Unofficial Taylor Guitar Forum - UTGF
Taylor Acoustic & Electric Guitars => Taylor Acoustic & Electric Guitars => Topic started by: Lonnie on February 24, 2022, 03:33:01 PM
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Hi folks, I’m going to be parting ways with my Martin DJr-10e due to the nut width. I want to stay at. 1-11/16”. I currently have Mini Koa Plus that we love. I also have a Martin 000-16GT. I was originally looking to trade the Junior in for the Mini Mahogany until the Academy 12e got my attention. Have some shoulder issues and the 000-16GT is at my top end size. Was hoping the 12e would’ve been a little smaller but According to reviews it feels easier to play. So…. If anyone has any experience with the academy size and playability I’d be grateful for your insight. Now for the mini, I really enjoy Mahogany and thought it might be nice to add it to the mix. Anyone have Koa and hog?
Thanks folks
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Hi Lonnie, and welcome! If I were buying now in that price range, it would definitely be the A12. The arm bevel is nice. Playability is pretty much universally good from Taylor across all their models, and is easily tweaked for any outlying examples.
If you decide to change the setup, make sure to use a Taylor-certified tech. With an NT neck system, shaving the saddle is the very last thing to do and then only to get that last 1/64" of action height below factory spec of 6/64" bass E and 4/64" for the treble e. Most techs will automatically sand the saddle down first to lower action, since that is the only option with a non-adjustable dovetail neck. FYI all of the ten different Taylor guitars I have owned have had acceptable setup and action for me right out of the box - none ever needed any work, and I'm happy with the factory action specs. I did have one where a Taylor tech wanted to change the shims by one increment to lessen the neck angle slightly. I could see his point, but I did not feel it necessary for my playing style.
I own a 114ce and have owned two different GS Mini's (mahogany and spruce tops). I have never owned but have played the A12 several times. Academy 12 is a GC or Grand Concert body size, smaller than a GA or x14 body size, and has the shorter 24-7/8" scale length which is very comfortable. A Martin 000 lower bout width is somewhere between a GC and GA for reference. GS Mini is 23.5" scale which is a bit cramped for many players. That is like playing a normal scale guitar with a capo on the second fret. Both models have a 1-11/16" nut width. You don't get into 1-3/4" nut width until the 300 series, like a 312 GC or a 314 GA. Hope this helps!
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Thanks and yes,that definitely helps. I’ll circle back and look at the 100 & 200 series. Hopefully they have one with similar specs to a-12e. Thanks again for you information.
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The 100's and 200's should theoretically be a step up from the A12. But Taylor does not make as GC version of the 100 series except for the A12, and the 100 & 200 series are all 25.5" scale length. You'll be into 114, 110, 214, etc. There is no 112 or 212, unless I somehow missed them. And only the A12 has a bevel.
Lots of folks really like their 214's because of the mix of features. But that is a GA body -- a bigger size than you want. If you really want a smaller GC body, your choices are the A12 or the 312. I'm sure that someone will soon correct me if I have any of that wrong.
As my hands age, short scale is really becoming my preference. Sub-25" is nice, and I'm really getting comfy with 24.75" scale. Last night I played my custom twelve-string (from another maker) with a short 24.6" scale at a bluegrass jam for two hours. I could not do that with the higher tension of a full-scale twelve-string. I can still play my guitars with 25-1/2" scale length, but 24-3/4" is more like a well broken-in pair of shoes that just fit perfectly. I'd still go for the A12 if it were me.
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Thanks Earl! This really helps.
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+1 for the A12. Nice little guitar but of course so is the mini. We have both here and I would grab the A12 first for sure.
Lots of great info from Earl.
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Thanks for your input. If guitar center ever gets them in I’ll be swapping my DJr-10e on one. It’s a slightly smaller scale and with the bevel I think it will be a little easier to play than my 000-16GT.
Really appreciate you and Earl for your input. Have a good weekend
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Having owned both, I'm in agreement with many of the previous comments. The GS Mini is really nice, but IMHO the A12e is really superior.
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GS Mini vs A12e is really Apples and Oranges. The size and scale length is just so different.
I've had an A12e for 5 years and I would never "upgrade" to a 100 or 200 series guitar. It would seem a pointless waste of money. There's almost no meaningful difference other than cosmetics, and the Academy guitars are superior if you care for the arm bevel.
The minimum I would even consider as an upgrade would the new ad22e.... different darker voice than the Academy but I played one recently and it was an awesome guitar. Played a little easier for whatever reason than my A12e, something better about the neck or setup. And the V-class bracing is noticeable as you play up the neck.
The american dream guitars appeal to me a lot as an academy owner, they are US made guitars with the same philosophy of saving money by eliminating cosmetic bling. 100 and 200 are Mexican Taylors with more cosmetic bling but otherwise near identical construction to the academy series with the main difference being scale.
Since you're interested in smaller guitars I'd look at the new GT ones as well. I have not tried one of those, I think for me the 24 7/8" scale is the minimum I'm happy with, but those are certainly an appealing smaller body size.