Taylor GS Mini-e Koa Acoustic-electric Guitar Reviews

Picked one up a couple years ago when Taylor had the BOGO sale and I absolutely love it. Best $ I ever spent! It was perfectly set up out of the box and sounds fantastic. It is the perfect couch guitar and though I use my 214ce more for work, I tend to play this one more at home. Surprisingly it is almost as loud as the 214. Great guitar for fingerpicking, really comfortable to play, and is absolutely beautiful.

What a beautiful guitar. Sounds and looks stunning. It's lightweight, comfortable and puts out a big warm sound. It's my main gigging guitar in a 5 piece folk punk acoustic band. We play pub gigs and open mics about once a month. I plug it into an acoustic/electric amp for those shows. Perfection.

There is nothing you can say bad about this guitar. Plays good and sounds great. What else can you say. Love the Koa wood. Great job Taylor and Sweetwater.

I'm an intermediate player with small hands, a picker. I think what most appeals to me about the instrument is its size and playability. Its tone is mid-range. The guitar is beautiful.

I loved my Fender, but it was just too big for me. The Taylor GS Mini-e Koa is amazing because it has a big guitar sound without stressing my hands. As a professional musician I multi-task between fiddle, guitar, and harp, so I need an instrument that can keep up. The Taylor gives me everything I need. Thank you Taylor and Sweetwater!

For a "travel guitar" this bad boy packs a punch. Great sound, resonance and tone. Would definitely recommend for anyone considering.

My daughter bought this guitar a few months ago and I continue to steal it from her because it plays so well and sounds spectacular!!! I play an American Dream Blacktop that sounds really good, but this smaller guitar actually comes close. I'm not ready to give up my full size guitar, but this thing is awesome for somebody who wants an extremely comfortable guitar to play while chilling on the couch, etc.... The Koa wood on this thing has beautiful striping too!!!!

This guitar is so fun to play because it sounds great and i can play it on the love seat watching tv while talking to my wife beside me!!! I enjoy playing it on the porch also on a nice day!!!

I'd like to thank the staff for helping me find my first Gs mini koa. Guitar came in perfect condition action was also perfect and was exactly as the picture of the guitar I selected from the Pics the staff helped me select from. I was told it's truly a gem of a Koa top from people who have seen it and it also sounds amazing for such a small guitar.

Jeez this little thing is a beast! I struggle to put it down. Buy one...you wont regret it at all. The End.

First off - Connor Smith SW customer support and company are stellar, wish more companies / industries had this focus and real advise and support...

I actually ended up with two of these, so I tune then different... They are beautiful and sooooooo easy to play. Quite as amazing sound come out of these guitars, clearly my grab and go guitar!

Cheers

I purchased this guitar about a year ago, so I have had enough time to play it and test it; plus, the sound did indeed change and got sweeter, and with more bass over a year, I played this one at least 3 times a week. It is very fun to play, and I bring it almost everywhere and let others play it; the comments I hear are:
- This sounds sweeter than mine(a friend who has a GS mini Mahogany).
- This size is very comfortable(another friend who has a dreadnought).
- Wow, this is so smooth to play( a friend with a Grand Auditorium).

When I have changed strings, I have kept the same ones. However, on my other GS mini, I put a set of lights, and it got much much comfortable than it already is.

The sound Koa sound is great; it is a mix of sweet and bright, but definitely, when I want to play sweeter-sounding songs, this is the guitar I get my hands on. Although, I would say it is very versatile, and you can play almost anything. It works nicely for playing and singing. The other GS mini that I have is a spruce top, and I would say that the Koa one is more versatile, as you can play sweeter-sounding songs. BTW, this guitar sounds way bigger than it looks.

Regarding the pickup, it worked nicely right out of the box; for me keeping the tone at 3 or 4 got the tone just right and plugged right into a sound system, not even an amp, and for playing live. I have another Taylor(GT) with the ES2 pickup; for some reason, this one sounds more natural. It works just right if you want a nice acoustic sound. However, I found out that you can adjust the screws on the saddle to dial the pickup pressure just right and get rid of any "quackiness", I will do that on the other guitar at some point.

It has a tuner, but I prefer to use the clip one I have, it is good to have it, though, and when I don't have a tuner at hand, the built-in one works perfectly; I checked that with a D'addario tuner.

The GS mini gig bag has great quality!

Also, I am not short, and I can comfortably play a Jumbo size like an SJ-200, and I find this guitar very comfortable, even though it is small; at the beginning, I struggled a bit with fingerpicking, but now I am used to it. Definitely and nice size for a smaller person with small hands.

Now the things to consider, as everything it is not perfect:

- It definitely needed some setup, and it was also my experience with another GS mini that I've got, so if you get a GS mini, you will highly likely need a setup; my local shop(also a Taylor-certified repair shop) did it as it was very minimal just filing the high E and B nut slots, don't do it yourself. Apart from that, it is a very comfortable and fun guitar!
- If you are considering this as a beginner guitar, get a set up, and change the strings for light strings. The mediums can be challenging if you are just starting.

This little guitar had an amazing sound. Love it for sitting around and just picking! The sound just blows me away!

I ordered this as a BOGO add in to the Taylor 12 string that I bought. The price was too good to pass up, and I didn't have huge expectations for it, I was really looking for a smaller guitar to have to noodle on while watching TV/Movies on the couch. What I got was 100% in opposition to my expectations. I opened this guitar (retrieving the all important box candy of course) and got my first look at it, and the first strum across the strings was eye opening. This guitar has a sound and clarity to it that is truly astounding. I pulled this out thinking I'd play it for a few minutes and then move on to my 12 string which was the main event. An hour later I was still playing this little gem. This instantly became the best 6-string acoustic in my collection, and I am over the moon in love with it. The one thing I might change, is going with a slightly lighter string gauge on it, but that is yet to be determined. This little guitar is a bargain even at full price, and I am seriously considering getting a second one to use as a travel guitar.

I think this would make a great first guitar for someone just starting out, esp. a young person.

Got this to stash at a relative's house where I often spend weekends, and also b/c it's easier to take on trips. I was not prepared for the depth of tone the Taylor mini offers. It's rich & resonant with an easy fretboard.Not quite the same tone as my full-sized Taylor, but awfully close. I had been reluctant to buy a guitar online but Sweetwater was great from ordering through setup and delivery. (Ask for Nathan if you want more inform...incredibly knowledgeable & helpful, and has talked me out of spending a lot more money on a keyboard when he thought a much less expensive one would work better for my needs. They really do put the customer first and I've basically given up on the big-box music stores.)

Fantastic guitar. I really am well pleased with it. Great guitar at a low price. Would recommend to anyone who's looking for a fantastic guitar that fits your hand nice. Makes chords easier to make.

This guitar has a sweet sound and is super easy to play. It sounds a lot bigger than its size would indicate. Beyond that, it's a Taylor. For those of you unfamiliar with what that means; it means the workmanship is exquisite. Every seam is perfect, all the frets are smooth. Everything is simply perfect. As good as this guitar sounds unplugged it is even more impressive plugged in to an acoustic amp. The sound is very rich.

The transaction was super easy. As usual, Colton Kreuzer took great care of me.

I have been playing for about two years and learned on a big dreadnot that had a big sound. I was in a guitar store and picked up the GS Mini. I was shocked to hear the big sound come out of this small guitar. The clarity and tone was beautiful. I had no idea what I had been missing. The smaller size is so much more comfortable for smaller hands. I am in love with my GS Mini! By the way, I learned guitar at the age of 60. It is never too late to learn something that will enhance your life so greatly!

I have always wanted a small acoustic guitar that would travel well and the electronics was a plus. I really enjoy playing it and the sound is incredible. Just the right size for crowded jams. Taylor GS Mini-e Koa.

Bought this for a gift. My daughters first guitar. This is an incredible instrument. Not only is it attractive, such a unique wood grain, but the sound is indescribable. It's been said in many other reviews but begs repeating, the amount of music that comes out is just wow! The third Taylor in our home and has a voice all its own. The guitar was delivered fairly quickly. About four days during the holiday season and in one piece. If you live within a few hours drive I'd highly recommend just visiting Sweetwater and do a local pick-up. It's definitely a destination. Thank you Tony for your service and expertise. An all around great shopping experience.

This beauty is unreal. The warmth and brightness of the Koa are made even better by the new bracing pattern. It is far far more than the sum of its parts. I've never played another guitar that sounded this lovely. Also, the thing is LOUD, much louder than you'd expect from a small body. I'm selling several of my other acoustics now, they just don't cut it anymore. I simply could not be more pleased

I LOVE IT !!!!! Thank you Carson M.

Great small body guitar. Was looking for a parlor size instrument to go along side my dreadnought guitars. Great tone and good feeling neck. On line you can see 4 examples. In the store, the sales reps can see all the units in stock. I thought they were kidding when they said they had 92 examples to look at. He wasn't joking! A quick scan through his tablet I narrowed it down to 4. Then a tough decision to the one I picked. The wood grain is phenomenal! If you can make it to the store you should do it. it is a super interesting place to go even if your not buying! If you are buying it, it is an amazing place to shop. Great sales reps will set you up with a private practice room to try things out. My new guitar was brought over from warehouse in about 10 minutes.
Thanks

I've already found full size necks hard to use with my small hands. But I wanted Acoustic. This was recommended to me because of the C-shaped neck. I still cannot reach 4 frets but I at least can can close and accommodate as necessary.

I've never owned a smaller/parlor size guitar but wanted to get one to keep next to the couch in the family room and travel with more easily. After reading and listening to a lot of reviews I decided to give it a try. I'm really glad I did, it is perfect for the task. The instrument has a nice tone that has already improved with a few weeks of daily playing. I haven't tried the built in pickup but the tuner is quite convenient.

I'm with everyone else! It's amazing how much energy this guitar has for it's size. When not in use, it's hanging on the wall as an art piece!

I started looking for a parlor guitar to add to my collection (guitar horde?!) a few months ago. There are many to choose from covering the entire cost spectrum. After many hours of listening, most fell into the 'one-trick-pony' sound category; great for one music genre, poor for anything else. After eliminating those, I filtered my choices based on country of manufacture. I understand the global markets and marketing price points, but I do have my reasons.

So how does it sound? Loud and balanced!!! I was surprised how much sound pours out of this thing. Larger than usual sound hole and bowed back work together to make this an acoustic powerhouse. A surprisingly light touch gets the top ringing. Sustain time can be measured in days (OK, so I exaggerate a bit). The electronics aren't ES2, but I preferred the bare koa to the burst finish of the Plus model and they work well with my Roland Micro Cube GX amp.

The built-in tuner and strong gig bag complete the package. Rob (X1653) has been very helpful in addressing my many questions and made my decision much easier. Call him today.

Oh, by the way, this is my fourth koa-topped guitar and second koa-topped Taylor. I like koa. It took lots of looking to find the koa pattern that called to me.

I am fairly new to the guitar world. This is my first guitar I've owned and I am still very much a beginner. I absolutely LOVE this guitar. It is beautiful, sounds amazing when played, and is the perfect size for me (5'2" with smaller hands). I received it as a gift from my boyfriend, and our Sales Engineer, Aaron Kinney, was amazing to work with and helped us find the perfect fit for me. I can't say enough good things about this guitar or our experience. Thank you, Sweetwater, for helping me find my love of guitars!

i forgot and would like to add to my previous review an important note.

my nephew Sam in the picture I included PROUDLY SERVED our country in the Middle East, is a Former US Marine!

This is my fourth GS Mini and it is great! The Koa not only is Eye Candy, but Ear Candy also! It is easy to play and easy to get lost playing. You never know where you will end up when you finally come up for air.

This is also my second guitar purchase from Sweetwater and Ryan Haines did a great job helping me get the right guitar.
Once again my guitar arrived ON time, in Perfect Condition, IN TUNE, out of the box.

How could you ask for anything more?
I've included a snap of my nephew Sam test driving the new Koa GS Mini after he unpacked it for me.
I had to wait about forty five minutes to get it away from him!

Received my guitar in perfect condition, virtually in tune with a great set up.The onboard tuner is nice to have as I was playing within a minute of unboxing it. I have a Taylor 214 ce that is a fabulous guitar and I wondered if I would be happy with a smaller guitar. The answer is an emphatic yes! It's lightweight and plays like a dream and the Koa wood grain is spectacular. The electronics are stellar with an acoustic amp. It's been said before…..buy this guitar and you'll be a happy musician:)

I've been playing guitar for decades and have an entire stable of acoustic and electrics, including a Taylor 324ce. Believe it or not, this one sounds better to me than my U.S. made Taylor 324ce, especially plugged in. I think the Koa top vs. Mahagony is the difference. My other acoustic hardtops I own are made of Indian Rosewood. In my experience, the Rosewood and Koa sound better than the Mahagony. And I wouldn't even consider Cedar or Spruce at any price.

I was very surprised to see that I could pick out the top I wanted for no extra charge. This guitar sounds even better than any recording I have heard.

Before I actually received this guitar, I literally went over every comments under the product reviews. I was looking for a small bodied guitar just for fun, and I sincerely did not believe that this small body guitar would have a "big" sound. I was wrong. This guitar is loud! It is comparable to some of my 000 sized guitars! Totally incredible! I believe that part of the loudness might be that I have chosen to install EB 13-56 strings on it so these thicc strings could give this guitar more sound projection. you would be amazed by how loud and the warm this guitar is! And as always, I am really thankful to my sales engineer Brent Leuthold, as he provides great sales support!

Not only is it beautiful. It plays like a dream. I let several several of my friends try it ,
they love it also . Big sound for a mini guitar.

I am not familiar with the brand of guitars but when I received this, I just want to keep it for myself and not to gift it to my brother lol. the sound is perfect. I bought this for my brother and he really loves it. Jake is one of the best sales Engineer, he was very helpful and knowledgeable about guitars. I am a happy costumer.

I figured - it's just an acoustic guitar. A mini version at that. Some wood, a pickup...how good could it be? Having received and played it a few times, with and without being hooked up to the PA, I can say this is a stellar instrument. I would put the sound quality at or above ANY acoustic I have ever put my hands on. Regardless of its small frame (which makes it effortless to play, and impossible to put down), this little guy fills a room with sweet sounds. Perhaps the only hindrance would be the single 'tone' feature, which makes it harder to EQ on the fly. Also, the feedback control is quite good, which has always been a huge struggle for me with other acoustics.

Plus - and this is a HUGE plus - get yourself the setup from Sweetwater and let their techs do their magic. Out of the box this guitar played like butter. This guitar is so wonderful to play, and at the price point is an awesome deal in my opinion.

In a sentence, this guitar is the nicest playing guitar I've ever played, at any price point. The sound is also big and warm, no boxy or "mini-guitar" sound characteristics that many other guitars in this class have.

In my humble opinion, if you listen to any of the numerous online reviews/sound tests of this Koa model and fall in love with the warm sound like I did, you should just get this guitar. I don't believe any other mini compares closely, including the offerings from Martin, Guild, or Maton. If you prefer the sound of a maple top or similar, then this may not apply.

The fit and finish of this guitar is high-quality, and the included gig bag is also awesome. I had Sweetwater perform a setup on the guitar before shipping it out and put a set of D'Addario EXP16 strings on it - the luthier Eric (I think, the name on the card was a little hard to read) did a masterful job. Ultra-comfortable low action, no fret buzz even with enthusiastic strumming - I'm pretty sure this defies physics.

In short, I'm glad I bought this guitar. Although it's more expensive than mini guitars from other brands, and even other GS Minis, this GS Mini-e Koa is really high value for what you pay. Thanks to Justin and the rest of the Sweetwater team for always taking care of me.

Decided to bite the bullet and get myself my first guitar after coming from an ukulele background... No regrets! This guitar looks and sounds beautiful. The craftsmanship is solid. I've been plucking away at it daily, learning more and more each day... It's hard to put down once you start playing it. The customer service from Sweetwater is unlike any other I have encountered before. I'll continue to shop with SW for future purchases.

I absolutely love this little guitar. I have a big grand auditorium Martin that's been my stand by, but I wanted something a little bit smaller and maybe a little easier to play. I am not disappointed in this GS Mini. The lows are great, the highs crisp and clear. I feel bad sometimes because the big guitar stays in it's case be I can't stop playing the mini! And the Koa wood is beautiful. Great guitar all the way around.

My sales engineer Mike Godlove suggested the following upgrade: Plek Pro Fret Tusq XL Nut Replacement ItemID: GSMiniKOAESB
Every note is spot on and the playability is just exactly what this electric guitar player needs to EASILY play acoustic.
Thanks Mike and thanks to Richie from the Sweetwater guitar workshop, for an outstanding set-up, I just love this guitar!

I love my Taylor GS Mini-e! I'm 5'2" and I was struggling with the size of other guitars. Not only is it a beautiful guitar, but it's sounds amazing and so much to fun play. You know what they say "Dynamite comes in small packages" meaning you get a big bang for your buck! I highly recommend this guitar for anyone looking for a great looking, great sounding guitar.

Good for my old shoulder and plays very well.

I am a very new guitarist. I started out on an electric and really wanted to play acoustic, but my husband's dreadnought was just too big and nearly impossible for me to play. After reading and watching countless reviews I decided on the Taylor Gs-mini koa and couldn't be more pleased. It fits my petite frame perfectly and it's easier to play than even my electric. The sound is fantastic. Even as a guitar newbie, I feel like an actual musician playing this thing.

Sweetwater service was (as always) top notch and they will remain my go-to for music needs.

Since receiving my Taylor GS-Mini I have been adapting to the smaller size compared to my dreadnaught and full size concert acoustics. The acoustic sound is good, but where this little lady shines is when you plug her in. She will stand toe-to-toe with pretty much anything out there. I have a teardrop trailer that I travel with and this is my road guitar. I'm very happy with my choice and heartily recommend both the Taylor GS-Mini and the fine folks at Sweetwater.

I went into sweet water looking for a American made guitar. It was between Taylor, Gibson, and Martin. Chris at sweet water assisted me with my decision there as I didn't know how to play at all. He pulled all 3 guitars out and played all 3 so I could hear how each sounded. The Taylor won my vote and I am so happy I did. I love this guitar and have learned how to play on it very quickly. I told my wife the other day I don't think I will ever own anything but a Taylor the rest of my life. You would not believe how rich a sound comes from this small guitar and the wood it's made out of us beautiful. Perfect guitar for a beginner and it holds a tune very well. I am already looking to purchase another Taylor in the future. Thank you Chris and thank you sweet water.

I enthusiastically join the long list of 5 star raters for the Taylor GS Mini-e Koa guitar. The Koa wood is beautiful and makes each guitar unique. You would expect quality workmanship from Taylor, and they certainly delivered here. But the sound and playability is really what won my heart. I mostly play finger-style. I love the warm soulful tone and precise action. As reported by many others, the guitar has plenty of volume for most applications and -- if you need more -- the ES-B electronics have worked flawlessly for me. The smaller size simply makes it more convenient for traveling and more accessible for people of all ages. I also really liked the elixir strings, which for me also contribute to making it easy to play right from the start. Finally, it comes with a nice travel bag - an excellent deal all around.

I also wanted to highlight Sweetwater's excellent customer service. My SE, Tj Fucella, could not have been more helpful. He took a genuine interest in helping me sort through the various options and offered advice that turned out to be spot on. I initially purchased a different guitar. However, there was a problem with the electronics. Sweetwater promptly offered a no-cost return and replacement, but after discussing it more with Tj, I opted to upgrade to the Mini-Koa. Tj seamlessly made it happen and I am very happy with the result.

This is a little guitar that sounds big. Easy playing with great sounds. The electronics are very good. The Koa wood makes it very pleasant to look at.

This mini gs Koa spoiled my dream. I have for many years dreamed of owning a Taylor, finally when I retired I decided now was the time
To buy my guitar of a lifetime. Sweetwater and Taylor were running a special...
I thought yeah I'll just buy a mini and maybe gift it to someone. I bought a 514ce and the Koa mini gs. I freaking love the mini, it's the only
acoustic I play! It just fits and is a dream to play and has a much bigger sound than you would expect from a smaller guitar.. very happy
with it and love doing business with Sweetwater. Ken Sallaz it great to do business with. Highly recommend both...

I dont know what kinda witchcraft Taylor used to create this tone machine, but my hats off to them.Amazing little guitar.

My first acoustic (electric) and I'm glad I made the change. Initially I was going to buy a Hummingbird Pro (I wanted Dreadnought sound), but was so impressed with every video I viewed that I knew this was the one. It plays bigger than you would expect and quality just oozes top to bottom.

As far as Sweetwater, this was my first purchase through them and I couldn't be more satisfied. Between the multiple phone calls waiting for the Hummingbird to come back into stock to researching recommended alternatives.....every contact was handled with the best customer service. I spoke to three different representatives over two weeks and no matter who was on the other side, time was taken to answer my questions, suggest product, send me pictures and check on my order status.....professional every time. Sure you might have a specific person you enjoy dealing with, but the point is that if you need anything from Sweetwater, they have a staff of customer focused professionals.

The guitar was packed very well, and prepped for straight out of the box play. Case is very good considering it is part of the package. Overall a very satisfying product and experience!

Thank you Taylor and Sweetwater!

Firstly, shout out to SweetWater for their customer support and efficient shipping speeds. The hardest part was letting the guitar acclimate to the weather for 24 hours once it arrived!

The GS-mini played great fresh out of the box with little to no adjustments needed. The guitar itself is a beaut., and the sound that comes off of it is rustic and warm. Exactly what I was searching for in a guitar.

I'm just a beginner but this is a Beautiful guitar both in appearance and sound. Love the electronic tuner. You cannot go wrong with a Koa.

So I was looking for a guitar for our church and looked at several brands. I came across this Taylor GS Mini Koa and saw all of the positive reviews which peaked my interest. I began watching video reviews and everyone said the same things....sounds great, plays awesome, looks beautiful, etc. I thought it can't be that great it's a travel guitar for playing at the beach or campground. All those people couldn't be wrong though right?

I waited for a shipment to come in and my sales rep Ian text me to say he had picked me out the perfect one and boy was he right. I fell in love with th Koa top and said send it to me.

When it came in my pastor emailed me saying it arrived but it was a mini. I think he was apprehensive as well. He text me a couple of days later and said he had played it for hours. I have now played it plugged in during worship and can't believe the sound this thing has and it does have excellent playability if you have smaller hands which I do.

I don't think you will be disappointed with this purchase I know I wasn't. As a matter of fact I am going to buy one for my personal collection.

I've been playing for about 10 years. I have a few axes but this one always seems to be in my hand. The wood smells so good and breathes. The fretboard is smooth as Cocoa butter. It's got a great smooth creamy tone. I love it.

I bought mine here at Sweetwater along with the other mini pictured, courtesy of Myron Fett. A spectacular guitar/performer. Taylor Made.

I should first state I am a new student to the guitar, so my overall experience is limited. With that said, I opted for this guitar due to the difficulty I was having with the neck of a full size model. The GS mini is much easier to play and to reach the low E string. It sounds great, with a very bright tone. The tuning pegs are well made and the built in tuner is very handy. The one negative I will say for the Koa mini is that the bridge pins are plastic, so I plan to replace those with ebony when I change the strings. After a lot of online research, I chose the GS mini due to high reviews and I plan for this to be one of the few guitars I ever own. I feel confident it will not only last me a lifetime but also be a quality piece that I can pass to my kids many years from now.

Spectacular sound,performance courtesy of Myron Fett. Great guy.

This I my first acoustic guitar and I don't want to put it down. Incredible sound and easy to play (it just feels good). I'm relearning ( I'm almost 70 recently retired and haven't played in decades) and am recharged with enthusiasm to continue. I have the koa model and it is beautiful! It is beginning to be my favorite. I have a small collection of very nice electrics, but looks like I just might start a new collection beginning with this guitar. I was questioning spending so much on my first acoustic but while not a "bargain " it is well worth the money and then some! Incredible acoustic output with little effort. Who knows, I may get good enough to play before a crowd and use the excellent electronic features with an amp someday (doubtful haha). Right now I'm just having fun playing again

Outstanding guitar! Huge sound and playability is incredible. I cannot put this down and it travels with me everywhere. It's already done a couple thousand miles with me.

I've been wanting to learn guitar for the longest time now. Purchased a much cheaper Guitar to learn on about a year back which I like but is a little difficult to play because action is so high and it is a full size guitar. Was looking at a bunch of Taylor's because I love the way they sound and came across this beauty. The second I saw it in the picture I knew I had to have it. I love that Sweetwater takes picture of the actual guitar you will receive because with KOA they all look different. I think the GS Mini is a great guitar to learn on. It's so easy to play and right out of the box. My Sales Engineer Mason was amazing and personally called me to see how things are going. Over all Sweetwater goes above and beyond to make the experience amazing. Couldn't be happier with my new baby!

What can I say..This is an absolutely beautiful guitar with all that was promised. The sound is amazing and I love the size. Easy to play with the quality you'd expect from Taylor. The Koa wood is so beautiful as well. My rep, Kenneth Lindsey, has always been so very helpful and he came through once again.

One more 5 star review. There should be more stars.

This guitar. Wow! I was a bit hesitant to buy a guitar without playIng it first—as, you know, it's important to connect with the feel and sound. Even guitars of the same brand/model can feel and sound different. But I literally could not find a bad review of this guitar, and with one look at a picture of this beauty I was smitten. So I took a leap of faith.

To say I was blown away the first time a played it doesn't fully capture my reaction. The quality of tone and resonance that leaps out of this scaled-down Taylor gs defies belief. And with a smaller body, narrow neck and short scale it is an absolute joy to play. The set-up, right out of the box, is fantastic. To call this a travel guitar greatly minimizes the engineering genius of this instrument. Take it camping, of course. But this is no toy. Now I see why it's near impossible to find a negative review. Talk about hitting it out of the park, Taylor!

With the exception of two guitars I've owned over the last 30 or so yrs, all have eventually been traded or sold. But I already know this lovely is a keeper for life.

I love my new Taylor GS Mini- Koa!! I'm a smaller person and I'm so stoked to finally have a guitar that fits me!! This guitar looks, plays and sounds amazing. Do yourself a favor and add this guitar to your collection. Play on!

This little guitar is keeping me so happy I could stay quarantined with her for a while! We move from the yard to my practice room and I've played, or just stared at her non stop since she arrived. I love the unique character of the wood that changes in different light. My job is essential service and requires some traveling and she will be tagging along. My mini Taylor Mini replaces an older Taylor baby for travel and the sounds do not compare. I have several decent guitars but I've never lived one like this little gal. She's simple, fun, beautiful and easy to tag along with. I'm happy I took the plunge. Best decision this year.

28 years after picking up my first acoustic guitar I finally found the perfect one. Light, small, crisp sound, beautifully resonant.

The fit and finish is over the top. The action is precise all the way up the neck. This guitar has no bracing on the back and the vibrations hit you right in the gut - a good thing. You can really "feel" the music when you play. Love this little guitar, buy one!

I am so pleased with this guitar! I am a senior citizen, played some before.... trying to get back in the game. What a wonderful sound from a small guitar and it is beautiful. No regrets here!

I have this guitar and I absolutely love it. It resonates incredibly well for a guitar of its size. I wouldn't give it up for anything. Also, the koa is absolutely worth the extra money, giving it a uniqueness that makes it eye-catching. This is my second GS-Mini; for some reason I sold the first one, quickly realized my mistake and got this one. I wouldn't mind having another in a natural finish, just as a backup.

It's a spectacular little critter. I can stand up with it as many guitars are very heavy. Excellent sound and performance.A beautiful and warm sound.Myron Fett was above and beyond as far as hooking me up with this. Worth every dollar.

I got mine from Myron Fett and he did a terrific job for me and giving me all the insight needed to buy this. An excellent sound and performance.As I call these guitars: Taylor Made for the musician looking for a standard of excellence.

Forget for a moment that it's a smaller than usual guitar. This is one of the nicest guitars I've ever played, period! The sound is amazing. The playability unsurpassed. The simplest way to put it, is that it continues to blow my mind. I like it as much as my K14ce Builder's Edition, which cost about 6 times what this one did. I'm thinking about getting a second one to keep at the office.

This guitar fills in tones that I didn’t even know existed until I played it. The Koa top, back, and sides bring all of the high end and low end to its maximum potential. For $800, you can’t go wrong with this beast. Also, I want to thank my sales engineer Josh Strid for helping me choose the right guitar. You all at Sweetwater know what you’re doing! 5/5!

Awesome guitar. Easy to play and has great sound for a small guitar. It is small, so make sure the size will work for you. I really like the sound and look of the Koa! Very pleased with this purchase.

I was hesitant about ordering this online but after all the positive reviews, I did.
Wow was I surprised when it came how absolutely beautiful the Koa top was and how terrific it sounds!
This is a great guitar for everyone. I can see students using it due to its smaller size. I’m average size and it plays perfectly for me. The gig bag is quite nice also.
Definitely check this one out...it’s a winner for sure!!!

I love everything about this travel guitar! The sound is amazing, fun to play, beautiful look.

I think you can't go wrong with Taylor guitars.

I have a number of other guitars but when I'm working @ my computer the Koa is smaller & easier to handle while sitting in my chair. Also when we travel out of town I know that the Koa will come with me.
By the way, I do work @ my computer & brake once in a while to play.
I am not a Pro but music has been a part of my life since I was 16.
LOVE the guitar !

I reviewed this guitar after I’d had it a month but I just had to post an update. Since then, it’s seen a lot of activity at home and at jams and open mics. I have to say, I own some really nice expensive guitars, vintage and modern, and this guitar is AMAZING and holds its own. so responsive, impeccable intonation, that great fast ebony fretboard, wonderful tone and projection. The scale and neck width are absolutely perfect. The size belies it’s performance. The tuners are solid, the onboard tuner works great, and the pickup is excellent despite being a piezo (and I normally hate piezos.) And the koa is just gorgeous. I got one with a white sap stripe, which is just so cool. It’s my go-to for practicing on my couch and is light and easy for taking to jams. It has a nice quality gig bag too. Folks, this is the best guitar for the money you will ever buy, I am not exaggerating. GET ONE. You won’t regret it!

What can be said that hasn’t been said already? Taylor makes the best acoustic guitars in the business. Beautiful, quality, reliable, and great sounding. Aric B. at Sweetwater always takes great care of me when I order and it’s always a great experience. If you love Taylor, you’ll love this. If you have always wanted a Taylor but we’re afraid to spend the dough on the expensive models, get this and you won’t look further! Warm and inviting this is the best acoustic I’ve ever played. Arrived set up and in tune.

First of all I'd to thank Reid bright for the great customer service! I must say this guitar is amazing. From the aesthetics to the tone, it's a winner! For me this small scale length just feels right, it just fits me better than my larger 114e. If your hesitating, dont! This guitar is a must have for any collection!

The Taylor Koa GS Mini

I purchased this guitar because I am afraid of the other one. It"s too beautiful to play. It"s sounds beautiful adding to my fears of something awful happening to it. Like my teenage nightmare about leaving my guitar out in the rain, the one I made payments on and planned escape routes should my house burn down.
As Ray Davies said "something"s you never outgrow". I have the same fears and anxieties about guitars as I did when I was 15. Guitars are not just inanimate objects, they have their place in the universe and should never be disrespected unless your Pete Townsend.
I have a dog and she hates guitars. She would eat them and destroy them if given the chance. I wanted to have a guitar I wasn"t afraid of damaging or getting assaulted by a jealous dog.
Being a spoiled guitar player I thought I would purchase a guitar I could travel with, play outside, take places and not be afraid of it"s beauty.
The Taylor Koa Es Mini is beautiful but beyond that it is killer. I almost wish I had purchased this guitar instead of one I"m afraid of playing. It"s the bomb!
Plays like an electric guitar and with the precision and perfection of a Taylor but even more precise. Flawless! One word with an exclamation point has jumped the shark because of that evil turd on twitter but I digress.
For such a small guitar it sounds great and doesn"t leave me feeling like it"s tinny or missing something. My big and beautiful Taylor Koa Grand Symphony can rest comfortably in it"s case. Safe from an assault by a jealous dog.
The Gs Mini is killer! A guitar that sits in a case will remain in the case which leads me to someone left the cake out in the rain which is the trigger for my recurrent teenage nightmare of leaving my guitar out in the rain.
Someone left the cake out in the rain has to be one of the most egregious lines in a pop song. McArthur Park is where guitars go to die.

First, thank you Laura for the great surprise! Xxxooo
Second, gorgeous looking guitar! Koa top is stunning.
Third, the sound is truly incredible for a smaller guitar. Finger style sounds very even and great projection with a pick.
Fourth, the case is very solid and gives good protection.
Fifth, thanks for the very quick delivery Sweetwater!
Very happy!

I've never owned my own guitar before, bit I've been using my husband's guitars to practice on. Since my hands are smaller it has been really hard to stretch to that b minor chord. I also got tendonitis in my wrist last year from playing on my husband's acoustic.

But let me tell you about this Mini Taylor....I love it SO much! It is so comfortable, I'm not having any problems reaching the chords, and no wrist issues.

The sound is just incredible for it being so small. The first time I played it tears literally came to my eyes because the sound it makes literally sings. I've played it several times at church on stage, and people come up to me every time telling me how beautiful it sounds. Not to mention it is so lightweight! I have small children to drag to band practice with me each week....and having such a lightweight guitar to lug with me just makes it that much better.

You absolutely will not be disappointed in this guitar!

I was looking for a high-quality, small lightweight guitar to travel with and use at local jams. I also had a dealbreaker requirement of a slim neck, 1-11/16 or narrower. I like Taylor guitars but most have necks that are 1-3/4" which is too wide. This one is 1-11/16". I've had this GS mini-e for a month now and it is absolutely fantastic. Wonderful sound and playability, quality construction and finish, and gorgeous wood. At under 4 pounds and with a nice gig bag, it is super easy to get around with. The tuner works well and the piezo pickup performs better than expected. I'm super satisfied with this guitar and wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to anyone. It would be a great beginner guitar for a serious young person as well. I've played the baby Taylors and this model is far superior and worth the extra money.

I play a lot of acoustic gigs and noticed that I was suffering from some pretty bad hand cramping during the shows. I tried out dozens of other acoustic guitars -- including some top shelf guitars from high end craftsmen -- and this little Taylor had better tone and comfort than all the other guitars I had tried. I kicked around the idea of getting it for a year or two, but the thing that pushed me over the ledge was hearing another local guitarist play one (the walnut version) live. It sounded so great that my wife turned to me and said, "Happy birthday, let's get you one of those." The great thing about the smaller scale is that it helps ease the hand cramps that I'd inevitably get halfway through the gig. I have always personally liked the feel of small scale guitars and basses (ie. Fender Mustang), but don't let the small scale scare you off -- it sounds plenty big on its own and has a wonderful rich tone. Plugged in, it actually sounds like a natural acoustic guitar as compared to my previous guitar that had a very pingy '90s piezo sound. The onboard tuner is a nice bonus (one less piece of gear that I need to bring to the gig). The craftsmanship and look of the guitar is stunning. The gig bag seems nice, well made, and well padded, though I wish it had an extra storage compartment or pocket. Overall, it is an excellent guitar that I haven't been able to put down since I got it.

I absolutely love this guitar! It plays like a dream and has a beautiful tone. And has volume to spare in a complete acoustic situation.

After riding the fence I finally upgraded from my Yamaha guitar from the 1970s. The size of this guitar is the definition of perfection as well as everything else about it.

Sweetwater as expected was a fantastic vendor and worked with me to help me get the guitar I love. Will return to them for my future purchases.

Customer service taken to a new level with a courtesy call from Josh Sockett to confirm my awareness package would not arrive in time for Xmas. Josh didnt push any upsales on me, offered to be there for me any time I had a question, concern, other need. Sweetwater is clearly my go to. And now, good lord, the Taylor GS Mini-e Koa is smooth, rich, and makes me want to practice. The sound is beyond awesome, the manueuverability for playing is magical. This was the right choice. Though the mini comes with a soft case i did buy the hard shell and am so glad i did, fits like a glove and will give my new baby mini the protection she needs. Thanks Sweetwater....and Taylor.

I've owned a (now discontinued, but upper end) Taylor for decades. It's been a blessing in myriad ways. I purchased a baby Taylor a few years ago and was underwhelmed. It required quite a bit of setup and never did settle in. So I was gun-shy and more than a bit hesitant about the GS mini. I am über-delighted to say that the guitar I received ("sound unheard" and by mail???!!!!) has exceeded my wildest expectations. I did as the instructions said (let it acclimate for 24 hours, in the box), and when I unsheathed it: it was in tune! And it stays in tune, all the way up the fret board; and the tuner (never had one built in before) worked (well!). And it is truly beautiful. The wood is exquisite and matched. I could go on and on, but perhaps this sums it up: my son asked if he could play it and, when he finally put it down, all he could say was, "Wow."

Also, the superb service I (always) receive from Sweetwater (this time from Nick Dutiel) is a major factor in returning over and over again.

Beautiful sound and finish. Perfect for shorter armed people and noodling around on the porch. Taylor quality is seen throughout. I love Sweetwater 's inspection process and the actual pictures on the website. Sales Engineer Maryann Shirley was on it from start to finish, really enjoyed having a knowledgeable point of contact from the get go. The guitar played great out of the box, feels great in the hand and didn't break the bank. I sold a mahogany mini a few years ago and missed it, the look of the koa top blew me away. Thanks Sweetwater, thanks Maryann.

I'm a beginner guitar player. I researched numerous guitars and also where to purchase them from. After narrowing down what I thought I wanted I contacted several stores. My final decision to purchase from Sweetwater was based on their knowledge, patience, and professionalism. What I thought I wanted was not what I purchased. After about 1-hour of conversation I decided to purchase my Tylor GS Mini-e Koa. Pretty expensive--and in my opinion, worth every penny. First, it's a beautiful piece of equipment. The packaging was perfectively protective. I say that because there was a torn spot near the top of the box--but that was the outer box. I love music of all kinds and though I don't currently know how to play the guitar--I know what good sound sounds like, and good sound sounds like my Taylor GS Mini-e Koa. I'm retired from both the Air Force and the US State Department--as such, I enjoy speaking to professionals who know their job and are the best at it. I believe the people of Sweetwater are those professionals.

I've had a Taylor 114e in the past and I also have a Taylor M-522. I got my GS Mini last week and I can't believe how awesome this little guitar is. It has such a great sound! The electronics are also high quality. The new tuner and battery slot are very convenient as well. It's hard to beat the GS Mini at this price point.

A beautiful small guitar. Sounds fantastic and plays great. I love the size and is perfect for just sitting around and practicing. The service at Sweetwater was outstanding as always. The bag that came with the GS was also very well made and sturdy.

I own at least 20 guitars. Some astounding Gretsches (1992 Tiger Maple Nashville, Country Classic Single Cutaway, Tennessee Rose, Brain Setzer Nashville, etc., several amazing Taylors (Custom electric T5 Cocobolo, 714e, Baby Taylor), Schecter UltraCure, Zager acoustics, Wechter Travel Model, and more, -- This little delightful Taylor Monster is fantabulous. It has a powerful glorious RICH playability that is worthy of the Taylor name. The Taylor guitar company has pioneered incredible unending research into furthering the ultra refinement of their guitars, ever seeking to improve the sound quality and playability and more. Their constant endeavor for ever improving their guitars has developed into the finest little "travel model" guitar that exists in the Milky Way Galaxy. It's as fun and rewarding to play as any of those that I own. I totally Love my GS Mini e Koa. Having fun playing it just now made me want to share my feelings and write this review. Get the Best. Get this little Taylor Koa Monster. You won't regret it.

First off...Sweetwater is far and away the ONLY place to purchase stringed toys online. The sales associates are very friendly professionals. beingg extremely informative, mannerly, and just downright cool people.
Ok, the guitar I honestly can't speak from a personal point of view because I never played but I did buy The Beauty for a NCO Promotion present. I figured since she's in AirForce a smaller guitar may be practical.She says that it's outstandingl A stellar guitar. She mentioned how loud sounds with the Taylor's bright characteristics and best lows ever heard on a scaled down Taylor. She's a Taylor girl...thats all I can say.
Thanks again SweetWater and the whole team. It was best gift.to give.
Finally, the good ol' bag(s) a candy. Well...I do have one word of shock, stop sending me those red fireballs :)
simply the best. S.W.

The sound that comes from this travel guitar is simply fantastic. Such an amazing tone, the Koa has a warmth and depth to it with full sound and bright top end that really appeals to me. This is my third Koa instrument, as I have another Taylor acoustic and an Ukelele. Koa just gets better and better the more it gets played. Not only is this guitar stunningly beautiful to look at, it is a joy to play. When compared to other "little" guitars which have a unique sound of their own, the sound from the Taylor GS Mini Koa is just so much cleaner and louder. The shorter fret scale is easy to get used to as well.

I bought this guitar about 8 months ago and it is always in my hands. I've never had a guitar that was this fun to sit and play. It is THE definitive couch/porch guitar. I've owned high end Martins, etc but this guitar is easily my favorite. Kudos to Taylor on making a killer guitar.

Sell my clothes.........I'm going to heaven!! Gorgeous box. Fabulous tone ! Love this guitar.

I purchased this guitar 6 months ago after not playing for a number of years. After asking a number of questions and discussing my needs with Ben Jimenez, I continued to research the different gs mini models and decided to purchase the mahogany top. It was on back order and I was anxious to get back into playing, so I ordered the koa, and am glad that I did. Right out of the box, the guitar had rich tones, which continue to deepen, and the koa wood is magnificent looking. The guitar is a joy to play and I am drawn, like a magnet, to pick it up and play daily. The action and playability exceeded my expectations and made my return to playing easy. Kudos to Sweetwater for great service, follow up, warranty and 2-3 day shipping, I love this guitar! Thanks, Ben.

One of my greatest concerns was the action. Had played server acoustics in the past and never wanted one because of the action. Guess I have weak fingers. I was blown away with the action on this guitar! Strings are very close to the next, while never buzzing. Probably the best you will get with an acoustic.
The Koa wood gives a nice mellow sound, which is great for the type of music that I play while hiking.
The case it comes with is a perfect addition. Fits securely on my back while hiking, is padded very well and has a pocket where I can put the other items (music book, etc).
Haven't tried the electronics yet, so I cannot comment on that.
This is one guitar that is great for traveling or hiking with.

I have to say that I was greatly impressed by your service!

When I called, I had a specific need, for hiking with my guitar. Throughout the purchase I was working with Tyler Davis. We spoke at some length about my experience with guitars, what I planned to do with it. After several emails back and forth, Tyler answering any questions that came up, I took his recommendation for my situation.

Could not have been more pleased with the results! The guitar came packaged, nice and secure. After I unpacked it, I found that Sweetwater had done all the set up for me. Even had it tuned up for me! All I had to do was start using it. In that past, I always had to do some tweaks to get the action right, but you guys did all that for me.

Not much else I can say, other than this is where I will purchase my equipment from.

Love my new GS Mini Koa. The sound and playability are awsome, it is a perfect size to play around the house and if need be plug it in and play out. Thanks to my rep Andrew Plassman, he helped me pick a beauty,

Gorgeous instrument. Sounds great. My only complaint is that I keep staying up way too late playing it! Perfect couch/travel guitar. Electronics/built in tuner are very handy.

I debated getting this because I like a big sound from my acoustic guitars and figured I'd be happier with something else. But, age and a neuro-muscular disorder are making it harder for me to play a full size dread so I looked into mini option. I assumed I'd want a Martin Dred Jr. but went into local stores and played several models. I repeatedly found myself more comfortable and happier with the Taylor GS mini. Loved the spruce/walnut version, but the koa really won my heart. It has a big, warm tone for such a little fella. It's super comfortable for me to play so I am able to practice every day without muscle aches and pain. The koa wood is just gorgeous and Sweetwater was SO awesome about letting me pick out the exact one I wanted! I got to look at four different serial numbers and saw several pictures of each guitar. Sure enough, the one that arrived at my door was the exact one I admired and requested.

Set up was perfect from the get go and the action is just right. Can't say enough about the great customer service from Sweetwater and I love this little Taylor! (p.s. his name is "Sweet Baby James")

I have had my GS Mini Koa for about a year and a half now and I love it so much. I also have a Taylor 322 (not made anymore unless it's a 322e) and honestly the 322 has hardly been out of the case since I got this GS Mini Koa. If you have played Taylors you are familiar with their neck. The neck on this one is very comfortable and playable, just like their big guitars. I usually am a sucker for a mahogany guitar but the beauty of the Koa sold me. My rep, Chris Neyman, sent me pics of every GS Mini Koa they had in stock. I picked the one I purchased because I loved the grain and figure of the wood. It looks better in person. The wood is perfectly book-matched so the grain and any small imperfections such as where there was a small knot forming in the tree, which I am drawn to, is a mirror-image on the left and right side of the guitar. This guitar has a clean bright sound with the D'Addario EXP Phosphor Bronze strings that I use. I have never plugged it in so I cannot comment on the electronics.

If you want a smaller sized guitar for travel or just for playing on the couch or your easy chair, this is a great guitar. If you are a beginner and you want a great guitar to learn on but you can spend a little more than most beginner guitars go for, then any of the GS Mini's are a worthy choice. You will grow out of most beginner guitars but this one will last you a life time. If you travel and want a smaller guitar for travel, this one goes in and out of a small car easily and you can carry it on an airplane. Well, that is dependent upon the carry on rules becoming more strict I suppose.

I could pontificate on and on about the qualities of this guitar but suffice it to say that I highly recommend it.

I'm a fan of smaller guitars . Built in electronics are a plus for me as I gig out often & ( in general) like the option of having on board built in electronics. Browsing a local music store while traveling with the band , tried the Taylor GS Mini -e- Koa. Wasn't really looking "to buy" a guitar, however , tried this Taylor both acoustically and thru (a Fishman Loadbox Pro) same amp I use on gigs, .....and I was "sold". To be honest, if this guitar didn't have built in electronics, don't think I would have considered it .

Was never a fan of the Taylor electronics, however the ES-B electronics (to me) is similar to the Fishman Isys which I prefer & found installed on other brands. However, the very best built in electronics (IMO) , and should be installed on all guitars, is the Fishman Undersaddle piezo , EQ: 2-band , with Phase Feedback filter as found on the Fender Paramount Parlor guitars. It's excellent , & built in tuner is accurate.

Back to the GS Mini -e Koa. Acoustically , the GS Minie-e Koa sounds great. Like a full size guitar in a small package that's in between a Spruce & Mahogany ..... just right and different from my other guitars. Very happy with this gig ready guitar. The gig bag is excellent . Offers substantial protection when traveling about. Recommend the Taylor GS Mini -e . Tone woods (Koa, Mahogany, Spruce , etc )
are personal preference.

I love this smaller size of this guitar! I haven't come across any guitars that stuck my fancy over the years until this one, and the reviews on the guitar won me over to give it a try. I love the large sound it has, and the looks. Was ready from from the box with no problems. I would definitely order from Sweet water, as their guarantee is valuable if needed.

Bought this for my daughter. Why do I like playing this more than my high end Taylor? ???
This guitar is perfection. Couldn't of been a more perfect setup with A+++ playability right out of the box.
Sound is extremely rich with a surprisingly beautiful projection. A definite keeper for life. Sweetwater has never let me down. Thanks again Mr. Maxwell.

My wife is a small person and a full sized guitar isn't comfortable for her. She wanted a guitar that was smaller without sacrificing good sound.
She did her research and discovered Koa wood is an excellent tone wood and decided she would like to sample a guitar made from this wood.
Living in Indiana provides us with the privilege of being only a short drive to Sweetwater Music so she began exploring the Sweetwater website. she did a search for koa wood guitars and began to weigh the options. She read reviews on several different manufacturers and found the Taylor GS Mini-e Koa had rave reviews. The website indicated there were several in stock so we made plans to drive to Sweetwater the next day.
We arrived at Sweetwater in the afternoon and beelined straight to the acoustic guitar room. The guitar was not on display. We then went to a salesperson and inquired about the guitar and he pointed to a rack we walked right past.
There it was the coveted Taylor hanging on a display among several other mini guitars that my wife had read about just the night before.
Her eyes jumped from one guitar to the next but I could tell she was drawn to the richness of the Koa wood. The beautiful grain is a real head Turner, as the grain is unique to each Koa mini in the Taylor line. So it is a great looking guitar but how does it sound?
My wife wasted very little time before pulling the Taylor from the display and strumming it softly to not draw attention to herself. She handed it to me and I played a bit on it. I was dumbfounded! The sound that the Taylor GS Mini-e Koa produced was full with great low sounds and nice crisp higher tones. We were both excited by the look and now the sound!
We didn't have to discuss the purchase as my wife was like a kid in a candy store. I handed her my Sweetwater credit card and she proudly took it from me.
We finished shopping and paid for our purchase and headed home to really checkout the new guitar. We opened the box and found a very nice hard gig bag inside the box. We pulled it out and slowly unzipped it exposing the guitar. My wife slowly picked up her new purchase and strummed it obviously out of tune it still sounded full and rich. I tuned it for her and she began to play.
She was and remains very happy with her new Taylor GS Mini-e Koa. The sound is fantastic, the wood is beautiful and the price is what I would expect on such a quality instrument.
We would also like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the salesperson for his kindness and knowledge during our visit to Sweetwater.

When I ordered this my expectations were that it would be a cool guitar for hanging out on the couch. MAN was I wrong!!!! Out of the box this little wonder played amazing and sounded incredible. I have other Taylor's and this little gem holds its own with all of them. I have a 414CE that has had to share time with the the little one Amazing and inspiring are the best way to explain it. .

Not only me but my frineds are amazed at the tone of the guitar. Been playing the daylights out of it. Was setup nice right out of the box. Plugged into my Loudbox mini amp. it is just beautiful with great tone up and down the fretboard.

Got to choose my guitar right online which is great since I got the Koa wood and their wood grain patterns are so varied. Playability was good right out of the box, straight as an arrow neck, nice tuners, electronics works well and the onboard tuner is real nice and accurate. It is small but not too small. I use it for my every day grab it and play guitar. Wanted a nice smaller guitar to practice with rather than getting out my Taylor 814 every day. My 814 is in perfect shape and I want to keep it that way so not getting it out every
time I want to practice cuts down on the chance of scratching or dinging it up. The mini has a great sound and I could see me playing out with it. I play it on a Fishman Loudbox mini amp. I also got from Sweetwater and they are a great combo. The sound is very nice! I also got a hard case for the guitar. The soft case is a very nice soft case but I like to keep my guitars humidified and that will be much easier with a well sealed hard case. After all… it is not a cheap guitar so one fall could be the end of your guitar with a soft case. Sweetwater and their staff are top notch and aim to please. I have found a home there.

I've owned or played all of the GS mini models. Overall, you can't go wrong with any of them. It's an amazing little guitar with great tone and projection from the small body. I finally purchased this Koa model and I'm blown away by the tone. I think the Koa projects better than the mahogany model and sounds fuller, like a bigger guitar, while still maintaining the balanced tone and warm low end. It also maintains crisp and clear highs without sounding overly bright like the spruce top model can be at times. Overall, I feel that the Koa is more evenly balanced across the tonal spectrum than it's 'hog" and spruce counterparts.

The looks are stunning and I've never seen two Koa models that look exactly alike. They all have such different character. Fit and finish is typical top notch Taylor and it arrived from Sweetwater setup perfectly for me.

My only wish is that Taylor would produce the Koa model without the electronics. Primarily to get the price down a little. The electronics are great, and it's nice to have the option to plug in, but it would be good to have the option for the Koa top at a lower price point. I don't see myself ever wanting to plug in with it. I primarily use the GS mini as a couch/camping/traveling guitar/all around companion use. If I was going to play plugged in, I'd bring a different full size guitar.

P.S. The gig bag is sooooooo nice!!! Overhead bin on an airplane, or the back of my truck with no worries at all!!!!

I've had my koa mini e for 3 weeks now and cannot put it down! The sound is warm and rich and the guitar is fun to play. Great projection from a small guitar. Recently retired,I decided to pick up the guitar after not playing for 30 years. Prompted by musician friends to contact Sweetwater, I could not be more satisfied with the assistance, guidance and follow up I have received. Kudos to Ben Jimenez for his patience and expertise in guiding me through prepping my old Yamaha FG345 for my playing start up, through my questions regarding which new guitar to purchase to the actual purchase experience. Sweetwater is the best, and I won't purchase any accessories or equipment from any other source. The follow up is outstanding whether the purchase is a few dollars or more significant - the bag of candy is a nice touch as well.

What a great little guitar to sit on the front porch and play on a beautiful autumn day! This little Taylor Guitar is all I hoped it would be and more. The Koa top really produces beautiful tone and the action was great right out of the box! Thanks for another great product from my friends at Sweetwater.

I have been wanting one of these for a few years. They can be hard to find at times due to the availability of the wood. I was able to fight back the urge until last week when I finally got to play the Koa model at a local shop. That tone... I was sold, and unfortunately so was the guitar. No problem, Sweetwater to the rescue. I was able to get my sales rep Robert to send me pics of the GS Mini Koas they had in stock. I picked out an absolutely beautiful dark flame grain. It even looks 10x better in person. The size is perfect for me. I'm done with full size dreadnoughts. It is light weight but full of big sound. It is quality excellent, as you would expect from a Taylor guitar. I love that rich warmth of the Koa's tone. This gets an A+ all the way around. Great job Taylor and to Sweetwater for their excellent service.

Nice KOA , been looking for a while . It has the new electronics with tuner , very nice . I have other Taylor guitars and this is the same great quality . The gig bag is nice , and the guitar/case is very light . Travels well .

I was looking for a parlor style guitar. Even though this is not technically a parlor I decided to try the mini. I bought the Koa wood model and I am astonished by this guitar. I fingerpick mostly and play soft to medium. The tones are beautiful. The highs shimmer and the mids and lows are warm and push through just enough. To top it off this guitar is very comfortable to play. I highly recommend to anyone looking for an acoustic guitar.

perfect for travel and golf outings, and steal for the money .. great sound for a smaller guitar . priced right with Taylor holiday prices. waiting for my new 514CE

Arrived with packaging and contents in perfect shape. Suprised at the depth and richness of the sound at the lower end. Pretty even all the way through. Fret board and neck play nice and tight. Crisp and clean all the way up, intonation perfect. No bracing on the inside that I could see and a cute rounded back like a watermelon mando! They got some good technology for sure, this guitar sound nice for an inexpensive, small, right out of the box unit.Been to one practice session with the band plugged her in and not bad. Will need to dial it in a bit more. Almost the biggest joy was carrying it to the practice instead of my dreadnought with hard shell case Light as a feather in and out of cars and buildings no banding the case around! Yea!
Very pleased and happy with the purchase, of course this will never replace the real deal!

I am so pleased with this guitar! I am a very small person with arthritis in both of my hands and elbows. I had given up on playing a 6 string and switched to the uke and tenor guitar. I missed the 6 string. Other smaller bodied guitars did not have the sound quality that I wanted. I researched this guitar with the Koa wood and decided to take a chance. After a good set-up and lighter strings... perfect. Great sound (acoustic or with sound), easy to play and just the right size for me! Not to mention that it is beautiful to look at.

Sweetwater has been amazing to deal with. I ordered this guitar on a Sunday. It was delivered to my door on Tuesday afternoon with free shipping. The hard shell case that I ordered was damaged when it arrived. I called my rep at 3:30pm and a new case was delivered to me less than 24 hours later. Return of the damaged case was easy!

Definitely a great guitar and the right place to purchase it!

What a great little guitar and so much fun to play! Perfect for playing when I'm out on the Lanai or watching TV.
I wanted something so I could pretty much always have a guitar in my hands and this fits the bill perfectly.
Highly recommended!

I purchased the original Taylor GS-Mini in 2010 that had an add-on pickup option. This latest generation GS-Mini is much improved. The electronics are excellent. The default action is low on the frets but no buzz. The tone is very good and much louder than one would expect from a travel guitar. There is a considerable amount of bass and mid-range. It is lighter than that the original. The Koa wood is absolutely gorgeous. It may have been made in Mexico but I don't see any sloppy glue squeeze out on the interior. Care was taken in the manufacturing and assembly. It stays in tune once you stretch the strings and if you can keep the humidity stable. Which is something you need to consider with any acoustic guitar. Keep it between 40-60 percent humidity. Shifting humidity will cause warping and damage.

This guitar is the perfect size and sounds amazing however I wish I had seen what you had before getting. I realize koa is individual to each guitar but I have seen other reviews where salespeople sent pictures of what was available. I was hoping for more color variation in the wood as mine seems rather plain however the guitar itself plays extremely easy and sounds amazing.

I bought this for my wife. She is quite petite and has a very small hand. The neck feels great to her. We had to have the action lowered a bit since new it was a tad too high. It plays great. The pickup in this model exceeds the previous pickups I have heard. The on board tuner is fair... it gets you in the ball park and that is it. The sound is good for what it is. Better than I expected, but it is not a full sound guitar and does not sound like one. I am glad we bought it and it for sure will be used a lot.

First off, this is NOT a full size Taylor, so there's no way it could compete with that. You're not getting the full-size sound for a fraction of the price - that would be too good to be true. That is why I have given this a 4 star rating; it is objectively lacking compared to the 314CE I have been gigging multiple times a week for three years. That said, when rated subjectively in its own class, it is a 5 star guitar, head and shoulders above everything else. It's like a baby grand piano compared to a concert grand. Of course it can't compete with its big brother as far as tonality, resonance, and sonic depth, but....sometimes you don't need a concert grand. Sometimes that's too much. I have to admit, I hate lugging my 314CE around sometimes, so this little guy is perfect.

The craftsmanship is equal to the more expensive Taylors (the "real" ones built in the USA - this one is made in Mexico, but you'd never know the difference). I could not find anything on this guitar which seemed sloppy or inconsistent. The frets are all mounted perfectly with the same exact alignment and reveal and level. There are no weird bows or twists in the wood or fretboard. The tuners hold well and are perfectly mounted. the action is PERFECT (low but without buzz), and the intonation is as perfect as you could ever get it across the entire accessible part of the fretboard (there is no cutaway, so anything past #14 is pretty much useless anyways). There is no glue visible. Everything is as it should be. Great job, Taylor.

The design is genius. It utilizes Lithium 2023 batteries instead of the big 9V batteries. It has a built in tuner with volume and tone control. The input jack is solid, and it is more button-like than on the big Taylors, which I actually prefer. What is not apparent from the photos is that the back of the guitar is convex, so as to give you more resonance with a small body. Another thing which may not be apparent from all the photos is that all of these have a satin finish, between matte and gloss. It looks great. The small body is about as small as you could go without making it sound and look like a toy guitar. I was worried it might look dumb, like I'm an adult playing a kids guitar, but this does not have that problem unless you're like 6'6" - lol:) The fret spaces are a bit smaller, but not so small that it throws off your muscle memory. This thing feels almost like playing an electric guitar. I can't imagine having a better travel/practice guitar. Oh, and the bridge is both glued and screwed down in a fashionable way, so it can handle the tension just fine. No neck problems characteristic of smaller guitars like this.

Also I LOVE how every single guitar is unique in this series. Each is made from a different piece of Koa, so instead of having a generic guitar, yours will be the only one like it in the WORLD! WOW! So unbelievably cool. Don't settle; wait until you see one pictured on Sweetwater which just makes your heart beat faster, then buy that one.

Plugged in, the thing sounds amazing. Once again, this doesn't have the full bodied sound of the full size, but it by no means sounds cheap, especially with some EQ. But even flat, the sound is good. Put it through am LR Baggs Para Acoustic DI or a Neve RNDI and you'll be set. Interestingly enough, this guitar doesn't lack low end sound as one might expect in a smaller guitar. Instead, if anything it could use help bringing body to the high tones. If you're a sloppy guitarist, this thing can sound like a toy because fret buzz due to half-pushed strings and risky-dink high notes are exposed.

I would suggest getting the Sweetwater recommended SKB hardcore specifically made for this guitar. It is made perfectly for this guitar and fits it really well. Because of the convex back, generic cases would not work well and might actually damage the guitar. Oh, and you don't need a 3" wide strap because this guy is small (so a big strap will look stupid) and because it is not heavy enough to merit a big strap. I think 1.5" is sufficient.

The main way to improve this would be to make it bigger for a more full sound. But then it wouldn't be an amazing smaller guitar. Thus, it really holds its own. The sound is still quality, leaving nothing to be desired for what it is.

I got this guitar for it"s acoustic value. It plays beautifully without amplification and with amplification but you need to control all your feedback issues. I took this guitar to rehearsal where I was competing with the percussion section, and the other instruments. Playing "La Bamba" the guitar is the main voice, but the stage has its limits in a 12 piece group. With my amp next to me and wherever I moved I would get feedback until I could find the sweet spot to stand. I have an Ibanez acoustic that never had that problem, as it seems to have been built for performances. I love this guitar, giving it a B minus just for performance in large ensembles. Yes I would recommend it if you play solo or just a smaller group. I will be taking this to AZ to jam with a friend of mine who does Buffet Tunes. Let"s see how that goes.

I want to start by recognizing that these guitars are beloved by the musician community at large ... my opinion reflects the cost compared with other Taylor options.

Full disclosure ... I obtained a GS Mini-e Koa during the late 2022 Taylor BOGO offer. The guitar was an excellent buy for what I paid for it. I was not looking for a travel guitar but ... no regrets. It sounds acoustically much larger than its size and is a stress free "beater" guitar as it was inexpensive. The GS Mini ES-B preamp does not have the nuance of the Taylor ES-2 system ... it is often difficult to balance in a mix and requires a bit of compression that I normally would not use.

So why 3 Stars ... Had I paid full price I would have more regrets. I am not sure this constitutes a guitar worth the full MSRP price point. When I play it aggressively it feels a bit fragile... plus the decals that adorn the top to emulate the binding and rosette are a reminder that some construction detail has been eliminated. Yes it sounds great ... but sometimes feels like a toy. I have played a few Taylor 214ce which is similarly priced, looks and feels much more robust and has the full ES-2 preamp. If you are taken with GS Mini size ... A full-sized Taylor Grand Auditorium is only 3.5 inches longer and 2 inches wider.

I am not bashing Taylor guitars here. They are great!!! And ... Sweetwater is easy to deal with. Ben is great ... yada yada yada.

Conclusion ... If you get a BOGO deal.... buy it. If you can test drive a GS Mini-e Koa and it works for you ... buy it. But if you are a considering a GS Mini-e Koa at full MSRP ... try a 214ce to see if feels like a different class of instrument and a better buy.

I bought a Taylor 814CE and had the BOGO offer of the Taylor GS Mini E Koa. I decided to do the deal but asked ahead of time if it was possible to just get me the mini I wanted and deduct the discounted price. The answer was no. The deal was set by Taylor. Ok, I would settle for this one. I got the guitar home and waited the customary waiting period before I checked it out. The guitars fit and finish were excellent but I noticed that the preamp was different from my other Taylor guitars. I wasn't impressed as I hate how the body of the guitar is cut to put in this piece of plastic. I plugged it in to my Fishman Loudbox through my petal board and commenced to tune it on my Polytune tuner.I couldn't get it to tune properly. I gave up and tuned it using a Snark. Once I started playing through the Fishman, it sounded like all the strings were buzzing.
I started researching the ES-B preamp and found many negative comments about this preamp and I know why. I would have preferred the ES-2, the preamp on my 327 Grand Pacific or my 814CE.
It would have been great if Taylor offered the discount on any of their GS Mini models. I would have paid the extra money to get the Mahogany neck, Sitka Spruce top and ES-2 pre amp but unfortunately that was not an option. My advice is buy the mini with no preamp and install a good preamp or buy the mini with an ES-2.
The one thing that Taylor could have done to make this guitar worth the $ price tag……..is missing.