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Family-Owned Since 1976

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Taylor Baby Taylor BTe-Koa (490)

A compact, travel-ready acoustic-electric with a solid koa top that delivers a surprisingly rich tone that blossoms over time.

$699.00

Same price at every authorized dealer. The difference is what comes with it.

0% for 36-48 months available

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4.8

Rated 4.8 out of 5

98% Recommend

557 reviews

1 In Stock - Inspected & ready to ship.

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1 in stock

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Talk To A Player Before You Buy

Rob and Cory are gigging musicians who know gear inside and out. They'll give you the straight answer—even if it means pointing you somewhere else.

Quick Specs

Solid Hawaiian Koa Top | Layered Koa Back & Sides
Maple Neck | West African Crelicam Ebony Fingerboard
Taylor ES-B Electronics w/ Built-in Tuner
22-3/4" Scale Length | 19 Frets
Includes Taylor Gig Bag

Player-Perfect™ Pro Setup Included

Our techs are all seasoned players, so they dial in every guitar like it’s going into their own rig—perfect intonation, action set exactly right, ready to rip from the first note.

Want it YOUR way? Tell us at checkout: string gauge, action height, whatever you need. We’ll nail it before shipping.

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Product Description

Your Go-To Guitar for the Road and the Riff

Don’t let the compact size fool you—the Taylor BTe-Koa is a little guitar with a massive personality. This ¾-size Dreadnought packs a surprising amount of punch, making it the ultimate travel companion, a perfect fit for younger players, or just a super comfortable couch guitar for hashing out new ideas. With its stunning all-koa body and plug-and-play electronics, it’s a versatile tool for any musician’s collection.

Solid Koa Top—Tone That Just Gets Better

The heart of this Baby Taylor is its solid Hawaiian Koa top. Right out of the box, you get a vibrant, focused tone with a beautiful top-end shimmer. But the real magic of koa is how it opens up over time—the more you play it, the warmer, richer, and sweeter it gets, developing complex overtones that are all your own. Paired with layered koa back and sides, you get a guitar that’s as durable and road-ready as it is visually stunning.

Effortless Playability

With a slightly shorter 22-3/4″ scale length and a comfortable 1-11/16″ neck width, the BTe-Koa is an absolute joy to play. The neck feels fast and familiar, and the shorter scale reduces string tension for a slinky, buttery feel that makes complex chords and bends a breeze. The West African Crelicam Ebony fingerboard is slick and responsive under your fingertips, perfect for long writing sessions or campfire jams.

Stage-Ready Electronics

Ready to plug in? The onboard Taylor ES-B electronics system captures the guitar’s natural acoustic voice with clarity and warmth. It combines Taylor’s renowned pickup design with a preamp that features a built-in digital chromatic tuner and a 3-band EQ, giving you total control over your sound. Whether you’re hitting an open mic or laying down a track, the BTe-Koa is ready to perform.

Anatomy of a Tone Machine

Perfect for: Travel • Songwriting • Fingerstyle • Alt-Folk

Tone

Bright and focused with a shimmering top end that gets warmer with play.
Natural compression from the koa top balances your attack for a smooth, even response.
Surprisingly powerful projection and volume for a ¾-size guitar.
Plugged-in tone is clear and natural, thanks to the ES-B electronics.

Playing Feel

Lightweight and compact, making it incredibly comfortable to hold and play anywhere.
The 22-3/4" scale length provides a slinky, low-tension feel that's easy on the fingers.
A slim maple neck and 1-11/16" nut width feel familiar and comfortable for players of all sizes.
Built for long sessions, whether you're writing, practicing, or performing.

Versatility

Excels at intimate acoustic sessions and holds its own when plugged in for a performance.
The ES-B preamp's 3-band EQ makes it easy to shape your tone for any pedalboard or PA system.
Its focused voice is fantastic for recording, sitting perfectly in a mix without overwhelming it.
From fingerstyle delicacy to light strumming, the koa top responds with dynamic nuance.

Complete Technical Specs

Body Specs

Type	¾-Size Dreadnought Acoustic-Electric
Top Wood	Solid Hawaiian Koa
Back & Sides	Layered Koa
Bracing	X Bracing
Finish	Varnish

Neck Specs

Wood	Maple
Construction	Finger Joint
Finish	Varnish

Fingerboard Specs

Material	West African Crelicam Ebony
Frets	19
Inlays	4mm Dots
Nut	Nubone, 1-11/16"

Electronics Specs

Pickup/Preamp	Taylor ES-B
Controls	Volume, 3-Band EQ, Built-in Digital Tuner

Hardware Specs

Bridge	Micarta Saddle
Tuners	Die-Cast Chrome
Hardware Finish	Chrome

Measurements

Scale Length	22-3/4"
Nut Width	1-11/16"
Body Length	15 3/4"
Body Width	12 1/2"
Body Depth	3 3/8"

The Lowdown

We get it. Buying a guitar you haven’t played is a big decision. You need to know it’s going to feel right, sound right, and inspire you the second you open the case. We put together the questions we’d be asking if we were in your shoes—the real-world stuff that specs alone can’t answer. If there’s anything else you’re wondering about, just give us a call.

Koa is a really special tonewood. Initially, it’s bright and focused, a bit like mahogany but with more top-end sparkle. The amazing part is that as you play it, it ‘opens up,’ and the midrange becomes richer and warmer. It’s a guitar that truly grows with you, developing a unique character based on your playing.

Absolutely. The smaller body and shorter scale length make it incredibly comfortable and easy to play, which is perfect for new players. But the quality of the tone and the electronics mean it’s also a serious instrument that a seasoned pro would love for travel or songwriting.

Of course. Every guitar gets our full Player-Perfect™ setup, but tell us your preferred string gauge and action at checkout, and we’ll dial it in exactly to your spec before it leaves the shop.

This guitar is covered by our 14-Day Return Policy. If you’re not completely inspired by it, just let us know. We’ll make it right.

If you order before 3 PM CST on a weekday, it ships the same day. We’ll get it into your hands fast with free, insured 2-3 day shipping.

Call us at (888) 794-8482. You’ll talk to a real musician who can answer anything you need to know.

Player-Perfect™ Setups

Every guitar we sell is dialed in by seasoned musicians. We obsess over the details—perfect intonation, immaculate fretwork, and ideal action—so your guitar is ready to rip right out of the case. No exceptions.

Advice From Real Players

Call us and you get a fellow musician, not a script. We'll help you compare neck profiles, talk tone, and find the right guitar for you—even if it's not this one. Our reputation is built on honest conversation.

49+ Years Of Trust

Family-owned since 1976, we stand behind everything we sell. That's why we have a 72-Hour Love-It Guarantee. If you're not inspired, send it back on our dime for a full refund. Your satisfaction is our legacy.

BBB Accredited • Top 300 Reverb Seller • Fender Top Rated Dealer