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Author Topic: Modifications to new GS-Mini  (Read 6327 times)

SoCalSurf

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Modifications to new GS-Mini
« on: January 04, 2018, 09:47:32 PM »
I was inspired by Davwir's post here on the modifications done to his GS Mini: http://www.unofficialtaylorguitarforum.com/index.php?topic=8670.0

I emailed him and he gave me some pointers. So when my new GS Mini Koa came in, I did the following:

Installed Gotoh 510 minis in ebony
Installed ebony bridge pins with abalone
Installed abalone fret markers
Changed strings to Martin Acoustic Custom Lite

Pic here: https://imgur.com/XPGDxN1

Really happy with the end result.

« Last Edit: January 05, 2018, 10:25:27 AM by SoCalSurf »
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Taylor: GS Mini (koa), 517e, K24ce
Gibson: Hummingbird, SJ-200, SJ-200 12-string, SJ-200 parlor, Woody Guthrie J45 Southern Jumbo
Martin: 0000 Custom Ziricote
Preston Thompson O-Koa

mgap

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Re: Modifications to new GS-Mini
« Reply #1 on: January 04, 2018, 11:08:15 PM »
Nice looking top Koa wood.  The Gotoh 510 are always a nice upgrade.  Plus it is always a good idea IMHO to get rid of the plastic pins, yours look very nice. Congratulations
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zeebow

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Re: Modifications to new GS-Mini
« Reply #2 on: January 05, 2018, 12:10:02 AM »
awesome!!! nice collection behind it too!!

when’s the next one? :)
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1995 912C - englemann/eir
2009 xxxv-p - sitka/madagascar
2010 414ce - sitka/ovangkol (made on my wedding day!)
2011 914ce - cedar/eir
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2017 BTO GC 12 fret - lutz/cocobolo
2019 BTO GC 12 fret - cedar/cocobolo
2019 sheeran w03 - cedar/santos rosewood
2019 lowden s35 12 fret - driftwood cedar/cocobolo
2020 lowden s35 12 fret alpine spruce/madagascar
2023 lowden wee wl-35 12 fret - driftwood cedar/madagascar
2023 martin 00-28 modern deluxe - sitka/eir

Craig

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Re: Modifications to new GS-Mini
« Reply #3 on: January 05, 2018, 03:53:58 AM »
Looking good but what's the score with the abalone fret markers? How did you do those?

Craig
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1978 Music Man Sabre II
1980's Charvel Model 6
2014 816ce First Edition
2014 714ce FLTD Sassafras
2014 K24ce with AA top and Gotoh 510 tuners
2016 GS Mini e Koa
2015 Custom GS Mun Ebony and Engelmann Spruce
2017 Avalon A2-20c
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TaylorGirl

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Re: Modifications to new GS-Mini
« Reply #4 on: January 05, 2018, 05:39:26 AM »
Looks real good! I see you have one of the new ones with the Copafera headstock overlay.
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Susie
Taylors: 914 ○ K24ce ○ 414 ○ GSMeK+
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SoCalSurf

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Re: Modifications to new GS-Mini
« Reply #5 on: January 05, 2018, 10:28:51 AM »
Quote from: Craig on January 05, 2018, 03:53:58 AM
Looking good but what's the score with the abalone fret markers? How did you do those?

Craig

Hi Craig: I ordered sticker fretboard markers on Amazon. Trust me, I was highly skeptical and because they were quite cheap, decided to order them then make a decision once I saw them. They are actually very, very nice and (so far) don't look like stickers at all.

Of course I would never do that with a full-sized or custom guitar but figured it was worth the experiment on a mini.
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Taylor: GS Mini (koa), 517e, K24ce
Gibson: Hummingbird, SJ-200, SJ-200 12-string, SJ-200 parlor, Woody Guthrie J45 Southern Jumbo
Martin: 0000 Custom Ziricote
Preston Thompson O-Koa

SoCalSurf

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Re: Modifications to new GS-Mini
« Reply #6 on: January 05, 2018, 10:31:22 AM »
Quote from: TaylorGirl on January 05, 2018, 05:39:26 AM
Looks real good! I see you have one of the new ones with the Copafera headstock overlay.

Thanks! It does. It also has the es-b tuner/amplifier which I am not so impressed with so far. I find the tuner to be a bit finicky so just use my Snark to tune it. Although I can see the value of having one on a travel guitar-- one less thing to carry.
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Taylor: GS Mini (koa), 517e, K24ce
Gibson: Hummingbird, SJ-200, SJ-200 12-string, SJ-200 parlor, Woody Guthrie J45 Southern Jumbo
Martin: 0000 Custom Ziricote
Preston Thompson O-Koa

sstaylor58

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Re: Modifications to new GS-Mini
« Reply #7 on: January 05, 2018, 06:15:38 PM »
Quote from: TaylorGirl on January 05, 2018, 05:39:26 AM
Looks real good! I see you have one of the new ones with the Copafera headstock overlay.

Looks great.  I too have a koa mini and I change the pins to ebony/abalone, and put Taylor chrome tuners on (love the Gotohs though!).  I really like the Copafera headstock, that is the one thing that always bothered me about the plain black plastic overlays they used until now.  I emailed Taylor to see if they would sell a copafera overlay and they haven’t responded.  Wouldn’t think it would be that difficult to glue one on! Enjoy your mini!
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Craig

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Re: Modifications to new GS-Mini
« Reply #8 on: January 06, 2018, 02:51:52 AM »
Quote from: SoCalSurf on January 05, 2018, 10:28:51 AM
Quote from: Craig on January 05, 2018, 03:53:58 AM
Looking good but what's the score with the abalone fret markers? How did you do those?

Craig

Hi Craig: I ordered sticker fretboard markers on Amazon. Trust me, I was highly skeptical and because they were quite cheap, decided to order them then make a decision once I saw them. They are actually very, very nice and (so far) don't look like stickers at all.

Of course I would never do that with a full-sized or custom guitar but figured it was worth the experiment on a mini.

I always thought those would be pretty crappy, it looks like I was wrong!

Craig
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1978 Music Man Sabre II
1980's Charvel Model 6
2014 816ce First Edition
2014 714ce FLTD Sassafras
2014 K24ce with AA top and Gotoh 510 tuners
2016 GS Mini e Koa
2015 Custom GS Mun Ebony and Engelmann Spruce
2017 Avalon A2-20c
And an Eastman Mandolin!

Visit the UTGF Members Map
http://www.zeemaps.com/map?group=1258011

Guitargeak99

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Re: Modifications to new GS-Mini
« Reply #9 on: January 09, 2018, 10:01:13 PM »
Your KOA looks awesome.
I made some of the same mods to my Spruce.

*ebony tuner buttons
*inlay stickers
*ebony/abalone bridge pins
*maple TR cover
*bone saddle

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mgap

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Re: Modifications to new GS-Mini
« Reply #10 on: January 23, 2018, 11:32:22 PM »
Quote from: Guitargeak99 on January 09, 2018, 10:01:13 PM
Your KOA looks awesome.
I made some of the same mods to my Spruce.

*ebony tuner buttons
*inlay stickers
*ebony/abalone bridge pins
*maple TR cover
*bone saddle

I like it.
Those ebony tuner buttons look great
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Cindy

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Re: Modifications to new GS-Mini
« Reply #11 on: January 24, 2018, 10:59:07 AM »
I like it, too, Guitargeak99. Nicely done! :D
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Cindy

Guitargeak99

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Re: Modifications to new GS-Mini
« Reply #12 on: January 24, 2018, 11:56:35 AM »
This is off topic, but I usually run JP 80/20 lights.
Yesterday I threw some D'Addarrio mediums on it, since that's the gauge string that came on it.

......I don't care much for mediums. The play-ability is fine, since my Luthier set it up when he made the bone saddle and nut.
But it seems to me that the mediums yield "more" sound than the guitar can handle, if that makes sense.
With light strings the tones just seem more clear and focused.

My 2 cents
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-Taylor 322 12 Fret
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SoCalSurf

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Re: Modifications to new GS-Mini
« Reply #13 on: January 24, 2018, 01:07:32 PM »
I, too, prefer the light gauge strings, for playability and tone. I also use a very thin pick (.38mm), so you would think there would be almost no sound coming from the guitar. But it suits my playing style nicely, and I use it solely as a couch instrument. My dog doesn't appear to be too tortured by it.  :)
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Taylor: GS Mini (koa), 517e, K24ce
Gibson: Hummingbird, SJ-200, SJ-200 12-string, SJ-200 parlor, Woody Guthrie J45 Southern Jumbo
Martin: 0000 Custom Ziricote
Preston Thompson O-Koa

dmccrider

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Re: Modifications to new GS-Mini
« Reply #14 on: January 25, 2018, 02:23:51 AM »
Quote from: SoCalSurf on January 04, 2018, 09:47:32 PM
So when my new GS Mini Koa came in, I did the following:

Installed Gotoh 510 minis in ebony


Nice looking GSmini! Those Gotoh tuners tho. You sure know how to treat a lady. "If you like it then you better put a ring on it" haha
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