Jed--Yup, the Alvarez is full-size. I'm going to take the measurements you mention of the Taylor (depth, width, etc) and compare them. The Alvarez (recent buzzing issues aside) WAS a comfortable instrument until I started trying to play barre chords. I still like its action. I'm just amazed that this little Baby is so easy to play!
Bruce--the lower string tension probably has a lot to do with it too...I thought the tension was the same because the string gauges were the same.
LesB--I may yet give up on Bm (and its ilk) and go the capo route. For some reason though Bm and C#m turn up in lots of the songs I play/write, so I'd really like to be able to do them without a capo.
M.Ted--I think what I actually *NEED* is a guitar teacher! I did take lessons (long ago) and while I liked my instructor and learned lots and lots, I realize now I didn't really learn *enough*. Now, I learn stuff from everyone I watch, but I haven't been able to figure out how to make barre chords without feeling tense and contorted. I suspect I need even more practice than I currently put in (say 30 minutes a day on average). Y'know, they're *my* fingers, they ought to do what I tell them, so they do, but they don't do it easy.