GS Mini Bass Problems

[William L]

I bought a new GS Mini Bass last week from GC and it came in with a cracked neck at the headstock. Returned it and ordered another one. It arrived today and the open A string has an awful buzz. I shoved a folded up piece of paper under the string at the nut and it was better but not completely gone. This ones is going back also. I give up. Not the quality control I would expect from Taylor. I have 2 other Taylor guitars that I love  and they're fine.

[Earl]

William, a cracked head stock is more likely a shipping problem.  They use a scarf joint like all other Taylor guitars, and that glued joint is actually stronger than the surrounding wood.  The other issue sounds like a marginal/poor setup, which can be placed on Taylor's shoulders - unless a prior owner (returned test drive) or GC modified the nut before it got to you.

[Edward]

Hey William, welcome to the forum!

I agree with Earl 100%. 

1. There is no issue that I've ever heard --ever-- of Taylor headstock breaks.  Look up Gibson et.al. and you'll see differently.  That is straight-up a shipping malady for guit #1. 

2.  No one ever knows how long guitars have been in a given GC, let alone how they were stored.  The nicer GCs have a humidity-controlled room for acoustics, but who knows about this store, or even whether the bass was in a room or sitting in the warehouse drying out for who knows how long.  Add to this unknown the winter season where relative humidity is near nil, again potentially adding to the buzz.  My point is the same as Earl's: it's a setup thing.  And likely easily remedied.  Call the factory and they can refer you to an authorized tech who will address the setup, gratis. 

Edward