NBD - Taylor GS Mini Travel Bass

DrThumpenstein

DrThumpenstein

Living for the groove
Supporting Member
Feb 8, 2015
2,380
8,703
5,426
St Louis, MO
#1
A couple of weeks ago, I partially retired, cutting back to about 40%, so Mrs. Thumpenstein and I can hit the road a little more. But I really miss playing when I’m traveling. Seeing as we’re planning to travel more, I was looking for something portable but well-made. I wasn’t expecting anything like this!

I went in looking for a U-bass but I didn’t find anything I liked. I dismissed this one as too big at first, But it was such a beautiful guitar I just had to play it. It sounded and played so great! And it has a very protective, well padded gig bag, perfect for traveling.

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This thing is a stunner! It really plays nicely and sounds great plugged in and acoustically. I really wanted something I could play around the pool and beach, so this is going to see a lot of use both on the road and at home!

It’s something like a 24 inch scale. Sitka top and beautiful flame maple back. Sales lady said it is an ebony board. Not sure, but it has some nice striping and feels great. It has proprietary strings from D’Addario. I tried out several travel basses, and this one just plays like you could gig it. I didn’t feel that way with any of the others in the store.

I’ve always admired Taylor guitars and have enjoyed playing them whenever I’ve had a chance. I’ve really never thought about buying one until today. The price was not unreasonable for a such a beautiful instrument that sounds and plays so nicely and fits my needs so well. I am really excited about hitting the road with Mrs. Thumpenstein and this baby!
 
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#7
Spidey2112 said:
Taylor makes some really nice stuff. I would expect nothing less from their four string offering. Enjoy, you deserve it!
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el jeffe bass said:
Congratulations on both the new bass an partial retirement.
Cheers J.S.
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Steve88 said:
Nice bass! I like the figuring on the back.

I played one of these once for a few minutes and it's a really cool little instrument.
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thanks for the kind words!

I had a chance to plug it into the Mesa rig last night. It really sings! I did crank it to feedback level so I’ll have to play around with that before I take it on any gigs:roflmao:
 
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#9
KaseOfBass said:
Nice! I just got one of these, but the Koa variant, as well. Great little bass that got to see it's first stripped-down, full-band, but acoustic, gig last week. Used the Taylor and my Neve RNDI and it sounded fantastic! Congrats!
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I was kinda joking on the gig thing, but mostly because the type of music my current band plays does not lend itself to acoustic performance, but it's definitely a giggable bass. Glad to see you out there!

I had a Micheal Kelly ABG for several years, but it was full scale and a BEAST. It sounded good, but really it wasn't any louder than this one and it was unwieldy to play. It felt like the size of a guitarron!
 
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#11
DrThumpenstein said:
A couple of weeks ago, I partially retired, cutting back to about 40%, so Mrs. Thumpenstein and I can hit the road a little more. But I really miss playing when I’m traveling. Seeing as we’re planning to travel more, I was looking for something portable but well-made. I wasn’t expecting anything like this!

I went in looking for a U-bass but I didn’t find anything I liked. I dismissed this one as too big at first, But it was such a beautiful guitar I just had to play it. It sounded and played so great! And it has a very protective, well padded gig bag, perfect for traveling.

View attachment 4728580 View attachment 4728581

This thing is a stunner! It really plays nicely and sounds great plugged in and acoustically. I really wanted something I could play around the pool and beach, so this is going to see a lot of use both on the road and at home!

It’s something like a 24 inch scale. Sitka top and beautiful flame maple back. Sales lady said it is an ebony board. Not sure, but it has some nice striping and feels great. It has proprietary strings from D’Addario. I tried out several travel basses, and this one just plays like you could gig it. I didn’t feel that way with any of the others in the store.

I’ve always admired Taylor guitars and have enjoyed playing them whenever I’ve had a chance. I’ve really never thought about buying one until today. The price was not unreasonable for a such a beautiful instrument that sounds and plays so nicely and fits my needs so well. I am really excited about hitting the road with Mrs. Thumpenstein and this baby!
Click to expand...
Oooooh. That's nice! Great acquisition! Enjoy your travels!
 
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#12
Congratulations. With a scale length that short, I'd expect the strings to be loosey, goosey. I assume those proprietary D'Addario strings are made to prevent that. Can you give us more information on the string gauges, tension, etc.? I had a Fender Musicmaster Bass for a hot minute and had to use some heavier gauge strings for better string tension.
 
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#13
I had the same issues as well. The U-bass didn't cut it for me, though I only tried 2. This guy took the cake as well for me when I tried it. I have on my list as well for travel since my family does a lot of beach/surf trips over the summer. Great bass enjoy!!! :D
 
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#14
DrThumpenstein said:
A couple of weeks ago, I partially retired, cutting back to about 40%, so Mrs. Thumpenstein and I can hit the road a little more. But I really miss playing when I’m traveling. Seeing as we’re planning to travel more, I was looking for something portable but well-made. I wasn’t expecting anything like this!

I went in looking for a U-bass but I didn’t find anything I liked. I dismissed this one as too big at first, But it was such a beautiful guitar I just had to play it. It sounded and played so great! And it has a very protective, well padded gig bag, perfect for traveling.

View attachment 4728580 View attachment 4728581

This thing is a stunner! It really plays nicely and sounds great plugged in and acoustically. I really wanted something I could play around the pool and beach, so this is going to see a lot of use both on the road and at home!

It’s something like a 24 inch scale. Sitka top and beautiful flame maple back. Sales lady said it is an ebony board. Not sure, but it has some nice striping and feels great. It has proprietary strings from D’Addario. I tried out several travel basses, and this one just plays like you could gig it. I didn’t feel that way with any of the others in the store.

I’ve always admired Taylor guitars and have enjoyed playing them whenever I’ve had a chance. I’ve really never thought about buying one until today. The price was not unreasonable for a such a beautiful instrument that sounds and plays so nicely and fits my needs so well. I am really excited about hitting the road with Mrs. Thumpenstein and this baby!
Click to expand...

I've been a big Taylor fan for well over 25 years. I finally got a 510 in 2001 which is a great sounding/playing dreadnaught. When this bass came out I became really intrigued bit never have seen one in the wild.

Congrats, she's a beaut!
 
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#17
Ben Esparza said:
Congratulations. With a scale length that short, I'd expect the strings to be loosey, goosey. I assume those proprietary D'Addario strings are made to prevent that. Can you give us more information on the string gauges, tension, etc.? I had a Fender Musicmaster Bass for a hot minute and had to use some heavier gauge strings for better string tension.
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They are a Nylon core wrapped in Bronze. They sort of feel like a classical nylon guitar but have the metal on metal contact you would expect with a bass guitar. The nylon/bronze combo allows the tension to be about what you would expect (playable) on a 24" scale. They do still feel like they roll under your fingers a little. But they work great, I love them for couching around.
 
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#18
skycruiser said:
Nice! But I wouldn't degrade this fine instrument by calling it a travel bass!
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Thanks, you are absolutely right! Travel was the inspiration, but just like with Mrs Thumpenstein, I out kicked my coverage! I really wasn’t looking for such a nice instrument, but it was all over once I played it. I just love playing this bass!
 
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#19
Ben Esparza said:
Congratulations. With a scale length that short, I'd expect the strings to be loosey, goosey. I assume those proprietary D'Addario strings are made to prevent that. Can you give us more information on the string gauges, tension, etc.? I had a Fender Musicmaster Bass for a hot minute and had to use some heavier gauge strings for better string tension.
Click to expand...
Yeah, you’re right on that. They feel like pretty low-tension strings.

The strings were developed by D’Addario specifically for this bass. Apparently they are the only strings that this bass will accept. (Of course, that’s straight from the sales lady, so subject to verification.) Phosphor bronze wrapped nylon core. These are “Custom Light” 37-50-62-90 according to the package. They buzz a little if I dig in, but no issues with normal technique. I don’t know if they are available in other gauges. I had a running gag going with her because she knows I’m really a flats guy, but not with this axe.
 
#20
Every one of these I've picked up has looked and played great. The strings do have a tendency to roll but I guess it wasn't really designed with aggressive playing in mind. They have a pretty neat tone, I think they'd work well for flashy solo bass riffing, like the stuff you see on the BassTheWorld channel.
 
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