Pros: Great quality, very comfortable, nice clear sound
Cons: Smaller than standard, lacks bass and volume
The Bottom Line: Be sure you understand this guitar's limits and purpose. But it's a great, quality American-made instrument that everyone should consider.
wombat2's Full Review: Taylor Big Baby Acoustic Guitar
I am just taking up acoustic guitar, so keep in mind as you read this that most of my knowledge comes from talking with more experienced players, or from reading copious amounts of information about different models. I just went through a very highly researched buying decision, have my guitar, and wanted to offer my input in case it's helpful for other beginners. I do not claim to be very knowledgeable about guitars! Think of this as a ground-level view.
I have tried out several lower-end Martins (DXM, DM, D-15), a variety of Seagulls (I think M-6 and S-6? Not sure the models), some Fenders, some Ibanez. I've also read lots of technical details about construction and detailed reviews of numerous models.
I am 5'7" with correspondingly short arms and small hands.
All that said -
The Taylor Big Baby retails for $420 at my local music store. When I first saw it, I liked it. However, I wasn't sure it was the best value for the money. As I shopped around, I kept eyeing the Martin DXM, and Seagulls. In fact, if the store hadn't closed while I was agonizing between those models, I would probably have bought one of them.
But, the store did indeed close, and I walked out feeling unsatisfied. After the huge amount of research I'd done, I didn't want to wait until Monday or later to buy something. On a whim, my brother and I rode to a couple of pawn shops, and glanced at the Laurens and other various brands there. What should I see, tucked among the Laurens, but a Taylor Big Baby?
The pawn shop was asking $179, but I negotiated it to $159 and had them throw in a spare set of strings (the strings already on it were serviceable but a bit worn). I should note that my Big Baby has some chips (not very noticeable and shouldn't affect sound), and one small, partial crack in the soundboard, which does worry me a little, but doesn't seem to affect sound either. I am not sure that it's a crack rather than a scratch, in fact, but I assume the worst. The guitar is otherwise in good shape, cosmetically, and it sounds good. The price includes the Taylor gig bag, which is in good shape other than a small discoloration (from water?).
Compared with the full-sized dreadnaughts I tried, this guitar is very light and comfortable. It makes practice inviting. When I have time to kill around the house, this guitar somehow worms its way into my hands every time. :)
It sounds nice and looks nice, but feels even better. Everyone who sees it and holds it wants to buy it from me! Even more experienced players. They talk about how comfortable it is to hold, and also praise its sound.
Now, I doubt that anybody would recommend this guitar for live performances. It would be okay, in a small place without a lot of noise, I guess. But this is basically an around-the-house or practice guitar. It is loud enough to entertain friends, I think (I'm not advanced enough to do that yet). Strumming hard across the strings makes enough sound that conversation is difficult or impossible within 15 feet or so. Reviews say that the guitar's bass is lacking.
However, it's got a clear sound that I find balanced and pleasing, and just as important, it's an inviting, fun instrument. It's also made in the U.S. with quality components - solid spruce top, mahogany neck, ebony fretboard - that you normally find in guitars costing twice as much. Taylors are known for having fairly narrow necks, which is good for people with smaller hands.
I'd highly recommend this for beginners like me, and for more advanced players, I'd recommend looking at it as a knock-around, practice or travel second guitar. I wouldn't recommend it for live performances, though.
The Taylor Big Baby Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar gives you great quality for a respectable price. Great tone from a solid Sitka spruce top is given pro...More at Musician's Friend
The Taylor Big Baby Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar gives you great quality for a respectable price. Great tone from a solid Sitka spruce top is given pro...More at Guitar Center
The Taylor Big Baby Acoustic Guitar, the Baby Taylor’s big sibling, is a 15/16-scale Dreadnought with a solid Sitka spruce top and sapele-laminate ba...More at American Musical Supply
Epinions.com periodically updates pricing and product information from third-party sources, so some information may be slightly out-of-date. You should confirm all information before relying on it.
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.