any fancy GS minis without electronics?

[terrypl]

I had a mahogany-top GS mini that was a fun addition to my guitar collection, but my daughter "kidnapped" it. I'd like to get another one, but something different this time, such as one with koa or rosewood veneer. But it seems that all the "fancier" GS minis have electronics, which I don't want.

Do fancier GS minis exist without electronics?

[timfitz63]

I haven't followed the GS Mini line much, so I don't know off-hand whether a no-electronics version of, say, the GS Mini Koa is currently available; check the Taylor web site.  Not so many years ago (3-4 to be exact), the GS Mini line came standard without any electronics, and Taylor offered an extra-price, drop-in component called ES-Go to provide an acoustic pick-up for the GS Mini.

If none are available sans the electronics in the currently line-up, you can try looking for a GS Mini that's 3-4 years old; about that time the standard body laminate was Sapele, but there were a couple of limited editions that came out with different laminates and no onboard electronics:  Blackwood, Maple, and Rosewood (2012 Spring Limiteds); and Koa and Rosewood (Fall 2013).

[terrypl]

I haven't looked that hard, but whenever I have browsed eBay or other sales sites, I haven't seen any GS minis offered with fancier veneers and no electronics. Maybe they are out there from a few years ago. Perhaps people just like to hold on to them, so don't offer them for sale!

[DannyF]

I have a GS Mini Koa with built in electronics and a GS Mini Rosewood that I added the ES-Go to it, I also had a Mahogany one.
There's only a slight difference with the Koa being the better one in sound and looks, in my opinion.
The 3 knobs on top are never any hindrance, so I prefer them over the non electronic ones.
Danny

[terrypl]

I do like the look of those koa GS minis, but I really don't want one with electronics for a couple of reasons — I don't want to pay for something I would never use, and I really think the knobs detract from the all-natural look I'd like it have. I don't mind the knobs on a guitar that I would actually use for a live gig. But I liked my mahogany mini as an always available TV room guitar, not one that would replace one of my higher-end acoustics. Hope Taylor releases some other options for non-electric GS minis.

[michaelw]

... Do fancier GS minis exist without electronics?

there was the blackwood LTD
https://www.taylorguitars.com/guitars/acoustic/gs-mini-blackwood

& the holden village maple mini with engelmann top in 2014
http://www.holdenvillage.org/book/holden-guitar/

[Jscrofani]

I recently saw a GS Mini Koa with tortoise (tape) binding and fretboard decals that looked like the Cindy inlay. It looked Awesome. 

[Minnesotaman]

I had a mahogany-top GS mini that was a fun addition to my guitar collection, but my daughter "kidnapped" it. I'd like to get another one, but something different this time, such as one with koa or rosewood veneer. But it seems that all the "fancier" GS minis have electronics, which I don't want.

Do fancier GS minis exist without electronics?

I was just on the Taylor website looking to see if they could add electronics to my 412r (they can). They also stated that any of their guitars with electronics can be ordered without electronics. Just talk to your local dealer and they can order it for you.

[terrypl]

any of their guitars with electronics can be ordered without electronics. Just talk to your local dealer and they can order it for you.

Good to know! Thanks!

[Minnesotaman]

You're welcome, glad I could help.