+Ichigo Senpai i hope you got the one you thought sounded better, i sometimes have that same outlook on something but at the end of the day the look of the guitar is useless!!
The difference really stands out when he strums. The spruce top guitar really rings and vibrates while the mahogany is much more mellow. I prefer the mahogany.
I love that they always use the same sample tracks so I can actually compare guitars from any video. Great way to single out exactly what you want if your local store doesn't carry it.
Bought the GS mini mahogany 4 months ago, sounds great! Tried traveling with it last month and fitted well on the overhead bins. Travel tip: loosen your strings at least 2 whole steps below. Your bridge will thank you later. :) I definitely recommend the GS mini to any guitarist. You'll be happy with the purchase. :)
Thanks so much for sharing! Stoked to see you rocking the Music Villa shirt as I lived in Bozeman for fifteen years. I will be moving back there in September and hope to pick up a Mahogany Gs mini thanks to your help. Hope to run into you when I am back there. Thanks again! Cheers!
Just bought the mahogany GS Mini a couple days ago after extensive research. Couldn't be happier! Thanks Tony for the brilliant reviews and demos. Really helped in deciding between the two woods.
Awesome review! I’m planning to get a gs 1 and debating between mahogany and spruce and this really gave me a good idea of the sound differences. This is one of the best guitar comparison videos I’ve seen out there. You play a variety of songs that hits different tones and styles, but I particularly enjoyed the single chord strum comparisons. It sounds like such a simple thing but hearing them side by side like that is even better than I could do myself switching guitars.
i just got my Mahogany Taylor GS Mini and I love it.... Been to Texas, and all over the East Coast with it... (I'm from Cali) in June I'll be taking it to Mexico.... Best investment I've ever made on a guitar no joke.... go buy it! =D
Thanks so much, Tony, for posting this video and for all your insights. I'm a lefty and it was really tough to find both the spruce and mahogany in any stores nearby. I was fortunate enough to find a spruce lefty in one store, and fell in love with it after 15 min of playing, but based on your review and others' comments, I ended up choosing the mahogany from an online store I've purchased from in the past. I gotta say, they were both gorgeous sounding, but I really can tell a difference with the richness from the mahogany. I play a lot at home or in quiet settings, so projection/brightness in louder/public places wasn't really a top priority for me. You can't go wrong with either - and thanks TAYLOR for making such beautiful instruments available to us lefties without jacking up the price!!
That section from 3:52-4:32 is EXACTLY what every single demo or comparison video needs. I have a Taylor 110 which I absolutely adore so I came in to watching this thinking Spruce all the way. Nope. From these samples and this size guitar it seems the mahogany is much nicer. I actually think the mahogany has a far nicer balance across the strings. Also, the spruce has a mid-range presence that I'm not fond of. Great demo, thanks!
Huge mid-range is the trademark of spruce-topped Taylors. The hog-top sounds great, but I'll take that ability to cut through in a group, which this little guitar does really well because of that mid-range hump.
I played both of these at my local music shop and it was super hard to tell which one I like more. The mahogany is warmer where the spruce is slightly brighter. When I hear the spruce I think of spring and summer and when I hear the mahogany I think of fall and winter, meaning fireplace hot chocolate and coffee in flannels wrapping up with a guitar or shorts a polo and a slight breeze with shades on. Idk I'm weird but that's what I picture with both guitars. I think I pick the mahogany just from my stand point of a second guitar with my first being the 114ce I would want something more different.
Brandon Smith Damn you hit the nail on the head with that! Haha not to take away from your imagery, but I'd like to add a nice cold beer to the spring/summer (spruce) and a nice whiskey to the fall/winter (mahogany) haha
i agree with what you said....spruce is more crispier while mahogany has lesser volume and lesser bass sound....perhaps if you want on more bass emphasis, then spruce can do.... for me, generally i'll go with spruce........ i hope I can earn money...jeje
That part where you just strum both is excellent for demonstrating wood which accentuates the low notes vs wood that accentuates the high notes. My subjective preference is for the high notes, thus the spruce. Thanks for making it so clear!!
I went looking to play the GS mini at the guitar store. Test drove and fell in love with the spruce top with the electronics all set up. Went to dinner to think about it and came back to buy it. I happened to see the mahogany version sitting there and picked it up to play it. It did not have any electronics installed but I bought it anyway because I like the noticeably darker sound especially in a smaller body that typically doesn't have a lot of low end to begin with. I added the Taylor ESGO humbucker later and I have no regrets. The Spruce top is nice too! Lots of bang for the buck!
Amazing video. There are probably minor manufacturing and other differences as environmental circumstances between both at the time of production, but it's an extremely good illustration of wood tonal variation. Brilliant. Love it.
I never get tired of hearing those demo songs! I played the Hog today. Looooooved it. Haven't tried the Spruce yet, but as of now I want the Taylor GS Mini-E Mahogany!
I have a spruce gs mini! I love this video! You guys are absolutely accurate with the review I've played several hours on mahogany and the spruce before I decide to go with the spruce! Thank you guys so much for this video it really helped! In all honesty I actually prefer the mahogany sound lol
Tried both of them recently at a store and while I like the mahogany one better on your video, trying them out made me realize I much prefer the attack and brightness from the spruce one, based on the type of music I like to play. Thanks for the video.
Arched laminate with no back braces: It really works! Taylor's "clam shell" back is very active and really livens up the tone of-in particular-their GS Minis. I have not found a travel-size guitar with the gnards of a GS mini...and I have looked at and played many. FWIW, the back is mostly poplar (maple-like), the outer sapele lams being quite thin.
So very happy I saw this video. I've been lingering on Amazon, trying to decide which to buy, then did a google search for some help. Your presentation here is perfectly done, and I could clearly hear that I want the mahogany. THANK YOU.
+Mary Ann Farley Glad we helped with your decision. Don't forget that we regularly stock the GS Mini and many other guitars from Martin, Taylor and Gibson at our retail store in Bozeman, MT.... acousticletter.com/product-category/taylor/travel-guitars/ Thanks for watching!
+Acoustic Letter Dang! Had I known you were a store I would have gladly bought from you rather than Amazon as I totally support independent businesses, even if they're a little more expensive, as the customer service comes with the price. I will definitely remember you for future purchases. And as for those who can't hear the sound difference, I'm so surprised, as it's fairly blatant to me. Thanks again for the video!
Wow, subtle differences in this great review. The differences were more obvious in person when I was choosing between these two models. I sat directly in front of someone who was playing each one, and we both very quickly decided that the natural sounded better. I love that brighter, ringing tone. This indeed is a very nice instrument in a great case as mentioned. Thanks for the great reviews.
I just bought the GS Mini Mahogany last week to start playing some Elvis & Cash on it. I picked it for the warmer sound. It's definitely a keeper. BTW- I joined your Acoustic Letter.
I bought myself the GS Mini Spruce only a couple of days ago. It really is an excellent guitar. Travels well and sounds absolutely beautiful. Recommended to everyone
The arched back is also a technique used by Furch (Stonebridge is the US brandname). I had a Furch durango acoustic dreadnought and the sound coming out of that was amazing.. These small taylors seems really tempting.
Great comparison, thank you. I have the mahogany but was tempted to exchange it for the spruce top. Having listened to you play both it's so hard to tell the difference that it would be pointless. Nice to find some clear, hard facts among all the other waffle!
Thanks for the comparison, I really like how you worked the video for a direct comparison. I have the spruce top but may start looking for a mahogany in the near future to grow my heard.
Wow, you can really hear the difference when you strum and let the chords ring. Great video. The mahogany top sounds absolutely wonderful, I'm a sucker for mellow, warmer tones. The spruce does have a louder sound though, brighter too. Going to start saving up for a mahogany top version though since I really like fingerpicking. If anyone is selling one, send me a message!
I got a fall limited version with a Rosewood back and sides. Wow man do I love this little thing. I think it's the best ''bang for your buck'' you can get.
I have the Spruce top GS Mini although I did get to try the Mahogany top GS Mini eventually since buying my GS Mini last year! I like how the tone's darker and richer but I prefer mine because I tend to like bright tone and the Spruce has that. Choosing the variants is a matter of personal preference although both are good.
I've got a lefty mahogany. Love it. Find myself reaching for it more than my dreads. Take it everywhere. Very responsive to strumming, picking and fingerstyle.
I have the GS Mini Rosewood Special Edition been beefed up with Gotoh Mini Butterbean 18-1 Gold tone tuners & higher end bridge pins. I chucked the crappy ES Go sound system to replace with K & K Pure pick-up. She sounds (& I believe looks) better than any other GS Mini I've heard; plugged in I've been gigging with her. She is beautiful & robust!! Cheers Acoustic Letter for the great reviews...Keep 'em coming!
its weird because i think the mahogany sounds more even across all strings. I love how balanced and warm it sounds and the spruce to my ears is a little too chimey
I LOVE my Mahogany GS Mini and think it's just a warmer sweeter tone, plus the looks is fabulous!!!! They do sound similar, thought the Spruce is a little brighter which is more noticeable with a pick, but the Mahogany has more character and as special warmth I just fell in love with the first time I played it. I tend to play this guitar mostly finger style. The full tone is amazing especially single string playing on the high strings even way up the scale, big fat resonant tones!!!! LOVE IT!!!!
I love the brightness and projection of the spruce but the tonal solidarity or one-soundness of the mahogany heard when strumming would push me towards the mahogany.
I have the Spruce Top GS Mini which I Love and Adore. I have played the Koa and Mahogany. They are also Great but for different reasons, all of which have to do with Tonality and Sound. One is not better then the other, it is different. Playability is exactly the same. If you want deep rich tones go Koa or Mahogany, if you want a brighter and tintier sound go Spruce. All in all it is a Great Instrument and plays like a Guitar worth 2-5 times the price of a GS Mini.
just bought a spruce top and its gorgeous, i love the sound of the mahogany, a lot softer and classical-ier, but the spruce sounds like how i'de want an acoustic to sounds, nonetheless, it'a an incredible guitar!
Thanks so much for this video! Having recently getting cochlear implants after 20 years of deafness, I am picking up the guitar again and it’s so nice to be able to pick up the differences in tones. I couldn’t do that before even with hearing aides before I lost most of my hearing. Now I can definitely pick up the intricacies of tone. Your video helped me make my decision with the gs mini mahogany. The Sitka spruce top is a little too bright for my tastes. Thank you for sharing.
My spruce GS Mini travelled from Spokane, WA to Singapore and Indonesia.... never had a issue travelling... great size and case... was nice to have a guitar to play for my wife on our honeymoon.
Great review, bro! You'll actually play the same line on both guitars, so we can actually hear the sound quality. Thumbs up! Most reviewers won't do that...
Thanks for the demo Tony. Being a lefty, there wasn't a bunch of choices around. I found a spruce top model and bought it. Lovely guitar with no regrets. I may just like it a bit better than my 314!
These are REALLY USEFUL reviews! Everything acoustic compared to everything else acoustic in that class, same tunes, same mic, immediately side-by-side. Thanks so much for doing this. I don't feel like I have to go to Guitar Center to play a bunch of guitars (Taylors all play well), fend off the enthusiastic and commission- motivated sales folk and go head to head with the local guitar heroes. I have a beloved spruce and koa Taylor 416ce and it's really bright. It's loud and it's big. Perfect for standing up and playing Doobies with my rock band and so on, but I'm a small gal and sitting down with it in the living room after a long day isn't all that relaxing. I don't need more bright. I need mellow. I think this mahogany GS mini will be the exact fit for that space in my guitar collection. Now I have to find your reviews on Taylor 12-strings!
I own the mahogany gs mini. Great little guitar.. I did adjust the truss rod just slightly as the action was very low out of the box and had a little rattle but since I did, it's playing great. When I'm not playing it I keep it on the tone right and it gets better every day.
I bought the spruce for the look, watched this video and sent it back. The mahogany is softer and less shouty. Just for the record I had a hand-made bone saddle fitted and an L.R Baggs Lyric pick up. I dunno about live use yet but I can plug this guitar in and record all day long, no quacks, perfect. The action was pretty poor when I got it but I know a great guitar tech. I'm always amazed by how much he improves my guitars and for not much money really. Don't accept imitations!!
Your reviews are excellent and thoughrough 👍👍👍👍👍 Thanks much! To my ears the standard has the best brightness like a full size, the Koa actually sounds like a large body Ukelaleh LOL, however the Mahogany in my opinion has the richest full spectrum tonality bass to treble it's the most balanced.
I just pulled the trigger on a GS Mini hog and got a little nervous when I saw this comparison. But not to worry...as I've gotten older I've gravitated towards hog top guitars, and this is no exception. In fact, I feel like I hit the jackpot. Exactly what I was looking for. Plus the guy on eBay adjusted the neck and put on new strings and was honest and said I might want to think about shaving down the saddle a bit. But he also said there's currently no buzzing anywhere and the intonation is spot on so I might just leave well enough alone. Thanks for the demo.
All your reviews are good Tony . I went out and got the spouse . I had it for 2 weeks , then took it in for a setup . They shaved down the nut a little . It plays even better now . Your trip video with your mini was good too . Im going to take my Mini down to Cuba . Im Canadian we can go there . lol
I was dead-set on getting the mahogany until this video. I like the warmth in its tone and I’m partial to the darker wood grain. But now I realize why it sounds warmer to me. Because the higher frequencies are being muted. I still like it’s tone but when clarity is your goal, I think the spruce is better.
I'm so happy with my Mini koa FLTD. Sounds great and looks absolutely amazing. Great little guitar. In fact, I think it's so good that I wouldn't mind it if this were to be my only guitar.
That struggle when you like how the mahogany sounds but you like how the spruce looks
***** i guess im lucky :-) just sold my spruce to get a mahagony, i just love the dark wooden color, and then it also sounds better
+Ichigo Senpai There are lighter shades of Mahogany, just not in this particular guitar.
+Ichigo Senpai i hope you got the one you thought sounded better, i sometimes have that same outlook on something but at the end of the day the look of the guitar is useless!!
+jimmy5634 mine is mahogany but it's a way lighter shade
Holy shit this
The difference really stands out when he strums. The spruce top guitar really rings and vibrates while the mahogany is much more mellow. I prefer the mahogany.
I love that they always use the same sample tracks so I can actually compare guitars from any video. Great way to single out exactly what you want if your local store doesn't carry it.
Love these comparisons.
Less difference between the two than I expected
Really helpful. Thank you
Bought the GS mini mahogany 4 months ago, sounds great! Tried traveling with it last month and fitted well on the overhead bins. Travel tip: loosen your strings at least 2 whole steps below. Your bridge will thank you later. :)
I definitely recommend the GS mini to any guitarist. You'll be happy with the purchase. :)
Thank you bro! I´m hardly thinking about buying a Mahogany one. When traveling you mean to detune the guitar 2 tones lower? Thank you from Argentina!
Thanks so much for sharing! Stoked to see you rocking the Music Villa shirt as I lived in Bozeman for fifteen years. I will be moving back there in September and hope to pick up a Mahogany Gs mini thanks to your help. Hope to run into you when I am back there. Thanks again! Cheers!
Just bought the mahogany GS Mini a couple days ago after extensive research. Couldn't be happier! Thanks Tony for the brilliant reviews and demos. Really helped in deciding between the two woods.
Oh wow, I just got a gs mini last week and this popped up in my sub page. You just made my day
Thanks Tony. I have had my eye on the Mahogany mini for some time and this demo has made my mind up that it's the one for me. From Dan in the UK
Great video - excellent job of doing A/B demonstrations with good variety. Just really well done!
Awesome review! I’m planning to get a gs 1 and debating between mahogany and spruce and this really gave me a good idea of the sound differences. This is one of the best guitar comparison videos I’ve seen out there. You play a variety of songs that hits different tones and styles, but I particularly enjoyed the single chord strum comparisons. It sounds like such a simple thing but hearing them side by side like that is even better than I could do myself switching guitars.
i just got my Mahogany Taylor GS Mini and I love it.... Been to Texas, and all over the East Coast with it... (I'm from Cali) in June I'll be taking it to Mexico.... Best investment I've ever made on a guitar no joke.... go buy it! =D
Hey there! did u buy the electro acoustic model or only the acoustic?
I only got the acoustic model... =)
Thanks so much, Tony, for posting this video and for all your insights. I'm a lefty and it was really tough to find both the spruce and mahogany in any stores nearby. I was fortunate enough to find a spruce lefty in one store, and fell in love with it after 15 min of playing, but based on your review and others' comments, I ended up choosing the mahogany from an online store I've purchased from in the past. I gotta say, they were both gorgeous sounding, but I really can tell a difference with the richness from the mahogany. I play a lot at home or in quiet settings, so projection/brightness in louder/public places wasn't really a top priority for me. You can't go wrong with either - and thanks TAYLOR for making such beautiful instruments available to us lefties without jacking up the price!!
Yes Sir, definite sound difference. Both absolutely wonderful to play as are all Taylor's I own including the GS mini. Thanks for the demo.
That section from 3:52-4:32 is EXACTLY what every single demo or comparison video needs.
I have a Taylor 110 which I absolutely adore so I came in to watching this thinking Spruce all the way. Nope. From these samples and this size guitar it seems the mahogany is much nicer. I actually think the mahogany has a far nicer balance across the strings. Also, the spruce has a mid-range presence that I'm not fond of.
Great demo, thanks!
Chris Norris
Ikr
Huge mid-range is the trademark of spruce-topped Taylors. The hog-top sounds great, but I'll take that ability to cut through in a group, which this little guitar does really well because of that mid-range hump.
I played both of these at my local music shop and it was super hard to tell which one I like more. The mahogany is warmer where the spruce is slightly brighter. When I hear the spruce I think of spring and summer and when I hear the mahogany I think of fall and winter, meaning fireplace hot chocolate and coffee in flannels wrapping up with a guitar or shorts a polo and a slight breeze with shades on. Idk I'm weird but that's what I picture with both guitars. I think I pick the mahogany just from my stand point of a second guitar with my first being the 114ce I would want something more different.
Brandon Smith
Damn you hit the nail on the head with that! Haha not to take away from your imagery, but I'd like to add a nice cold beer to the spring/summer (spruce) and a nice whiskey to the fall/winter (mahogany) haha
Brandon Smith gayest comment ever
i agree with what you said....spruce is more crispier while mahogany has lesser volume and lesser bass sound....perhaps if you want on more bass emphasis, then spruce can do.... for me, generally i'll go with spruce........ i hope I can earn money...jeje
spot on description
@@rangoonlenlai7481 ain’t nothing gay bout that
That part where you just strum both is excellent for demonstrating wood which accentuates the low notes vs wood that accentuates the high notes. My subjective preference is for the high notes, thus the spruce. Thanks for making it so clear!!
I like how the mahogany looks and sounds, getting one tomorrow, hope guitar center has them in stock.
One of the best demonstrations I have seen on youtube. You can actually make a decision on guitars based on this video.
thank you, finally someone does a demo comparison right with a variety of styles through a mic and straight open chords. this was really helpful.
and only one variable!
I went looking to play the GS mini at the guitar store. Test drove and fell in love with the spruce top with the electronics all set up. Went to dinner to think about it and came back to buy it. I happened to see the mahogany version sitting there and picked it up to play it. It did not have any electronics installed but I bought it anyway because I like the noticeably darker sound especially in a smaller body that typically doesn't have a lot of low end to begin with. I added the Taylor ESGO humbucker later and I have no regrets. The Spruce top is nice too! Lots of bang for the buck!
Just got the mahogany. Such a beauty
Amazing video. There are probably minor manufacturing and other differences as environmental circumstances between both at the time of production, but it's an extremely good illustration of wood tonal variation.
Brilliant. Love it.
I never get tired of hearing those demo songs! I played the Hog today. Looooooved it. Haven't tried the Spruce yet, but as of now I want the Taylor GS Mini-E Mahogany!
I'm getting one of these eventually! Graduating from college this summer, so I may pick one up
I have a spruce gs mini! I love this video! You guys are absolutely accurate with the review I've played several hours on mahogany and the spruce before I decide to go with the
spruce!
Thank you guys so much for this video it really helped!
In all honesty I actually prefer the mahogany sound lol
I played them in store and I was gonna get the spruce because of how it looks, but then I heard the mahogany and it won hands down...just got mine XD
exactly!!! thats my situation as well!
@@xxxx783
Exactly my experience!
Wanted the walnut but
Mahogany wins!
Sound is more important😉
Another great demonstration of top woods.
The simple strum comparison is very helpful.
Tried both of them recently at a store and while I like the mahogany one better on your video, trying them out made me realize I much prefer the attack and brightness from the spruce one, based on the type of music I like to play. Thanks for the video.
Just bought the mahogany taylor gs mini and I am so happy I did, amazing little guitar.
Arched laminate with no back braces: It really works! Taylor's "clam shell" back is very active and really livens up the tone of-in particular-their GS Minis. I have not found a travel-size guitar with the gnards of a GS mini...and I have looked at and played many. FWIW, the back is mostly poplar (maple-like), the outer sapele lams being quite thin.
So very happy I saw this video. I've been lingering on Amazon, trying to decide which to buy, then did a google search for some help. Your presentation here is perfectly done, and I could clearly hear that I want the mahogany. THANK YOU.
+Mary Ann Farley Glad we helped with your decision. Don't forget that we regularly stock the GS Mini and many other guitars from Martin, Taylor and Gibson at our retail store in Bozeman, MT.... acousticletter.com/product-category/taylor/travel-guitars/ Thanks for watching!
+Acoustic Letter Dang! Had I known you were a store I would have gladly bought from you rather than Amazon as I totally support independent businesses, even if they're a little more expensive, as the customer service comes with the price. I will definitely remember you for future purchases. And as for those who can't hear the sound difference, I'm so surprised, as it's fairly blatant to me. Thanks again for the video!
Great review as always. Thanks!
Wow, subtle differences in this great review. The differences were more obvious in person when I was choosing between these two models. I sat directly in front of someone who was playing each one, and we both very quickly decided that the natural sounded better. I love that brighter, ringing tone. This indeed is a very nice instrument in a great case as mentioned. Thanks for the great reviews.
I just bought the GS Mini Mahogany last week to start playing some Elvis & Cash on it. I picked it for the warmer sound. It's definitely a keeper. BTW- I joined your Acoustic Letter.
I bought myself the GS Mini Spruce only a couple of days ago. It really is an excellent guitar. Travels well and sounds absolutely beautiful. Recommended to everyone
I like the softer attack and smoother string response of the mahogany. The mahogany masks pick noise a bit better.
The arched back is also a technique used by Furch (Stonebridge is the US brandname). I had a Furch durango acoustic dreadnought and the sound coming out of that was amazing.. These small taylors seems really tempting.
I have always liked how mahogany sounds.
Thank you very much for the post!
Sick! Thank you for the comparison!
Great comparison, thank you. I have the mahogany but was tempted to exchange it for the spruce top. Having listened to you play both it's so hard to tell the difference that it would be pointless. Nice to find some clear, hard facts among all the other waffle!
Thanks for the comparison, I really like how you worked the video for a direct comparison. I have the spruce top but may start looking for a mahogany in the near future to grow my heard.
I herd that before
Wow, you can really hear the difference when you strum and let the chords ring. Great video. The mahogany top sounds absolutely wonderful, I'm a sucker for mellow, warmer tones. The spruce does have a louder sound though, brighter too. Going to start saving up for a mahogany top version though since I really like fingerpicking. If anyone is selling one, send me a message!
I got a fall limited version with a Rosewood back and sides. Wow man do I love this little thing. I think it's the best ''bang for your buck'' you can get.
I have the Spruce top GS Mini although I did get to try the Mahogany top GS Mini eventually since buying my GS Mini last year! I like how the tone's darker and richer but I prefer mine because I tend to like bright tone and the Spruce has that.
Choosing the variants is a matter of personal preference although both are good.
I've got a lefty mahogany. Love it. Find myself reaching for it more than my dreads. Take it everywhere. Very responsive to strumming, picking and fingerstyle.
+pjmuck Where did u get it? I need a lefty too
Thank you for explaining us!! I can hear the difference! :)
I have the GS Mini Rosewood Special Edition been beefed up with Gotoh Mini Butterbean 18-1 Gold tone tuners & higher end bridge pins. I chucked the crappy ES Go sound system to replace with K & K Pure pick-up. She sounds (& I believe looks) better than any other GS Mini I've heard; plugged in I've been gigging with her. She is beautiful & robust!! Cheers Acoustic Letter for the great reviews...Keep 'em coming!
Thanks for doing this
its weird because i think the mahogany sounds more even across all strings. I love how balanced and warm it sounds and the spruce to my ears is a little too chimey
Agreed.
100%
Mahogany! This might be my favorite Taylor.
Shout out to Bozeman and the people of Bozeman for putting out great content. Music Villa is a great shop
I finally made my decision and ordered the Mahagony version :)
I LOVE my Mahogany GS Mini and think it's just a warmer sweeter tone, plus the looks is fabulous!!!! They do sound similar, thought the Spruce is a little brighter which is more noticeable with a pick, but the Mahogany has more character and as special warmth I just fell in love with the first time I played it. I tend to play this guitar mostly finger style. The full tone is amazing especially single string playing on the high strings even way up the scale, big fat resonant tones!!!! LOVE IT!!!!
I have a gs mini mohogany and it has a beauty of a tone i truly recommend it
I have the mahogany as well. Best sounding one compared to the spruce, and koa models (in my opinion).
Really Like your Channel, and Playing!
Thanks for this!
I love the brightness and projection of the spruce but the tonal solidarity or one-soundness of the mahogany heard when strumming would push me towards the mahogany.
Tonal solidarity! Brilliant
I have the Spruce Top GS Mini which I Love and Adore. I have played the Koa and Mahogany. They are also Great but for different reasons, all of which have to do with Tonality and Sound. One is not better then the other, it is different. Playability is exactly the same. If you want deep rich tones go Koa or Mahogany, if you want a brighter and tintier sound go Spruce. All in all it is a Great Instrument and plays like a Guitar worth 2-5 times the price of a GS Mini.
just bought a spruce top and its gorgeous, i love the sound of the mahogany, a lot softer and classical-ier, but the spruce sounds like how i'de want an acoustic to sounds, nonetheless, it'a an incredible guitar!
It's interesting how the spruce top woofs out on strumming chords, but the mahogany keeps its articulation. I never would have thought that.
thanks man, now i know what i should buy.
Thanks so much for this video! Having recently getting cochlear implants after 20 years of deafness, I am picking up the guitar again and it’s so nice to be able to pick up the differences in tones. I couldn’t do that before even with hearing aides before I lost most of my hearing. Now I can definitely pick up the intricacies of tone. Your video helped me make my decision with the gs mini mahogany. The Sitka spruce top is a little too bright for my tastes. Thank you for sharing.
Such a useful video. Picked my favorite! thanks
My spruce GS Mini travelled from Spokane, WA to Singapore and Indonesia.... never had a issue travelling... great size and case... was nice to have a guitar to play for my wife on our honeymoon.
I tried both and chose the mahogany top and really like it! Great travel/campfire guitar. Highly recommend it!
I have a $50 guitar for the campfire . I love my Mini to much for that ! lol
I changed the strings over to lite . Its easier to play but just does not sound as good . I will go back to Med strings when I need to change again .
I dont like the look of the Mahogany . But thats not what its really about . I did think it sound a bit better . I want a 314 e now . lol
I had a 414ce and it i was a nice guitar. I find the mahogany GS mini does sound warmer but either one would be a good choice.
After owning my mini-mahogany for a little while now, i`m liking it more and more! Great little guitar!
Great review, bro! You'll actually play the same line on both guitars, so we can actually hear the sound quality. Thumbs up! Most reviewers won't do that...
Thanks for the demo Tony. Being a lefty, there wasn't a bunch of choices around. I found a spruce top model and bought it. Lovely guitar with no regrets. I may just like it a bit better than my 314!
These are REALLY USEFUL reviews! Everything acoustic compared to everything else acoustic in that class, same tunes, same mic, immediately side-by-side. Thanks so much for doing this. I don't feel like I have to go to Guitar Center to play a bunch of guitars (Taylors all play well), fend off the enthusiastic and commission- motivated sales folk and go head to head with the local guitar heroes. I have a beloved spruce and koa Taylor 416ce and it's really bright. It's loud and it's big. Perfect for standing up and playing Doobies with my rock band and so on, but I'm a small gal and sitting down with it in the living room after a long day isn't all that relaxing. I don't need more bright. I need mellow. I think this mahogany GS mini will be the exact fit for that space in my guitar collection. Now I have to find your reviews on Taylor 12-strings!
Ok, my 416 is ovangkol, not koa. I know some guitar nerd will notice that and I wanted to get ahead of that! I'm not the geek I should be.
These are really cool. I have to say the Mahogany wins out on this. Love the deep, warmer sound even if it's softer.
I own the mahogany gs mini. Great little guitar.. I did adjust the truss rod just slightly as the action was very low out of the box and had a little rattle but since I did, it's playing great. When I'm not playing it I keep it on the tone right and it gets better every day.
Great comparison thanks!!
I tend to like spruce acoustics a bit better, but the spruce Mini sounds a bit too scratchy, especially compared to the mahogany one.
I bought the spruce for the look, watched this video and sent it back. The mahogany is softer and less shouty. Just for the record I had a hand-made bone saddle fitted and an L.R Baggs Lyric pick up. I dunno about live use yet but I can plug this guitar in and record all day long, no quacks, perfect.
The action was pretty poor when I got it but I know a great guitar tech. I'm always amazed by how much he improves my guitars and for not much money really. Don't accept imitations!!
Excellent review! Thank you.
Your reviews are excellent and thoughrough 👍👍👍👍👍
Thanks much!
To my ears the standard has the best brightness like a full size, the Koa actually sounds like a large body Ukelaleh LOL, however the Mahogany in my opinion has the richest full spectrum tonality bass to treble it's the most balanced.
I love the sound of this mahogany ❤️
This is how a comparison review should be!
Nice ! I like both of them
I like both.
Hog for me - sounded warmer and less tinny - love mine
I'd take either one of them. GS Mini is my dream guitar so the top wouldn't matter.
best compare thank you man
I just pulled the trigger on a GS Mini hog and got a little nervous when I saw this comparison. But not to worry...as I've gotten older I've gravitated towards hog top guitars, and this is no exception. In fact, I feel like I hit the jackpot. Exactly what I was looking for. Plus the guy on eBay adjusted the neck and put on new strings and was honest and said I might want to think about shaving down the saddle a bit. But he also said there's currently no buzzing anywhere and the intonation is spot on so I might just leave well enough alone. Thanks for the demo.
I have the mahogany. Love it! Gs mini makes my Takamine sound like a toy!
Mahogany top acoustics always seem to sound great to me.
I have the gs mini-e koa and I loooooove it! Mahogany is also great, I was reallyyyyy close to getting it instead of the koa
Yeah. I was so sure on mahogany but might get Koa
All your reviews are good Tony . I went out and got the spouse . I had it for 2 weeks , then took it in for a setup . They shaved down the nut a little . It plays even better now . Your trip video with your mini was good too . Im going to take my Mini down to Cuba . Im Canadian we can go there . lol
thought i wanted spruce but after watching i think i like the mahog. thanks.
This is the video I needed :) I
They are both nice sounding guitars. I bought the hog, May get the Koa later.
I just bought a spruce top. Wow...worth every penny.
I like the sound of spuce, but like the look of Mahagony. Im also biased against pine in general
Michael Brangham for me it is the other way around
Mike Bierman same
I was dead-set on getting the mahogany until this video. I like the warmth in its tone and I’m partial to the darker wood grain. But now I realize why it sounds warmer to me. Because the higher frequencies are being muted. I still like it’s tone but when clarity is your goal, I think the spruce is better.
Taylors are already pretty bright. I just sold my 414CE and got a 520E. Couldn't be happier with Mahogany.
I'm so happy with my Mini koa FLTD. Sounds great and looks absolutely amazing. Great little guitar. In fact, I think it's so good that I wouldn't mind it if this were to be my only guitar.
I love this guitar.
both sound so good, i have no idea what I would pick, mellow (mahogony) or bright (spruce)? both have their uses.