Reducing string gauge | Taylor GS Mini

Is it safe to reduce string gauge on my GS mini? What happens if I don’t follow manufacturers recommended string gauge?
Will it affect the sound?
If you’ve ever wondered how to reduce string gauge on a guitar, this video will explain the main considerations and effects of reducing to lighter strings.

[@blueser100]

Very helpful video. There is a lot of misinformation out there on this topic as it relates to the GS Mini.

[@sonusaurelius6576]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching 😊

[@keestoft250]

Helpful video, thanks. The 23.5" short scale on the mini allows Taylor to up to mediums and reduce string floppyness and get the soundboard moving. The 10s sound like Nick Drake's dead string tone, maybe because they're just not moving the top very much so you're hearing more string than guitar, cool sound though.

[@sonusaurelius6576]

Yeah that’s a great point. I certainly don’t mind the sound and tbh the hog needs a string change - they are cheap and old. I’m going to put some elixirs on it soon, so might make another video demo. Thanks for watching and sharing your thoughts!!

[@clayatube]

Informative video. Thanks!

[@sonusaurelius6576]

Pleasure. Thanks for watching, mate!!

[@minkdeville123]

Thanks for this video. I only recently bought a GS Mini. I really struggle with anything over 11 gauge, 10s preferably, but my Mini has had terrible tuning and intonation issues with D'Addario 10s and Ernie Ball Earthwood - as soon as I went to Elixir 12s all the issues went away. I'm going to try Elixir custom light 11s at some point, but I fear that the lowest mine will go is 12s - even though I've adjusted the truss rod. Thanks for the vid.

[@sonusaurelius6576]

Thanks for this. Such a good point about tuning stability. 12s are the magic point. My minis do a good job staying in tune unless I’m bending. I have contemplated upgrading the tuners though. Thanks for watching mate!!

[@pikemartin_]

That riff sounds good man! Just picked one up for travel. I personally play in D standard, so I put a shim under the bridge and adjusted the truss rod up a bit. It's solid. I may play it in a video soon. I'm a guitar addict though, so it may have to wait a bit haha. Look forward to more videos!

[@sonusaurelius6576]

Thank you!! Taylor’s bolt on necks are awesome! Thanks for sharing your tips and be sure to pop a link to your video here if you get around to it - I’d love to hear you play!!

[@pikemartin_]

@@sonusaurelius6576 You can hear me yelling on my channel now lol. Will do 👍

[@sonusaurelius6576]

Just listened to some of your songs! Real deep and powerful. Love it. If you’re ever interested in doing an interview with me on my channel, let me know. I feel like you’ve got a good story to tell.

[@keestoft250]

Useful video thanks. The 10s almost sound like they're old dead strings? Maybe because they're not moving the soundboard very much, cool sound. Taylor says they use mediums on the mini because the very short scale (23.5") drastically reduces string tension so the heavier gauge strings counteract the floppyness and gets the soundboard moving.

[@andyay9079]

I have the gs mini Koa plus and its my lounge guitar. I play it every day. Half a step down like you, and I have put 12's on it. No neck issues. You do lose a bit of umph, but it's a loud guitar to begin with, so no biggie. It's a great guitar; not cheap, but not so expensive that you've got to treat it with kid gloves, unlike my high-end guitar collection.

[@sonusaurelius6576]

Nice one!! Completely agree. Thanks for watching!

[@mickmccuaig8340]

Good stuff. I have a PRS P20E and it came with 12's which I got it setup for but, am looking at going down to 11's. I know I'll probably have to adjust the truss rod which is no probs good to hear some local advice/discussion about it.

[@sonusaurelius6576]

No worries! It’ll play like a dream with 11s!! Enjoy 😊

[@danbgt]

I have an older GS-Mini Koa e. The stock Elixer mediums were removed almost immediately. I tried a few different strings on it and it settled on D’Addario EJ-16 lights. I am in the habit of changing tunings on this guitar regularly. It moves between open C, open D and “standard” tuning quite often. I have never had a problem with it. It settles down quickly. I love this guitar. I have a few others but I am not a professional player. I think if I were required to have only one guitar, this would be the one I would keep.

[@sonusaurelius6576]

Thanks for sharing!! Gs minis are the best!

[@jwrobich]

Thank you for this. I just ordered EJ-16 lights for my GS-Mini after trying and trying to get used to the stock mediums. Can’t wait to put them on!

[@TGRizzle]

String gauge is a personal choice…I think sound quality decreases especially going down to flimsy 10’s. I do 12’s or 13’s and my fingers got used to the heavier strings and the guitar sounds a bit fuller as well. Drop tuning holds up nicely with the heavier strings too.

[@sonusaurelius6576]

Completely agree! Thanks for watching ☺️

[@SKOVDEPETE]

I am fortunate to have “a few” guitars. I’m fascinated about how The GS Mini nevvver loses it’s appeal to please. How many of “us” ha e had the experience of starting on a cheap instrument, poor playability, poor sound… verrry discouraging, whereas if you r fortunate to have parents to support a good instrument from the start like the GSMini… You never want to put it down. I was nooot that fortunate of course. But, I have a grandchild with a grandpa(😀) who can afford giving one to Her 😍😍😍 I enjoyed your review a lot 🙏😍

[@sonusaurelius6576]

Thanks! You sound like a great and loving grandparent 😊 hope you show her some nice riffs too 😜

[@dominiqueceretti8712]

This was such a helpful video. I’vd been looking to try lighter gauge strings in my gs mini to ease playability but was a bit nervous that it might change the guitar’s sound - now I know exactly what to expect and am excited to try them out 😊 Thank you!!!

[@sonusaurelius6576]

I’m so glad the video helped! Thanks for watching 😊

[@ben-jammin2284]

Cool comparison! Thanks for sharing! That Mahogany mini sure looks like spruce! Is it a spruce top with laminate mahogany back? Sounds great!

[@sonusaurelius6576]

Hi ben! Thanks for watching. Dude! That’s such a good question. So this is a 2012 and I bought it second hand. the woman i bought it off said it was a mahogany. It doesn’t have the bold and dark flaming of a mahogany, so I questioned it too. When you look at old videos the 2012 spruce tops had that typical yellow tone and I know Taylor don’t tone them. So it’s either a hog or a spruce that had aged into its darker colour. I should probably check if the serial number has any clues. Might make a good guitar mystery video 😂

[@EXATTIC]

Running Ernie Ball Earthwood Extra Light 10-50. Works great!

[@sonusaurelius6576]

Awesome! I just changed over the Martin retros and I’m in two minds. Prefer the overall balance and warmer tone over the d’addario XS but feel they sound too brittle.

[@M5guitar1]

I put on 12s, Martin Retro monel on my GS mini mahogany. It's great. My biggest complaint is the narrow neck. My wife has a Martin Jr. and I prefer the slightly wider neck.

[@sonusaurelius6576]

Ah sweet! I’m about to make a video about Martin retros on the koa plus to see if it will reduce some of the brightness and balance out the overall tone. How did you find the sound changed after putting yours on?

[@brodylockwood14]

Hey mate, nice video. I plan to get a mahogany version. Can you tell me how yhe action is on this guitar by default? I dont have an option close to me to have it lowered so I'm hoping it comes fairly low.

[@sonusaurelius6576]

Hey brody, the action on the GS minis is perfect for 13 gauge strings. If you plan on putting lighter gauge strings on it and you’re not happy with the action, try adjusting the truss rod. if that doesn’t work for you, your options are,noting your circumstances, to get a Taylor dealer to adjust the neck angle (cost of a service) and, as a last resort, shave down the saddle.

Martin Silk&Steel are the lightest strings that still sound good in my opinion

[@sonusaurelius6576]

Good tip! Thanks

[@Half_Moon_Bay]

Great clip. What's the song you played? It's beautiful! I'd love to be able to play it.

[@sonusaurelius6576]

Hey mate! Yeah people have asked about it a lot. It’s from a song I recently finished. If you’re interested I could cobble together a dodgy tutorial??

[@Half_Moon_Bay]

@@sonusaurelius6576 That would be great!! Thank you so much!! 🙏🙂

[@spitakiApps]

Nice video! What is the song you’re playing? Any chance for TABS? Thanks

[@sonusaurelius6576]

It’s an original song that’s I’ve only recently finished. I don’t have tab for it but I’ve had a lot of people ask about it. Would it be helpful if I made a quick video showing how to play it?

[@Jvls-lc7ce]

​@@sonusaurelius6576 Yes please!

[@user-uk2jq9gx2u]

ooogh 10's may as well use elastic bands.... unless you playing by blowing on the strings

[@sonusaurelius6576]

Thanks for watching!!

[@JagAss-ls7ie]

The show must go on, leaf blowers be damned!

[@sonusaurelius6576]

😂😂😂

[@dangrather1280]

Tried 12s on my mini. Nope. 13s went back on.

[@sonusaurelius6576]

Thanks!!

[@7thheaventruth]

No they don’t Taylor comes with 12 dude look up the specs not 13 I have a mini also

[@sonusaurelius6576]

Go down to specs and other .013 - .056. www.taylorguitars.com/guitars/acoustic/gs-mini-e-koa-plus

[@7thheaventruth]

@@sonusaurelius6576 for 2019 And older. 2020 and newer is 12’s may 2021 came with 12’s they stopped using 13 because it was too much stress on the neck and it peeled up the top of the guitar from the body

[@sonusaurelius6576]

​@@7thheaventruth Seems like you've idntified an error and they need to update their website. As per the link above if you look at the specs they still reference 13s. Good pick up!!

[@7thheaventruth]

@@sonusaurelius6576 yes 👍 I did see that 13’s my 2021 came with 12’s 2020 and newer 2019 and older 13’s

[@spanktrain]

Sorry bud but this is incorrect. Minis still come with 13's as standard. I work in a music shop and we ship out many minis weekly, I check set ups etc on them and absolutely none have 12's on them. All XS PB 13's this is due to the short scale needing the extra tension to excite the top to resonate at its full potential. Maybe yours was restrung by the merchant you bought it from before being sold?

[@smallnuts2]

I'm finding the 13 guage is harder to strum. I get stuck in the middle of the strings. Maybe it's me but I'm going to try 12 guage. I use to play a Gibson. Stopped for 20 years. Im getting back into it. Bout a new Taylor GS Mini mahogany last month.

[@sonusaurelius6576]

GS minis are a great way to get back into playing!! Change the strings for sure if they don’t work for you ☺️ thanks for watching!