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My 2 cents. First I don’t have one… But the $999 price you saw at Sweetwater was most likely the GS Mini Koa plus. But yes, in general, the GS Mini is more expensive.
About solid vs layered. The layered back and sides will have little to offer as far as tone goes. In fact the tone they offer may all be very similar simply because they are layered. Bob Taylor has once stated that a layered guitar will sound like a layered guitar. The only layered guitar I know of that claims to color the tone is from Breedlove as they are using a newer technology for the layers. Regardless, the majority of tone will come from the top wood. The GS Mini will have a full tone, but not full like a full size guitar. Spruce good all around tone. Mahogany, warmer tone. Koa, brighter tone because it is a hard wood.
I just watched this review and was impressed with the fullness of this Martin.