I recently purchased a Baby Taylor (6 string) to use as a travel guitar. When a commented to a friend about the shorter than standard scale length he said "sounds like you have a soprano guitar".
But they are handy for travel...by canoe, Honda Civic, bush plane, elephant, etc. If you get the hardshell case with the baby, it'll fit in the overhead on most commercial flights.
Not that I own one--can't get myself around that "screw on" neck.
I owned one for a couple of days, but ended up returning it to the store for a refund. Even when all the strings were in tune, the notes up and down the frets were often slightly out of tune. I have spoken to others that have played them and this is a common problem. All guitars have slight variations in pitch between frets to some extent, but the pitch issue was more pronounced on the Baby. This is the consequence of trying to maintain full size guitar pitches on a significantly smaller instrument. On the other hand, it is amazing how much of a big guitar sound and feel they have packed into a small package. So if you want something to practice with, or knock around with, it is a good buy, but beware if you buy one for performance, as it is fussy. That being said, it is beautifully made, and while it does have visible screw heads on the neck (which allowed them to keep down the cost of the instrument) it is a nice little guitar.
Al Brown
I have tried these in shops, and my feeling is that the logo on the headstock is not a guarantee of quality, but merely a selling point through association with Taylor's high quality full-size guitars. There are small bodied guitars (including some Czech-built teardrop shaped instruments) of equal or better quality available at a fraction of the price.
I've played a dozen or more Baby Taylors. Some were very good, and some weren't. If you're in the market for one, try a bunch out till you find one you like.
Ibanez makes a small scale guitar also. The one I played was a full quality guitar--block-set neck, bound fingerboard, quality wood throughout. It played better than any of the Taylors for about $100 USD less.
Another option would be a parlour guitar. Seagull and Larrivee both make one. I personally liked the sound of these instruments over the baby Taylor. I ended up with the Seagull for its sound and durability. It is great for knock around situations, such as campsites, that are dangerous for a full size, expensive guitars. And I don't have to worry about sharing it with someone else who might not treat my good guitar with the kind of care I do.
To get back to the original post, my point was in response to another thread wherein the writer inquired as to the meaining of a "soprano guitar". (I must of hit the wrong button and started a new thread, so it did appear out of context.) I'm finding I don't like the Baby Taylor as much as longer scale travel guitars, say the Martin Backpacker. I just can't fit my fingers between the frets, and where's the fun in that? For that same reason I'll probably never be a mando player either...
Baby Taylor
Baby Taylor
I recently purchased a Baby Taylor (6 string) to use as a travel guitar. When a commented to a friend about the shorter than standard scale length he said "sounds like you have a soprano guitar".
# Posted on October 31st 2004 by SteveM
Re: Baby Taylor
Whats your point?
# Posted on November 1st 2004 by Justintime
Re: Baby Taylor
Baby taylors sound just like a normal full size guitar, but not as good . . .
# Posted on November 1st 2004 by Justintime
Re: Baby Taylor
But they are handy for travel...by canoe, Honda Civic, bush plane, elephant, etc. If you get the hardshell case with the baby, it'll fit in the overhead on most commercial flights.
Not that I own one--can't get myself around that "screw on" neck.
# Posted on November 1st 2004 by Will Harmon
Re: Baby Taylor
I owned one for a couple of days, but ended up returning it to the store for a refund. Even when all the strings were in tune, the notes up and down the frets were often slightly out of tune. I have spoken to others that have played them and this is a common problem. All guitars have slight variations in pitch between frets to some extent, but the pitch issue was more pronounced on the Baby. This is the consequence of trying to maintain full size guitar pitches on a significantly smaller instrument. On the other hand, it is amazing how much of a big guitar sound and feel they have packed into a small package. So if you want something to practice with, or knock around with, it is a good buy, but beware if you buy one for performance, as it is fussy. That being said, it is beautifully made, and while it does have visible screw heads on the neck (which allowed them to keep down the cost of the instrument) it is a nice little guitar.
Al Brown
# Posted on November 1st 2004 by AlBrown
Re: Baby Taylor
I have tried these in shops, and my feeling is that the logo on the headstock is not a guarantee of quality, but merely a selling point through association with Taylor's high quality full-size guitars. There are small bodied guitars (including some Czech-built teardrop shaped instruments) of equal or better quality available at a fraction of the price.
# Posted on November 1st 2004 by CreadurMawnOrganig
Re: Baby Taylor
I've played a dozen or more Baby Taylors. Some were very good, and some weren't. If you're in the market for one, try a bunch out till you find one you like.
Ibanez makes a small scale guitar also. The one I played was a full quality guitar--block-set neck, bound fingerboard, quality wood throughout. It played better than any of the Taylors for about $100 USD less.
# Posted on November 1st 2004 by Will Harmon
Re: Baby Taylor
Another option would be a parlour guitar. Seagull and Larrivee both make one. I personally liked the sound of these instruments over the baby Taylor. I ended up with the Seagull for its sound and durability. It is great for knock around situations, such as campsites, that are dangerous for a full size, expensive guitars. And I don't have to worry about sharing it with someone else who might not treat my good guitar with the kind of care I do.
# Posted on November 2nd 2004 by rob zouk
Re: Baby Taylor
To get back to the original post, my point was in response to another thread wherein the writer inquired as to the meaining of a "soprano guitar". (I must of hit the wrong button and started a new thread, so it did appear out of context.) I'm finding I don't like the Baby Taylor as much as longer scale travel guitars, say the Martin Backpacker. I just can't fit my fingers between the frets, and where's the fun in that? For that same reason I'll probably never be a mando player either...
# Posted on November 7th 2004 by SteveM