Introduction
Having a compact acoustic guitar at home can significantly enhance your musical experience, especially if it’s conveniently placed within reach of your favorite lounging spot. The convenience and playability of these instruments have skyrocketed their popularity over the years, with nearly every prominent acoustic guitar brand offering a model. Among the pioneers in this category is the Taylor BT1 baby Taylor, a beloved choice for nearly three decades.
Similar to the groundbreaking guitars of the 50s and 60s,the design of the BT1e has remained consistent since its debut as one of the first mass-produced travel guitars. It features the same arched back design, avoiding traditional back bracing, and retains those noticeable screws at the 16th fret. The 3/4 acoustic guitar scale length adds to its cozy feel. The primary change over the years has been the influx of competition, with numerous guitars now available in this compact format.
The BT1e boasts a dreadnought body shape, crafted with layered walnut for the back and sides, and a solid torrefied spruce top featuring X-bracing. The neck is made from tropical mahogany, complemented by an ebony (or eucalyptus, depending on availability) fretboard adorned with 4mm acrylic dot markers. It includes a Tusq nut and micarta saddle,with an ebony bridge. The guitar is equipped with die-cast tuning machines and Taylor’s ES-B onboard electronics, rounding out its impressive specifications.
Specifications
- Launch price: $549 | £399 | €359
- Manufactured in: Mexico
- Body shape: Dreadnought
- Top wood: Solid torrefied spruce
- Bracing: X-bracing
- Back & sides: Layered walnut
- Neck material: Tropical mahogany
- Scale length: 22.75″ (577mm)
- Nut width: TUSQ nut / 43mm
- String spacing at bridge: 52mm
- Fingerboard material: Ebony
- Body depth: 85.7mm
- Finish: Natural, varnished
- Bridge material: Ebony, plastic
- Tuning machines: Die-cast chrome
- Electronics: Taylor ES-B
- Weight: 1.5kg
- Included case: Taylor structured gig bag, tan
- Left-handed options: Yes
- Contact: Taylor
Construction quality
Build Quality Rating: ★★★★★
The Taylor BT1e arrives in a semi-solid gig bag reminiscent of the one included with the GS Mini, which is a thoughtful addition given the guitar’s price point. Upon taking it out, the compact size compared to a standard dreadnought is striking. Weighing in at just 1.5kg, it feels almost as light as the gig bag itself.
A close inspection of the body reveals a high level of craftsmanship. The solid top wood is seamlessly joined to the body, with a clean separation line, and a lighter wood layer is visible where the back meets the sides, likely a poplar layer between the two pieces of layered walnut. The back features a subtle arch, which is not overly pronounced during play.
when resting the guitar on my lap, I noticed some gaps where the frets have been installed, which would typically be filled or covered with binding on higher-end models. However, the frets themselves are well-placed, and the alignment is consistent across the dark wood of the fretboard.
The neck is slightly angled against the body near the soundhole, revealing a small sliver of mahogany. This is part of the bolt-on neck design,allowing for easy adjustments rather than requiring a complete neck reset as would be necessary with a glued joint.
This guitar exemplifies the typical Taylor craftsmanship I’ve come to expect from their models, with well-designed tuners and bridge. Interestingly, the finger joint connecting the neck and headstock is quite visible, with the headstock wood being darker than the neck wood, yet the grain patterns match well. The joint is executed smoothly, making it nearly invisible when viewed from the side.
playability
Playability Rating: ★★★★
Despite its compact size, it feels surprisingly spacious.
Settling in front of my television with the BT1e on my lap, I began testing it with some gentle fingerpicking to gauge the fretboard’s responsiveness. Despite its smaller size,it does not feel cramped near the nut. Transitioning from a 3/4 classical guitar that I typically use, the neck profile is comfortable, allowing me to play everything from somber Radiohead-inspired arpeggios to classical pieces with ease.
However, its neck-heavy design becomes apparent when I sit up, as the guitar tends to slip off my lap. in a typical playing position with my right arm resting over the body, this is less noticeable, but it’s something to keep in mind if you need to quickly grab your phone or remote.
Playing an Eb major barre chord at the 11th fret feels comfortable, and I can reach the 15th fret for some pentatonic scale runs. I can even hit notes on the 16th fret above the neck joint screws, and they resonate just as clearly as those around them. However, I doubt many players will need to venture beyond this range when using this style of guitar.
the Taylor BT1e Baby Taylor is a remarkable instrument that combines portability with remarkable sound quality. Its thoughtful design and construction make it a fantastic choice for both beginners and seasoned players looking for a reliable travel guitar.
While Taylor does not specify the neck profile on their website, it feels distinctly like a gentle ‘V’ shape. This is likely attributed to the narrower nut width, which limits the amount of wood available for a fuller ‘C’ profile while maintaining a slim and playable neck. Transitioning from a guitar with a standard ‘C’ profile, this neck feels comfortable across various playing styles.
Using a ruler, I measured the action at the 12th fret, which is 2mm, making it quite comfortable for faster playing techniques. The short scale length contributes to a quick response, and achieving full-tone bends is significantly easier compared to a standard dreadnought. This is further enhanced by the light 12-gauge acoustic guitar strings that come pre-installed.
Sound Quality
Sound Rating: ★★★★
When played fingerstyle, the Taylor BT1e produces a stunning tone. It has a bright character, making it notably responsive to the delicate touch of fingerpicking. The notes resonate beautifully, with rich overtones emerging as I play a variety of chords, including open drone notes.
Switching to a pick for more aggressive strumming, I find it easy to elicit a strong sound with a powerful E major chord.My current test track is the intro to ‘master exploder’ by Tenacious D, and when I strum the BT1e with a pick, it delivers a bright tone, although heavy strumming can introduce a slight harshness in the higher frequencies.
I’d gladly connect it to a PA system for live performances.
While it’s not intended for heavy strumming, a more controlled pick attack yields a lovely sound. The bass response is not overwhelming, but the tonal balance is commendable, providing clarity across all notes, whether playing barre chords, open chords, or single-note runs.
When I plugged it into my audio interface to evaluate the onboard pickup and electronics, I was pleasantly surprised by the realistic sound. Although it doesn’t quite match the acoustic quality heard in the room,it does exhibit the typical ‘plink’ sound associated with many acoustic guitar pickups. I would feel confident using it in a live setting.
However, I did notice it required a important gain boost, even with the onboard electronics set to maximum volume, needing about 15dB to reach -6dB on my DAW meters.Thus, if you plan to perform with this guitar, investing in an acoustic guitar pedal to enhance and shape the sound would be beneficial.
Final Thoughts
Despite its compact size,the taylor BT1e Baby Taylor presents itself as a complex acoustic guitar.The unplugged sound is exceptional for all but the most vigorous strumming, and playing fingerstyle while seated on the couch is a delightful experience with this remarkable instrument. With its surprisingly effective onboard electronics, it is also suitable for live performances if you choose to take it outside your home.
Players with larger hands may find upper register access challenging.
While those with larger hands might encounter difficulties in the upper registers, and the guitar does have a neck-heavy design, these minor drawbacks are easily overlooked given the overall comfort and sound quality. It may not excel with aggressive strumming, but this is typical for smaller-bodied acoustics, which tend to compress more easily due to their size.
Guitar World Verdict: The Taylor BT1e Baby taylor has maintained its status as a leading 3/4 size acoustic for over 30 years. Its combination of superb tone, excellent playability, and robust build quality makes it an outstanding choice for any musician, whether your a beginner seeking your first instrument or an experienced guitarist looking for a comfortable option for songwriting and casual playing.
|
Test |
Results |
Score |
|---|---|---|
|
Build Quality |
A meticulously crafted instrument with no flaws. |
★★★★★ |
|
Playability |
Ideal for beginners and players of smaller stature, but larger players may find it cramped. |
★★★★ |
|
Sound quality |
Exceptional fingerstyle tones and suitable for light to medium strumming, but struggles with heavy picking. |
★★★★ |
|
Overall |
One of the finest 3/4 acoustics available, well-suited for a wide range of players. |
★★★★ |
also Consider
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Marty5150
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Even though Taylor does not specify the neck profile on their website, it feels distinctly like a gentle ‘V’ shape. This is highly likely attributed to the narrower nut width, which limits the amount of wood available for a fuller ‘C’ profile while maintaining a slim and playable neck. Transitioning from a guitar with a standard ‘C’ profile, this neck feels comfortable across various playing styles.
Using a ruler, I measured the action at the 12th fret, which is 2mm, making it quite comfortable for faster playing techniques. the short scale length contributes to a quick response, and achieving full-tone bends is significantly easier compared to a standard dreadnought. This is further enhanced by the light 12-gauge acoustic guitar strings that come pre-installed.
Sound Quality
Sound Rating: ★★★★
When played fingerstyle, the Taylor BT1e produces a stunning tone. It has a bright character, making it particularly responsive to the delicate touch of fingerpicking. The notes resonate beautifully, with rich overtones emerging as I play a variety of chords, including open drone notes.
Switching to a pick for more aggressive strumming, I find it easy to elicit a strong sound with a powerful E major chord. My current test track is the intro to ‘Master Exploder’ by Tenacious D,and when I strum the BT1e with a pick,it delivers a bright tone,although heavy strumming can introduce a slight harshness in the higher frequencies.
I’d gladly connect it to a PA system for live performances.
While it’s not intended for heavy strumming, a more controlled pick attack yields a lovely sound. The bass response is not overwhelming,but the tonal balance is commendable,providing clarity across all notes,whether playing barre chords,open chords,or single-note runs.
When I plugged it into my audio interface to evaluate the onboard pickup and electronics, I was pleasantly surprised by the realistic sound. Even though it doesn’t quite match the acoustic quality heard in the room, it does exhibit the typical ‘plink’ sound associated with many acoustic guitar pickups. I would feel confident using it in a live setting.
However,I did notice it required a significant gain boost,even with the onboard electronics set to maximum volume,needing about 15dB to reach -6dB on my DAW meters. Therefore, if you plan to perform with this guitar, investing in an acoustic guitar pedal to enhance and shape the sound would be beneficial.
Final Thoughts
Despite its compact size, the Taylor BT1e Baby Taylor presents itself as a sophisticated acoustic guitar. The unplugged sound is exceptional for all but the most vigorous strumming, and playing fingerstyle while seated on the couch is a delightful experience with this remarkable instrument. With its surprisingly effective onboard electronics,it is indeed also suitable for live performances if you choose to take it outside your home.
Players with larger hands may find upper register access challenging.
While those with larger hands might encounter difficulties in the upper registers, and the guitar does have a neck-heavy design, these minor drawbacks are easily overlooked given the overall comfort and sound quality. It may not excel with aggressive strumming, but this is typical for smaller-bodied acoustics, which tend to compress more easily due to their size.
Guitar World Verdict: The Taylor BT1e baby taylor has maintained its status as a leading 3/4 size acoustic for over 30 years. Its combination of superb tone, excellent playability, and robust build quality makes it an outstanding choice for any musician, whether you’re a beginner seeking your first instrument or an experienced guitarist looking for a comfortable option for songwriting and casual playing.
|
Test |
Results |
Score |
|---|---|---|
|
Build Quality |
A meticulously crafted instrument with no flaws. |
★★★★★ |
|
Playability |
Ideal for beginners and players of smaller stature, but larger players may find it cramped. |
★★★★ |
|
Sound Quality |
exceptional fingerstyle tones and suitable for light to medium strumming, but struggles with heavy picking. |
★★★★ |
|
Overall |
One of the finest 3/4 acoustics available, well-suited for a wide range of players. |
★★★★ |
Also Consider
Hands-On Videos
Matthew Finch
Watch On
Matthew Finch
Watch On
