TAYLOR GS Mini-e Koa

Taylor GS Mini-e KOA

The Taylor GS Mini-e Koa is our top selling GS Mini, she's an organic beauty with a really vibrant sound that can cover most acoustic genres and popular guitar sounds!

This alluring all-koa version of the Taylor GS Mini pairs a solid koa top with layered koa back and sides, serving up an inspiring blend of looks, feel and sound with an ocean of tone and sweet overtones.

The compact Mini-e Koa's tone is delivered from a scaled-down design, with ultra-portability for players on the go and couch-friendly comfort for picking at home, while the rich, wide-ranging tone and full voice belies its body size.

The Taylor patented neck design guarantees signature Taylor playability, and the shorter 23.5-inch scale length makes forming a chords a breeze.

Onboard ES-B electronics, with Taylor's renowned ES-B pickup system, invite you to plug in whenever you're ready, and feature a convenient digital chromatic tuner (a built-in tuner) with an LED display for tuning and low battery indication, are super handy, especially when on the move. 

Smaller, travel sized acoustic-electric guitars don't get much better than the Taylor GS Mini-e Koa, and stocks don't last long as a results, so be sure to get in touch with the Coleman's team for this punchy little beauty that makes the perfect addition to any guitar collection!

Taylor GS Mini-e Koa Highlights & Specs:

• Scale Length 23-1/2"
• Nut & Saddle Nubone Nut/Micarta Saddle
• Bracing GS Mini with Relief Rout
• Built-in ES-B pickup with a dynamic range
• Truss Rod Cover Black Plastic
• Pickguard None
• Number of Frets 20
• Taylor Chrome Tuners
• Case GS Mini Hard Bag
• Brand of Strings Elixir Phosphor Bronze Medium
• Body Length 17 5/8"

Taylor GS Mini Koa FAQ's

Where is the Taylor GS Mini Koa made?

The Taylor GS Mini Koa guitars were typically made in the United States. Taylor Guitars, a well-known American guitar manufacturer, is based in El Cajon, California, and they produce a range of acoustic guitars, including the GS Mini series. However, manufacturing locations and practices can change over time, so I recommend checking the official Taylor Guitars website or contacting them directly for the most up-to-date information regarding the production location of the Taylor GS Mini Koa.

Is the Taylor GS Mini Koa the best travel guitar?

The Taylor GS Mini is often considered one of the best travel guitars available due to its combination of portability, playability, and sound quality.

However, whether it's the absolute "best" travel guitar depends on individual preferences and needs. Here are some reasons why the GS Mini is often highly regarded for travel:

1. Size and Portability: The GS Mini's smaller size makes it easy to carry around, whether you're on a road trip, flying, or simply want a compact guitar for outdoor activities.

2. Playability: Despite its smaller size, the GS Mini is designed with playability in mind. It has a shorter scale length and a comfortable neck profile, making it more user-friendly than some other travel guitars.

3. Sound Quality: The GS Mini is known for producing a surprisingly warm tone, with a rich and balanced sound for its body style and size, due to it's acoustic design and proprietary pickup system. Taylor's design and craftsmanship really shine on the Taylor GS Mini koa.

4. Build Quality: Taylor Guitars are generally known for their high-quality construction and attention to detail, which often extends to their GS Mini models.

5. Variety: The GS Mini comes in various wood options and configurations, allowing players to choose the sound and aesthetics that match their preferences.

However, the "best" travel guitar can vary depending on factors such as personal playing style, tonal preferences, budget, and individual comfort with different guitar sizes. Other travel guitars from different manufacturers may also offer unique features that appeal to different players. It's always a good idea to try out different options in person if possible and consider your own preferences before making a decision.

Is Taylor GS Mini koa loud?

For its size, the Taylor GS Mini Koa acoustic-electric guitar can produce a surprisingly loud and full sound. While it might not match the volume of a larger dreadnought or jumbo acoustic guitar, the GS Mini's design and construction allow it to project sound quite effectively.

The GS Mini's tonal balance and projection are achieved through Taylor's engineering and design choices, such as the bracing pattern, body shape, and choice of woods. The "X" bracing pattern used in the GS Mini contributes to its sound projection and tonal characteristics.

However, it's important to note that the perception of volume is relative, and the GS Mini's volume might be slightly less than that of a full-size guitar. Still, it's often considered one of the louder and more dynamically responsive options among travel-sized and smaller guitars.

If you're specifically looking for a travel guitar that offers a good balance of portability and sound projection, the Taylor GS Mini is definitely a strong contender in that regard. As always, trying out the guitar in person and listening to its sound is the best way to determine if it meets your expectations for volume and overall sound quality.

What does a Taylor Koa guitar sound like?

Koa wood is known for producing a distinctive and unique tonal character in guitars. The sound of a Koa guitar can be described in several ways:

1. Brightness and Clarity: Koa wood often imparts a bright and clear tone to guitars. The high-end frequencies are well-defined, resulting in a sparkling and articulate sound. This can make the individual notes and chords stand out with a certain level of clarity.

2. Warmth: While Koa is bright, it also tends to have a warm and balanced tonal quality. This combination of brightness and warmth contributes to a well-rounded sound that's not overly harsh or overly mellow.

3. Midrange Emphasis: Koa guitars often have a pronounced midrange, which gives them a strong presence in the mix and a bold sound. This midrange emphasis can be particularly appealing for finger style playing and vocal accompaniment if you are chasing that acoustic sound that most other acoustic guitars can't deliver.

4. Rich Overtones: It's not just the visual beauty of Koa. Koa wood can produce rich overtones that add complexity to the sound. This can result in a guitar that has depth and character, making it engaging to listen to. No wonder the award-winning original GS Mini was so regarded, Taylor really got this one right!

5. Responsive Dynamics: Koa is known for its responsive nature, meaning it can respond well to different playing styles and techniques. It can handle both delicate fingerpicking and more aggressive strumming with ease.

6. Aging and Maturing: Koa guitars tend to sound even better as they age, which is a characteristic shared with many high-quality tonewoods. The sound matures and develops over time, resulting in a more complex and resonant tone. So while a new Taylor GS Mini Koa has excellent balance, it will only get better as you play it - it's the perfect musical companion!

It's important to note that the specific sound of a Koa guitar can vary based on other factors such as the guitar's body shape, bracing pattern, and construction quality. Additionally, personal preferences play a significant role in how someone perceives the sound of any guitar, including Koa models. If possible, it's a good idea to play or listen to a Koa guitar in person to get a better sense of its unique tonal qualities. 

Are Taylor Koa guitars any good?

Yes, Koa guitars are highly regarded and considered to be of high quality by many players and experts in the guitar community.

Koa wood is prized for its unique tonal properties, aesthetic appeal, and the overall experience it offers to guitarists. Here are some reasons why koa guitars are considered to be "good":

1. Distinctive Sound: Koa wood produces a tonal character that is bright, clear, and warm, with strong midrange presence and rich overtones. This unique blend of tonal qualities can make Koa guitars stand out in a mix and be particularly well-suited for fingerstyle playing and vocals.

2. Visual Appeal: Koa wood is often visually stunning, featuring a variety of grain patterns and colours, from light golden hues to reddish-brown shades. The striking appearance of Koa guitars adds to their allure.

3. Responsive Dynamics: Koa guitars tend to respond well to a variety of playing styles and techniques. They can handle delicate fingerpicking as well as more aggressive strumming, making them versatile instruments.

4. Aging and Maturing: Koa guitars often improve with age, similar to other high-quality tonewoods. As they are played and the wood matures, the tonal complexity and resonance can increase over time.

5. Craftsmanship: Many reputable guitar manufacturers use Koa wood to create high-quality instruments. Brands known for their attention to detail and craftsmanship, like Taylor, can produce exceptional Koa guitars.

6. Historical Significance: Koa wood has a historical connection to Hawaiian and island music, which can add cultural significance to the instrument.

It's important to note that the perceived quality of any guitar, including Koa guitars, can vary based on factors such as the manufacturer, construction quality, setup, and individual preferences. If you're considering a Koa guitar, it's a good idea to play or listen to different models from various brands to find one that suits your playing style and tonal preferences.

Is Koa better than mahogany?

Whether Koa is "better" than mahogany in terms of guitar tonewoods depends on your personal preferences and the characteristics you value in a guitar's sound. Both Koa and mahogany are popular tonewoods, but they have distinct tonal qualities that appeal to different players and musical styles.

Koa:

• Bright and clear with warm undertones.
• Strong midrange presence.
• Rich in overtones.
• Responsive dynamics.
• Can develop a more complex and resonant tone as it ages.
• Often associated with Hawaiian and island music due to its historical use in ukuleles and guitars from the region.

Mahogany:

• Warm and rich, with a balanced tone.
• Less pronounced midrange compared to Koa.
• Can offer a slightly darker character in the midrange and bass frequencies.
• Generally has a more focused and direct sound.
• Known for its sustain and strong fundamental tones.
• Often used in blues, folk, and rock genres.

The choice between Koa and mahogany (or any tonewood) often comes down to personal preference and the type of music you intend to play. Neither wood is inherently "better" than the other; it's about which tonal characteristics align with your musical style and the sound you're seeking. Many players appreciate both woods for their unique qualities and choose based on their playing preferences and the sonic qualities they desire in a guitar. If possible, trying out guitars made with both Koa and mahogany tonewoods can help you determine which one resonates more with your musical tastes.

Where can I buy a Taylor GS Mini Koa?

At Coleman's Music of course! We have faster shipping right to your front door from our online team, or drop into our Melbourne Music Store in the CBD to pickup a Taylor GS Mini Koa in person. Our in-store team are Taylor experts, and can help you find the product and tone you're after!