Taylor Grand Theater 811e - The Best Taylor Ever?

Here we have it guys, we have been sitting on this one for a bit now and couldn't wait to show you guys this new guitar from Taylor. We love the GS Mini and this big brother has all the dressings that you might want. Looks that kill and a sound that delivers.
www.casinoguitars.com/shop/Ac...

[@buyrlewing3305]

Beautiful playing, Baxter. It was a real pleasure to meet you and your team this past Wednesday! You're cool people, and It's well worth a drive to Southern Pines to experience true customer service in the music retail business!

[@johnlord1399]

I have the Urban Ash. Absolutely love it. After several months, it’s already opening up a bit. If I had piles of money, I’d have one of these, too. Great review, Baxter!

[@davidbible1469]

Very nice playing, with a smile, tell us this is a guitar worth having.

[@CasinoGuitars]

This really is my favorite guitar I have played in a long time! It’s not the end all be all. It is a small parlor style guitar that just plays so easily. Imagine a really great sounding and feeling gs mini on steroids! If you’re looking for the ultimate travel, couch, comfort style guitar, this ones amazing.

[@dangolguitartech]

That sounds really nice and it makes me wish I were more of an acoustic player.

[@freddieblue6351]

Thank you!!! I want one. You all turned me on to the GS Mini. My GS Mini has those marks on the top spruce as well.

[@kodymcbanks1]

I ordered mine yesterday. I can’t wait to get it. It’s going to feel like forever.

[@zeeb0w]

that sounds surprisingly resonant and full, heard these have solid kerfling, something that boutique guys usually do. if this was lutz, i’d order one, but i’ll wait for a builder edition to come out or even better, a cocobolo custom GT

[@CasinoGuitars]

Nope, already ordered one for you...I ha e your card on file:)

[@benmeyers1203]

Man these sound great. I assumed C-class was a typo. Now I'm really interested... I think every V-class Taylor sounds terrible but love the old Taylors. I really like the body shape on these.

[@austingal9869]

I played the cheaper urban ash version. Easy player. I was not super impressed w the quality, but may have just been the one I was playing. I own a 2019 712. Love it, but this super curious to try the 811. The smaller size is very appealing

[@jonnyhammerstix1535]

So many guitars, so little money lol. I'll be putting my Gs-mini Koa up for sale soon. Unfortunately, the market is flooded with them because everyone is selling their mini to buy a GT! I like my mini but it was always just a little too small for my extremely long arms, but I need a travel/parlor size guitar and I think the GT will fit the bill. I want an 811e but I think as my travel guitar I'll settle for the Urban ash model, although I'll have to track down a guitar that was made the right way as a LEFTY! Great demo! I really like your channel. You guy's are normal guy's with a wealth of knowledge. Question, does the 811e come with their new gig back or hard case? I watched your video on the new Taylor gig bag (Hilarious with the kids jumping on it) and how do you think the bag would hold up traveling on airplanes, into cold temperatures, with an 811e in their gig bag?

[@shanethefortean431]

Love to have one of these

[@Cbink82]

I’m super interested in this I’m just struggling with the price. I’m looking for that super comfortable guitar that screams pick me up and play me. $500 less and it would be a no brainer for me. I’ve played the urban ash and whilst playability wise it’s what I’m looking for, tonally it wasn’t quite there for me. This sounds like it’s what I’m looking for but it’s expensive for what it is.

[@stevelandress]

I have not played the GT 811e but I have played a GT Urban Ash. It was very easy to play but I was not that impressed with the tone. I had watched videos about it and was expecting a fuller tone than what I got. Maybe it was the particular guitar but I though the GS Mini sounded fuller. Looking at the price point for the GT Urban Ash I decided I would rather have the new Martin GS13e. Yes it's a little bigger but it sounds bigger too and is just as easy to play. But that's just me. Guitar preference is subjective after all, right?

[@SiggyMe]

It the best demo of The Taylor GTE 811 I have seen so far. So Taylor GT 811e or Santa Cruz Firefly, which one?

[@joeykelly5642]

Sounds gorgeous - great playing, too! Maybe one day I'll be able to afford one of these. Until then, I'll be sticking with my 210e - I've had it for almost a decade now. How much of a difference do you all feel solid wood versus laminates on the back and sides makes?

[@charlesbolton8471]

I’ve been playing guitar since the late 80s , but I’ve rarely played for anything other than personal enjoyment so I can’t answer as a professional. Additionally, I primarily play electric, but I have owned a variety of acoustic guitars over the years including guitars with laminate back and sides, all solid wood top, backend sides, plus an Ovation and a Gibson that was the replacement for the Chet Atkins SST which has a chambered mahogany body with a spruce top. Now that I’ve gotten my background out of the way I’ll give you my opinion. The fact is that different companies use different processes to create the laminate. Some companies, such as Taylor, use actual solid wood in the different layers of the laminate. Others use a combination of wood scraps, saw dust, etc. and then they apply a thin veneer of actual wood (as does Taylor) for the outside of body, and some companies don’t even use a real wood veneer. Taking the different processes into consideration and basing it upon the guitars I’ve owned and guitars owned by friends I think that the difference lies in the quality of the laminate and the overall quality of the entire manufacturing process. In my opinion Taylor’s Mexican made guitars (which all have “layered” back and sides) sound as good (if not better) than some companies all solid wood guitars. That being said we all hear things a little differently and we all have different preferences so there really isn’t a definitive answer. There is a lot of hate out there towards laminates, but as far as I’m concerned Taylor’s “layered” guitars are top quality and worth every penny of their price. If we want to bring electric guitars into the conversation all of Gibson’s ES models are laminates, and they are some the most iconic and desirable electric guitars of all time.

[@casuallycovered2437]

a lot man. alot

[@joeykelly5642]

@@charlesbolton8471 Thanks for the detailed reply! I really appreciate the time you took to write it. It's good to hear the perspective of a more experienced player.

[@rzh3443]

A solid wood guitar has more warmth and depth. There is more variability in the aging process for solid wood. The laminates don’t age per se. If you find a solid wood model you really like it will only get better as time goes by. The laminates TAylor makes are very good though in terms of playability and tone. They can also withstand more street beating and humidity changes, if that is your intended use. Have fun looking.

[@ianc8892]

I recently found a Martin DM which is, I believe, Martin's first attempt at producing a Martin-branded wood-laminate guitar not made in the Far East (Sigma and Shenandoah s were not sourced in the USA although some were put together in Nazareth and were mostly laminated back and sides). The DM has a spruce top and a mahogany laminate back and sides. The guitar is a cannon! Really outstanding tone, probably because it is about 20 years old and the top has really opened up. I own and have owned many high end guitars, including Gibsons, Martins and Taylors and this DM is the equal to any of them...and it only cost me $550 on eBay. I can see why Martin discontinued them, too good a sound from such a inexpensive guitar. Anyway, the whole point of this rant is that you should not discounta guitar made with a decent laminate, they can be quite good.

[@LA3Music]

Great sound! Love the Ebony stripping on the board. It’s fun size.

[@CasinoGuitars]

Thank you! And agree on that stripe. This one is a stunner!

[@startreker8591]

What is the size of gs mini( a parlor?) …gt ( 00 as in M).. y this y they’re depths…y d y break down the specs…imo

[@charlesbolton8471]

This is great news. Now if Taylor will just offer it in the 600 series wood combination with natural back and sides without electronics. I would be sold immediately. Come on Casino Guitars and Taylor don’t make me have to buy a Waterloo WL-14 X Scissortail.

[@roderickmathison5245]

Does look a bit like a (Lowden) S23 that’s eaten too much! Can’t help noticing that Taylor have pretty much stopped using cedar, though (which is a mainstay of European makers…).

[@wolfpac1970]

Wow...great sounding guitar.

[@CasinoGuitars]

Thanks a bunch and we agree, and man it is fun to play!!!

[@danielgannon9502]

@@CasinoGuitars Is it ever! Bought one in late 2021 and can't walk by without picking it up... Delightful!

[@trebleclefjones4899]

At 1:55 you say its “very much like a _____”. I’ve replayed it over and over. Sounds like you say “Weelawn” but googling that shows me nothing. Really curious as to what you were comparing it too. This Taylor looks amazing.

[@frankherman2713]

He said Wee Lowden , www.lowdenguitars.com/guitar-spec-wee

[@trebleclefjones4899]

Thank you! And thanks for the link

[@jakedooom]

a “wee lowden “ (superb Irish-made guitars)

[@michaelogden5093]

Ahhhh, the one you pick up.

[@casuallycovered2437]

and Please can you play John Mayer songs for reviews??? his songs show the quality of guitars so much

[@masterhorax]

3000 and no arm bevel? Dang....I just want a gs mini in cocobolo

[@casuallycovered2437]

isn't it better to buy something like Martin 000-28 or smth instead of this?? their prices are pretty comparablele

[@jdstan9650]

Looks great & I'm sure it's typical Taylor quality...but IMO simply not worth $3k...there are waayyy too many better options at that cost (& less!).

[@adamscottv]

I've played these, and there's no way I'd buy it over an 812. I think this is a guitar to get the cheaper ash or walnut version, not the 800 series. Just my opinion.

[@shaneroberts9466]

2nd video I watched if this and think this is a beautiful guitar and if into this size is almost perfect.......if they going to label it as 800 series where is the neck and headstock binding. Hard case and beveled armrest? This is the disappointment for the price. I've not played one but seems the urban ash model may be better bang for buck. Will be interesting to see what other GT models are released.

[@shaneroberts9466]

I was finally able to play both the 811 and UA GT models side by side. I love GS-Mini's and small body and shorter scale guitars because of my physical size they are really comfortable and the GT is a great fit. It doesn't feel much bigger than a GS-Mini but sounds a bit bigger and is more polished. In person the 811 definitely is the prize winner. I still think the 811 is a bit pricey but I would get one, and may. Many videos accurately depict guitar character and tone, but I've watched nearly every video on the GT and have had harsh criticism but can now say that most of the videos reviewing the GT don't do the GT justice so I strongly advise trying one in person. I would still like the missing 800 series features on the GT.

[@Faraz9564]

@@shaneroberts9466 Very thorough on both accounts. Did you end up buying a GT?

[@Louis_Velliotes]

Sounds great and I dig it, had a 2000 Taylor W-10 NAMM show guitar. Love Taylors but for that price, D-28.

[@CasinoGuitars]

Thanks a ton. She isn’t cheap I agree there. Totally different guitar than a d-28 and for sure not the one you want if you want a cannon, she’s a soft spoken little gem:)

[@Louis_Velliotes]

@@CasinoGuitars for sure she does sound beautiful. I'm just kind of in love lately with Neil Young's D-28 that used to be owned by Waylon Jennings.

[@Louis_Velliotes]

@@CasinoGuitars She is a great couch guitar as you mentioned, and a pretty good price for the 8 series!

[@gosman949]

@@Louis_Velliotes I've played the HD-28 and this guitar by Taylor. I had to take the HD-28 back because it was just too hard to handle and uncomfortable. This Taylor is comfortable and easy to play. But haven't bought it yet.

[@dividedbytimestudios]

3 years it went from $2999 to $3699 we can’t afford another 3 years like that

[@001mladen]

VERY NICE. Too bad its too expensive for me. but nice guitar

[@Jeff-mn7cl]

Baxter, I am hoping you will consider offering your opinion. I am all over the map... gt811e or gt611e maple or builders 816ce or 812ce 12 fret. Thank you. Take care.

[@adamscottv]

812ce 12 fret all day long

[@Jeff-mn7cl]

@@adamscottv Thank you for your response.

[@danielgannon9502]

@@adamscottv I long for an 812 ce 12 fret and will own one someday... but only if I can keep my my GT 811e.

[@mitchmatthews6713]

Yeah, but you didn't run it through an overdrive pedal!

[@TheRnB69]

I’m torn between this and 00-28.. 😥

[@Jeff-mn7cl]

I experienced the same dilemma for 2-3 weeks!! I was set to purchase the OM 28. Within 24 hours I purchased the 811e.

[@TheRnB69]

@@Jeff-mn7cl I ended up getting a 00-28, I reasoned to myself that the 811e is a little overpriced for what it is, though I loved playing it so maybe I’ll get a used one in the future.

[@sc12100]

Looks like a Yamaha LL16

[@edpetrik501]

Errr...Just a curious old man ....Why is the guitar called a ..she....does it float ? ... Very nice playing..👍

[@jaredcaldera]

It's appearance is just soooo desirable😫😫😫

[@adamscottv]

It is cute isn't it?

[@letfreedomring2699]

Gibson builds the best acoustic guitars.