The Baby Taylor is a 3/4 size dreadnought with a solid top, a 22 3/4 inch scale and a padded gig bag, from around £379 in the UK. It is one of the original travel guitars, and it is still the model most small acoustics get measured against.
Taylor sells it in two main versions. The BT1 has a solid spruce top and the BT2 has a solid mahogany top. There is also a Taylor Swift signature version, the TSBT, with a solid spruce top and a slim neck profile.
What you actually get
All three share the same small body and the same 22 3/4 inch scale, which is shorter than the 24 inch scale of the Martin Backpacker. On the BT1 and BT2 the nut is 1 11/16 inches wide and the fingerboard and bridge are ebony. The back and sides are layered wood, which keeps the price down and makes the guitar tough enough to carry about. All three are acoustic only. Pickup versions are sold separately as the BT1e and similar models.
| Model | Top | Back and sides | From around |
|---|---|---|---|
| BT1 | Solid Sitka spruce | Layered walnut | £379 |
| BT2 | Solid mahogany | Layered sapele | £399 |
| TSBT | Solid Sitka spruce | Layered sapele | £379 |
Good for: a solid-top guitar from a major maker at a small-guitar price, for travel, practice and learning. Not for: players with large hands, or anyone who wants a guitar that fills a room.
Baby Taylor BT1 or BT2?
Both have a solid top, so the difference is tone. Spruce on the BT1 gives a brighter, punchier voice with crisp highs. Mahogany on the BT2 is darker and earthier, with a mid-range boost, which is how Taylor describes it. If you fingerpick or want clarity, start with the BT1. If bright guitars sound thin to you, the BT2 is the safer pick.
The Taylor Swift Baby Taylor (TSBT) also has a spruce top, with a slim neck profile that suits smaller hands, at about the same price as the BT1.
- BT1: see it at Andertons
- BT2: see it at Andertons
- TSBT: see it at Andertons
Baby Taylor sound and playability
Guitar World reviewed the electro-acoustic BT1e, which shares the BT1’s body, and rated it 4.5 out of 5. The reviewer praised the build quality and found fingerpicked tone rich, bright and well balanced. It can turn harsh when you strum hard with a pick. The short neck is easy to reach up to around the 15th fret, but the guitar is neck-heavy on a strap or sitting up, and players with big hands may find the upper frets cramped. The BT1e weighed about 1.5kg.
That matches what the short scale does on any small guitar, which we cover in whether travel guitars sound worse than full-size ones. If you want to know how a 3/4 size body differs from a travel guitar in general, see the difference between a travel guitar and a 3/4 size guitar.
Is it a good travel guitar?
At around 1.5kg with a padded gig bag included, it is easy to carry. Cabin rules for instruments vary by airline, so check yours before you fly, and our guide to taking a guitar on a plane in the UK covers what to expect. It also suits learners, since the short neck is comfortable, which is covered in whether travel guitars are good to learn on.
Check the Baby Taylor BT1 price at Andertons
How the Baby Taylor compares
The closest rival is the Little Martin, which has a 23 inch scale and costs from around £449. Our Martin LX1 and LXK2 guide covers it. The Taylor GS Mini is bigger, with a fuller sound, and costs more. The Backpacker is smaller still, with a very different narrow-bodied shape.
If the Baby Taylor’s scale feels tight for your hands, the Big Baby Taylor has a 25 1/2 inch scale, close to full size in a slightly smaller body. For how all of these fit together by size, see what size a travel guitar is, and the complete UK buyer’s guide compares every option by budget.
FAQ
What is the difference between the Baby Taylor BT1 and BT2?
The BT1 has a solid Sitka spruce top and layered walnut back and sides, with a brighter voice. The BT2 has a solid mahogany top and layered sapele back and sides, with a darker, earthier tone.
What scale length is the Baby Taylor?
22 3/4 inches, or about 577mm. That is a 3/4 scale, shorter than the 24 inch Martin Backpacker.
Does the Baby Taylor come with a gig bag?
Yes. The BT1, BT2 and TSBT all come with a padded gig bag.
Is the Baby Taylor a solid-wood guitar?
Partly. The top is solid, spruce on the BT1 and TSBT and mahogany on the BT2. The back and sides are layered wood.
Is the Baby Taylor good for beginners?
Yes. Guitar World’s reviewer found the short neck comfortable and suited to beginners and younger players, though players with large hands may find the upper frets cramped.
How much does a Baby Taylor cost in the UK?
The BT1 and TSBT cost from around £379, and the BT2 from around £399.
