Two specification differences that might influence your selection are that the Martin has a slightly wider nut width, and is made of solid wood, top, back and sides, whereas the GS mini has composite back and sides.
Great comment -- it's funny how little tiny differences to the non-guitar player, (layered wood vs. solid sapele back, .001 difference in string gauge, string winding material and 1/16" of an inch in nut width -- but they DO make a difference!
First off, let me thank you folks for making the effort to raise our awareness about these fine instruments. Given the limited test window…and no finger picking, which to me is where these smaller body guitars really shine, I will say I found the Martin brighter and more resonant. Being a Taylor fan, I am now challenged with learning more about the new offerings from Martin. Thanks again. Oh and I hope you’re going to stock some lefties for us disadvantaged folks lol.
Thanks for commenting Glenn. They're good "strummers" too, but your idea of making a fingerpicking comparison of these (and, naturally other) guitars is a great one (Shon will have to grow some nails in addition to his hair!). It's tricky, as affordable and diminutive Martin and Taylor guitars like these often end up in the hands of beginning players as a primary guitar (and they're good enough as couch, travel and fun guitars for more advanced people too). Lefties? We do our best to have some left handed Taylor guitars in stock and we'll have some Martin lefties coming soon too! Thanks for watching and writing!
@@barryhaggarty Both of the lefty players in the area on the same post? Jokes, there are at least 4 (and we have at least 10 lefty guitars in stock!). Alright, lefty Martins coming up!
I had a gs mini in mahogany which I ended up selling and somewhat regretting. My local store was a big Taylor partner so very little to no Martin guitars. Anyway after trying to find another small guitar to sit on the sofa and noodle with I drove around 100 miles to the next city which had a store that specialised in Martin. Needless to say I’ve never played a Martin before. I picked up the dreadnaught jr wow all I can say is it’s the sound I’ve always had in my head of what an acoustic should sound like. I also tried a d-28 and d-18 because I drove all that way I had to try the big expensive ones right? 😂 yes the money for those guitars is insane but after a few open chords letting them ring out I can honestly say I think it’s worth it… anyway I took the Martin jr home because I have more sense than money! 😂…. In summary I am now a Martin fan and if you can try a guitar in person even if it’s a little further than you’d like to go, do it you won’t regret it!
Thanks for sharing your story -- they're both excellent guitars with their own feel and voice! The Djr. feels a little more spacious on the fingerboard and has a familiar (dreadnaught like) sound -- all you need to do now is try the Martin 000c-Jr! We might do a video featuring that one next!
Although there is a difference, they are both nice. I can't tell if it's the guitar or the strings. I lean ever so slightly to the sound of the Martin. I have one of each and love them both!
We pondered that, but since their scale lengths differ (resulting in different tension of the "same strings), we decided to leave the factory strings on these guitars assuming that both Martin & Taylor are more than capable of recommending strings that they feel are ideal for their respective guitars. We'll go with Tommy Emmanuel's idea that you have to find the best string for yourself and each guitar individually.
