Setting the Record Straight - Grand Theater vs. GS Mini

Setting the record straight on the Grand Theater vs GS mini. Marcus sits down and explains why there is a sound and price difference between the GT (Grand Theater) and the GS Mini acoustic guitars. Comparing the guitars this way will give you the opportunity to hear the guitars back to back. Also featured is a TaylorK21e. Thanks for watching!

[@cajunqueen5125]

i'm coming to this vid two years late, but still very helpful, thanks for posting this

[@haggertysmusicworks]

Of course! We are always happy to help!

[@jammininthejammies4982]

I would hope it sounds bigger and better, given that it’s almost $1000 more expensive and has solid back and sides…at that price point, there are many options. The GS Mini is king at what it does, especially at its price point.

[@sizzlemann]

Love the new GT series. Waiting and hoping for a GT321e with Tasmanian Blackwood and Mahogony top. 🤞

[@texhaines9957]

I'm hoping for a GT 511e with cedar top and (2 to 4) piece Koa back.

[@markreams3192]

I’m waiting for a GT321e as well

[@jays2515]

They both sound awesome. I've had my GS Mini for over 10 years, bought the GTE when they first came out, totally different guitars, would never give up either, I love playing both of them

[@glennalexander220]

So, will the GT fit in the overhead too??

[@jimdowney9386]

Every guitar shape and size has its own unique sweet spot. If your playing style syncs to up your guitar’s happy place, you’re golden.

[@joshsimpson79]

I have the Mahogany GT and GS Mini. I love them both. I use the GT for Sunday morning church and I use the Mini around the house and doing music with kids. It has its songs and that’s ok. I’m 5ft 8 and those sizes are great for me.

[@cloutdoors5674]

Great explanation. anyone making those comments needs to watch this video. Although, whether you intended to or not, sounded like you were plucking the GT a little harder for more volume

[@banjomandolin]

“I don’t have time, it just keeps going!”

[@skentmar105]

I bought a GT UA in November 2020 and I love it. Great sustain, huge low end for its size. I love your editorial.

[@texhaines9957]

Use headphones for demo. I have a GS Mini, GT 811e and 812ce 12 fret Deluxe and sing and play them all. Different guitar voices for different needs/audiences. Cost? If I had to pick one, probably the GT. They compliment my D-28 and J-45. Yes, you need to play these and sing with them to know what you're buying. Thanks for the video.

[@keith.loves.lasagna]

Thank you for this video. For what you said... but also for a good demo. Theres several demos of the GT and they're all great, but none really focused on fingerpicking like you had, which is my preferred music. So thanks again! Take care!

[@juzzie]

Superb review!!

[@robmartinez7517]

A bigger body guitar will sound different from a smaller body guitar. I have a GS mini e koa plus and would not trade it for anything. I bought it BECAUSE it is smaller and sounds great for its size.

[@wesd3742]

Same here, I have a ridiculously beautiful koa mini GS and it is unreal. It has opened up a ton in the last 5 years.

[@Amazativity]

The Grand Theater definitely has a fuller, loader, and deeper sound. I love it. Great review. I want one. I’m currently playing a Seagull Artist Concert Hall (think Martin 000) with a 1”8 nut. I’m going to try the GT and see how my hands react to the narrower nut. Awesome review!

[@1970sman]

Thank you for this. You have just proven how amazing the GS mini is. GT no thanks.

[@seethowaikeng7826]

Agree.....

[@wb35mm]

I payed the GT UA and the GS Mini hog and spruce side by side at a guitar shop. The GT UA was the best sounding guitar of these 3, no doubt about it. I bought the GS Mini hog, this was the guitar for my budget and my purpose. She lives now in my country house, is ideal for playing in the garden and the woods. And the laminated back and sides help her to survive the different temperatures and climates (non heated house during the week vs wood stoves an weekends).

[@joshsimpson79]

After years of having several guitars, I was pretty much only playing my GS Mini. I'm not a huge guy, and also having "chemo fingers" I appreciate the smaller scale. When the GTe came out, I had to try it. It's similar size, but a big enough upgrade that I can play it at gigs, church, etc. Is the price difference quite a bit? Yes. But I went for it and have no regrets. I'll use the GT for performances and other bigger deal performances. The GS Mini will continue to be played at home, camping, etc. I'm glad I have both. (Both of my guitars are mahogany).

[@Reyn_the_Insane]

What's the fret distance like on both of them? I have extremely small hands but I also want more projection that the GT offers. The fret distance will make or break my decision.

[@TheAdrian91706]

I will take the mini and with so many modeling pedals the Mini can sound like anything and even better!

[@scottrempel7243]

Great demo and discussion about size/quality/value. I bought the GT UA after a few plays and love it. The GT Koa is spectacular but was out of my price range. My GS Mini Mahogany is now for sale….

[@imaaniswki1288]

Hey, I've been meaning to buy a new guitar and I really like the GT's body size because it's small enough that it's comfy but big enough that I has some depth and loudness Do you know any other 7/8 steel string guitars with good quality that would be under $600? I can only find classical ones. Thanks!

[@dezscott46]

Foolish Games by Jewels should always be played on a Taylor ,Thanks for the demo i have the gs mini e for my main acoustic guitar and was thinking of upgrading it to an all solid wood guitar and this i was thinking of ...Thanks

[@mariojavier345]

Love this video

[@monjy999]

Can you plane travel with the GT? will it fit in the overhead compartment?

[@davidclark6436]

Is the gt a smaller than full size neck,making it easier to play than full size

[@NetMillionaire]

That koa sounds like a violin! Wow 🤩

[@tinastarlingmusic]

please do you know which kind of strings this comes with? 12. 13, ?

[@uptopmikep7065]

Thanks for the great review. They are different guitars and they are built with different purposes in mind. I will NEVER take my totally custom Pimentel acoustic out of the house again. It's a $10K work of art. I WILL travel with my GS-mini. That's why I bought it. It's also easier to sit on the sofa with it and noodle around. Again, different guitars for different applications and different voicing and tonal characteristics.

[@brianclark641]

I have the Martin 000cjr 10e Streetmaster and hoping to add a ad11e sb later this year…I love the size and playability which is the same as the GTe

[@joeholland4936]

It seems that you play the mini with less enthusiasm than the gt.

[@henrickcamacho4543]

I was about to say that 😂 with gt he did a couple of harmonics 🤡

[@RobertEMason]

For the price difference the Mini wins hands down to my ears and pocketbook

[@janmichaeljablonsky9847]

Pure Propaganda. I have larger than average hands and like many guitarists such as myself, I have no trouble playing the Mini. It's a fine guitar at a fair price. You don't have to be sitting on the beach to play it, that's for damn certain. I've played the GT and I like it, however, to my ear, my GS Mini mahogany has a superior tone, though of course, it doesn't project as well. If Taylor comes out with a GT Urban Ash with a solid Mahogany top, I just may pull the trigger, but not until then.

[@davidharvin5937]

Jan , I'm right there with you . I love mine and play out all the time with it . This video left me thinking , this is simply a video saying "i like this one better than that one", that is valid enough as personal choice , but as far as giving advice on design/sound/utiliuty to a community of players , this vid is dead on arrival , making a fabricated issue out of something which was a non issue to begin with

[@paulv8453]

I don’t remember the last time I’ve been at a camp fire & I live far from any beach. I’m looking at the mini for its playability & nothing else. 😄👍

[@fkcamry88]

The law of diminishing returns dictates that the GS mini is the better value during the sound comparison. The GT edges it out but not enough to justify the cost.

[@TheSoulmatesFamily]

the law of diminishing returns works well for both as long as you play it as much as you can. A solid wood guitar makes a lot of difference in tone and overtones than laminates. If you think about how the guitar will give you returns, then you should really use it a lot and enjoy the music it produces.

[@thebouncinghearts]

FYI the GS mini is also "A real guitar"....this isn't "setting the record straight", it is merely you adding your own, subjective, opinion to all the others on youtube.

[@mixstagram]

Will the GT fit in an overhead compartment? That’s the only reason I got a mahogany GS. I like it but the action is kind of shitty and isn’t able to be any lower. I’ve tried myself and taken it in to be adjusted. It’s just not possible with out creating some buzz. Seriously considering the GT now but not sure about the size for an airplane

[@haggertysmusicworks]

Even though the GT series are a smaller body, they probably will not fit in the overhead compartment as a carry on. It would be best to check with the TSA/Airline you plan to fly with too, as their requirements could change over time. Hope this helps!

[@glennalexander220]

Does anyone know if the GT will fit in the overhead?

[@robinanneluciahachadoorian2134]

I agree with you, which sadly is a problem. I don't heed the noise on the internet, I listen to the sound of the guitar with the music I write & play. Its how I came to find Taylor to begin with.I LOVE the SOUND of the GT Ash Urban compared to the sound of the GS mini (more than the other small guitars) I want a warm, rich, full sound. I have a Taylor (from 1993) which I love but I want an acoustic electric & smaller neck (I have small hands). The GT is twice the money but it SOUNDS worth it. It will take more time to pay for it but the more I LISTEN the more I know the time it takes to pay for it feels & sounds worth the price, Doesn't the solid body as you said make a difference & the pickups aren't they better as well? Again, I AGREE WITH YOU. My wallet wishes they were the same price, my ears hears why it they are not. Any Ideas?

[@KayZee1957]

Without a doubt, a guitar this good for beginners should have an Academy Version. I think of these as a true short scale double Oh.

[@richardhowell9535]

I was stationed in Rapid City!!

[@markreams3192]

A guitar is not a New York strip steak. They don’t sell by the pound! It’s about the tone woods. It takes more time to builds solid wood guitar. The tone wood in the back and sides is more expensive. I have both of these guitars. The GT has the biggest sound of any small guitar I’ve ever played. It’s well worth the price of the guitar! Why would anyone pay so much more for the K21? It’s the same size and weight as the GT. Let’s go back to the steak idea. You can season and grill a choice steak and it will taste great! If you’ve ever had a prime steak, you know that the taste and tenderness is out of this world! You pay twice as much for that steak! You really enjoy that steak so it’s worth it. Take that enjoyment and multiply it by nearly every day you play your guitar! It’s worth the extra money! I have a GS mini rosewood and play it a lot and enjoy it (choice steak). I pick up the GT and with the first strum, I think wow, this is a beautiful instrument (prime steak)! If you can afford prime steak, eat it. It doesn’t have to be every meal, but treat yourself!

[@FloridaDave_]

Right On! I have a GS mini-e Mahogany and looking to upgrade to the GT or the 224ce-k dlx. I just need to get into a store and play them

[@2speedy4u22]

It's too bad that the sound sample of the guitars doesn't speak for themselves. I like both guitars, the GT sounds great with finger picking, but the GS is an amazing all rounder at a great price. I think the problem is people expected the GT to just be a better GS mini, but it's really not. Rather a different guitar that excels at different things.

[@JAGProductionss]

But this GT 800 series lacks its 800 appointment like inlays, bevels

[@7thheaventruth]

I say play what calls your soul not your wallet the GS Mini do not underestimate the Mini Mahogany

[@seethowaikeng7826]

Yup your hands are big so the gs mini 1 11/16 nut is too small for u. But i notice you played lightly on the gsmini but you played with stronger strokes and thats why the GT is louder. I played back to back between gsmini and GT urban ash and the gsmini is more responsive and louder than the GT. I bought the GSmini and left the GT at the shop. Even the Taylor authorized sales person agrees the GSmini is way better than GT. Sad but true

[@7thheaventruth]

??? Why didn’t you play the mini asking for a friend

[@akak8299]

GS Mini 3:42 GT 5:08

[@SkankVideosTv]

I got your point, but in this video you don't play them in the same manner. You barely touch the GS mini, while hitting more seriously the GT. Of course that the GT projects more sound in this case.

[@Tephymusic]

anyone wishing for a GT with cutaway?

[@gggrindingguitaristgg3474]

I played a GT UA at a store recently and was surprised by its sustain and overtones playing fingerstyle. Wasn't particularly impressed strumming it, but fingerpicking with it was nice. I also felt like it has more warmth than usual Taylors imho. But it's expensive... :)

[@KevinMillard68]

layered back and sides is not a drawback at all the body wood make no differnece ...the top and your strings you use and the height of your stings 100% sure does matter tho in all acoustics

[@mrneeraj]

did he say he's not a big guy he's just 5' 11'' ?

[@trafiak8]

He did yes. 5’11” is an average height for men

[@jackchow6668]

The talking is louder than the guitars through out the whole clips , thanks for setting the records

[@edfulginiti8798]

Buy the guitar that talks to you at a price you can handle. Done.

[@bradubow]

GS mini 700 + - , GT 3000 not at all a reasonable comparison

[@daviddowie828]

I've played both of these guitars, and there is not $1000 dollars worth of difference in tone. Maybe if you are a professional you could justify it because you may get the difference back in fees ..but if your a bar player or just play for fun, then the GS mini is more than enough guitar for anyone. The idea that this dude is selling that normal players need several expensive guitars to choose what tone they need for the occasion... Utter BS.

[@lucetamdoute8955]

Thé GT is made in usa and not in Mexico

[@musikus7092]

Too much talk and almost no play

[@jimsatterfield8748]

video/audio not in synch.