Taylor GT Comparison - 811 vs GT Urban Ash 

These guitars have a larger sound difference in person. They are fun to play. Having played both, I prefer the 811e for its rounder bass.

The small GT style is promoted as a "fun" guitar. In that respect the GT Urban Ash fits better as a less expensive guitar that is less "precious" and ideal for social playing. The Urban Ash sounded a bit louder to me. The 811e probably suits folk that need a smaller guitar but are playing more at home or in the studio. I disagree with those saying they are "tinny" sounding: First these are parlour size guitars (be fair); Second they both have very wide responses, typical of Taylor. You can always take off a bit of the brightness by using your fingers rather than strumming with a thumb pick like Quinton. As Quinton demonstrates you can also play further from the bridge. They should warm up with age too. Plugged in you obviously can tweak the EQ to get you whatever response you like with the fantastic ES2 pickup. This make for a more versatile guitar than one wiht a more dull sounding high end.

I own a GTe Urban Ash and it's worth every penny. Is it better than my GS Mini Koa Plus? Probably not, but I like the size of the GTe better.

I like the overall dynamics of the Taylor GT. I will be buying one later this month when it gets in stock at GC.

Ash has never been on my radar as a tone wood, but to my ears it sounds similar to mahogany. I prefer it compared to the rosewood back and sides, but over the years I have migrated away from rosewood and to mahogany. FWIW, I think the Urban Ash model will make their owners happy.

Both sound soooo bright..... I’ve owned several Taylors and have settled pretty happily on the 512ce, with a spruce top option, which does not seem to be nearly as bright. But, the 5-series does not get much attention in reviews. I’d be interested in seeing a comparison of 5-series to the big-selling 800’s and 300’s. Go mahogany!

Urban Ash sounds beautiful!

It’s the bling y wood period…i blur it with my voice tone…btw I love rosewood duh hog

I've played the GT Urban Ash at Guitar Center and I must say, it's super comfortable to play. However, I find it just a bit too tinny. I hope they eventually come out with a model that has mahogany as a top wood.

Before the Covid levels went sky high, I played the GT Urban Ash at GC. Very easy to play & comfortable. At least on the instrument I played the quality was not the same as some nicer Taylor’s. But it was a lot cheaper and possible that the one I looked at was shop worn. I like the sustainability of urban ash and sounds good. Not as nice as mahogany but good.

Taylor guitars are always tops in playability.... but I'd have to hear these in person to make a judgement on the sound.

The 811e sounds like it’s held by a little angel who has never suffered, the urban ash on the other hand sounds like Oliver Twist-a broken child labor who works in a metal factory😢

Thanks for the great info and play through. If I may give a bit of constructive feedback after watching a few of your videos... the personal dynamics between the two of you clash somehow - you end up talking over each other, cutting each other off, it all comes across kind of awkward. I'd spend some time working out an understanding of who speaks when so the flow is more natural and one of you isn't talking over the other, or playing over the other talking, etc.

Any chance of a shootout between a GT Urban Ash vs a Martin JR-10 or DJR-10?

I really love the 811e but at my playing level I’m leaning toward the GTe.

Ever thought of having a lit cigarette while playing ?

I used to love Taylor Guitars until the store manager said they sound too 'treble -y". Now I am always comparing it to a Martin.

Ixnay, not for me. Not liking that particular tone palette. Nasal.