Introduction
Taylor Guitars is one of the most renowned acoustic guitar manufacturers, known for making high-quality instruments with incredible sound and playability. The company was founded in 1974 and has grown into an industry leader, especially for their use of innovative technology and sustainable tonewoods.
In 1996, Taylor introduced the Baby Taylor series, which consists of 3/4-size travel acoustic guitars. These compact guitars are designed to be easy to transport and fun to play, while retaining Taylor’s signature sound and build quality. The Baby Taylor BT1 is an entry-level model in this series, intended to be an affordable option accessible to beginners, younger players, travelers, and those looking for a couch/practice guitar.
With its layered walnut back and sides and Sitka spruce top, the BT1 delivers Taylor’s bright, balanced tone in a conveniently sized package. While it may lack some projection compared to a full-size guitar, the BT1 excels as a starter instrument and ultra-portable acoustic. Its purpose is providing an introduction to Taylor’s quality and craftsmanship at a budget-friendly price point. The target audience is primarily new players, children/teens, and casual musicians who want to own a real Taylor guitar that’s easy to take anywhere.
Specifications and Features
The Taylor BT1 has a compact 3/4 dreadnought body with the following specifications:
- Body Length: 35 7/8"
- Body Width: 13 5/8"
- Body Depth: 4 5/8"
- Scale Length: 25.5"
- Nut Width: 1 11/16"
- 20 Frets
- Layered walnut back and sides
- Solid Sitka spruce top
- Ebony fretboard and bridge
- X-bracing pattern
The shorter 25.5" scale length and narrow 1 11/16" nut width make the BT1 very comfortable and easy to play, especially for travelers and beginners with smaller hands.
The BT1 comes equipped with layered walnut back and sides and a solid Sitka spruce top. This tonewood combination produces a balanced, bright acoustic tone that projects well for the BT1’s small size.
The BT1-e model offers the same specifications but with the addition of Taylor ES-B electronics, allowing for plugged-in amplified performance.
Sound Quality
The Taylor BT1 produces a bright and balanced tone that belies its compact size. The solid Sitka spruce top and layered walnut back and sides generate a focused and punchy acoustic sound.
While the 3/4 size dreadnought body limits overall projection, the BT1 can still fill a room when strummed open. Single note lines and fingerstyle playing are accentuated nicely. The crisp highs and balanced mids and lows make the BT1 a versatile guitar for both flatpicking and fingerpicking.
The shorter 25.5" scale length and low action facilitate smooth playability and lighter gauge strings can be used without losing stability. This makes the BT1 an extremely comfortable guitar for couch playing and relaxed practice sessions. While it doesn’t offer the volume for stage use, the BT1 excels as a portable acoustic for more casual enjoyment.
Playability
The Baby Taylor BT1 is designed with playability in mind, making it an excellent choice for beginning guitarists and travelers. It features a slim neck profile and low string action that allows for smooth, comfortable fretting. Many reviewers have noted how the BT1’s shorter 24.875" scale length reduces tension, allowing the strings to be tuned to standard tuning without feeling overly tight. This makes basic chords and lead playing accessible even for players with smaller hands.
Compared to other popular travel guitars like the Martin LX1 Little Martin, the BT1’s low action and light string tension really stand out. It’s easy to fret chords and notes without excessive pressure, reducing fatigue during practice sessions. The smooth satin finish on the back of the BT1’s neck also increases playability by allowing easy movement up and down the fretboard. Players who struggle with other travel-sized guitars will appreciate how easy the BT1 is on the hands.
While the BT1 may not offer the same full-bodied projection as a standard dreadnought, its slim neck and low action make it an excellent choice for casual playing. The easy playability reduces frustration, especially for beginners still building up finger strength and dexterity. For road tripping guitarists, the BT1’s smooth feel and reduced tension help make practice possible even in cramped spaces like an airplane seat or small hotel room. Overall, the BT1 sacrifices some volume for superior playability – a tradeoff that many recreational players will appreciate.
Construction and Durability
The Taylor BT1 is built to last, with quality construction that makes it an ideal travel companion. The guitar features a layered walnut back and sides, which provides consistency in look and tone compared to solid wood alternatives. The layered wood is less prone to cracking or warping from changes in temperature and humidity during travel.
The BT1 has a durable satin finish that gives it a smooth, natural feel while also protecting the wood from scratches and wear. Unlike some gloss finishes, the satin does not chip or peel easily when subjected to the knocks of frequent transport. The hardware, including the tuners and bridge, are high quality and sturdy as well.
Overall, the BT1 demonstrates excellent attention to detail and craftsmanship. The joints, binding, fretwork and other components are built to Taylor’s strict standards. As long as the guitar is properly cared for, it has the potential to remain a reliable, great-sounding instrument for years to come. The BT1 makes an ideal travel companion that can withstand the rigors of regular use.
Accessories and Options
The Baby Taylor BT1 comes with a high-quality gig bag for protecting the guitar during transport and storage. The padded gig bag features backpack straps, making it easy to carry the compact BT1 on your travels.
For musicians wanting to plug in the BT1, Taylor offers the BT1-e model which comes equipped with built-in ES-B electronics. This gives you the ability to amplify your guitar with pure Taylor acoustic tone. The ES-B electronics have volume and tone controls discreetly mounted inside the soundhole for quick adjustments on the fly.
Some recommended accessories to enhance your playing experience with the BT1 include:
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Guitar strap – Makes standing up with the BT1 comfortable during practice and performance. Taylor offers branded straps.
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Picks – Celluloid picks in lighter gauges help bring out the BT1’s crisp tone. Taylor’s own American Classics picks are a nice match.
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Guitar humidifier – Keeping the BT1 at the proper humidity is important for the health of the solid wood top. Humidipacks are a good option.
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Hard case – For frequent travelers, a hardshell case offers more protection than the included gig bag. The Taylor Baby Taylor Hard Bag is a custom fit.
With the right accessories, the portable BT1 can provide years of enjoyment whether you’re a new player or a seasoned musician looking for a quality travel guitar. The included gig bag and optional BT1-e electronics make it stage and travel ready out of the box.
Pricing
The Taylor BT1 currently retails for around $300-350, while the BT1-e with electronics sells for $450-500. Given Taylor’s reputation for quality, these prices represent an excellent value for a well-made, great-sounding travel guitar. The all-laminate construction helps keep costs down compared to Taylor’s more expensive all-solid wood models.
Compared to similar 3/4 size travel acoustics, the BT1 is very competitively priced. The Martin LX1 Little Martin sells for around $400, while the Baby Taylor BT2 with solid wood construction costs $500. The Yamaha JR2 is the most budget-friendly at around $200, but it is an all-laminate guitar.
Overall, the BT1 hits a sweet spot of balancing quality construction and components with an accessible price point. For beginners, casual players, or travelers who want a Taylor acoustic that won’t break the bank, the BT1 offers an unbeatable value. Its combination of playability, tone, and portability make it a smart choice for the money.
Alternatives to Consider
The Baby Taylor BT1 has some worthy competitors in the 3/4 size acoustic guitar market. Here are a few alternatives to consider:
Martin LX1 Little Martin
One of the most popular alternatives is the Martin LX1 Little Martin. Like the BT1, it has a solid spruce top and mahogany back and sides. The Little Martin produces a bright, resonant tone perfect for fingerstyle playing. It runs about $400, so it’s a bit more expensive than the BT1. The Little Martin is known for its high build quality and craftsmanship.
Yamaha JR2
The Yamaha JR2 is a budget-friendly 3/4 size acoustic. It has a spruce top with meranti back and sides. At around $200, it’s one of the most affordable options. While it doesn’t have the same brand prestige as Taylor or Martin, the JR2 offers decent quality and playability for beginners and casual players.
Other 3/4 Size Acoustics
There are many other 3/4 size travel acoustics on the market, including models from Fender, Epiphone, and various boutique luthiers. These vary widely in price, tonewoods, and overall quality. While the BT1 may not have the prestige of a Martin, it competes well with guitars in a similar price range.
Why Choose the BT1?
The Baby Taylor BT1 stands out for its combination of playability, portability, and value. While the Martin LX1 may have slightly better tone, the BT1 costs significantly less while still providing Taylor’s signature quality and attention to detail. For beginners and casual players, the BT1 is an excellent way to get Taylor craftsmanship in an affordable, travel-friendly package.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Compact 3/4 size is perfect for travel and portability
- Quality tonewoods like solid Sitka spruce top provide great sound
- Smooth playability from low action and shorter 25.5" scale
- Quality craftsmanship and construction as expected from Taylor
- Very affordable price for a Taylor acoustic guitar
- Comes with a lightweight gig bag for protection
Cons
- Smaller body lacks the full projection of a dreadnought
- Laminate walnut back and sides instead of solid wood
- Electronics only available on the BT1-e model
- Basic gig bag lacks protection of a hard case
- Low-end focused tone not ideal for heavy strumming
Conclusion
The Taylor BT1 Baby Taylor is an excellent value for a high-quality, travel-friendly acoustic guitar. Its compact 3/4 size dreadnought body provides surprising projection and balanced tone from premium tonewoods. While its laminate back and sides don’t match solid wood models, the BT1 offers incredible playability right out of the box. The smooth ebony fretboard and low action allow easy chord changes and comfort during longer practice sessions.
For beginners, the BT1 is a perfect starter guitar with its short scale length and small body size. The tone inspires learning, while still retaining Taylor’s signature bright and balanced voice. As an ultra-portable travel companion, the BT1 fits easily in overhead bins and car trunks, ready to pull out at a moment’s notice. The included gig bag provides basic protection, but we recommend upgrading to a hardshell case.
Casual players will appreciate the BT1’s quality construction and materials for a fraction of the cost of other US-made Taylor acoustics. While it may not replace a premium solid wood guitar as a lifelong instrument, the BT1 excels as a fun grab-and-go option for couch playing or camping trips. Its laminate back and sides also make it very forgiving of the bumps and bruises from frequent transport.
In summary, the affordable Taylor BT1 Baby Taylor hits a sweet spot for new players, travelers, and casual acoustic fans. It brings Taylor’s impressive build quality and bright balanced tone in a compact, road-ready package.