I currently have a Taylor 114e that i've had for a few years that's been used every now and then, but i'm now playing mainly in an acoustic duo and i'm struggling with elbow pain in my right arm that gets much more pronounced after a gig/rehearsal due to the dimensions of the body of the guitar. I've spoken to a few people who have suggested looking at the GS Mini which obviously has a much smaller body, so does the collective wisdom of tFB recommend them as a good small bodied acoustic? Would I struggle with the change in neck scale? Or is there something else out there I should look at?
Thanks
This week's procrastination forum might be moved to sometime next week.
Comments
I think its Diggerland or something now
just because you do, doesn't mean you should.
just because you do, doesn't mean you should.
just because you do, doesn't mean you should.
It played well, was comfortable and, had I been looking for a guitar, I'd have bought it.
Try a few out
I've noticed that it's had a few detractors over the years here at TFB though
just because you do, doesn't mean you should.
It is comfy on the right arm.
Purely on tone though you're best off with a decent 000 or OM, and while bigger than a GS, they are shallower than a dreadnought.
I think Taylor have been very clever with the GS Mini. They started by finding which of their body shapes sounded best when shrunk. The curved back aids projection and a groove runs round the edge of the top to allow the top to move more than usual. Then the scale length allows them to fit 13-56 strings with 12-52 tension. The result of all this is a big, loud sound.
I'm not quite sure how Taylor do it, but somehow the very short scale feels longer than it is. It's actually a fun guitar to play (and that's coming from someone who doesn't like short scales at all as a rule). And the sound is inoffensive. Would I take one home and play it for pleasure? Of course not. If I played a gig with it instead of a guitar five times the price, who would notice? Me (obviously), my bandmates (probably) and ... well, probably no-one else at all.
The real question is what is causing the elbow trouble? Body size? Or body depth? Or just your technique? What happens if you play something with a very small body (a parlour for example)? And what happens if you play something with a very thin body (borrow a semi-acoustic for a couple of hours)?
It may be that you will be better suited to one of those full-size but slimline acoustics which are now made by a variety of manufacturers. Or a parlour.
Anyway, good luck with it - and whatever you do, be sure to play a GS Mini before you buy it, they are not something to buy without sampling.