The Taylor Mini Mahogany is an acoustic-electric guitar that packs impressive sound and playability into a compact, travel-friendly frame. Part of Taylor's esteemed line of Mini acoustic guitars, the Mini Mahogany stands out with its rich, round tone thanks to its solid mahogany top. This guitar combines vintage looks with modern appointments for an instrument that punches above its weight.

Though more diminutive in size than a full-scale dreadnought, the Mini Mahogany produces a bold, balanced voice that belies its smaller body. The solid Sitka spruce top and layered mahogany back and sides generate clear articulation and ample volume that projects nicely. The compact scale length and narrower nut width make playing very comfortable. With the onboard ES-B pickup system, players can easily amplify their acoustic tone at gigs or in the studio.

For guitarists seeking a quality acoustic-electric that's ultra-portable without sacrificing tone, the Taylor Mini Mahogany hits a sweet spot. Between its impressive acoustic voice and Stage-ready amplified performance, this smartly designed mini guitar covers all the bases.

Body & Neck

The Taylor Mini Mahogany features a beautiful layered mahogany top, back, and sides. Mahogany is a classic tonewood that provides a balanced, round tone with good volume and rich sustain. The all-mahogany construction gives this Mini model a warm, mellow voice.

The Mini body shape is Taylor's iconic reduced size Grand Auditorium shape, measuring just 38 inches long. The compact size makes it very comfortable to hold and play, especially for smaller players, while retaining impressive volume and projection.

The slim mahogany neck has a 1-11/16" nut width and features Taylor's trademark rounded profile that fits nicely in the hand. It's ideal for chording and rhythm playing while still very playable for fingerstyle and lead work. The 20-fret rosewood fingerboard adds definition to the warm mahogany tones.

The Taylor Mini Mahogany is an excellent choice for players looking for Taylor quality and sound in a smaller, more affordable package. The all-mahogany construction delivers the balanced, warm tone Taylor is known for. The reduced body size makes extended playing sessions comfortable without sacrificing full sound. Players of all styles and experience levels will appreciate the versatility of the Mini Mahogany. It's a great option for travel, practice, and working out new material before taking it to a larger dreadnought. The mahogany tone pairs especially well with fingerstyle playing. The Mini Mahogany captures the Taylor spirit in a compact, affordable package.

For players looking for a similar small-body acoustic-electric, the Yamaha FSX800C is worth considering. It features a solid Sitka spruce top with mahogany back and sides, producing balanced tone with good articulation. The cutaway body style provides easy upper fret access. The FSX800C has an undersaddle piezo pickup and preamp system for amplifying your acoustic tone. At around $500, it sits in a similar price range to the Taylor Mini Mahogany. The Yamaha is a versatile option for amplified acoustic guitar in a compact size.

Sound & Tone

The Mini Mahogany produces a well-balanced, articulate tone that projects nicely without being overly bright or boomy. The all-mahogany body and neck contribute to its warm, rounded sonic profile that many players love about mahogany guitars. It has enough crisp highs to cut through a mix, but with a mellow midrange that doesn't sound harsh when strummed aggressively. The guitar has impressive dynamic range and is very responsive to different picking intensities and styles. It can go from shimmering highs to thumping lows with ease. Overall, the Mini Mahogany is an extremely versatile acoustic-electric that can handle anything from delicate fingerpicking to energetic strumming in a full band mix. The balanced EQ from tight lows to clear highs allows the guitar to sit nicely in a recording without competing with other instruments.

If you're looking for a great all-around acoustic-electric guitar with nice projection and balanced tone, be sure to check out the Fender CN-140SCE 0970264321. This model from Fender's California Series features a solid spruce top with mahogany back and sides for an organic, resonant tone. The easy-to-play neck has a rosewood fingerboard and 20 frets, providing ample room for chording and soloing up the neck. It comes equipped with a built-in tuner and Fishman Presys preamp system, giving you plug-and-play capabilities for live gigs or recording sessions. The CN-140SCE has a very natural acoustic voice that translates well when amplified, with crisp highs, punchy mids, and tight low-end response. If you like the warm, vintage vibe of mahogany but also want the articulation and balance of a spruce top, this could be the perfect guitar for you. Plugged in or unplugged, the CN-140SCE delivers impressive sound in a classic, comfortable body shape. Give it a try next time you're looking for an acoustic-electric that can master many musical styles.

When it comes to acoustic-electric guitars, the options can feel overwhelming with so many models from different brands on the market. But the key is finding a guitar that suits your personal playing style and musical needs. The Mini Mahogany's versatile sound profile makes it a great choice for players who need an acoustic that can adapt to different genres and situations. The all-mahogany construction gives it a mellow, vintage character while still having enough projection to be heard alongside other instruments. Whether you're looking for your first serious acoustic-electric or a reliable gigging guitar, the Mini Mahogany deserves strong consideration. It delivers impressive quality and features for its accessible price point. Test drive one at your local guitar shop to experience its comfortable feel and balanced, articulate tone.

Electronics

The Taylor F043016016000141000 Mini Mahogany features Taylor's ES-B pickup system, designed to deliver a rich and balanced acoustic tone through an amplifier or PA system. The ES-B is a flexible undersaddle piezo pickup with a three-band EQ for shaping your amplified tone.

There are easy-to-access volume and tone controls mounted just inside the soundhole. The volume control regulates overall output, while the tone control provides a +/- 10dB boost/cut to treble response. This allows you to dial in the perfect tone whether you're plugging into an acoustic amp or going direct to the mixing board.

The onboard preamp is powered by a 9V battery accessible through the back electronics compartment. A discrete tuner mute circuit allows you to silently tune on stage while muting the output jack. Overall, the Taylor ES-B system provides a natural amplified tone with excellent feedback rejection.

Playability

The Mini Mahogany delivers premium playability typical of a Taylor guitar. The action and playability out of the box are set up perfectly, requiring no additional adjustments to make the guitar comfortable to play.

The fretwork quality is excellent, with smoothly finished frets that don't have any sharp edges. The frets are consistent throughout the neck and allow for comfortable chord changes and fast lead playing all the way up to the higher registers. There are no dead spots or buzzing issues across the fretboard.

The neck has a slim, fast feel that makes it easy to play complex chords and quick riffs. The neck profile combined with the shorter 24.875" scale length reduces tension and makes this an especially playable instrument for guitarists with smaller hands. Overall the Mini Mahogany excels in terms of playability and provides a very enjoyable playing experience suitable for various musical styles.

Hardware

The Taylor Mini Mahogany features quality hardware that enhances its playability and tuning stability. It has die-cast chrome tuners with small white buttons. The tuners do a great job of holding the guitar in tune. There have been no issues with slipping or tuning problems.

The bridge and saddle are made from quality dense ebony that provides a nice contrast to the warm mahogany top. The ebony holds intonation well and transfers vibrations efficiently for excellent tone and sustain. The saddle and nut are both made from Tusq, an engineered alternative to bone that holds tune nicely. Overall the hardware is high-quality and contributes to the Mini Mahogany's reliability and resonant voice.

Craftsmanship

Taylor's smaller-bodied guitars like the Mini Mahogany are built in the same factory as their full size instruments, with the same attention to detail and quality control that Taylor is known for. The guitar features a solid mahogany top, back, and sides, which gives it a rich, organic sound. The neck is also made of mahogany for stability and sustain. The fretwork and intonation on the Mini Mahogany is very precise, allowing for comfortable playability up and down the neck. The durable matte finish and binding around the top create an elegant look. Overall, the build quality and attention to detail on the Mini Mahogany make it feel like a premium, professional-grade instrument, despite its reduced size. Players can expect great tone and playability that lives up to Taylor's reputation.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• The Taylor Mini Mahogany Acoustic-Electric guitar punches above its weight when it comes to sound. The solid mahogany top produces a warm, rounded tone that belies the small size of the instrument.

• The compact size makes it an extremely comfortable and playable guitar. It's ideal for travel or smaller players. The neck is smooth and fast.

• The onboard ES-B pickup system faithfully reproduces the guitar's natural tone. It's flexible for both live performance and recording scenarios.

• As expected from Taylor, the build quality and attention to detail is superb. The guitar looks, plays, and sounds like a premium instrument.

Cons

• The smaller body produces decent volume acoustically, but lacks some low-end punch compared to a full size dreadnought. It works better for more intimate playing scenarios.

• While the neck is comfortable, it may feel cramped for some larger hands used to wider nut widths and string spacing.

• The acoustic tone, while nice, is not as complex or rich as mahogany topped guitars from Martin or Gibson. The Taylor voice is lighter and brighter.

Alternatives

When looking for an acoustic-electric guitar similar to the Taylor Mini Mahogany, here are some other models to consider:

Martin LX1E

The Martin LX1E is another small-bodied acoustic-electric guitar made with solid mahogany top, back, and sides. It produces a warm, balanced tone and comes equipped with Fishman Sonitone electronics. The playability is very comfortable on this modestly-priced Martin.

Yamaha FSX800C

For those wanting a mini jumbo body shape, the Yamaha FSX800C is an affordable option with a solid spruce top and mahogany back and sides. It has an SRT piezo pickup system for amplifying the guitar. The wider neck may appeal to some players.

Fender Paramount PM-3

This premium all-solid wood acoustic-electric has a comfortable mid-size body shape. The Paramount PM-3 features a Sitka spruce top and mahogany back and sides, with a Fishman pickup and preamp system. It's a great choice for those looking for exceptional craftsmanship.

Seagull Coastline S12 Cedar

Made in Canada, the Seagull Coastline S12 has a slightly wider neck and richer low end from its cedar top. It features an integrated Godin Quantum 1 electronics system. Seagull guitars offer great bang for your buck.

Taylor Big Baby Taylor

For those wanting a Taylor but in the lowest price range, the Big Baby Taylor 15/16 size model provides the Taylor design in a more affordable package. It has laminate sapele wood construction. The BBT comes equipped with Taylor's ES-B pickup system.

Conclusion

The Taylor Mini Mahogany Acoustic Electric guitar is a top-quality parlor-size guitar perfect for travel and everyday playing. With its compact body and neck, this guitar is extremely comfortable to hold and play. Despite its smaller size, it still delivers impressive volume, rich low-end and great projection.

The mahogany top gives it a focused, balanced sound with a warm low-end and bright, crisp highs. The ES-B pickup and preamp system faithfully reproduces the guitar's acoustic tone and offers easy amplification. With premium appointments like ebony binding and fretboard, Tusq nut and Micarta saddle, this guitar plays incredibly smooth and resonant.

Overall, the Taylor Mini Mahogany is an outstanding acoustic-electric guitar that punches above its weight class in tone and playability. The compact body style makes it perfect for travel or smaller players, while still delivering impressive volume and projection. It's an excellent choice for fingerstyle, strumming and light soloing. For those seeking a premium parlor-size acoustic electric, the Taylor Mini Mahogany is easy to recommend.