Top 4 Taylor Guitars Under $1000 Compared

Are you on the hunt for a top-quality Taylor guitar without breaking the bank? Look no further! In this article, we’ll be exploring the best options under $1000 that deliver on both sound and value. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned player, you’ll find a guitar that suits your needs and budget.

So, let’s get started!

Best Taylor Guitars Within $1000 Range

Taylor GS Mini-e Solid Koa Top ESB

Specs

• Top: Hawaiian Koa
• Body: Koa
• Back: Layered Koa
• Neck: Sapele
• Fretboard: Ebony Wood

Review

First of all, we were impressed with the solid ebony bridge and fretboard, which had a sleek with dark finish. Not only did the fretboard look great, but it also felt wonderful to play.

The sapele neck had a Standard Carve profile that was comfortable and fast, and allowed us to effortlessly navigate the fretboard. The frets were perfectly finished, making them some of the best we’ve seen on any Taylor guitar, including the American-made models.

The Taylor-branded sealed tuners were reliable and held tune well from the moment we started playing. The Tusq nut and saddle, along with the Elixir Nanoweb strings, contributed to the guitar’s excellent tuning stability.

Taylor GS Mini

Specs

• Top: Mahogany
• Body: Mahogony
• Back: Sapele
• Neck: Sapele Wood
• Fretboard: Ebony

Review

The Taylor GS Mini has earned its status as a modern classic over the past decade, surpassing its initial role as a travel guitar to become a respected acoustic in its own right. As more players seek smaller guitars, it’s no surprise that the GS Mini has gained popularity. While promising Taylor’s signature build quality and bright tone, the question remains: does it deliver?

Since its 2010 debut, the GS Mini has come in various forms, from a spruce top with rosewood back and sides to limited edition all-koa models. We examined the Taylor GS Mini Mahogany for this review, which boasts a mahogany top, layered sapele back and sides, and a sapele neck. It’s worth noting just how stunning this guitar looks, with a rich, deep mahogany hue that’s fitting of the Taylor name on the headstock.

Like all Taylor guitars, the GS Mini features an ebony fingerboard sourced from Bob Taylor’s own ebony mill. Without artificial darkening, the natural stripes of the wood shine through, giving each guitar a unique character – something we appreciate.

But how does it feel? In short, fantastic. Fans of Taylor guitars understand the exacting building process, which extends to the GS Mini range. As a result, this guitar feels like a more expensive Taylor, despite the laminated back and sides. The guitar is exceptionally well-built, with no sharp frets, correctly cut nut, and the action is to our liking – a rarity in guitars at this price point.

Taylor BT1

Specs

• Top: Rose Wood
• Body: Walnut
• Back: Walnut Wood
• Neck: Mahogany
• Fretboard: Ebony

Review

The Taylor BT1 Baby Taylor guitar is an excellent choice for various types of players. It’s ideal for those looking for a compact strummer that’s built to the highest standards and great for younger players who may find a full-size guitar too large.

Additionally, the BT1 is a fantastic couch player with a similar feel to a parlor guitar. It’s reasonably priced, making it an excellent option for new players, while still having the build quality and tones that experienced guitarists require.

The Taylor-branded tuners are strong performers, and the Graphtech nut and Elixir strings pair well with the guitar.

The BT1’s playability is exceptional, with no real heel required, allowing for unimpeded access to the entire neck. The neck’s satin finish makes it slick and fast playing, suitable for players of all ages.

Despite its reduced size, the BT1 has decent voice, with a huge depth to its tone, plenty of punch, and full bass register. When strummed, it’s dynamic and responsive, with the signature Taylor brightness, and when picked, it has tons of top end shimmer, making it an excellent guitar for players of all levels.

Taylor BT2

Specs

• Top: Mahogany
• Body: Wood
• Back: Sapele
• Neck: Mahogany
• Fretboard: Ebony

Review

Taylor BT2 (read full review) is a versatile guitar that caters to a wide range of guitarists. Its compact size makes it ideal for smaller players and children, while its affordability makes it a great option for beginners. Even seasoned guitarists will appreciate its high quality fit and finish.

Moreover, the BT2 is an excellent travel and camp guitar due to its compact size and durability. Its top is made of tropical American mahogany, with layered sapele back and sides. The rosette is understated yet modern, with a black circle and white trim.

Surprisingly, the BT2 features high-end appointments, such as an ebony fretboard and bridge, and Taylor sealed gear chrome plated tuners. The intonation is great out of the box, thanks to a well-positioned compensated saddle.

The neck of the BT2 is screwed onto the body, which is uncommon for acoustic guitars, but it makes it a complete travel guitar that can be disassembled.

The sound of the BT2 is complex and resonant for a travel guitar, with excellent projection and note separation. Loud, powerful strumming produces punchy lows and mids, with a touch of sparkle at the top end. The neck feels smooth, slim, and comfortable, with a satin finish that is easy to play with sweaty hands.

Overall, the BT2 Baby Taylor is an innovative guitar that offers a great playing experience at an affordable price.

Read more: Baby Taylor VS Little Martin