Taylor T5 - Opinions and experiences?

racman

I have tried a number of "hybrid" guitars over the years and have found that most favor acoustic or electric but not both. Probably the best I've heard is the Tom Anderson Crowdster Plus (and Plus2) which has electric PuPs specifically designed for the wound acoustic strings, and it gives quite a decent electric sound as well as a very good acoustic sound ...at a price though!!!!

With the introduction of the Taylor T5 Classic version a while ago which is a no frills, satin finished T5 at a fairly decent price I have started to look at these again. A few used T5 Classics are becoming available in the USA now and again at quite good prices as well. I have been communicating with someone who has added a Baggs Element UST on a T5 with nice acoustic results and very little modification - a separate output socket only. This was always a weak pint IMO of the T5.

Anyway, I was interested to know of anyone else's opinions or experiences of the T5?

AlanRatcliffe

Seen one and played it unplugged (sorry I go more for the primarily electric hybrids rather than the other way around). Nicely made and felt like any Taylor acoustic (which you either like or you don't), but obviously I can't really speak about the plugged in tones.

To be honest, If I was in the market for an acoustic hybrid, I'd probably start with a good acoustic and simply add a soundhole magnetic pickup - IMO, it's more what you plug it into than the guitar or pickup.

racman

Thx for the comments guys (zohn is that a new guitar I see in your profile pic?)

The issue I have is this: the T5 seems to have a pretty decent variety of electric sounds (different but useable for my application) and a not so good acoustic. In the environment I play, I am the only guitarist and at times require a variety of sounds in one song or in two successive songs. With sometimes no break in-between songs it is difficult to change guitars.

So the weak point of the T5 is the acoustic tone (unplugged is not an issue for me as that is not the purpose/focus of the T5) and the clips I have heard of a T5 with a Baggs Element UST, through a D-TAR Solstice (I think) Pre-amp sounds pretty good.

Anyway, my main issue now is finding e-bay sellers and Stores who actually return mails and enquiries when they see that the request if from RSA ☹ (missed 2 bargains already as a result)

theantirockstar

Personally, i like the T5. ( I am a proud raging Taylor fanboy ) I find the tones pretty usable, the secret it using a A/B splitter so that the
acoustic side goes through the PA or Acoustic Amp and the electric side through an Electric Amp. The Crowdster is an amazing piece of kit as well.

Another option is the James Tyler Variax. It is way better than the previous range of Variax's.
http://tylervariax.com/

guitarguy321

? I've tried a number of acoustics over the years , a friend now deceased recommend the T5 and after waiting about 2 weeks for it to arrive from GlobalSounds in SA i'm over the frekkin mooon

G-Man

guitarguy321 wrote: ? I've tried a number of acoustics over the years , a friend now deceased recommend the T5 and after waiting about 2 weeks for it to arrive from GlobalSounds in SA i'm over the frekkin mooon

How did you find the service from globasounds?(did you use the .co.za site?) Were they ok? They have some really good prices (free shipping too!) But I'm a bit wary as I haven't head of them before today. Would you recommend them?

AlanRatcliffe

Careful G-Man - guitarguy321 has a IP address from New Zealand - same as globalsounds - but he claims to be local. Globalsounds themselves are looking more and more like a scam. I might be wrong, but I'd rather our members err on the side of caution...

G-Man

Thanks Alan. Some people... >☹ >☹ >☹ >☹

racman

Alan Ratcliffe wrote: Careful G-Man - guitarguy321 has a IP address from New Zealand - same as globalsounds - but he claims to be local. Globalsounds themselves are looking more and more like a scam. I might be wrong, but I'd rather our members err on the side of caution...

Exacry !!! ? ?

Hence my question on another thread after he posted.... ? ☹