GS Mini VS Martin Dread Jr ★ ULTIMATE comparison

★Taylor GS Mini Price: amzn.to/2f15rvp
★Martin Dread Jr Price: amzn.to/2fhS7C9
★My NEW Buyer's Guide: tonypolecastro...
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[@nicholastotoro7721]

The GS Mini sounded better than I expected, but I still preferred the Dread Jr for my own personal use and travel. Added a bone saddle and ebony bridge pins and love it even more! It's like a "real" guitar, just smaller... that's the best way I can describe it.

[@kifferpete7987]

Nicholas Totoro I did the same to mine, bone nut, saddle and pins. Sounds amazing

[@CandyBarMoto]

wow!!! closed my eyes when you were playing. and for the first time ever (after watching almost every guitar review you have done, both both channels) I could not really discern enough of a difference between them, and had to open my eyes to be 100% of when you switched. good job! keep up the good work. have enjoyed watching you on KZbin for years.... back at clean shaved and short hair LOL and no ink

[@aubreyellis9770]

I got the GS mini today and it was the best guitar I have ever used

[@maraviyoso8473]

I've only played the GS Mini and it's wonderful. After this video, I'd love to play a Dread Jr.

[@maxywell6686]

Dress uiiooooiioooiiiooqqqqqqqqqqqqwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwc

[@nodofox]

In previous comparison video, I can clearly make out the difference between the two as Martin sounds a lot fuller than GS Mini. But in this video, there's hardly any difference, I wonder why!

[@suziofftheplanet977]

I was listening on AirPods Pros and didn't realise you changed guitars they are so similar until I looked up

[@alexmanansala06]

Auditioned both and I bought the D Jr. If you do a lot of strumming the Junior is for you

[@AlfredHugecokk]

No hesitation ... I prefer the GS Junior ! :-p

[@chiefhalftown]

Tried the Taylor GS mini but I didn't bond. Sounded small to me. The Martin Jr I still have over a year now. The 3/4 inch nut is my preference. The neck is just great. And the built in pickup doersn't have the overwhelming brilliance of the Taylor and is more balanced. Just my opinion.

[@keithvollberg4251]

I love both of these guitars. Now that I've had a chance to hear them side by side the Martin has a more balanced sound to my ear. The Taylor offers up a bit more high end and volume. I think the Taylor will perform better for solo work and some single note lines, while the Martin will make a great strumming guitar or bluegrass instrument.

[@timaragon]

The Little Dreadnought is the winner for me, but I'd be happy with either of them.

[@gitaaa7740]

I don't think one sounds better than the other. Just slightly different. All personal choice.

[@maxywell6686]

Wqqwwwwwwwwiooooopoaqqqqqqqqqqqqqwqqqqqwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwqqqqqw

[@gitaaa7740]

@@maxywell6686 ?

[@bluesysamurainao4557]

Nice review and performance!! I prefer Martin Dread Jr tone, but actually I own GS mini which looks cool looking. It is smaller and various combination of tonewoods.

[@lordjs9726]

I prefer the GS Mini.

[@LGKDude]

Interesting how they both sound more similar than different. Do you have a video of the Martin Dread JR vs a full Size Martin Dread? (or Tayler Mini vs full size). Curious to hear the differences. Thanks for the great comparison videos!!

[@vinkalmadaan1902]

I have the GS mini and i really love that one.

[@drothberg3]

I prefer 1 11/16 nut width to 1 3/4. That has been one of the reasons I’ve preferred Martins. It’s a bit bizarre that the situation is reversed with these mini guitars.

[@cloutdoors5674]

It's not reversed..the Taylor is 1 11/16 and the Martin is 1 3/4

[@rickygarner7719]

The Martin sounds better to my ear good review thanks👍🏻

[@echopark78]

I’m a huge Martin fan and love the JR. I own one of the Gs mini’s they are fantastic. I put Martin retro strings on it and it sounds incredible. I’ve played a lot of Taylor’s and the Mini to me is one of the best in their whole line. The only problem I have with Taylor to me they are to tinny sounding. Which is great to record with but I am use to and love the Martin sound. Both are great manufacturers but I cant justify spending that much on a guitar with a bolt on neck.

[@zamannabijan4689]

Whats the problem with bolt o n necks?

[@RonnieSandifer]

My dad builds guitars and does jointed neck...just because that's what he learned to do but he says Taylors bolt on are great because if you ever reset a jointed neck it's a big job but to reset a Taylor neck is a 30 minute deal. I have both brands and love both but ive changed my mind on bolt on necks. Times are a changing lol!

[@ajca69420]

I owned a GS Mini. Hands down it sounds real good. Sweet even! The only thing I hate about it is that it's too sensitive to humidity. I live in the Philippines and humidity is off the charts here! Because of that the bridge of my GSMini lifted in a year. Dehumidifiers do not work hahaha! Just the "wings" lifted though. I got it fixed but it was a hassle. I hope my next guitar won't have that problem.

[@dr.t4866]

I have a Composite Acoustics guitar in my office, which has tremendous humidity swings depending on the season. The guitar is made out of carbon fiber and hasn't been affected by the humidity at all. Although it sounds different than a wood guitar, it doesn't sound bad. And that's coming from a guy with a Guild D55, Martin D35 and Taylor 322 at home. Highly recommended where humidity is an issue.

[@aarontanco6200]

From the Philippines as well. So you would not recommend the taylor brand in humid countries?

[@saina6171]

@@BryantEnglishTV 🙋🏻‍♀️ hi I am from Hongkong too What’s a charcoal bag, never heard of it!

[@saina6171]

@@BryantEnglishTV thanks for the tip. I’ll head over to Japan home n get one of those now

[@titory114]

Tol itanong ko lang mas ok ba ang Martin dreadnought Jr? Kesa da Taylor GS mini? Balak ko Kasi bumili. Salamat

[@henrikpetersson3463]

Both sound great! But I have to say that I prefer the GS Mini. The Martin sounds like it wants to be a bigger guitar while the GS Mini is more tuned for its small size.

[@siddharthmohanty7106]

Love this channel. Keep up the good work.

[@brianhutchison5787]

Great review as always.. I am looking to pick up a smaller 3/4 size guitar and I was looking for some opinions, I do appreciate that everyone's opinion will be different down to their personal play styles or preferences. I have 3 in mind at the moment and I can't seem to decide: -Taylor GS Mini - Martin Dreadnought Jr - Takamine GX18CE Anyone's opinion will be much appreciated, Thanks!

[@AdoreYouInAshXI]

Get a GS Mini in Koa and you'll never regret it. Much better action than the Martin and better tone, in my opinion.

[@kevinconville9258]

Both are great IMO. I slightly prefer the 1 3/4" nut and 24" scale of the Martin.

[@ahobimo732]

Very helpful comparison. This really highlighted the difference between these two guitars. It also confirmed my suspicion that I'm not really into the Martin sound. They're unquestionably beautiful instruments, but they're just not my thing. The GS Mini on the other hand... 😍😍😍 Hopefully some day, I'll be able to afford one.

[@moriver3857]

Great video. I'm in the market for a travel guitar, so this is great info, though a bit bias towards the Martin because I 've own Martins before over Taylors.

[@daviddorris8008]

Taylor GS mini- mahogany 🎸🎸

[@cyntacadina8305]

I think the Martin has a warmer tone than the gs mini. And after watching your video I will start saving to put my money into the Martin. Thanks for helping me in my choice. Cyn 🎶

[@mattstan853]

What one do you think has a better (faster/lower) action? I own a DC16-GTE and love the action on it. But I want something to leave around the house for quick practice and to take with on trips.

[@debbiewheeler4066]

I had the Taylor GS mini for a couple of years but traded it recently for the Martin DR JR. MUCH prefer the Martin. .It's like silk compared to the Taylor. The GS mini was buzzy at times, but that could have been due to my not very advanced skill level. However, to me, the Martin wins hands down. I took to it immediately! The action is PERFECT.

[@dakotahstr]

I wish I could play like you.

[@kingstumble]

The nut width of the Martin swings it for me.The wider the better.

[@nbacoco]

Hi Sir nice review! Do you think that the bridge pin holes of this Djr10e is standard size like from all Martin? Because i plan to buy Graptech bridge pins, and not sure if traditonal or presentation style will fit the pin holes... 🤔

[@scorpio1174]

honestly can't go wrong with either it's just preference

[@Ricardo15121]

Please, could you review the Martin 00-15E Retro?

[@TheMrSiMoNN]

So how would you compare the Marin Dread Jr with a mahogany GS mini in relation to deepness?

[@tacguitar]

Simon, My perception is the dread Jr has a bit more depth, while the Taylor offers a bit more clarity :-) I hope that helps!!!

[@pierretran2215]

the gs dreadnought junior is the clear winner for me

[@chicaguerrera4278]

So beautifully all the Taylor Guitars👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@gustaviversen3293]

Please make a review on the cort gold oc6

[@rakeshu.shenoy8514]

Great video ! Sir, it would be great if you could do a review on the budget travel guitar Yamaha JR2( laminate top version).

[@tylerhopkins5373]

Which of the two would you recommend for country music?

[@NordicLetsPlays]

wich one of them is more fun for playing blues?

[@krustybuzzard2477]

To me the martin has a much Rockefeller sound.I did like the feel of the Taylor neck when I tried it at guitar center and the martin played good as well set up on both were acceptable.but this is your review not mine.sorry I just got carried away..

[@beanspistachio]

Hello Tony, I am going to buy the dreadnought jr, I have tried it in the store and I find the action a bit high, is that the standard action? or is it because it is a demo unit, displayed in the store for a long time and somehow it affected the height of the action? I asked for a new stock but they only have the display unit. I dont want to buy the demo unit.really need your help. Thank you

[@AdoreYouInAshXI]

Don't buy the display, having sold guitars for years you would be amazed at what those displays have gone through, even if it's not visible. Order one online and have it shipped to your doorstep. I run a local guitar shop and I try to keep an extra guitar on hand of every one I have displayed so my customers never have to buy the display models. You'd be surprised at how much that's helped business. As for the action, yes, the Martin does have a higher action and to me it doesn't play nearly as comfortably as the GS Mini, although they are both great choices. The Taylor GS Mini in Koa is the way to go.

[@paulv8453]

@@AdoreYouInAshXI QUESTION: I’m interested in the GA mini mahogany for its warm tone. I currently play a Yamaha FSX800C 1 1/16 but & my fingers are always unintentionally touching an unwanted string & causing it to mute. I come from a classical guitar & my fingers are cramped on the Yamaha . Would I be better off with the Martin or do I just need to get my technique down? Thanks

[@thomasjackson7875]

@@paulv8453 I vastly prefer the 1 3/4 inch neck, especially on a short scale guitar. In your case, best to try out if you can find.

[@RawUrbanTraceurs]

What was the last song he played?

[@paschalisantoniou974]

Do they feature a 1piece neck?

[@transval0087]

Pls do a video of yamaha fs800 plsssss...

[@EdwardRenas]

your link for the Taylor is broken af...

[@tacguitar]

Thanks for the heads up :-)

[@CureRadio]

how are the tuners on these guitars? does one stay in tune better? I was curious which one stays in tune better with a capo

[@tacguitar]

Matt, Great question, both sets of tuners are nice, solid, and smooth. As for the tuning stability with a capo, they both require some fine adjustments after application of the capo, but nothing out of the ordinary at all.

[@JohnS-zq8ks]

I bought the GS Mini with a hog top hoping the hog would soften the highs a little. I love it.

[@JohnS-zq8ks]

I think so. I'm a Martin guy, as a matter of overall tone, so the hog top sounds "better' to me. Also, the GS mini more generally was physically smaller than the Martin alternative, which worked by my intended use a little better. I also wanted extra light strings, so I like the adjustability of the Taylor neck for that, because I think they both are designed with mediums.

[@thedraphter]

What is the hog top?

[@JohnS-zq8ks]

hog = mahogany. I think the easiest way to describe it would be that the spruce top would give you a more punchy, loud sound while the mahogany top would give you more of a mellow, subdued sound.

[@maraviyoso8473]

Try koa.

[@andrewbarganier8651]

Does the dreadnought junior fit in the carry on area like the gs mini does

[@lindagillespie6556]

I like the briteness to the taylor

[@georgemathai9583]

Which is better for singing?

[@AlleHamstra]

Both sound great , but Martin is te winner !!

[@air9bloodhand]

low end on the martin sounds a bit more muddy in comparison to the taylor. taylor sounds more tight imoh.

[@bcc1955]

Odd not to even mention the overall length or the included cases for these "travel" guitars.

[@DrFearCo]

Why waste time going into all kinds of detailed measurements... If you like the sound of the guitar, you then go to the Martin or Taylor website and get all the detailed dimensions

[@janettepolt2815]

why not reveal which one you would buy??

[@sallybowles2781]

is the GS mini made with Sapele or Rosewood?

[@IRIDEHARLEYS]

I found this video a bit confusing. As I was watching and listening I would focus on the sound of a guitar. Only to realize there was no clear delineation and the video would flip between both guitars interchangeably. Video would show the body of one guitar while he played then the next guitar. Caught myself going "wait, I thought it was the other one" They sounded similar enough through computer speakers, I can say the video left me and my friends who were watching with me scratching our heads after the video. As others mentioned here before, there wasn't a lot of difference between them soundwise. It would have been nice to have a "This is the Taylor GS Mini" and the playing. Then "This is the Martin Dread Jr" and the playing. Otherwise nice playing!

[@cumming_soon]

love my taylor gs mini mahogany 🖤

[@JeremyGalloway]

Ahhh this editing is so confusing! The guitar literally switches in his hands while he’s playing

[@rgbsam]

What tuning is your guitar in on the first song you played?

[@sidestyle05]

How would either of these work as a primary guitar? Is there any drawback to having a "travel guitar" as your only instrument?

[@alexytterdahl6289]

Less power, less bass, less body, less of many things. But usually not a problem to most people.

[@monkatron]

whats the song at 4:56

[@wyzee6262]

Martin takes it

[@VerrrqHD]

I have played both and the much prefer the GS Mini

[@blitzkrieg2116]

Solid body martin vs laminate GS, some may say GS sounds better but after 20 years gs sound will be the same but martin will be better sounding than today coz of the solid wood body..

[@search2077]

well, the gs mini has layered wood on the back and sides so the gs mini will also sound a lot better as it ages...

[@vateok6840]

@@search2077 nope, solid > layered

[@search2077]

@@vateok6840 yeah I know. I never said that layered is better than solid but what I did say is that the gs mini will also sound better as it ages, maybe not to the same extent as a fully solid guitar but it will definitely get warmer and fuller.

[@vateok6840]

@@search2077 fair enough 👍

[@blitzkrieg2116]

Try comparing gs mahogany top vs D jr all solid sapele..

[@bk3328]

That is precisely what I have been looking for! I have not been able to find any comparisons between those two. How does the warmer sounding GS Mini compare to the fuller sound of the Martin DJR?!

[@afriendlygoblin]

My eyes and ears scream Taylor but there are no Taylor dealers around me. Is it safe to buy it online ?

[@angelitadimaranan9932]

Martin for me!

[@telboy1966manu]

One of each please 🙂🙂🙂😍😍

[@vateok6840]

Djr > gs mini

[@nicholassmith9195]

I prefer the guild jumbo Junior...

[@vateok6840]

The sound is too boxy

[@rdickinsondickinson]

The Martin👍🏼✌️

[@OffgridTV]

3:41

[@mikerunyan1]

Price ? ?

[@Valeu]

I wonder which guitar has the better intonation? You can hear it when you play a standard open C and E Chord. I only tried the Taylor GS Mini and it was not satisfying for me. I wonder how would it be with a Martin Jr.

[@thomasjackson7875]

Intonation is perfect but louder bass notes and deeper body make mine sound like a better strumming guitar. Plugged in, however DrJr sounds tremendous and can be equalized with my Fender acoustic amp. DrJr is just a more solid bigger sounding travel guitar. But I prefer the Martin sound vastly over the Taylors, which mostly underwhelm me.

[@M14r5z9]

Taylor is a little bright for me.

[@alann5003]

Dread Jr. all day.

[@bank4bangkok]

The martin s better for me

[@oldgadget7151]

I own a BT1, I know it's not a GS mini but all Taylors come stock with Elixer nanoweb strings. There is a comparison of the nanoweb strings on youtube, with D'addario coated strings and the Elixer strings just doesn't have a full deep bass sound. Just the fact that the body on the BT1 and GS mini is smaller than a full size alone should shallow down the bass response a bit but the comparison between the Elixer and D'addario strings were stunning. Going to switch over to D'addario when time to change to a new set. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mHuqnYNpmLidnLs From 2:28 to2:54 is a bassy blues riff that really shows how Elixer has very thin bass.

[@lesmcc8103]

I played both and ended up with the Taylor. To me they sounded very different in the store and the Martin didn't play as nice.

[@seb1586]

Les Mcc I agree In real life, the gs mini sounds better than the martin d jr

[@MackDaddyVic]

Tony, I know you were trying so hard not to say the Taylor GS Mini is the better guitar of the 2. Just admit it.

[@tacguitar]

Victor, LOL I will say that I generally lean towards the GS mini :-) That said the Dread Jr. offers a great alternative voice to a travel guitar. It really comes down to which voice suits your playing style and needs the most.

[@dungvuvan7657]

👌

[@mang3139]

Martin...always!

[@maraviyoso8473]

Fanboy. . . ALWAYS!

[@lunatic3832]

I love the sound of martin but my money is just enough for gs mini😌

[@pfosinger]

Link to buyer’s guide seems to be pure promotion for your courses, no guide. Unimpressive.

[@area51803]

Taylor has way warmer base notes

[@charlesk.sarles3166]

I'm looking for some help on trying to identify a guitar of mine. TONY PLEASE HELP IF YOU SEE THIS. A few years ago a friend gave me a little Takamine G series with the Model number CORONA. I've been using it as my travel guitar for YEARs. Recently I realized I cant find the little suckers anywhere. It has a palm tree, the CORONA beer crown above the sound hole, and Kenny Chesney's signature all "etched" into the body somehow. I would really like to know what takamine made it for and if its special in any way. Its a really easy to play bright sounding little guitar, please lemme know!

[@AdoreYouInAshXI]

You'd be far better off asking on a forum, this guy never answers questions or comments in the comments section.

[@GustavoZizu]

Don't you feel you are playing in a kid's guitar on those baby/mini/jr models?

[@mveronie]

No, I feel like I'm playing a campfire guitar.

[@zatoichiable]

i hate the shape of the taylor pick guard....

[@jace76ful]

You know most of the time im a martin man but something about that sound the taylor does seemed more attractive. And i also like dreads better most of the time so this was kinda shocking.

[@dexrael6495]

i hope one day just the martin guitar

[@PaoloCaglioLMT]

If you play the Taylor first you got impressed by the sound. Then you play the Martin... The Martin sounds like a guitar; and you realize that the Taylor sounds like a toy.

[@guitarsid]

not much difference.

[@fransie07]

Martin JR sounds better to me.

[@stefhen71]

taylor tonality is more alive

[@Istibadits]

GS mini has richer sound.

[@shanefields196]

These are travel guitars so doesn't have to sound perfect. They sound VERY similar and ones 100 dollars cheaper sooooo

[@Whitemoon379]

The Martin has a richlite fretboard yuck

[@thomasjackson7875]

Absolutely no difference between my richlite on the DR Jr and the ebony on my M-36 which cost 6x more!

[@fetermcblues]

GS is a toy compared to the Martin

[@AdoreYouInAshXI]

Your fanboyism and ignorant opinion invalidates your comment. Both are great guitars and it comes down to preference, neither is better than the other. I own both and would be willing to bet I have far more play time on them, and I can comfortably say the Taylor plays better and has a more pleasing tone than the Martin, especially plugged. *In my opinion*.

[@michaelmaris7]

I've owned both _ playability may go to Taylor, but tone goes to Martin_ in my opinion build quality also goes to Martin. The Taylor after a few months began to exhibit belly bow_ Belly bow is a common problem on GS mini's.

[@natelloyd6312]

michael maris belly bow is usually due to dried out wood. If you got a humidifier for the sound hole of the guitar I guarantee that the bow will subside.

[@marz444]

michael maris happened to mine n a big way! Shame cos I liked it. I fixed the prob and sold it. 😥

[@lykasevilla4743]

then give me the toy 😂😂✌