Product: Taylor Guitars Big Baby Price Paid: 550 (euro)
Submitted 03/25/2005
at 01:32pm
by Amelia Vinn
Features
:8
A little bit smaller than a standard dreadnought acoustic. Has got a solid sitka spruce top, laminated sapele, ebony neck with pearl dot inlays starting from the 3th fret with chrome tuners. A plus is that mine comes with a typical Taylor pickguard from the factory, I suppose. But NO, gigbag included .. THAT's A SHAME !!!! If I want it I have to order it seperately.
Sound
:1
This guitar sounds very POOR!!! A piece of cheapness!!! Well , can't blame it, cause it 's a low budget one! It only has got good looks, but concerning the sound quality I have to say NOOOO !!! I also own a Taylor 510 and tha sound differs like earth and heaven comparing it to this big Taylor ! Well, it has got a very thinny, metallic sound. I wouldn't call it bright to my ears, 'cause it has a boomy, dull, short resonancy. Not bright at all!
I am a strummer with a flatpick but when strumming this guitar there's no sustain at all. Even when I started to fingerpick it ...but it stills sound quite ugly. Although, i have purchased it with the naive idea that i will get used to the sound because it sounds different not like the others.
Afterwards for me ,this is a horrible sound quality comparing to the other guitars in the same price range. I would rather choose for the middle-end range Seagulls, such as the M6 gloss. The M6 has got more sustain and sings bether for tha bucks.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:7
The playability is ok. Low action just like all Taylors.
Some glue noticed inside the guitar... but that's no big deal for me.
The tuning pegs seem to stay in tune quite well.
No real major flaws 'v been seen.
Reliability/Durability
:No Opinion
Had bought it for just 3 days and then returned it back to the store for a refund . Couldn't live with it anymore. THe sound of this big taylor takes away my appetite for playing guitar.. Too many complains about the sounding .
I had no other option than to return it back and ask my buckies back to buy another better guitar!
Customer Support
:No Opinion
Overall Rating
:1
I've been playing guitars for about 16 years now and never heard such a bad sounding guitar . I have 2 taylors, a Fender DG and 2 Spanish classicals.
I would not recommend this one to those who are familiar to high ends guitar sound. And not good for people who mostly like to strumm,'cause of the short sustain. It has no ringing level.
Product: Taylor Guitars Big Baby Price Paid: 329 (Sterling)
Submitted 03/01/2005
at 09:19am
by Willy
Email: wwwilly at gmail<dot>com
Features
:8
Taylor Big Baby, made in 2004 in California. Stunning ebony fingerboard with a gorgeous blond streak through it. Ebony none-more-black bridge. Has the typical Taylor scratchplate. Other than that, the features are all listed below. Came with an impressive gig bag. Basic features, but the gig bag makes it an 8
Sound
:9
I bought this guitar blind, although I'd never ONCE heard a bad thing about the Big Babys from people whos opinion I respect. When I got it, the first thing that struck me was the lack of bottom end, which tok a lot of the thrill out of my new guitar. Then I stopped thumbing the E string and played a song, and I fell in love. I do a lot of stumming, but I favour finger picking, and this guitar is perfect for both. I don't even notice the lack of bottom end any more. Beautiful tone out of this specimen. I can't really complain about the sound, as I love it. Can get quite a lot of volume out of it too, which surprised me.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:9
Action isn't too low, not too high. Just right! Everything is fit together very nicely, although there's a bit of residual glue where the 'heel' of the neck meets the body (I'm nit-picking). It's a bolt on, so there isn't a heel as such. The spruce top has a knot in it that adds a lot of character. Lovely neck on it. Actually, lovely is a word that I use a lot when describing this guitar to people.
Reliability/Durability
:No Opinion
The guitar is very light, and the top is quite fragile. I'm going to treat this guitar very carefully (no playing it at parties!). So long as I don't mistreat it, I fully expect to pass this guitar on to my kids, assuming I ever have any. It seems to stay in tune fairly well, but I'd imagine its fairly susceptible to atmospheric change.
I've only had it for two (glorious) weeks, so I can't say much about reliability.
Customer Support
:No Opinion
No idea, but they're supposed to be very good (so long as you live in the US, which I don't). One thing that has to be said is that they take pride in every single guitar they put out. Buy a Taylor, and you're pretty much gauranteed a great guitar.
Overall Rating
:10
I've been playing 4 years (flunked a year of uni because I spent the whole year in my room learning guitar). I've got a Pacifica, US Deluxe Strat and a crappy Johnson semi (Don't know what possessed me to buy this). I've played one guitar better than this, a fairly high-end Takamine. This guitar screams "QUALITY" very loudly. I wouldn't change a thing on it. If it were lost, I'd get another one as soon as the mourning period was over. If stolen, I'd catch the bollix and do unspeakable things to him. On the strength of this guitar, the next time I upgrade, Taylor will be top of my list. I am very happy with this guitar. I can't stress that enough. There's great high register access, and the tone is fantastic all over the fingerboard. Can't congratulate Taylor enough. Lovely.
Product: Taylor Guitars Big Baby Price Paid: US $275
Submitted 01/24/2005
at 08:19pm
by Jim Moulton
Features
:4
2004 Big Baby,20 frets, solid spruce top, sapele laminate sides and top,satin finish,african mahoghany neck,ebony fretboard and bridge,tusq saddle and nut,gig bag included, no electronics
Sound
:3
Has a tinny, thin sound, like a cheap acoustic, frets buzz, light gauge elixor strings, low action, but not low enough to cause all of the buzzing
Action, Fit, & Finish
:1
nut looks good, saddle looks cheap, low quality spruce top, arched laminate back. No flaws, just the way guitar is made, fret work looks real good ,but produces buzzing and poor quality sound,
Reliability/Durability
:2
Would not use one, turned it down, after I ordered it, too tinny sounding, poor intonation
Customer Support
:No Opinion
no
Overall Rating
:1
25 years playing, own nothing now, have had Martin D-16, 59 Telecaster,76 Gibson Les Paul, 96 Fender DG20S - You could not give me this guitar and I love most Taylors, spent about an hour in the store trying to get it in tune
Product: Taylor Guitars Big Baby Price Paid: US $348
Submitted 12/14/2004
at 01:44am
by One of Big Baby enthusiasts - John Kim
Features
:7
Made in CA in September 2004, and bought it in November 2004. I guess you all know the features of this guitar. Solid top, very impressive gig bag, ebony fretboard and bridge, Sapele laminated back and side, 15/16 sized body, no back bracing, and etc...
Sound
:9
I have to admit that its low-end bottom sound is really weak compare to a full sized dread guitar, and I don't agree that it sounds much better than most >$1,000 guitars on the market. However, it sounds rich and warm that fills the air in an apartment, and has absolute 'Taylor tone' - very clean crisp airy sound. To my ear, it is very unique treble sounding guitar. If you really want a full dread sound guitar, get the 110 which is the best bang for the buck. After playing about 15 Big Babies and several 110s, I found 110 has richer and fuller sound with more projection of bass. But BB has its own sound which I really like.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:9
Factory setup is perfect for me. Much better than that of Martin's. It is quite bookmatched on top and back, and almost no flaw except some excessive glue residue inside the soundhole. Tuners are good enough, but not that stable after hard strumming. I think I got a pretty well made Big Baby. On the other hand, I have seen many poor made entry level Taylors on local shops.
Reliability/Durability
:8
It doesn't look like to withstand hard road playing. Strap buttons are solid, hardware(tuners?) is OK... I don't know I can depend on it on a gig - FYI, I have never been on a gig so far :-)
Customer Support
:No Opinion
Heard good things about Taylor customer services. Never dealt with them though.
Overall Rating
:10
I have played guitars for 20 years, but still playing like a highschool band's guitarist (no offense there). If it were stolen, I will definetly buy another. I really like its crisp sound, small size body (15/16), action and playing ability, Ibanez electric guitars like neck ... to make it one word: simplicity!!! Laser etched rossette, no binding, solid spruce top, circle sticker inside the body, and very well matched pickguard. I really don't like one thing: two wall screws on the 16th fret, but I got used to ignore it and it doesn't bother me to play this guitar. For the price, I would recommend this guitar to everyone even if they already have a D-45, Larrivee collector's edition, Collings, Taylor 9xx series, or Asian made cheap plywood guitars. If you find a well made BB and the BB sounds just as good as other more priced Taylors, just buy one. You will not be disappointed! I am not a big fan of Taylor guitars, but it is a real gem even if you had paid the full list price of $548.
Product: Taylor Guitars Big Baby Price Paid: US $498
Submitted 06/13/2004
at 09:19pm
by Jared
Email: siamesedream49<at>hotmail dot com
Features
:8
2004 model. Made in El Cajon, California. 20 frets, pearloid dot fret markers. Solid Sitka Spruce top, Tropical American Mahogany laminated back and sides, Ebony fingerboard and bridge, and the headstock is made from East Indian Rosewood. Turtoise pickguard, standard stock Taylor tuners. Came with a deluxe padded gig bag, which was nice.
The only things I wish it had were a preamp and a cutaway. Otherwise, it's a top-notch instrument with a puny price tag.
Sound
:10
I play fingerstyle, acoustic rock, and worship tunes with this thing. It sounds great for what I use it for.
The sound is breathtaking. Full, round, thick, chiming chords sound just like a Grand Piano. In my opinion, this is what every acoustic should sound like -- a nice, bottom-heavy, even-layered Grand Piano. Lead sounds good too, and fingerstylists and flat pickers will absolutely LOVE this instrument. It sounds great on everything...heavy acoustic rock, melodic chord progressions, hot licks, Blues in E minor, everything.
The Solid Sitka Spruce top gives the guitar that traditional Taylor sound; poppy, bright, organic, alive. The strings compliment each other when they're ringing in unison. Open tunings would sound stellar on this instrument. Glass slide? No problem. This 'Baby' is equipped to do it all.
There is something about this Big Baby that just pulls you in. I compared it to a lot of other Taylors that were 3-4x its' price, and nothing compared. I think I got a one-of-a-kind guitar.
The sound is excellent. I call this guitar my "little cannon", because that's exactly what it is, it projects sound across the room like a little cannon. A smokin' guitar, she is.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:8
I have not changed a thing on the instrument since I've gotten it (except a G string that broke for no reason at all). In fact, the reason I took it up to the counter was because it played so nice, it was sweet like honey and smooth like butter. And the thick, juicy, organic traditional Taylor tone that just oozed out of that sound hole and vibrated throughout the body was just too much. I HAD to have it. The back and sides are smooth as felt, the neck is very comfortable, and the ebony woods really make the instrument stand out and shine.
There is an 'ugly spot' on my guitar to the bottom left of the soundhole, looks like a badly polished knot in the wood. it really shows up bad in pictures, and when light reflects off of it, it detracts the beauty a bit. I've seen other Big Baby's that were worse though, fretboards with yellowish streaks from the ebony wood. Luckily mine wasn't one of those.
The finish on the instrument is extremely light, in fact I think all they did was sand down the woods, piece it together, sand it once more, and put a very very light coating of gloss on the wood. You can barely tell it's there.
So far I have not found any defects (save that 'ugly spot' on the top), so I have no reason to complain. I've heard stories of the bottoms on Big Baby Taylors bubbling up and the tops shrinking, but I guess time will tell.
Reliability/Durability
:10
I've played it out once before, and took it to practices, Worship meets, etc. Mainly it's a stay-at-home guitar though.
The tuners aren't as solid as I'd like them to be, but they're surely not the worst in the world. I've seen stock tuners that were 10x worse than these ones.
I would definately trust it out for repeated gigs.
Customer Support
:No Opinion
?
Overall Rating
:10
I've been playing for about 2 years, and I currently own a Fender Stratocaster, a Yamaha FG412-S, Taylor Big Baby, a Behringer GM110, and my effects are constantly changing, but I usually have an assortment of Boss, MXR, Electro Harmonix, Ibanez, DOD, Arion, and Danelelectro effects pedals.
I tried to get them to knock down the price $50 or so, so I didn't have to walk out of the store with my tail between my legs so to speak, being ashamed that I paid almost twice as much as some of these guys paid. However they didn't budge, so I decided to pay full price, since I loved this guitar so much. They offered to throw in some free picks and my choice of a strap or a set of guitar strings, hehe...I reached my hand in the pick bowl and grabbed a handful, and went over to the elixirs, grabbed the most expensive pack and went on my way.
One thing I do wish it had was an internal preamp, so I could plug this thing in. But I guess the best things in life have their shortcomings as well, for now a soundhole pickup will have to suffice.
This is really a great guitar, I mean, wow...I know I got ripped, but it was worth it. I congradulate Taylor for marketing such a well-designed guitar at such a low price. You don't see that too often these days, the only brands I can think of that really do that are Fender and Ibanez, and maybe Takamine as well.
The Taylor Big Baby is one of the best values on the market today, and I would encourage anyone who is putting some serious thought into them to go up to their local store and try one out. Seriously, I think you'll be in for a big surprise. I played this next to some high-end Taylors, including the 110, 214, 310, 314ce, 414ce, 510ce, 712ce, and even the 814ce -- the holy grail guitar for many famous acoustic artists. I compared this to every Taylor guitar in the store, and this one just could not be beat for the price. The only Taylor that sounded better was the 814ce, but only by a fraction...and I couldn't really justify paying $2k more for an instrument that was only 35% better than the one I was holding in my hands with a price tag I could afford. Sure there's no cutaway or preamp. But who cares? I can get along without them for awhile. Maybe if I become a big time rock star, I'll buy one of those fancy KOA Brazillian Rosewood All-Solid wood guitars for $35k from eBay with a cutaway and a preamp that I probably won't even use half the time 'cause I'm enjoying playing my 'little cannon' so much.
Seriously, do yourself a favor and go try one out. They're the biggest bang for the buck on the market next to the Fender Stratocaster. Way to go, Bob Taylor.
God Bless!
Product: Taylor Guitars Big Baby Price Paid: US $319.00
Submitted 06/09/2004
at 04:38am
by Anonymous
Features
:8
Sweet & simple & already covered! I prefer satin finishes, so that is part of the appeal personally. Tuners are classy looking & pretty nice, but could stay in tune a tad longer.
Sound
:8
Sound? Hmmm, now this is a tough one. Like most Taylors I've tried, this guitar leans on the trebly side. Bass notes can be heard w/chords but I don't believe that it is "even" across the tonal range. Not loud enough to play out w/out a pickup being installed. It is not especially loud & if it is strummed too vigorously you get some some buzzing & unpleasant overtones. The tone I find to be rich, but not full. Absolutely SUCKS for slide. That being said, I find the "tone" of the guitar to be almost hypnotic.Very beatiful, almost harplike tone. Lots of what some people call shimmer. Love the way minor chords sound especially. Very capable for a 15/16ths size guitar. (Remember it is not full size, so ratings are relative to what it is & what its for) NOTHING in 3/4 size even comes close!
Action, Fit, & Finish
:9
Wood joints all clean. Action was pretty low w/no buzzing all the way down the neck. Neck feels GREAT - just like an electric, very fun to play. Neck could be wider. Fat fingered people beware of open b chord! But a wider neck might also detract from the "fastness" of the neck as well.
Reliability/Durability
:8
Very,very,very light w/arched back. Hasnt been dropped or fallen over yet. Feels solid enough so far though. Finish is satin & will definately wear of quicker than a highly glossed axe.(dont have to spend alot of time wiping off fingerprints, which is a good tradeoff to me) Loud enough for living room noodling for friends, but probably not up to a coffee-shop gig w/out mic'ing.Strap buttons solid, but nothing special.
Customer Support
:No Opinion
Havn't had too deal w/Taylor about any issues. Been to their web site & I like the vibe of the company. Cant rate yet.
Overall Rating
:9
Taylor doesn't allow online ads for their guitars, but you can see what I paid new from guitar trader. Nice people, great service and on this axe, unbeatable price.(No taxes or s&h on that price either) I Highly reccomend them. Shit, these are going for 60-70 bucks more on e-bay USED. This is the best practice/travel guitar I've ever played. Not loud,but nearly double the volume as the baby or martin LXM & alot more playable. Nice tone, good looking, EXCELLENT quality gigbag as well. I find playabilty its best feature.
Product: Taylor Guitars Big Baby Price Paid: 275 (pounds sterling)
Submitted 05/26/2004
at 01:52pm
by Richard
Email: rlime17 at netscape<dot>net
Features
:8
A plain and simple 2002 Taylor Big Baby, with pickguard and the Taylor padded bag.
Sound
:9
Having lived with this guitar for nearly two years now, I feel I'm finally up to giving it a considered review. When I first bought it, I'd never owned a steel-stringed guitar; I had owned several classical guitars which I'd never learned to play properly. Buying the Big Baby was partly to force myself to get to grips properly with rhythm guitar and to fulfill a longstanding love of some types of country, folk and bluegrass music.
I have to say I've found this guitar suits all those styles - it is incredibly versatile. Of course, being such a small guitar, it isn't powerful, but it is crisp, bright, intimate, and largely well-rounded apart from a slight lack of bass, especially if you play with a capo on fret 4 or higher. It's a great guitar to sing over as you won't be overpowered by the volume of the thing (you should be able to hear yourself!), and equally you're unlikely to keep the neighbours awake if you strum into the night. Compared to a Taylor 310 - admittedly one I tried in the shop, which might have had oldish strings - I have to say the Big Baby stands up surprisingly well; the 310 is for my taste a little brash and boomy. The Big Baby can be brash as well if you try to eke loads of volume from it, but treat it reasonably and it shines.
I seldom see reviewers mentioning the plectrum they use, which is odd because simply by varying your pick you can get quite a variety of sounds from this (and any other acoustic) guitar. With a medium Jim Dunlop nylon pick, the Big Baby comes across quite mellow and warm; for bluegrass-style alternating bass mixed in with chords, however, I prefer a Jim Dunlop Tortex pick, which really lends this guitar a great deal of projection and clarity. Celluloid picks are a happy compromise between the two. In all cases, I stick with a medium to medium-heavy pick, as going to anything heavier does tend to push this guitar into that brash overdrive. Oh, the guitar makes a decent recording instrument, if my experiments with a simple all-purpose mike are anything to go by.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:7
Appearance-wise, the Big Baby's unadorned natural finish is really pleasant, and to my eye it's simply prettier than the darker, glossy 310. My guitar has some discolouration on the high frets of the neck, which annoys me a tad though it is apparently not unusual.
The action was a little low to start with, and to be honest this is the only area in which I've had problems. I've had to have the guitar set up about three times in the two years I've owned it, and each time it's set up it has to be tweaked again within four weeks, because the neck keeps moving. Basically the neck tends to become too flat and so the low strings buzz against the middle of the neck. Why this is happening is a mystery to me and to the technician: the guitar is kept in its gig bag when I'm not playing, and though humidity is the obvious suspect, it's not as though London weather (or conditions in my living room) is extreme.
In other respects the Big Baby is competently put together, as you'd expect from Taylor, and very comfortable to play in your lap or standing up. One little personal complaint is that the neck width is a little narrow for my stubby fingers - I'd prefer the 1.75" nut used on Taylor's full-sized guitars. Also, the tuners could really be better.
Reliability/Durability
:7
People say these guitars are light and fragile. They are light, without doubt, but you'd have to be terribly clumsy or wilfully negligent to damage it. After two years my Big Baby still looks like it's in mint condition, and I have played live with it once and would certainly do so again if people would hire me. :-)
Customer Support
:No Opinion
No experience of dealing with Taylor, though their UK agents Sound Technology (www.soundtech.co.uk) seem good at handling queries.
Overall Rating
:9
This is such a wonderful guitar for beginners and competent players alike - if only it were a bit louder and bassier, but you can't have everything. There's really hardly anything to dislike and much to appreciate for a very reasonable price. If it were stolen, well once I'd got over the shock I'd probably treat myself to the similarly sized (but much more expensive) 312ce, which I imagine would be very similar in volume and tonal response, with the bonus of the Taylor Expression System pickup and (I would hope) perhaps more shades and subtleties - not that the Big Baby is an unsubtle guitar.
Product: Taylor Guitars Big Baby Price Paid: US $329.00
Submitted 05/23/2004
at 09:49am
by Mark Bradley
Features
:9
Mine was made Jan. 16 2003,I bought it in March of 2003 for $329.00.It features a SOLID Sitka Spruce top,Sapele sides and back(laminate). The fretboard IS Ebony (They do not use faux ebony!Any discoloration,"light yellow or cream" is normal for the wood.Taylor allows this on even their high end models.The bridge is also Ebony.There are no electronics,I would have gladly paid more for a pickup system,but Taylor does not use cheap electronics thus raising the price past the "target" market.It came with a great "gig bag".Will try to get a case for it soon, I feel I have pushed my luck,I take mine all over the place!
Sound
:10
This is where this instrument shines!!I play hard,light,flat pick,fingerstyle, all kinds of music and this guitar always sounds great!!It is a pleasure to play and to listen to.You would never guess it is not a full sized guitar from hearing it!I could go on and on but I would be wasting time I could be playing it!
Action, Fit, & Finish
:9
Picked it up at the store(Guitar Center)and did not have to do a thing to it.In fact there were 3 or 4 more to choose from and they all were set up great.Do not know if that was Taylor or Guitar Center though.My Big Baby stays in tune!I use several alternate tunings and a capo at several positions and I have never had a problem.Had to put it away for a while due to health problems (forgot to slacken the strings also)went from winter to spring,pulled it out and was still in tune!Swear on my Big Baby!
Reliability/Durability
:9
Would I take this guitar on the road as my main axe? No. Why? It does feel a little bit on the fragile side.Could be because it is light as a feather.Flip the coin on that one and you have a guitar you can play forever with no fatigue.The only thing that scares me is the neck joint.There are two wood screws driven into the fretboard at the 16th fret.This neck joint allows EASY access to the higher notes but I do worry about strength.
Customer Support
:10
Have not had a need for support with this instrument,but I have dealt with them before and was more than pleased.Prompt is an understatement!
Overall Rating
:10
Have been playing for about 20 years(37years old)I have owned many guitars and basses from every price range.Bought this guitar after playing it for only a few minutes(something I never do!).Have laid several tracks with it (mic)and I fooled everyone who heard them.This guitar is all about the tone!In my Humble opinion there is no guitar near this price range that can touch it.
Product: Taylor Guitars Big Baby Price Paid: havent bought yet but I just might!!!
Submitted 03/25/2004
at 01:47pm
by black_star (jared)
here is where i want to rave. I do not own one, but I wanted to review on how good this thing sounds. I played with it for about ten minutes at a local guitar shop...but before you flame me, let me explain.
This thing sounds so sweet it's not even funny. This thing pours out beautiful Taylor tone and playability. I compared it to a 314ce (my personal favorite of all time acoustic), a 310, a 712ce, and even an 814ce! This thing sounded just as good as those other ones, but at a price 4-5x less!!! And when I say it sounded just as good, I'm not saying that it sounded "taylor" like all of the others, I'm saying that really couldn't tell any difference! It sounded THAT good! I know I'm raving here, but I just thought I would share. I'm not sure if this one is special somehow, but it just sounds phenomenal. So you're saying ten minutes isn't enough to play with a guitar. Sit down for ten minutes straight with a guitar or just sit there...that's quite awhile. I didn't have to play it too long to decide that this guitar rocked my world.
The ONLY drawback is that it looks like a child's guitar and that it has a really small body. However, the tone just makes up for it completely.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:9
The woods were really nice looking, not sure what it was built with, but whatever it was, they were extremely good tonewoods. The action was great, not too high or too low, and the taylor sparkle was just there with every pluck of the strings.
Nice guitar, indeed.
Reliability/Durability
:8
It's small, so I don't know how well it would hold up... don't take it to backyard wrestling, and hit your opponent with it, nor would I recommend you throwing it in the back of a pickup truck while traveling in the black hills to be tossed around and even possibly thrown out.
For home use and occasional live use though, this one's a winner.
Customer Support
:No Opinion
Weee. nope.
Overall Rating
:10
I have been playing approximately 2 years and I currently own two guitars (though at one time I owned five guitars and then some). My acoustic right now is a Yamaha FG412-S which really is a great value. This Big Baby has me sold though. I love it. I think I'm going to go in and play it once more, then throw it on layaway. Seriously, it has me sold. And I believe that if you find "THAT ONE", that you should jump on it, because chances are, you won't find it again.
I still love the 314ce, still my favorite, but for $458.00?!?! GET REAL!!! Big Baby equals BIG VALUE.
God Bless!
Product: Taylor Guitars Big Baby Price Paid: US $300
Submitted 02/19/2004
at 05:55pm
by Lee V.
Email: lvanderhurst<at>geotechnicsinc dot com
Features
:5
2003 model. Mine is similar to all the other descriptions except it has faux ebony fingerboard with a big yellow smear between the 9th and 15th fret. I bought it as a "camp-out"/alternate tuning/slide/mando-itar. Very nice gig bag.
Sound
:6
Sounds very good for an affordable mini-guitar. I play all manner of rock, folk, blues, bluegrass. Finger pick or flat. I really disagree with the others in that my instrument has a very strong base and bright high end with no middle. It projects amazingly well for such a small body. You'd have to mike it up in live situation but for banging around the living room doodle fest or at the camp fire, it is fine. I have high-topped it and it sounds much more balanced. It can pull off a mandolin-like sound pretty nicely.
It lacks sustain when used with a slide and has no complex overtones.
The B. Baby sounded fantastic when compared to other $500 or less guitars. Not in the ball park with my Martin's though.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:3
Moderately high action that was lowered easily enough. Intonation was fine but the sucker will not stay in tune. Very poorly cut nut and saddle. Broke three strings at the saddle within an hour of bringing it home. A little emory fixed that but I was surprised that Taylor let it out that way. Frets are polished but could use a bit more work.
Body and neck fit great, looks nice except the ugliest fingerboard ever...I got $30 bucks off so no real complaint but how it got out of the factory is beyond me.
Oh, did I say the tuners are crap? Very, very, VERY annoying...
Reliability/Durability
:6
I've had it for a year and have knocked it around pretty good but it plays and sounds the same as when I bought it. I could never use this for a gig as it won't stay in tune but everything else is fine.
Customer Support
:No Opinion
I know Taylor will support their products and I have discussed my problems with people over there that I know...but it is a $300 dollar guitar and a mighty fine one for that price. I really didn't expect any help and I didn't get any.
Overall Rating
:6
Been playing for 40 years. Got a Martin 000-28ec and a HD-28, yamaha 12 string, Heritage 555, USA Standard Strat. I got what I paid for. It makes a great beginners ax or a knock around second or third guitar. A little work and they'll play great but the tuners are crap. I'm torn between fixing it up with new ones or just putting up with it. I migh buy another if the tuner problem was solved.
How in the HELL can you people rate this guitar's sound, action, fit and finish with a 10? That said, I'm giving it a 6 but when compared to other instruments in it's price range, it's a 9.
Product: Taylor Guitars Big Baby Price Paid: US $329.00
Submitted 12/05/2003
at 07:37am
by Stan Barrington
Email: drummerboy1533<at>yahoo dot com
Features
:No Opinion
Sound
:10
Havn't been playing very long.Started with an Ibanez Artwood-just OK. Returned it for "something else"at G.C.-God bless them people,they'le take anything back within 30 days. Saw the Bib Baby. Picked up the Big Baby....PLAYED the Big Baby. Ran to the checkout and confirmed that "I would NOT be returning THIS guitar." I can't put it down once it's cradled in my bosom.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:10
Has to drop the action.Also change the strings regularly with Portland acou. lights from Webstrings.com($3.50 per set!)
Reliability/Durability
:No Opinion
Customer Support
:No Opinion
Overall Rating
:10
Glad I selected this model specificly for recording.I've set it up with two Neumann KM184's and it just sounds fantastic! Want to further the recording quality with John Pearse strings and possibly an IVORY saddle,which one reviewer claimed made a noticeable difference.Gotta run now-The Big Baby wants to be loved!!!
Product: Taylor Guitars Big Baby Price Paid: US $280
Submitted 10/20/2003
at 02:55am
by Wilson Mak
Features
:9
This guitar is very plain looking which is actually kinda good considering it's 15/16th size. it makes it look cute. It has a very light satin finish. But forit's price how can ou argue with ebony fretboard, sitka spruce top and sapelle sides? Truly your best bang for your buck. Not to mention it comes with elixars!!!
Sound
:10
I play most alternative and classical rock. And it suits my style fine. Many people complain about it lacking bass. But I only find that true when you compare it with the high end taylor like the 310 and up. comparing the bass tone with like a...regular ibanez dreadnaugh won't cause too much of a diffrence. overall it's very nice sound that has that crisp taylor trademark sound for under 300!!!
Action, Fit, & Finish
:8
Action was great right form the start, I have't need to adjust. My one complaint is the same as other guitarist with the big baby taylor. The A string drones. light the baby taylor under flouresent light and pluck all the strings. Then watch the A string...you'll see what I mean. It doesn't really bother me that much, but it causes the the notes on the A string to have really bad sustain. Otherwise everything was top notch quality.
Reliability/Durability
:9
I wouldn't reccomend this guitar for live playing, if you want a live playing guita I'd suggest somehting along taylor's x12 or x14 series. I've dropped this guitar many times, it even has a dent on the Side!!!! but it still sounds good and no problems so no worries for me. If I was to gig I'd use this guitar as a backup or for an alternative tuning for one song. if lost, I would definatly buy another one.
Customer Support
:No Opinion
never talked to Taylor
Overall Rating
:10
I own The Taylor big baby, A takamine Jasmine (don't laugh!) and a Epiphone Sg Gothic 400. I'm currently saving up money for a taylor 414 or 314. Hands down this is the best guitar for the price range. And it's a taylor so if you don't like it you'll be able to sell if for value. A used TAylor is cool, a used yamaha is well...a used yamaha
Product: Taylor Guitars Big Baby Price Paid: US $335
Submitted 10/14/2003
at 07:32am
by Justin Reichenbach
Email: reichenbach<at>charter dot net
Features
:9
This Big Baby was made in 2003 in El Cajon (pronounced L CAHON), California. Yes this baby is Made in the USA. The back and sides are sapele laminate. The top is solid Sitka Spruce. The soundhole is laser etched. The neck is made of Tropical American Mahogany. It has an ebony bridge and fretboard with pearloid dots. The headstock overlay is lexan. It has Macarta/Tusq nut and saddle. The tuning machines are just enclosed die cast and chrome plated. It came with and I continue to use Elixir Acoustic Light Gauge strings. THe scale length is 25 1/2", body width is 15", 19 1/2" body length, 4" body depth, and 40 1/4" overal length. The truss rod is adjustable, and Neck width at the nut is 1 11/16". This guitar has 20 frets, X-bracing, and a satin finish. It came standard with a very nice padded Taylor Gig Bag.
Sound
:10
I will play just about any kind of music. It just depends what kind of mood I am in. I like Blues the most and this guitar is great. The sound is superb. It has nice low's and bright highs. The Elixir strings really compliment this guitar well. I belive the material the nut and saddles are made out of really help a lot. Intonation is great.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:10
I have a $1,200 Ovation Elite Standard Balladeer and this guitar blows it out of the water in every way. The action is perfect for lead and rhythm. I am a finger picker and this guitar is just perfect. The Satin finish is okay and the fact there is no binding. It kind of makes it look handmade and more rustic. That's cool to me. There were no flaws in this guitar at all.
Reliability/Durability
:9
The guitar seems a little light is all. I don't plan to go on the road. Not sure how it would take a beating, but all in all I think it will last a long time and it could be depended on.
Customer Support
:10
I have called Taylor many times to inquire about various things and they have always been helpful.
Overall Rating
:10
I have been playing for 14 years now and this guitar blew my mind. So much so I had to go out and buy the new Taylor 214. The only thing I have added to this guitar was a set of Ebony Bridge Pins with Abolone dots. I bought them from Taylor for $12 a set. I put them on both this and my 214. I am highly please with both guitars and will never stray from Taylor as long as they continue to make such superb instruments.
Product: Taylor Guitars Big Baby Price Paid: US $320
Submitted 08/14/2003
at 10:42pm
by Toby
Email: edgeoftheearth<at>burnblue dot com
Features
:9
Made right here in California with a solid top for $320? what i really like about this guitar is that it has everything you need for good sound with nothing you don't. That's what keeps the cost so reasonable. No binding, no inlaid headstock or rosette, no thick lacquer finish, no backstripe, no veneer on the headstock... What's more the bolt on neck (with its ugly screws) i now swear by, because it makes the thing as easy to play as an electric or a cutaway. there's no dovetail at the end to keep you from playing all the way up. The tuners are not the best i've seen, but a substantial improvement over most in this price range. I do have to fine-tune it every other day (but that's partly because i'm really anal about being exactly in tune). I had to ditch the Elixirs and put on some D'Addario EXP's. I'm giving it a nine because the features it has have been very well thought out, and i think it would destroy most of its charm to have inlays and shine and all that. Plus, this geetar came with a great soft case, one of the best gig bags i've seen (except i had to add the second shoulder strap to make it work like a backpack). The gigbag is key since i travel a lot.
Sound
:10
Well, i had never heard of the Big Baby series when i played this one. I walked into the "$1000 & Up" room at the store and started playing Taylors, which i have always drooled over. Then this simple one caught my eye, and i figured it must be Taylor's $800 "cheapie" like the other companies make. I picked it up and decided it sounded all right for a mid priced Taylor, looked at the price tag to confirm my suspicion and promptly bought the thing when i read $320. The sound is subtle, but bright, even and punchy, without much bass (sadly-my only complaint). Along with the wonderful neck the sound is perfect for fingerpicking and intricate soloing. A perfect around-the house guitar, comfortable and familiar. I would give the sound a 15 if i could, it is that far above and beyond anything in its price range.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:9
I love the action, the playability is incredible compared to any larger guitar. It was set up really low, but with no buzzing anywhere. The wood seems to be very high quality, though the inner braces aren't sanded down or finished. but really, they're inside the darn thing, who's looking anyway? On the outside the finish is spot-on, with pieces aligned incredibly close. I like the lack of binding, because it shows off the amazing job Taylor has done matching the top and sides. That spruce-meets-mahogany edge is more attractive to me than any pearloid-herringbone-solidgold-showoff edging ever could be.
Reliability/Durability
:3
This is the big flaw. This is without a doubt a fragile instrument. It's delicacy does serve a purpose: the lightweight wood vibrates wonderfully and contributes to the awesome sound. But i am scared to death of knocking this thing over or dropping it on the strap button. I'm afraid it'll just explode into fragments... with no kerfing supporting the back, i fear the worst one day. But then, to replace it would not be a wallet-busting ordeal... I have already dinged it a few times, despite being careful. I try to always keep it in the case. I knocked my keys (4 on a plain keyring) off the shelf above it and they put a good ding in the spruce... oh well.
Customer Support
:No Opinion
N/A, but i've heard they're great
Overall Rating
:9
I've been playing for seven years, and am an Art Studio major at UC Santa Barbara. I hear a lot of people saying how plain and boring this guitar looks, and how they "definitely didn't buy it for the looks." But personally, my Baby's simplicity makes it more attractive to me than 99% of the guitars out there. It is elegant, honest, and displays fine workmanship without any showboating. Were Taylor to make a guitar with the same lack of appointments, bolt-on neck, and satin finish in a full scale, with a solid back and sides and Grover tuners, i would have my ideal instrument.
Product: Taylor Guitars Big Baby Price Paid: 680 (Singapore Dollars)
Submitted 08/02/2003
at 01:07am
by Anonymous
Features
:10
My guitar was made in April 2003 in the Taylor factory in El Cajon, CA, USA. It is a 15/16-sized dreadnaught. It has a solid sitka spruce top with laminated sapele (a mahagony-like tonewood) for its sides and back, with satin finish. Its neck is made of Tropical American Mahagony. Comes with a gig-bag that is better and more protective than all other gig-bags I have held in my possession before. Big Baby Taylors do not come with pickups, although I know of a number of people who do wish they did...I personally would have liked the idea as well. Other vital information about this guitar can be obtained at the Taylor Guitars website (it is by far one of the most educations guitar websites I have visited). This guitar is absolutely simple and does not even have a binding, although there is a laser-etched soundhole rosette; which brings me to the most important point I want to make about its features - the Big Baby is not a guitar that is manufactured for aesthetic purposes. It seems to be manufactured for people who already HAVE an existing full-sized guitar, especially Taylors (like myself) and who need a second guitar for casual use; and also for people who are helplessly desperate for a Taylor sound but find the full-sized Taylors unaffordable. I am giving this category a 10 because the guitar absolutely provides all the basic features necessary to provide the guitarist with a pleasant accoustic-guitaring experience. Hence, "features" here is not to be understood within the dimension of physical aesthetics.
Sound
:10
I play mostly fingerpicking and fingerstyle, strumming only occasionally. I have not installed any pickups onto it and do not intend to do so anytime in the near future until a need arises. But after my purchase, several other friends have ordered their Big Babies and will install L.R.Baggs iBeam Active pickups on theirs. I trust it will sound good to the extent that the iBeam Active will project the sound of the guitar as it is. What kind of sound does the guitar make? A Taylor sound...this is what most Taylor-lovers fell in love with, isn't it? But the Big Baby is a little lower on the bass as compared to full-sized Taylors, but it is not to be faulted for that. It still provides a very full and amazingly attractive sound. I dare say it sounds better than 90 percent of the full-sized guitars I have heard in the market (maybe it is because I live in Malaysia and Singapore - back and forth - and there just aren't that many good guitars available in this part of the world). But the sound of the Big Baby basically makes me want to play it all the time. It is also the sound that made some of my friends decide almost immediately that they would like to have a Big Baby. I suppose for many of the Taylor fans, it is like a moment of truth!
Action, Fit, & Finish
:8
I am not sure that the guitar was set up only at the factory because I think some adjustments may have been made by the resident luthier of the distributor over here. But the action was low and just right. I have owned the guitar for about two weeks by now, and I have not discovered any flaws in it as yet. There are some rough edges at the soundhole, although that can only be reasonably expected for a guitar thus priced. Again, I am giving this an 8 because a rating needs to be commensurate with the intended level of the guitar. An 8 means it is wonderful, but that Taylor could have added a little more into it to make the owner even happier than he/she already is! But as it stands, it is good enough.
Reliability/Durability
:8
It does seem a bit fragile; but then again, that can be deceiving. I suppose I will only know after an extended period of playing it. The finish may be rather thin, but again, expecting much more than this for such a price may not be reasonable on the part of the buyer. But in the final analysis...YES, I CAN DEPEND ON IT. I do not use it in environments that require amplification, as my full-sized Taylor would do that well for me. The Big Baby is used more within the context of smaller groups and gatherings that do not require amplification, as well as for personal use. I am giving it a 10 for "reliability" because it obviously is not rock solid (but which guitar is?).
Customer Support
:10
I understand that Taylors give a lifetime warranty for ALL their guitars (if I am misperceived on this issue, I stand corrected). I purchased my Big Baby in Singapore, and the warranty is covered by the local distributor...and they provide a year's warranty for all Baby Taylor models, including the Big Baby. I have yet to require any service for the Big Baby. I am unsure if I am supposed to comment on the customer support offered by Taylor Guitars or by the local distributor. As far as Taylor Guitars is concerned, I sent them an email informing them that I am awaiting the delivery of a Baby Taylor 301 (yes, a third Taylor guitar that I am intending to purchase), and that I would like to have a pickguard for it because Baby Taylors do not come with them. Furthermore, for some reasons I shall refrain from disclosing, I did not want to go to the local distributor to ask if they have any. I told Taylor Guitars that I was living in Malaysia and that I would very much loved to have a pickguard for my Baby Taylor, but didn't know how to get it. Within a matter of several minutes, they replied my email asking for my residential address with no other questions asked. As of now, I have received the pickguard even BEFORE my Baby Taylor is delivered...need I say more? As for the local distributor, I do not suppose I would like to publicly comment much on my experiences with them. But I do think that Taylor owes it to themselves to ensure that they appoint distributors that are truly representative of their friendly image. So the rating of 10 that I am giving is for Taylor Guitars (and not for other parties involved in my purchasing experience). And the rating is a 10 only because it cannot get any higher than that.
Overall Rating
:10
I have been exposed to and began playing the guitar even before I could speak fluently! I have owned other acoustic guitars before, consisting of several mid-ranged Yamaha models and two Washburn models (one mid-ranged and one high-range). Nothing has beaten the Taylor guitars that I have held so far. I have compared them to some top-range Martin guitars, and was still more amused and amazed by the Taylors. At the moment, I still have in my possession a Yamaha APX6NA (a nylon-string guitar).
Anything else I would like to share? I guess so. Some people have asked me why put all my eggs in the same basket...why exclusively own Taylors. I suppose it is because I have found a sound that I have been looking for all my life, and will be devoted to playing a guitar that I deem does justice to all the efforts I have put into scaling the heights of acoustic guitaring. Watching people like Doyle Dykes and Tommy Emmanuel, I realise I am not quite there yet...but Taylor guitars simply make it easier for me. And if like me, you need to have a guitar with you wherever you travel and you want it to feel like a full-sized guitar without being too cumbersome, I highly recommend the Big Baby. After my purchase of the Big Baby, several of my friends tested it out and placed orders for theirs within less than two weeks of my purchase. This highly attests to the captivating properties of the Big Baby, wouldn't you say?
Product: Taylor Guitars Big Baby Price Paid: US $330
Submitted 07/19/2003
at 01:31pm
by Anonymous
Features
:9
After running out of patience with a crappy old guitar I had bought at a yard sale for a first guitar, I started searching for an inexpensive, well-made replacement. After playing many $350-and under guitars at Guitar Center, Daddy's Junky Music, and finally the small guitar store where I bought the Big Baby, I decided that this is absolutely the best guitar in its price range. It has a solid top with a satin finish, a full 20-fret neck, an ebony fretboard, and looks absolutely awesome! I think it is one of the coolest looking guitars I have seen. It is 15/16 the size of a usual dreadnought, but it is by no means a "baby"- it feels very much like a light, comfortable version of the standard dreadnought body. It comes with a very nice soft case. It's a great guitar at a great price, and it absolutely has enough features for any beginner, or anyone looking for a fairly inexpensive guitar.
Sound
:9
This guitar sounds great! It has a very bright, lively sound, but is not tinny or shrill. For such a small body, this guitar produces a very full sound, and is great for strumming open chords, and playing basic folk. It does not buzz or make any excess noise that I notice. Its clear, bright, full tone is versatile enough to begin learning any style of music. Arpeggios and soloing on the higher strings sound really cool- almost electric-like, I don't have pickups in it and I've never played miked, but I imagine this guitar might sound really cool in the studio, as some of the other reviews mention
Action, Fit, & Finish
:8
I haven't touched a thing since I bought it. The guitar seems to me to have a great factory settup, and the action on mine was really good. I don't like the Elixer strings too much, but they're certainly playable. I have found no flaws on the guitar. The action on this guitar is very good. It has a very thin, electic-guitar-like neck that feels great. It is very comfortable to play in general because of its neck, lightness, and small size.
Reliability/Durability
:7
The guitar can take a lot of hard strumming and rough playing before it falls out of tune. Although I've never performed, it seems as though it would hold up very well through a long night of jamming. The hardware seems good to me, but I'm sure it is not as high quality as more expensive guitars. It also seems a little fragile in the body- I think the thin rounded back could easily be broken. I've had the guitar for six months though and I've had not problems.
Customer Support
:No Opinion
I've never dealt with Taylor (haven't had to yet). The guitar comes with a one year warranty
Overall Rating
:9
I've been playing for a less than a year, but with the knowledge I have of guitars it seems to be very good and high-quality. I love to play it. I would reccomend this guitar to anyone looking for a guitar that costs less then $400. It is much better than the ovations, squiers, yamahas, and other smaller name guitars that I played in the same price range. The only guitar that I played that comes close to it is the $150 Alvarez RD8, wich if you're on an even tighter budget than I was is a great choice. Anyway, this is an excelent guitar and I highly reccomend it!
Product: Taylor Guitars Big Baby Price Paid: US $300.
Submitted 07/15/2003
at 09:17am
by Gail
Email: gadams<at>twri dot com
Nice, bright sound. Good and loud. Slight buzz on 6th string but can (probably) be adjusted. True notes!
Action, Fit, & Finish
:10
I had the guitar tech set up the Big Baby. No compaints. I keep looking for flaws but don't find any.
Reliability/Durability
:10
I've only had this guitar for 6 months. I have tried to be careful to keep it as climate-controlled as possible. I live in New Jersey where it's freezing and dry in winter and very hot and humid in summer so it's tough.
I think I could depend on the Big Baby, no problem.
Customer Support
:10
Haven't needed it but their reputation speaks for itself.
Overall Rating
:10
I've been playing for >30 years!. I own an 1976 Epiphone Texan 12 string, A Martin Backpacker, an OLD Fender Telecaster, a Martin D-12 12 string, Yamaha classical and an old Yamaha FG beater. I was looking to buy an acoustic-electric in the $300. range. I tried around 15-20 then fell in love with the Big Baby! Soundwise, the Taylor gives a much louder and brighter sound. And with a solid spruce top! Much more bang for the buck!
If lost, I would buy another today.
I love the thinline design. It is very easy to play and comfortable.
And to think I was once considering a Jumbo!
Product: Taylor Guitars Big Baby Price Paid: US $280
Submitted 07/09/2003
at 12:25am
by Anonymous
Features
:9
well considering it's my first guitar, i can't complain, and i know there are better guitars out there (that cost more, accordingly) but it far surpasses what i expected for my first guitar. it actually feels really nice and compact, which makes learning how to play a lot easier, at least for me. it's quite light too, meaning i don't mind lugging it around at all. it looks damn good too, simple and refined -- is exactly what its name suggests, a small taylor.
Sound
:9
it sounds great, can't say too much more than that. i've only played one guitar that sounded better and it was 3x the cost (a martin).
Action, Fit, & Finish
:8
i played on a terrible beginner's guitar that i couldn't stand, and this had much better action. i'm a bit worried about what will happen with the neck, because it doesn't feel incredibly sturdy, but overall the thing feels solid. finish is nearly perfect.
Reliability/Durability
:9
it's really durable as i've found after banging it a few times in my house. no damage to it at all, surprisingly. i do worry a bit about the neck holding up, cause it seems a little fragile. i'm very sure this guitar will last me many years to come though.
Customer Support
:No Opinion
i've heard taylor is good ...
Overall Rating
:10
i've been playing for three months now and this has been a solid companion for that short time. i don't wish for any other guitar right now, until i get better and then hopefully have the skill and money to justify buying a "real" taylor, but as far as i'm concerned, this is very much a "real" guitar, despite the 15/16 scale and "budget" materials. it feels expensive and well-made, great as a beginner's guitar, but will hopefully take my into my intermediate years. i will probably never replace it ... playing it til it gives up (if it gives up!) but at some point i'm going to get serious enough to get another guitar. the taylor big baby is awesome.
Product: Taylor Guitars Big Baby Price Paid: US $300
Submitted 06/07/2003
at 12:03pm
by Joelle Marlow
Email: joellemarlow at hotmail<dot>com
Features
:No Opinion
This is a very basic 6 string acoustic which is slightly smaller than average for a flattop dreadnaught style.The appearance is unfancy but strangely attractive.You don't pay for looks and features here but only a sound which belies the price and appearance. It came with a soft bag and fitted with Elixir strings which I never used before but they sound fine to me. I dont know quite how to rate this section so Ill leave it blank.
Sound
:10
This is why I bought it. I first heard someone playing one a couple of years ago when I wsa visiting with friends over in England and I was impressed enough to try one out when I came back home. The sound I get from this guitar is colorful and bright with plenty of projection. Open chords really ring on it with or without a capo and bar chords sound crisp and lively.I wouldn't class myself as a good player but I started to learn guitar in High School and ive been playing abour 8 years now. I play for my own enjoyment and when Im with friends and family. I play mostly old folkstyle tunes a few rock ballads, a little bluesy stuff, that kind of thing as well as some of my own stuff. I find my Big bay is great for trying out new ideas.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:9
The neck is really comfortable to play and teh action is fine.I have smaller hands than average and it feels just right for me.Also it stays in tune very well.
Reliability/Durability
:No Opinion
It still looks new but I dont play proffesionally so i cant really say.
Customer Support
:No Opinion
Overall Rating
:10
I also own a Martin D-18 which sounds beautiful and has more bottom end. The Taylor is easier to play though and its the guitar I use most.It's just such a joy to play. Ive had it more than a year and I still cant believe that cost me only $300 and its not made in Japan or Korea but right here in California.
Product: Taylor Guitars Big Baby Price Paid: 599 (CDN)
Submitted 05/25/2003
at 05:31pm
by Rick
Features
:7
You all know the Taylor name,so this is not really necessary.Small body with a big sound.Sure looks like a plain Jane but pick it up and you will be shocked.I like the gloss tops but my wife thinks the satin looks nicer.
Sound
:10
I play mostly country and a little older rock.And I was looking for something to sit on the couch while watching(CMT).It is hard to believe that something so small can sound so big.The clarity is absolutely amazing.The bass is a little less than most full sized dreads,but the rest of it makes up for it!!!The sustain is amazing,it seems to ring forever.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:9
The action is fine,a little high but nothing a little adjustment can't fix.How can you even consider bookmatching on an instrument that cost this little.If you are in it for looks then you should not even be considering this baby(pardon the pun)As far as finish it looks plain,but man is it ever a wolf in sheep's clothing,again it sounds like Martin's $1000 models.I have read that the tuners are not up to snuff,and they don't stay in tune well they might not be Grovers,but man they sure work for me.On the negative side the saddle and the nut were a little sharp around the edges(small amount of filing needed)
Reliability/Durability
:10
I only play at kitchen parties(mostly my own)and I tend to baby my guitars.It sure seems to be frail,but only time will tell.But they are still actually a guitar and not a hammer.So you take care of it and it will take care of you.The way I look after my axes it will last me forever.All in all I don't really know but am hoping for the best.After all this is a Taylor,if they let you down then give up.
Customer Support
:No Opinion
Don't really know.But have heard it is second to none.
Overall Rating
:9
I have been playing for about 30yrs.Like I said earlier it is hard to believe that something so small can sound so big.It is a plain Jane,that sounds very good,seems a little fragile,and some of the edges are a little sharp.But I am told this is not even a worry.Just play it and be happy.I also own a Canadian made Seagull(M6 Gloss) very nice piece of work.By the way while I am on the patriotic scene,most of us Canadians were behind the USA in Iraq.YOU can't blame us if we have an idiot leading our country!!!!!!
Product: Taylor Guitars Big Baby Price Paid: US $300
Submitted 04/23/2003
at 01:41pm
by Ed Z.
Features
:10
02 model Taylor Big Baby. Made in El cajon california. Solid sitka spruce top, laminate sapeale back and sides. Elixers from the factory, very nice gig bag included. Some people call this a small guitar, well its not, it is a full size guitar, except for the depth its full scale.
Sound
:10
The sound of this guitar is truely amazing. Vibrates so freely. The bass response is awsome, highs crisp and very bright. this guitar sounds alot bigger than it looks. Cannot say ebough about the sound of this lap cannon. Very pleased.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:10
Action very low from the factory. Pne of the best things about this gutiar is the neck. Its so slim and fast. All other acoustic necks i have played feel like a telephone pole, very wide and fat. Not this neck, its about as thin as the neck on my Bc Rich. Playes like buddah.
Reliability/Durability
:10
The guitar has stood up very well during shipment. Very nice hardware, all joints well finished, flawless finsih on the body. Some people will complain about "blonde streaks" on the neck, this is the natural color of some ebony pieces.
Customer Support
:10
Taylor's customer support is number one in the business. If you need somthing they will send it to you free of charge. Very helpful on the phone and will be more than glad to answer your questions.
Overall Rating
:10
This is THe best acoustic guitar i have played for under 1,000 dollars, bar none. No guitar can comapre, i have played washburns, takamines, ovations(yuck), and fenders. none can compare to the sound of this guitar. If it was stolen i would stab whoever took it in the face with a soldering iron.
Product: Taylor Guitars Big Baby Price Paid: US $329.99
Submitted 03/14/2003
at 11:43pm
by Anonymous
Features
:7
This is a review of the Taylor big baby guitar. It looks quite a bit larger than the standard baby Taylor as a matter of fact it does not even look like a travel guitar. It has a solid top with laminated body and an ebony fingerboard. The craftsmanship is top notch. The satin finish makes the guitar look very plain. It looks like an economy guitar that it is.
Sound
:8
This is a very nice sounding guitar. The mid and high frequencies are excellent but the guitar lacks the bottom end that a full size dreadnaught would have. The guitar does not sound loud at all, not something to use for a performance or any kind of recording in my honest opinion. With the lack of a strong bottom end it really does not sound like the guitars you hear on recordings.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:10
The finish is immaculate as with more expensive Taylors
Reliability/Durability
:7
this looks more like a practice guitar. I do not know how durable they are
Customer Support
:No Opinion
Overall Rating
:9
I do not own this guitar just gave it a test run. The ebony neck is fabulous. My fingers moved up and down the neck like an electric guitar. This guitar is a blast to play. Taylor really hit the mark with this model. The tone is beautiful, just a bit different from the larger dreadnaughts. I compared this Taylor big baby to a Tacoma papoose but there really was no comparison, the big baby gave the papoose a knockout punch! ;)
Product: Taylor Guitars Big Baby Price Paid: US $319
Submitted 03/10/2003
at 10:38pm
by Anonymous
Features
:10
Come on, you know the features! Solid Spruce top, Sepele laminate b/s. ebony bridge and fretboard. Don't ask for much more for $320, come on, please. If you want a featured filled guitar, spend $1200 on a solid 310. If you want a great sounding $319 guitar, look no further.
Sound
:10
Kicks a lot of tail for what it is, a travel 15/16th size dread. It is very balanced. Sounds great. excellent tone. This is my second Big Baby. Very nice sound.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:10
Perfect it and finish...........
Reliability/Durability
:10
This a reall inexpnsive guitar, only 3 bills. It does have a thin finish. But it sound good. Take care of it. It is a nice guitar.
Customer Support
:10
Taylor, nufff said.....................
Overall Rating
:10
This is a great guitar for what it is. A simple easy to own and play USA made guitar. If you need a beater/ couch guitar or just an acoustic to knock around, consider this one.
Product: Taylor Guitars Big Baby Price Paid: US $315
Submitted 03/03/2003
at 04:48pm
by RM
Email: rmcc277622<at>aol dot com
Features
:No Opinion
Average features with a great neck and quality name.
Sound
:10
I was attempting to purchase a 310 or more expensive series until I tried the Big Baby. The ultra clear sound and the wonderful neck sounded better than all the others. Very bright which I like. I want a bright precise sounding guitar for fingerpicking, not a boomer strummer. For this sound and playability, I could not pass up the great price.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:9
My action is very low with no buzz. The easiest neck I have ever played. Was very well set up by the dealer.
Reliability/Durability
:6
This guitar is very light. The wood top is very thin, thus the great sound. However it seems so fragile. You have to make sure you keep it in a humidified room near 50%. My frets became exposed because the humidity in my house was only 33%. This guitar also gets out of tune easily. I am thinking it is because of the low cost tuners or is it the thin wood or both? I do not think this guitar will hold up very well in the long run.
Customer Support
:10
The Best!
Overall Rating
:7
Been playing for 30 years. Excellent sounding guitar, great price, fragile guitar.
Product: Taylor Guitars Big Baby Price Paid: US $319.00
Submitted 03/03/2003
at 08:13am
by Roy
Features
:8
2002 TAYLOR BIG BABY W/GIGBAG. BOLT-ON NECK. NO ELECTRONICS.
SOLID TOP. NICE TUNERS. WELL BUILT GUITAR.
Sound
:10
I AM GIVING IT A 10 BECAUSE OF THE PRICE (319.00 NEW). OF COURSE A MARTIN D-28 SOUNDS BETTER. BUT IT IS PRICED ACCORDINGLY.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:10
VERY NICELY SET-UP FROM FACTORY. ACTION IS FAIRLY LOW. IT IS ADJUSTABLE IF YOU WANT IT LOWER. NO COMPLAINTS WITH THIS GUITAR.
Reliability/Durability
:10
I've HAD IT ABOUT A YEAR AND NO PROBLEMS AT ALL. I HAVE PLAYED IT ALOT TOO.
Customer Support
:No Opinion
HAVE'NT HAD ANY NEED FOR CUSTOMER SUPPORT.
Overall Rating
:10
I AM GIVING THIS GUITAR A 10 BECAUSE IT IS A SOLID-TOP, MADE IN USA, NICE SOUNDING (VERY NICE) GUITAR. WITH THESE ATTRIBUTES, YOU CAN'T TOUCH THIS GUITAR. IT IS A BARGAIN. ONLY PROBLEM IS THAT STORES CAN'T KEEP THEM ON THE SHELVES. IF YOU SEE ONE AND LIKE IT, BUY IT. IF YOU DECIDE TO 'SLEEP ON IT', IT WILL PROBABLY BE GONE THE NEXT DAY.