Helpful video, thanks. The 23.5" short scale on the mini allows Taylor to up to mediums and reduce string floppyness and get the soundboard moving. The 10s sound like Nick Drake's dead string tone, maybe because they're just not moving the top very much so you're hearing more string than guitar, cool sound though.
Yeah that’s a great point. I certainly don’t mind the sound and tbh the hog needs a string change - they are cheap and old. I’m going to put some elixirs on it soon, so might make another video demo. Thanks for watching and sharing your thoughts!!
I just had the strings on my GS Mini Mahogany changed from the original medium strings to D'Addario XT Custom Light strings (0.11-0.52). The truss rod was also adjusted accordingly. The old strings must have been on the guitar for about a year and I've played it almost daily for about 9 months now. So of course the sound with the new strings is different but I can't tell if it is just because of the fact that the strings are new, different brand, different coating or different gauge... the sound is still "big" and clear and it is so much easier to play now. I will try the Elixir Custom Lights with nanoweb coating next and probably stick with the custom light gauge.
I have the gs mini Koa plus and its my lounge guitar. I play it every day. Half a step down like you, and I have put 12's on it. No neck issues. You do lose a bit of umph, but it's a loud guitar to begin with, so no biggie. It's a great guitar; not cheap, but not so expensive that you've got to treat it with kid gloves, unlike my high-end guitar collection.
I have an older GS-Mini Koa e. The stock Elixer mediums were removed almost immediately. I tried a few different strings on it and it settled on D’Addario EJ-16 lights. I am in the habit of changing tunings on this guitar regularly. It moves between open C, open D and “standard” tuning quite often. I have never had a problem with it. It settles down quickly. I love this guitar. I have a few others but I am not a professional player. I think if I were required to have only one guitar, this would be the one I would keep.
Hi ben! Thanks for watching. Dude! That’s such a good question. So this is a 2012 and I bought it second hand. the woman i bought it off said it was a mahogany. It doesn’t have the bold and dark flaming of a mahogany, so I questioned it too. When you look at old videos the 2012 spruce tops had that typical yellow tone and I know Taylor don’t tone them. So it’s either a hog or a spruce that had aged into its darker colour. I should probably check if the serial number has any clues. Might make a good guitar mystery video 😂
@@sonusaurelius6576 My mahogany mini is darker but I think the key difference is that the sides and back are the same color as the top. I bet yours is a spruce.
Good stuff. I have a PRS P20E and it came with 12's which I got it setup for but, am looking at going down to 11's. I know I'll probably have to adjust the truss rod which is no probs good to hear some local advice/discussion about it.
Brilliant explanation! Spot on. Tried loads of strings over time. The light strings imo lost all bass and the guitar jangled n died. They go out of tune all the time. Tried 13s down to 10s. The GS mini sounds best for me with standard 13/56. But if you want a certain sound then go for it n change em. All my changes were D’addagio and a set of 12/53 Elixir which didn’t last and sounded a bit tinny compared to D’agg. they rounded off quick and went dull. I guess when they built and tested it thats why they come with finger killers 13’s😂😂. One thing to note the lights are good for finger picking but strumming horrible for me no bass. Great video. It does buzz with 10s once settled i noticed this.
With guitar players, electric and acoustic, there's a lot of emphasis on making sure the guitar has a proper setup for the gauge strings on the instrument. That is VERY important. Especially going from lights to heavy or the reverse. You might need nut slots adjusted on an acoustic, saddle shaved on a traditional acoustic or neck reset on a Taylor... What's not mentioned often enough is how every steel string acoustic guitar is designed and built for optimal tone to occur with a specific level of string tension....The guitar top needs a certain amount of string tension (weight) to properly vibrate the top. For the GS Mini, medium gauge strings give you that correct tension. Go lighter and you subtract about 25 lbs of tension, heavier you add about 25 lbs of tension, too little the top doesn't move because there's isn't enough force... Too much tension and the top gets restricted because the weight produced isn't allowing it to move properly...... Mediums are the correct strings to get optimal tone from a GS Mini. You can set it up for light or heavy gauge and make it very playable, but the one won't be optimal.
Thanks for this video. I only recently bought a GS Mini. I really struggle with anything over 11 gauge, 10s preferably, but my Mini has had terrible tuning and intonation issues with D'Addario 10s and Ernie Ball Earthwood - as soon as I went to Elixir 12s all the issues went away. I'm going to try Elixir custom light 11s at some point, but I fear that the lowest mine will go is 12s - even though I've adjusted the truss rod. Thanks for the vid.
Thanks for this. Such a good point about tuning stability. 12s are the magic point. My minis do a good job staying in tune unless I’m bending. I have contemplated upgrading the tuners though. Thanks for watching mate!!
I put on 12s, Martin Retro monel on my GS mini mahogany. It's great. My biggest complaint is the narrow neck. My wife has a Martin Jr. and I prefer the slightly wider neck.
Ah sweet! I’m about to make a video about Martin retros on the koa plus to see if it will reduce some of the brightness and balance out the overall tone. How did you find the sound changed after putting yours on?
String gauge is a personal choice…I think sound quality decreases especially going down to flimsy 10’s. I do 12’s or 13’s and my fingers got used to the heavier strings and the guitar sounds a bit fuller as well. Drop tuning holds up nicely with the heavier strings too.
I am fortunate to have “a few” guitars. I’m fascinated about how The GS Mini nevvver loses it’s appeal to please. How many of “us” ha e had the experience of starting on a cheap instrument, poor playability, poor sound… verrry discouraging, whereas if you r fortunate to have parents to support a good instrument from the start like the GSMini… You never want to put it down. I was nooot that fortunate of course. But, I have a grandchild with a grandpa(😀) who can afford giving one to Her 😍😍😍 I enjoyed your review a lot 🙏😍
This was such a helpful video. I’vd been looking to try lighter gauge strings in my gs mini to ease playability but was a bit nervous that it might change the guitar’s sound - now I know exactly what to expect and am excited to try them out 😊 Thank you!!!
I couldn’t get along with the medium 13s and charged them out for 12s Martin Flexible Core Silk and Phosphor Tommy Emmanuel Signatures. I’ve got some arthritis issues and found them a bit easier without sacrificing much tone. I’d even consider the 11s in the Martin’s if I was having problems.
That riff sounds good man! Just picked one up for travel. I personally play in D standard, so I put a shim under the bridge and adjusted the truss rod up a bit. It's solid. I may play it in a video soon. I'm a guitar addict though, so it may have to wait a bit haha. Look forward to more videos!
Thank you!! Taylor’s bolt on necks are awesome! Thanks for sharing your tips and be sure to pop a link to your video here if you get around to it - I’d love to hear you play!!
Just listened to some of your songs! Real deep and powerful. Love it. If you’re ever interested in doing an interview with me on my channel, let me know. I feel like you’ve got a good story to tell.
Useful video thanks. The 10s almost sound like they're old dead strings? Maybe because they're not moving the soundboard very much, cool sound. Taylor says they use mediums on the mini because the very short scale (23.5") drastically reduces string tension so the heavier gauge strings counteract the floppyness and gets the soundboard moving.
Awesome! I just changed over the Martin retros and I’m in two minds. Prefer the overall balance and warmer tone over the d’addario XS but feel they sound too brittle.
It’s an original song that’s I’ve only recently finished. I don’t have tab for it but I’ve had a lot of people ask about it. Would it be helpful if I made a quick video showing how to play it?
Hey mate, nice video. I plan to get a mahogany version. Can you tell me how yhe action is on this guitar by default? I dont have an option close to me to have it lowered so I'm hoping it comes fairly low.
Hey brody, the action on the GS minis is perfect for 13 gauge strings. If you plan on putting lighter gauge strings on it and you’re not happy with the action, try adjusting the truss rod. if that doesn’t work for you, your options are,noting your circumstances, to get a Taylor dealer to adjust the neck angle (cost of a service) and, as a last resort, shave down the saddle.
Haven't changed the default strings on my gd mini mahogany in over a year...and still sounds great...action is great even with those elixir 13.s on it😅
@@miketiller8430 conveniently small, easy to play, looks good, sounds better than most small body guitars and great for beginners or someone who needs a lounge guitar or people who do more than one gig or open mic a night. With a pickup it’s a good all rounder.
@@sonusaurelius6576 for 2019 And older. 2020 and newer is 12’s may 2021 came with 12’s they stopped using 13 because it was too much stress on the neck and it peeled up the top of the guitar from the body
@@7thheaventruth Seems like you've idntified an error and they need to update their website. As per the link above if you look at the specs they still reference 13s. Good pick up!!
Sorry bud but this is incorrect. Minis still come with 13's as standard. I work in a music shop and we ship out many minis weekly, I check set ups etc on them and absolutely none have 12's on them. All XS PB 13's this is due to the short scale needing the extra tension to excite the top to resonate at its full potential. Maybe yours was restrung by the merchant you bought it from before being sold?
![Shootout + Opinion: HARLEY BENTON GS-TRAVEL-E vs. TAYLOR GS MINI-E [MAHOGANY]](/img/n.gif)
Helpful video, thanks. The 23.5" short scale on the mini allows Taylor to up to mediums and reduce string floppyness and get the soundboard moving. The 10s sound like Nick Drake's dead string tone, maybe because they're just not moving the top very much so you're hearing more string than guitar, cool sound though.
Yeah that’s a great point. I certainly don’t mind the sound and tbh the hog needs a string change - they are cheap and old. I’m going to put some elixirs on it soon, so might make another video demo. Thanks for watching and sharing your thoughts!!
I just had the strings on my GS Mini Mahogany changed from the original medium strings to D'Addario XT Custom Light strings (0.11-0.52). The truss rod was also adjusted accordingly. The old strings must have been on the guitar for about a year and I've played it almost daily for about 9 months now. So of course the sound with the new strings is different but I can't tell if it is just because of the fact that the strings are new, different brand, different coating or different gauge... the sound is still "big" and clear and it is so much easier to play now. I will try the Elixir Custom Lights with nanoweb coating next and probably stick with the custom light gauge.
Thanks mate!!
Very helpful video. There is a lot of misinformation out there on this topic as it relates to the GS Mini.
Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching 😊
I have the gs mini Koa plus and its my lounge guitar. I play it every day. Half a step down like you, and I have put 12's on it. No neck issues. You do lose a bit of umph, but it's a loud guitar to begin with, so no biggie. It's a great guitar; not cheap, but not so expensive that you've got to treat it with kid gloves, unlike my high-end guitar collection.
Nice one!! Completely agree. Thanks for watching!
I have an older GS-Mini Koa e. The stock Elixer mediums were removed almost immediately. I tried a few different strings on it and it settled on D’Addario EJ-16 lights. I am in the habit of changing tunings on this guitar regularly. It moves between open C, open D and “standard” tuning quite often. I have never had a problem with it. It settles down quickly. I love this guitar. I have a few others but I am not a professional player. I think if I were required to have only one guitar, this would be the one I would keep.
Thanks for sharing!! Gs minis are the best!
Thank you for this. I just ordered EJ-16 lights for my GS-Mini after trying and trying to get used to the stock mediums. Can’t wait to put them on!
Cool comparison! Thanks for sharing! That Mahogany mini sure looks like spruce! Is it a spruce top with laminate mahogany back? Sounds great!
Hi ben! Thanks for watching. Dude! That’s such a good question. So this is a 2012 and I bought it second hand. the woman i bought it off said it was a mahogany. It doesn’t have the bold and dark flaming of a mahogany, so I questioned it too. When you look at old videos the 2012 spruce tops had that typical yellow tone and I know Taylor don’t tone them. So it’s either a hog or a spruce that had aged into its darker colour. I should probably check if the serial number has any clues. Might make a good guitar mystery video 😂
@@sonusaurelius6576 My mahogany mini is darker but I think the key difference is that the sides and back are the same color as the top. I bet yours is a spruce.
@ you’re right it is a spruce. I mistook the back as mahogany but it’s Sapele and was calling it a mahogany! Live and learn and do better research!! 😜
Good stuff. I have a PRS P20E and it came with 12's which I got it setup for but, am looking at going down to 11's. I know I'll probably have to adjust the truss rod which is no probs good to hear some local advice/discussion about it.
No worries! It’ll play like a dream with 11s!! Enjoy 😊
Brilliant explanation! Spot on.
Tried loads of strings over time. The light strings imo lost all bass and the guitar jangled n died. They go out of tune all the time. Tried 13s down to 10s. The GS mini sounds best for me with standard 13/56. But if you want a certain sound then go for it n change em. All my changes were D’addagio and a set of 12/53 Elixir which didn’t last and sounded a bit tinny compared to D’agg. they rounded off quick and went dull. I guess when they built and tested it thats why they come with finger killers 13’s😂😂.
One thing to note the lights are good for finger picking but strumming horrible for me no bass.
Great video. It does buzz with 10s once settled i noticed this.
Its a koa version i have
Yeah the tone is compromised with lifter gauge strings. Totally agree! Thanks for watching mate!
With guitar players, electric and acoustic, there's a lot of emphasis on making sure the guitar has a proper setup for the gauge strings on the instrument. That is VERY important. Especially going from lights to heavy or the reverse. You might need nut slots adjusted on an acoustic, saddle shaved on a traditional acoustic or neck reset on a Taylor... What's not mentioned often enough is how every steel string acoustic guitar is designed and built for optimal tone to occur with a specific level of string tension....The guitar top needs a certain amount of string tension (weight) to properly vibrate the top. For the GS Mini, medium gauge strings give you that correct tension. Go lighter and you subtract about 25 lbs of tension, heavier you add about 25 lbs of tension, too little the top doesn't move because there's isn't enough force... Too much tension and the top gets restricted because the weight produced isn't allowing it to move properly...... Mediums are the correct strings to get optimal tone from a GS Mini. You can set it up for light or heavy gauge and make it very playable, but the one won't be optimal.
👍🏼👍🏼 thanks for the detailed response mate
Thanks for this video.
I only recently bought a GS Mini. I really struggle with anything over 11 gauge, 10s preferably, but my Mini has had terrible tuning and intonation issues with D'Addario 10s and Ernie Ball Earthwood - as soon as I went to Elixir 12s all the issues went away.
I'm going to try Elixir custom light 11s at some point, but I fear that the lowest mine will go is 12s - even though I've adjusted the truss rod.
Thanks for the vid.
Thanks for this. Such a good point about tuning stability. 12s are the magic point. My minis do a good job staying in tune unless I’m bending. I have contemplated upgrading the tuners though. Thanks for watching mate!!
I put on 12s, Martin Retro monel on my GS mini mahogany. It's great. My biggest complaint is the narrow neck. My wife has a Martin Jr. and I prefer the slightly wider neck.
Ah sweet! I’m about to make a video about Martin retros on the koa plus to see if it will reduce some of the brightness and balance out the overall tone. How did you find the sound changed after putting yours on?
Nice, sounds very good also in Ab. I'm gonna order the similar version made by HB.
Thanks!!
String gauge is a personal choice…I think sound quality decreases especially going down to flimsy 10’s. I do 12’s or 13’s and my fingers got used to the heavier strings and the guitar sounds a bit fuller as well. Drop tuning holds up nicely with the heavier strings too.
Completely agree! Thanks for watching ☺️
I am fortunate to have “a few” guitars. I’m fascinated about how The GS Mini nevvver loses it’s appeal to please. How many of “us” ha e had the experience of starting on a cheap instrument, poor playability, poor sound… verrry discouraging, whereas if you r fortunate to have parents to support a good instrument from the start like the GSMini… You never want to put it down. I was nooot that fortunate of course. But, I have a grandchild with a grandpa(😀) who can afford giving one to Her 😍😍😍 I enjoyed your review a lot 🙏😍
Thanks! You sound like a great and loving grandparent 😊 hope you show her some nice riffs too 😜
I use extra lights sometimes, but the elixir hybrid set is a wonderful option. 😊13’s have so much less harmonic complexity so I avoid them always.
Yeah I prefer the tone of light gauge strings too.
Great clip. What's the song you played? It's beautiful! I'd love to be able to play it.
Hey mate! Yeah people have asked about it a lot. It’s from a song I recently finished. If you’re interested I could cobble together a dodgy tutorial??
@@sonusaurelius6576 That would be great!! Thank you so much!! 🙏🙂
This was such a helpful video. I’vd been looking to try lighter gauge strings in my gs mini to ease playability but was a bit nervous that it might change the guitar’s sound - now I know exactly what to expect and am excited to try them out 😊 Thank you!!!
I’m so glad the video helped! Thanks for watching 😊
I couldn’t get along with the medium 13s and charged them out for 12s Martin Flexible Core Silk and Phosphor Tommy Emmanuel Signatures. I’ve got some arthritis issues and found them a bit easier without sacrificing much tone. I’d even consider the 11s in the Martin’s if I was having problems.
👍🏼
Martin Silk&Steel are the lightest strings that still sound good in my opinion
Good tip! Thanks
That riff sounds good man!
Just picked one up for travel.
I personally play in D standard, so I put a shim under the bridge and adjusted the truss rod up a bit. It's solid.
I may play it in a video soon. I'm a guitar addict though, so it may have to wait a bit haha.
Look forward to more videos!
Thank you!! Taylor’s bolt on necks are awesome! Thanks for sharing your tips and be sure to pop a link to your video here if you get around to it - I’d love to hear you play!!
@@sonusaurelius6576 You can hear me yelling on my channel now lol. Will do 👍
Just listened to some of your songs! Real deep and powerful. Love it. If you’re ever interested in doing an interview with me on my channel, let me know. I feel like you’ve got a good story to tell.
Useful video thanks. The 10s almost sound like they're old dead strings? Maybe because they're not moving the soundboard very much, cool sound. Taylor says they use mediums on the mini because the very short scale (23.5") drastically reduces string tension so the heavier gauge strings counteract the floppyness and gets the soundboard moving.
I wonder if the sound would change much if you played through built in pickup system (not sure if your older one has it).
@@karoltarasiuk8939 the ES2’s built in preamp sounds great. A DI always helps live, but not necessary.
4:48 - 6:14 (and subsequent demos). love that. Yours?
@@tomcox875 thanks mate! Yeah it’s from a song I wrote earlier this year called To Be Good.
Running Ernie Ball Earthwood Extra Light 10-50. Works great!
Awesome! I just changed over the Martin retros and I’m in two minds. Prefer the overall balance and warmer tone over the d’addario XS but feel they sound too brittle.
Nice video! What is the song you’re playing? Any chance for TABS? Thanks
It’s an original song that’s I’ve only recently finished. I don’t have tab for it but I’ve had a lot of people ask about it. Would it be helpful if I made a quick video showing how to play it?
@@sonusaurelius6576 Yes please!
@@sonusaurelius6576 This would be really cool thanks looking forward to it
Informative video. Thanks!
Pleasure. Thanks for watching, mate!!
Hey mate, nice video. I plan to get a mahogany version. Can you tell me how yhe action is on this guitar by default? I dont have an option close to me to have it lowered so I'm hoping it comes fairly low.
Hey brody, the action on the GS minis is perfect for 13 gauge strings. If you plan on putting lighter gauge strings on it and you’re not happy with the action, try adjusting the truss rod. if that doesn’t work for you, your options are,noting your circumstances, to get a Taylor dealer to adjust the neck angle (cost of a service) and, as a last resort, shave down the saddle.
Haven't changed the default strings on my gd mini mahogany in over a year...and still sounds great...action is great even with those elixir 13.s on it😅
14s where on my Taylor and it was unplayable for me. So hard to press. No fun to play, now with 10s, I love my Taylor.
❤️❤️
I run Elixir lights. I play 200+ gigs a year with it. My work horse
Nice! Thanks for commenting.
Tried 12s on my mini. Nope. 13s went back on.
Thanks!!
ooogh 10's may as well use elastic bands.... unless you playing by blowing on the strings
Thanks for watching!!
The show must go on, leaf blowers be damned!
😂😂😂
Why would you buy one.
@@miketiller8430 conveniently small, easy to play, looks good, sounds better than most small body guitars and great for beginners or someone who needs a lounge guitar or people who do more than one gig or open mic a night. With a pickup it’s a good all rounder.
No they don’t Taylor comes with 12 dude look up the specs not 13 I have a mini also
Go down to specs and other .013 - .056. www.taylorguitars.com/guitars/acoustic/gs-mini-e-koa-plus
@@sonusaurelius6576 for 2019 And older. 2020 and newer is 12’s may 2021 came with 12’s they stopped using 13 because it was too much stress on the neck and it peeled up the top of the guitar from the body
@@7thheaventruth Seems like you've idntified an error and they need to update their website. As per the link above if you look at the specs they still reference 13s. Good pick up!!
@@sonusaurelius6576 yes 👍 I did see that 13’s my 2021 came with 12’s 2020 and newer 2019 and older 13’s
Sorry bud but this is incorrect. Minis still come with 13's as standard.
I work in a music shop and we ship out many minis weekly, I check set ups etc on them and absolutely none have 12's on them.
All XS PB 13's this is due to the short scale needing the extra tension to excite the top to resonate at its full potential.
Maybe yours was restrung by the merchant you bought it from before being sold?