Updated by Bobby
Recently updated on April 14th, 2021
Updated ratings and review links for Taylor GS Mini and BT2.
Taylor GS Mini VS Baby Taylor (BT2)
Which one do we recommend?
The Baby Taylor is a bit smaller than the GS Mini (GS is a "mini concert" acoustic while the BT2 is a 3/4 dreadnought). But, the Baby Taylor wins out for us because it gives you most of what the GS provides, with a significantly lower price tag. Unless you don't like how small the BT2 is, it's our clear choice between the two instruments, simply because the value is higher.
Both the Taylor GS Mini and the Baby Taylor are small-form acoustic guitars with a similar spec sheet. In this article we'll do a simple side-by-side comparison to highlight the exact places where these two acoustic guitars differ.
While these guitars look fairly different, they don't have a lot of technical distinctions.
Most of the noticeable differences are related to body type, size, and aesthetics.
For example, both guitars use solid Mahogany for the top piece, but the Baby Taylor top piece appears a bit lighter in color.
Read more: The best acoustic guitars
Quick Look at Significant Differences
We'll list the most prominent differences between the two guitars here, for those wanting a quick answer.
- Price
- Tone
- Body shape and size
- Bracing
We've found that the price difference - the increase for the GS Mini - is a bit strange given the similarities between the two models. Other than the retail cost, the body shape and the bracing are the only significant distinctions the two models have from one another.
As you'll see in the next section, the GS Mini employs what Taylor calls a "Grand Symphony" design (basically a concert acoustic) while the BT2 is a traditional dreadnought shape in a 3/4 body size.
Other Acoustic Guitars (comparison chart)
Acoustic Guitar | DETAILS | RATING | TRY |
|---|---|---|---|
 | 86.7 | ||
 | 80.3 | ||
 | 80.1 | ||
 | 88.7 |
How do they both sound?
Though both guitars use Mahogany and Sapele for tonewood, the sound profiles of both are quite different. The GS Mini is crisp and bright with a lot of melodic nuance and emphasis on the picking hand.
This is something we expect from smaller guitars, especially with the concert (grand symphony) body shape.
The BT2 is significantly softer and warmer. It has what I'd describe as a "full" sound that's better for strumming and conventional acoustic rhythm.
Taylor GS Mini | Taylor Baby Taylor (BT2) |
|---|---|
$500 | $370 |
Bright/Crisp/Melodic | Soft/Warm/Full |
Strumming/Lead | Rhythm |
Heavy picking emphasis | Moderate picking emphasis |
Keep in mind, these are generalizations and not exclusive rules. The GS Mini can definitely be a good strumming acoustic (most acoustics are) but it lends itself more to lead acoustic guitar than the Baby Taylor.
Read the full review: Taylor BT2
What are the bodies like?
As we've already mentioned, both of the acoustics use Mahogany for the top piece and layered Sapele for the back and sides.
Both guitars - if you look on Taylor's manufacturing pages - are listed as having a solid top, which definitely helps with the tone quality you're getting from such a small acoustic instrument.
It's where Taylor starts to add a lot of value.
Similar 3/4 size acoustic guitars - like the Martin LXK2 for example - give you a laminate (layered) top instead. Props to Taylor for getting solid tonewood into the top pieces of these acoustics while staying at or under the $500 price mark.
Read the full review:
Other Tonewood Combinations
There are actually multiple versions of the Baby Taylor and GS Mini that incorporate different kinds of tonewood. Several versions use a solid Sitka Spruce top (like the nicer Taylor models) while others use Walnut for the back and sides. You can even get a version of the GS Mini made with solid Koa.
You can also find versions of the BT2 and BT1 with built-in electronics.
Here are all the tonewood arrangements we know of:
Taylor GS Mini
- Solid Mahogany Top
- Solid Sitka Spruce Top
- Solid KOA Top
Taylor BT2 (Baby Taylors)
- Solid Mahogany Top
- Solid Sitka Spruce Top
- Solid Sitka Spruce top with walnut back and sides
In the following table we're comparing only body characteristics, where we've highlighted the differences. Yellow indicates a difference that doesn't impact value (style or preference issue) while red indicates places where a difference does have an impact on quality.
Taylor GS Mini | Taylor Baby Taylor BT2 | |
|---|---|---|
Body Type/Shape | Concert Mini (Grand Symphony) | Dreadnought (3/4) |
Body Dimensions | Length: 17 5/8" Width: 14 3/8" Depth: 4 7/16" | Length: 15 3/4" Width: 12 1/2" Depth: 3 3/8" |
Sides and Back | Layered Sapele | Layered Sapele |
Top | Solid Mahogany/Spruce | Solid Mahogany/Spruce |
Finish | Varnish | Varnish |
Bracing | X-bracing with relief route | X-brace only |
Binding | White | None |
The Mahogany in the GS Mini sounds great and you can definitely hear where the solid top helps project a full tone that doesn't sound small. Without that solid top, you lose some of the boldness of your sound, which is not a problem for either of these guitars.
Otherwise, the only significant spec difference is the bracing in the GS Mini, which provides a little more relief to the pressure of the body.
As we mentioned before, the difference in body shape - and the corresponding difference in tone - could be a preferential issue for some protentional buyers.
Preference Considerations
- Grand Symphony Body Type: Typically better for lead guitar or more melodic styles
- Dreadnought: More common for rhythm guitar playing or those who are focused exclusively on chords
Taylor uses a solid Mahogany tonewood for the top piece on the GS Mini.
Multiple versions of the BT2 and BT1 are available, including those with both Mahogany and Sitka Spruce tops. The Taylor website lists both the Spruce and Mahogany versions as solid tops.
Neck & Fretboard
The GS Mini sticks with Sapele for the neck and heel, basically extending the tonewood already used for the back and sides of the guitar. For the Baby Taylor's neck we get another round of Mahogany, which we'd prefer over the Sapele since it seems to help with warming up the tone and matches the top wood.
Taylor GS Mini | Taylor Baby Taylor BT2 | |
|---|---|---|
Neck Wood | Sapele | Tropical Mahogany |
Neck Shape | Not specified | Not specified |
Radius | Not specified | Not specified |
Fingerboard Material | Ebony | Ebony |
Fingerboard Inlays | Pearloid Dots | Pearloid Dots |
Number of Frets | 20 | 19 |
Scale Length | 23.5" | 22.75" |
Note that the GS Mini has one more fret than the BT2 and that the BT2 uses a screw-in neck type that intrudes on the higher register frets anyway. This makes the GS Mini a little bit larger than the Baby Taylor and certainly reinforces my earlier characterization of the GS as the more melodic (better for lead guitar) of the two acoustics.
Preferences Considerations
- Sapele VS Tropical Mahogany: Difference is primarily aesthetic
- Number of Frets: GS Mini gives you a little more room
Here's a close look at the top of each guitar's fretboard, right around the 12th fret.
On the GS Mini, Taylor uses the same Sapele tonewood used in the guitar's back and sides for the neck.
The Baby Taylor typically uses Mahogany for the neck and Ebony for the fingerboard. Note the two screws used to fix the neck to the guitar's body.
Parts and Accessories
There are no significant differences in this category, outside of the type of gig bag advertised for each guitar. The one that comes with the GS Mini is a little heavier and stronger, though just a small notable difference. We've also noticed that included gig bags can change depending on where you're buying from.
Otherwise, the comparison is straightforward right down to the Elixir strings which ship with all Taylor acoustics.
Taylor GS Mini | Taylor Baby Taylor BT2 | |
|---|---|---|
Bridge Material | Ebony | Ebony |
Nut & Saddle Material | Tusq Nut/Micarta Saddle | Tusq Nut/Micarta Saddle |
Tuning Machines | Die-Cast Chrome | Die-Cast Chrome |
Nut Width | 1.6875" | Not specified |
Case Included | Mini hard bag | Mini gig bag |
Strings | Elixir | Elixir |
Which one?
Of the two we have to give the Baby Taylor more credit.
Because it comes extremely close to matching the GS Mini's spec sheet, yet it's significantly cheaper. In the GS Mini, I believe you're paying extra for the better bracing system and a slightly larger guitar, which is understandable.
But since both guitars have solid tops and similar tonewood combinations, it should come down to which sound you like better, as I previously mentioned.
To review, here are the distinctions:
- The Taylor GS Mini's Tone: Bright, Crips, and Melodic
- The Baby Taylor BT2's Tone: Warm, Soft, and Rhythmic
Depending on the style of music you want to play, the difference in sound might be the most compelling feature.
Also consider the size issue.
Both guitars are small, close to the 3/4 size, but the Baby Taylor is slightly smaller even with the dreadnought body shape. If that's something that matters to you, it should be considered before you decide between them.
In the end we like both, but the Baby Taylor is clearly a better value.
Questions about the GS Mini and Baby Taylor
Do you have questions about our comparison?
What about the GS Mini or the Baby Taylor specifically?
If you need some help, drop a line in the comments section below. I'll do my best to jump in an help out.
We'll see you there.
Baby Taylors are a much cheaper construction with a bolt on neck, bolts through the fretboard. Its a cheap and ugly way to do that. Also, Taylor uses very little purfling on the inside of the guitar which is used to glue the top, back, and sides together. This can lead to issues of the guitar coming apart.
Thanks for sharing, Todd. You could definitely make an argument for the GS Mini. I think I was giving the BT more credit for being cheaper and providing more value, but the GS Mini is probably the better guitar overall.
Both guitars were thin and tinny sound. No bass at all. I went on to buy a (Jean)
Larive Parlor guitar. This guitar costs more but, well worth it. Jean has been a Luthier for over. 20yrs. and they just Sound Better. Bassier, Mid Range is not tinny. The sound just Blends so well.
Hey Christine – thanks for sharing your experience. I don’t have a ton of experience with Larive, but I’ve heard good things.
I ordered the gs mini. I’d like to play the baby, but to my eyes, it looks a lot smaller. The mini looks closer in size to the other guitars
Yeah, the baby Taylor is pretty small (3/4 body size I think). The mini is closer to a full size guitar. 5/6 body size I think. It has a couple inches on the BT2. Hope it goes well for you.