Taylor GS Mini-e Rosewood LTD 50th Anniversary

A special edition of Taylor’s popular small guitar.

November 7, 2024

Originally introduced in 2009, Taylor’s ¾-size GS Mini model became an instant success. Larger than the company’s travel-size Baby Taylor, but significantly more compact than the grand concert, the GS Mini has proven itself to be hugely versatile. Whether used as a travel guitar, as an instrument for kids, as a main guitar for smaller adults, or simply as a comfortable couch guitar, the model has become an integral part of Taylor’s line. It’s no surprise that Taylor included it in their 50th Anniversary Collection. I’ve played many GS Minis over the years, and I welcomed the opportunity to check out the GS Mini-e Rosewood LTD 50th Anniversary version in the Peghead Nation video studio.

GS Minis have been built with a variety of wood combinations. The original version built with a spruce top and sapele back and sides continues to be available (check out Peghead Nation Beginning Guitar instructor Adrianne Serna demonstrating her long-time favorite GS Mini), but over the years, many variations and wood combinations have been offered, and the series currently includes 15 different models. For the 50th anniversary edition, Taylor chose the proven combination of a solid spruce top and layered (laminated) Indian rosewood back and sides. The guitar has a satin, open-pore finish, similar to the one Taylor uses on its American Dream series instruments, and our demo guitar had the sunburst finish option (a natural version is also available). The guitar sports the firestripe pickguard that can also be found on some other 50th anniversary models, giving it a hint of a vintage appearance. While some earlier GS Minis have less sophisticated pickup systems than full-size Taylors, the guitars now include the company’s standard ES2 electronics, making them more than capable stage instruments.

With a short 23.5-inch scale, GS Minis have always offered super-easy playability, and the GS Mini-e Rosewood LTD is no exception. While many adult players find that the fingerboards of smaller guitars can feel a bit cramped, I’ve always found GS Minis to have a more grown-up feel. With a scale that makes fretting-hand stretches considerably more manageable than a typical full-size guitar, GS Minis are fabulous choices for practicing, and, of course, players with small hands may find that playing one is a total revelation. GS Minis have always offered a bigger and more mature sound than you might assume based on their small size. Rosewood back and sides are typically associated with a rich bass and lower fundamental tone than some other woods, and this GS Mini-e Rosewood LTD had great balance and warmth, making it fun to play and living up to the expectation that GS Minis are “the little guitars that could.”

Regardless of the context the guitar is used in, the GS Mini-e Rosewood LTD is a great variation on this venerable series. I enjoyed playing our demo guitar sitting on the couch and was impressed by how it sounded plugged into our Fishman amp. I certainly wouldn’t hesitate to take it along to a gig. If you’re in the market for a compact guitar, one of the LTDs (limited to 1974 pieces) is also an inexpensive way to own a 50th anniversary Taylor!