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Taylor GS Mini-e Bass

#9
After buying an Ibanez Mikro I came to the conclusion that short scales aren't really my thing. Ive had longer short scales I liked, a Danelectro Longhorn, a Hofner Beatle bass, and one other a long time ago. While 30" scale is ok, the only one I have left besides the Mikro, which I hardly play, is a Stu Hamm Urge I. I have finally decided that 32" scale is about as short as I want to use to actually gig with. And by that I mean I don't just sit around the house and play, most of my playing is done on the gig. I've wanted to get a Hofner Club bass but I fear it will just sit most of the time. I think I'd like to have a short 5 string but I've never played one to find out for sure. I've been looking at the Ibanez BTB 33 with interest and if I find a used one cheap enough I might grab it. Especially since it can be strung E-C or B-G. I'm just not ready to drop a grand on something that's a " maybe this will work out" and certainly not on an acoustic that will not see enough stage time to pay its keep and give me a return on my investment. YMMV etc.
 
#10
I am a big fan of very short scales, I've DIY'd several from 25-3/4" scale guitars (solid, semi-hollow, and hollow bodies). I also use a Gold Tone MBass, Guild Ashbory and Kala UBass.

My favorite conversion is the one I based on an Ibanez AF-55 hollowbody:

Ibanez AF-55 Bass Conversion.jpg


After watching the video on the Taylor site, I prefer my conversion. It sounds better, can use any standard short scale strings I choose, and it cost me less than a third of what the Taylor costs. I've been gigging with the Ibanez exclusively for the last several months and it works very well.
 
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#11
I think a GS Mini bass is brilliant! A sofa bass, a camping bass, an acoustic jam bass. But come on Taylor, A SPRUCE TOP???? This thing needs to be MAHOGANY!!!

It ticks me off, because you know Taylor will release a mahogany version in a couple of years. So looks like I'll be stuck waiting until then. :(
 
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#13
I'm interested.
Mostly for the reasons listed by others (couch, camp, busk) but I am also considering it as an alternative to my upright for some of the very tiny spaces I play in. I have owned a u-bass in the past, but ultimately couldn't handle such a small scale bass. I do like 30" scale, and have a 30" Lull p-bass being custom built for me. So having this one at 23 1/2" might still work for me. I definitely will try before I buy, because I'm not sure the trebly nature of the strings and typical Taylor voicing will work for me. Plus, the demo on the website is not amplified, so there is no idea what it will sound like plugged in.
So, for now, watching with strong interest.
 
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#14
Well, that's nice for short scale ABG fans, but for me.... :meh:
That's because of width of usability is so very, very narrow, just like the uke-style "bassettes".
Also, almost $1K is a lot of dough to get a little fun out of it every now and then (and I wonder how long 'til it's orphaned into the closet).
But...YMMV
 
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#18
I'm thinking pretty seriously about this little guy.

I owned a DeArmond Ashbory years ago, and everyone kept bugging me to double on it- not just for acoustic music, but any tune where a fat, thumpy pseudo-upright tone was a good fit. Similar to a muted P-Bass with flats, but in a different way.

I've been looking for a replacement lately, and have been spending a fair amount of time with the U-Bass, Goldtone, etc. but so far, nothing has really clicked.

The Taylor is particularly interesting to me, because of the things I struggle with on all the "rubber basses":

1. Lack of expression:
  • Once you figure out EQ and how to attack the string just right, you can keep them in tune and get some good upright-ish tones.
  • You can also open the treble up a bit, for a closer approximation of a conventional EB.
  • Other than that, there's no much range of expression: they may sound OK, but they feel dead, like playing a bass patch on a cheap keyboard.
  • Perhaps I'm just not cut out to be a "utility bassist"- self-expression and the pleasure of varied, pleasing tones are big motivators for me.
2. Fit and playability:
  • It astonished me how easy it was to play in tune on the Ashbory, despite the small scale.
  • Still, it felt foreign, like holding a mis-shapen mandolin, or a ukulele.
  • Also, I'm a big guy, 6' 2", 240lb. I like fat necks, and big instruments- mini basses feel very cramped.
3. Appearances:
  • I don't care about being trendy. Normally, I'm not all that interested in how things look.
  • Still, playing the Ashbory made me feel self-conscious.
  • To be fair, nobody pointed or laughed on the gig, but did make me look something like a circus bear on a tricycle.
  • Call me shallow, but once I got over the novelty of the thing, I just didn't feel great about standing up in front of a crowd with it.
The other ABG that caught my attention, is the Ibanez PCBE12MH. It's not as portable as the Taylor, but it also has a smaller body and a warm, mid-forward, woody acoustic tone. Also, it's a more familiar 32" scale...

Plus, it's roughly a third to half of the price, even if you hunt around for the OEM hard-shell case...

The Ibanez starts at 4:20:



 
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#19
mongo2 said:
I am a big fan of very short scales, I've DIY'd several from 25-3/4" scale guitars (solid, semi-hollow, and hollow bodies). I also use a Gold Tone MBass, Guild Ashbory and Kala UBass.

My favorite conversion is the one I based on an Ibanez AF-55 hollowbody:

View attachment 1040844

After watching the video on the Taylor site, I prefer my conversion. It sounds better, can use any standard short scale strings I choose, and it cost me less than a third of what the Taylor costs. I've been gigging with the Ibanez exclusively for the last several months and it works very well.
Click to expand...
Nice...I'm now inspired to do this kind of conversion to a cheap acoustic guitar I found at a garage sale that is about the same size as the Taylor mini(body)...my guitar is a 25" scale...I thought about using a trapeze tail piece to anchor the strings...any advice on what strings to use ? my first thought was the ones on the Taylor but I'd like to use regular short scale strings if possible..hoping the use of a trapeze tail piece will allow it...I'd be grateful for any tips and tricks you could pass along..
 
#20
rekesbass said:
Nice...I'm now inspired to do this kind of conversion to a cheap acoustic guitar I found at a garage sale that is about the same size as the Taylor mini(body)...my guitar is a 25" scale...I thought about using a trapeze tail piece to anchor the strings...any advice on what strings to use ? my first thought was the ones on the Taylor but I'd like to use regular short scale strings if possible..hoping the use of a trapeze tail piece will allow it...I'd be grateful for any tips and tricks you could pass along..
Click to expand...

I use either D'Addario shortscale nylon tapewound or flatwound Chromes on most of mine. On an acoustic guitar conversion I'd probably look into using a DIY solid tailpiece screwed into the tail block which might require medium or longscale strings depending on the size of the body. I'd also be ready to install a support block under the bridge to prevent top collapse should it occur.
 
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