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In one corner there’s Taylor’s Baby Taylor BT2 and in the other sits Martin’s Little Martin LX1. Taylor and Martin are the undisputed heavyweight champions in the world of acoustics, and set the benchmark for premium guitars, which is why this is such a mouthwatering comparison.
Their small-bodied varieties – the BT2 and LX1 – are both the smallest acoustics on each brand’s production line. They are therefore perfect for using as travel guitars, as well as for children and players with smaller hands.
Let’s see if we can separate them…
| Image | Acoustic Guitar / Rating | Summary | Check Price |
|---|---|---|---|
+ -   | Baby Taylor BT2 Total of 4.57/5 | Sporting a solid mahogany dreadnought body. | |
+ -  | Martin LX1 Little Martin Total of 4.72/5 | Big name, small guitar, big quality, small price! |
As we mention in the introduction, both the Baby Taylor and Little Martin are small-scale guitars that share similarities. They are both made by high-end brands although both are reasonably priced – in fact, they are very affordable at under $400.
Both acoustics have a similar small-hand-friendly scale length (22.75” for the Taylor, 23” for the Martin), and both are comfortable and easy to play, regardless of your build. Honestly, a six-foot man would enjoy playing both just as much as a teenage girl would!
They share similar body shapes in that they are non-cutaways, but the Taylor is a 3/4 scale dreadnought whereas the Martin features a modified concert shape.
It’s quickly apparent that the woods used to construct the guitars are different too. Martin uses solid Sitka spruce for the top with their High Pressure Laminate mahogany on the back and sides. In comparison, the Taylor uses a solid mahogany top with laminated sapele back and sides. The back of the Taylor is also slightly arched, which helps deliver a bigger projection.
When it comes to the neck, the Little Martin follows many of the brand’s other more affordable models by using eco-friendly laminates and composites – there’s a hard-wearing rust birch laminate for the neck while the fretboard is made of Richlite (featuring 20 frets). Taylor stick with real wood and uses solid sapele for the neck with Genuine African ebony on the fretboard, with 19 frets. Both are lovely to play though, regardless of the materials.
Neither the BT2 or the LX1 are fitted with electronics, although electro-acoustic versions are available on some marketplaces.
Elsewhere, both acoustics are fitted with sealed chrome die-cast tuners, which are nothing special but are attractive, feel nice to use, and do a good job of holding tunings of both guitars. The Taylor keeps things real with a rosewood bridge, while Martin use Richlite again for the bridge of the LX1 – no big deal, as Richlite is actually quite a well-respected material these days.
As these are both travel-friendly guitars, it’s great to see the inclusion of a custom padded gig bag with each – both branded with their maker’s logo and both equally high-quality (although the light brown Taylor bag is slightly nicer in our opinion).
While the Martin’s neck is attached to the body with a traditional mortise and tenon joint, the neck of the Taylor is attached to the body – a little unconventionally – with two black screws. It tarnishes the overall look a little, and won’t please guitar purists. On the flipside, the benefit of this joining technique is that there’s no neck heel, allowing better access to the higher frets.
As for famous players, the Little Martin is a favorite of the popular British performer Ed Sheeran. But the Baby Taylor has its place in the heart of Taylor Swift. Both are mega stars in their own right, which is a good endorsement for each of this mini acoustics.
When it comes to price, both are under $400 and offer good value for money. The overall playability and tone coming from both is impressive for the cash, while it’s always nice to have a Taylor or a Martin guitar without having to take out a bank loan!
However, its worth noting that the Little Martin usually works out a little more expensive than the Baby Taylor on most marketplaces, by around $30.
It’s been another tough battle, although both have come out with two thumbs up from us.
However, as there’s little to separate the guitars in terms of playability and build quality, it all comes down to what you’d prefer tonally. Due to the mahogany and sapele, the Taylor produces a slightly warmer tone and projects a little better thanks to that arched back.
The Martin is brighter and still sounds sweet, although we noticed it could get a little tinny is some places – not enough to put it down though!
If you prefer real wood over composites and laminates, the Taylor will appeal more – although you do have to put up with the two screws in the neck.
Tone and materials aside, the main deal-breaker will probably be whether you have a particular affinity to one brand. Martin or Taylor? Taylor or Martin? If others in your collection are Martins, chances are you’ll prefer the LX1 – if you like Taylor, the BT2 will probably be your favorite.
While it’s a tough decision, if we had to choose one, the slightly cheaper BT2 shows great value, a slightly better tone, and pips it for us… just.
For more on both the Baby Taylor BT2 and the Little Martin LX1, check out their full reviews.
| Image | Acoustic Guitar / Rating | Summary | Check Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| + - | Baby Taylor BT2 Total of 4.57/5 | Sporting a solid mahogany dreadnought body. | |
| + - | Martin LX1 Little Martin Total of 4.72/5 | Big name, small guitar, big quality, small price! |
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