.....the baby Taylor vs the Martin LX1 would be a more exact comparison but this was not meant to compare "apples to apples" Just another comparison to help people make the right choice for there specific needs.
im glad you guys did this comparison just because of how often they are used interchangeably. BUT, no comparison at all. None. Zero. Martin is the far superior maker, but Taylor did something really special with that GS Mini. Martin could learn a thing or two.
Yes you nailed it there. Ukelele like = cheap, twangy, nylony, weak, toneless, gutless shite The Taylor owns the Martin in this clip big time. To be honest, a fitting end to this video would be stomping the Martin into splinters so nobody has to listen to that excuse for a guitar again.
I would love to try the taylor but the one I was looking at was 2x the price of the Martin and the LX1 that I tried sounded so sweet in drop D tuning, like an old parlor guitar, that I could not put it down. It plays easy and is really loud for an un-amplified acoustic guitar.
It’s funny reading all the comments who only compare these guitars based on tone. Of course the Taylor sounds “better” in this side by side. It’s bigger - that alone makes it an unfair comparison. But there is a trade off. You’re paying more for it and it’s not as portable. The Martin is better if portability is your main concern. I like them both. Play them both if you can, then decide which one meets your needs and budget. What is more comfortable to hold and play? What makes you want to play more? Which one will you take with you on a plane or a road trip and which one will get left at home because it’s too nice or you fear it could be damaged? When it comes to travel guitars, it’s not just about tone.
guys chill I do get the boxy aspect of the LX but when picked I genuinely find it has that old-time sound which is basically what ppl like about the LX
It's a comparison only in the sense that it's each company's "mini" guitar. The fact that Taylors is "better" doesn't mean it's not fair. Just that based on the criteria of the comparison (being mini) the Taylor wins by a long shot.
The Royal Architects there’s the Baby Taylor which much closer in size to this Martin than the Mini Taylor, many are saying that’s the more level comparison
Does the Martin really compete with the GS Mini, though (approx. $100 - $150 in price difference, the significant size difference)? Wouldn't the Baby Taylor be more comparable in weight, portability, price, size?
Hey Brian, yes, you are correct. We've compared the GS Mini to the Baby Taylor and the Big Baby Taylor, but we keep seeing tons of questions about the Martin LX1, presumably because it's also a "travel guitar". We made this comparison video to help those interested in knowing the difference between these two guitars see that they're indeed in two different categories.
12 Fret guitars / small bods: I'm 50 something, been playing for 40+ years, and playing a full size acoustic lasts about 20 minutes before my back and elbow hurt. What are the tastiest options under a grand usd (no posture stuff please), for sound, and playabilty. I've been impressed by your review of the GS min and little M's, but think a full size, albeit limited choice, 12 fret might be the best solution. I rarely play above 12th on an acoustice any way. recommendations please. Concise and constructive would be appreciated. I can't be the only older person who wants to keep playing and improving on decent kit that has these issues, considering the # of desk jockeys and road warriors out there. Help please. Cheers.
It almost seems like you can get the tone of the Martin on the GS mini if you play further up on the neck, but it couldnt be done the other way around. Thanks for this comparison, very helpful for me, GS mini all the way :D
I put both guitars and honestly I think that the Martin plays better.... But I still got the GS mini just because of the size and nobody gives a really nice tone and the gs mini projects really well
So many asking if the baby taylor is not a better comparison. It typically is between those two and there is a comparison video of those two already. The point of this video is for those who wonder if it is worth spending a little more for the upgrade. This vid shows that if you can afford the extra 150$, and are not looking specifically for a 3/4 size, then the sound upgrade is worth it. Clearly if you do want a cheaper, 3/4 size guitar it is between the Lx1 and the taylor BT1/2
I own(Ed) both of the superb guitars, very different to play and sonically. The Taylor is a superior creation but like a Yamaha lacks the mojo sparkle that I can find in the LX1E. In a concrete multi storey car park playing the blues the Martin fills the arena and amplified is as good as any acoustic I have ever played, I own some very expensive guitars and the Martin gets played about 80% more than all of them. A tribute to my dear friend, song writer and musician Phil Lonergan.
I was thinking of buying the LX1e so i went over to the store and tried it. It was waaaaay to small for me to play on. I have pretty big hands so if i put the capo on the guitar and try play on anywhere from the 6th fret and upwards it becomes pretty hard for me to play. So if you have big hands i'd go and test the guitar in person before buying it.
I have a GS min and was considering buying the LX1, but after watching this, I'm happy with my GS mini and don't feel like I'm missing much with the LX. But that's just my opinion.
To me the difference would be am I looking for a small guitar that sounds really great (the Mini), or an even smaller guitar that won't be hurt by being near a campfire, being used to row the boat, low or high humidity, etc.
As an avid Martin player and enthusiast, nothing else in the market today can touch the GS Mini for what it is and the price point. As far as travel guitars go, all around no brainer!
Better to compare LX1 with Baby Taylor, both of which fit the category of travel guitar. GS mini more comparable to the smallest full size guitars ( off the top of my head, Martin 028 or Larrivee Parlour). GS mini is outstanding in all areas. Best guitar I've found under £500. I've owned or still own all the guitars I've mentioned so have some basis for my comments. Happy playing to all!
I came here to hear the Taylor and I might buy it, but that Martin has a very recognizable sound to it. The more I hear Martins the more I understand why they say if you want that sound to get a Martin. Sure the Taylor has a bigger sound but not as vintage.
Martin sounds like a Uke at times due to its diminutive proportions, whereas Taylor sounds very little compromised - near enough a full guitar sound. (I'm really enjoying my brand new hog-topped GS Mini btw.)
Tell me please, how does the Taylor GS mini neck vs The Martin LX1 mini feel when you hold it in your hand, light or weighted? do your finger glide across the fret board? which is more playable? I could see visual and hear the difference in the tone, but it's when one holds a guitar in there hands they can say oh yeah, OK., this is the one thing i dislike about buying guitars by sight! --- In the 70's I once had a girl or should i say she once had a guitar and wouldn't sell it to me, after playing it, started looking for the name, so old the name was faded, it was a Martin mini, because of it's age super warm and the neck, playable with ease. 1958 keeps popping in my head, pretty sure it was 50's. it was older than me!...Thank You.
I have the older version little martin that had a laminate top and wood fingerboard and bridge and I can get a lot more bass than you're getting. on par volume with the higher strings and good overall balance. I've also held the newer ones and they are a lot heavier at the neck I noticed. These new ones seem not as good as the previous generation. I thought laminate was an ingenious choice for a soundboard and I was surprised they changed them to spruce tops now.
I have the LX1E and the GS Mini-E Koa, the GS is alot louder and fuller, but not as boxy and full as a standard sized guitar. Both travellable, as the taylor comes with a lovely padded bagpack. The lx1e is well rounded and has similar sustain, but the tone is alot different and more toyish, but sounds good when plugged in. The neck feels wider and flatter on the lx1e but also less space per fret. Both easy to play and great guitars but i think the GS mini sounds nicer.
I like the Martin. It's an actual travel guitar and it sounds different from the Taylor. I disagree it is inferior in tone. Good review as ever. Lets us decide. Thank you
I could go with either sound...i don't mind the Martin at all...kinda like it a bit more(I had a mahagony taylor years ago)....but I gotta have the fretboard markings which is why I shopping for a Taylor..once I get past the 5 fret I get lost. The Martin is a bit brighter/ dobroish, but for sure the Taylor has a more complex resonating sound.
Ok, I know it's basically just trim appointments that are different, but I'd LOVE to see a side by side of the Taylor 814ce and 914ce. Here's to hoping. And great vids too, by the way. That Taylor smokes that Martin. Pretty much like always...
Martin built that guitar to a price, Taylor built a guitar frugally and then decided what they'd have to charge for it. Martin should not have strayed from their roots, if it had cost $1-200 more and actually been a good guitar they would've profited more. I'm a Martin fan and own 4, 2 of which are really nice, but my 10 year old daughter and I tried out guitars for her for Xmas and we both loved the GS mini mahogany. I find myself playing it over my d35 a lot. Of course that will change when Xmas comes and it's in her room.
elixir strings make a huge difference in clarity, brightness and tone; no matter what kind of guitar they're on. If you play a Taylor and Martin with Martin strings or a Martin and Taylor w/ Elixir 80/20s: (medium or light) they'll most likely sound a lot more similar. Taylor's sound better and look nicer but Martins are easier to play and have a natural warmer tone.
