Almost pulled the trigger on a T5

[ebick]

I have had an interest in the T5 for some time.  I went to the road show in Lakeland, FL tonight and saw another demo of the T5.  It's very impressive, with sounds ranging from acoustic to Telecaster, to Strat to Les Paul.  There were several models in the petting, one low-cost Classic that I was checking out.  The thing was this.  I took it over to an amp and plugged it in.  I was not getting all the different tones that I have heard the T5 produce in demos.  In fact, I heard very little variation in sound between the 5 switch positions at all.  I asked the talent guy what the differences were between this low-end unit and the more expensive ones.  He basically said that it was the woods, the trim, the bling, but functionally, the low-end one was the same.  I told him about my experience and he didn't really have much to say as to why that would have been the case.

Any thoughts on this?

[Captain Jim]

To really get the most out of the T5, I find an A/B/Y pedal and an acoustic amp (or PA) and an electric amp (with some effects/pedals) gets the job done.  On any electric, the amp is a big part of the equation... same applies to the T5.

For most of us "mortals," it takes some experimenting to get what you want from the T5.  I don't find it to sound "like a Strat or a Les Paul" the way some present it - it has a lot of great voices, but just flipping the switch isn't the whole solution to the sound.  Experiment some with the amp(s) and you will likely be impressed by what the T5 can do.

My favorite electric has been a Gibson ES 335 for a lot of years - it has a great sound, but sounds different when played through a Marshall compared to a Twin Reverb.  If you decide to go with a T5, you will find the sound/amp/pedal combination that works for you.

Jim

[Earl]

I have a T5 Classic with the ovangkol top (which is now mahogany as of this year's models).  When they do those demos at Road Shows, they adjust the bass and treble controls considerably, plus run the guitar via an A/B box into either an acoustic amp or an electric guitar amp to get the dramatically different tones and effects.  In my living room running through my Princeton amp, I get the same result that you did -- pretty subtle differences between all five pickup settings.  The five positions are audibly different, but nowhere near as dramatic as what you hear at the Road Show.  It takes some messing around with EQ and effects to achieve the tones that the demo guys get.

I am comfortably happy with position #1 and flat EQ as an acoustic sound for those occasions when I plug in to my Roland AC60.  But most often I practice on the T5 unplugged in the living room.  I wanted one mostly because the thinner body takes some pressure off of my bad right shoulder for those days when I cannot easily reach around a GA body without pain, and it still has some acoustic tone for living room practice.  The lighter action and electric strings (.010's) are also nice for practice of scales or other repetitive work, easier on the left hand.

[timfitz63]

I have had an interest in the T5 for some time.  I went to the road show in Lakeland, FL tonight and saw another demo of the T5.  It's very impressive, with sounds ranging from acoustic to Telecaster, to Strat to Les Paul.  There were several models in the petting, one low-cost Classic that I was checking out.  The thing was this.  I took it over to an amp and plugged it in.  I was not getting all the different tones that I have heard the T5 produce in demos.  In fact, I heard very little variation in sound between the 5 switch positions at all.  I asked the talent guy what the differences were between this low-end unit and the more expensive ones.  He basically said that it was the woods, the trim, the bling, but functionally, the low-end one was the same.  I told him about my experience and he didn't really have much to say as to why that would have been the case.

Any thoughts on this?

This was my general impression of the T5 as well.  That being said...

To really get the most out of the T5, I find an A/B/Y pedal and an acoustic amp (or PA) and an electric amp (with some effects/pedals) gets the job done.  On any electric, the amp is a big part of the equation... same applies to the T5.

For most of us "mortals," it takes some experimenting to get what you want from the T5.  I don't find it to sound "like a Strat or a Les Paul" the way some present it - it has a lot of great voices, but just flipping the switch isn't the whole solution to the sound.  Experiment some with the amp(s) and you will likely be impressed by what the T5 can do.

My favorite electric has been a Gibson ES 335 for a lot of years - it has a great sound, but sounds different when played through a Marshall compared to a Twin Reverb.  If you decide to go with a T5, you will find the sound/amp/pedal combination that works for you.

I've not been to a Road Show yet, but my brother has attended a couple of them.  According to what he's told me of the T5 demonstrations, what Jim is saying is the case:  they use different amplifier combinations in conjunction with effects pedals to really get the widely differing sounds out of the guitar.  With my T5's running through an A/B/Both switch to a Fishman Loudbox Mini and/or a VOX AC15C1 amplifier, I think I've got a good starting point; but without the effects pedals, I'm really only scratched the surface of their true potential.

[Gutch]

A couple keys to success with the T5...:


1.  If you want to hear acoustic sounds from it, you need to plug into an acoustic amp or PA.  Electric amps don't have the frequency range (ie., a tweeter) to give you the full acoustic tone that you are expecting.  Conversely, if you want electric tones, don't plug it into an acoustic amp.  Cap'n Jim's A/B/Y pedal splitting between the two amp types is the way to go...


2.  TURN THE KNOBS.  The T5 pickup system is active.  The center detent on the bass, treble and volume controls gives you a flat output.  Making adjustments to these controls, incombination with the five different pickup combinations, gives you an incredible variety of sound.  You can't be sheepish --  Dig in and experiment to get the sounds you are looking for.  Crank up the volume in position 3 (bridge only), pull back on the bass to 25% and the treble up to 75%.  Voila!  Twang City!!!  Go to position 4 (Bridge/neck parallel), bass & treble to 60% or so, add a touch of chorus and you've got a killer clean Strat type tone.  Go to position 5 (bridge/neck in series), crank the gain, back off the bass a bit, push the treble up to taste and kick in your favorite overdrive pedal -- Sweet Les Paul rock tone.  TURN THE KNOBS!


It's not a one trick pony by any stretch but, like a fine sports car, you have to learn the T5's nuances in order for you to get the most out of it.

[Edward]

Turn the knobs ...nice! 

FWIW, I have personally not noticed an serious qualitative differences in tone between T5  "base" or "lower-end" models to those of other top woods; and all the electronics are the same.  I know the rep said what he said, but I'd put money on not much more than nuances between each T5.

So my answer is twofold: use the knobs and depends on the amp. 

Gutch is right on about "active" controls being significant players in their entire sweep, vs passive tone units which are far more limited in tonal scope.  And I will add a good amp, particularly a good tube amp, will respond to player's dynamics, very much affecting the tone, attack, and decay of your playing.  Between the pup position switch, the bass/treb knobs, and the amp choices, the T5 can cover quite a wide range of tones.  Add pedals and you're off to the races

Edward

[ebick]

FWIW, I have personally not noticed an serious qualitative differences in tone between T5  "base" or "lower-end" models to those of other top woods; and all the electronics are the same.  I know the rep said what he said, but I'd put money on not much more than nuances between each T5.

Perhaps I wasn't clear enough in what I said, but I believe that you and the rep are of the same opinion.  He was not attributing the "issue" I was having to it being the base model vs. the more expensive one he was using.  I think the other answers are spot on.  It has the potential to achieve these other sounds with the right supporting "cast".

Thanks everyone.

[Edward]

Ooops, my misread ...yessir, you were indeed clear in your orig post.  Sorry bout that.

Edward

[ebick]

so, then what's the difference between the T5 and the T5z?  Anything functional?

[timfitz63]

so, then what's the difference between the T5 and the T5z?  Anything functional?

Nothing functionally different at all, from what I can tell.  I think Taylor is just trying to appeal to the Les Paul users with the T5z; the guitars are similarly sized.

[dank]

My opinion, and my opinion, only: I owned several T5s when they first came out. They were very good sounding. However, I am mainly an electric guitar player in a dance band, and it did not cut it as an electric guitar.

After my third one, a Koa Custom, I sold it and bought an Anderson Crowdster for acoustic use, only. Now, that guitar sounded great. it was perfect for live use.

If you have not tried a Crowdster, I recommend that you do.

[Jersey tuning]

This thread has been an education for an illiterate occasional electric player.  At roadshows I've been particularly impressed by the T3, although the T5 is a true original.

[Gutch]

Re: T5 v. T5z functionality -- Electronics are the same from my understanding.  Smaller body, jumbo frets and more curve to the fretboard radius will make the T5z play more like an electric and less like an acoustic. 


I've had my T5 since they came out in 2005, and my only major beef with the guitar is the acoustic neck on the electric guitar.  Plays fine once your used to it, but if I had my drothers the neck would have a Maple fretboard and a compound 10"-16" radius, a'la Strat...     (Aesthetically it could also benefit from a carved top, but now I'm getting picky...).


 

[michaelw]

there is a ES dynamic body (top) sensor on the single stacked humbucker T5, which should  be able to
pick up some differences, albeit slight, from the different tops (mahogany, sitka spruce, maple or koa),
but it is entirely possible that the aesthetics are the biggest difference -
i like the way the satin ovangkol T5x & mahogany T5z classic feel &
play over the gloss models & acoustically, the T5x gets the nod from me

a twin channel (clean & "dirty") amp or an effects pedal, like a zoom G2.1nu should  be
able to take greater advantage of the T5 electric tones, with a passable acoustic tone -
or, a hybrid electric/acoustic amp
http://www.guitarcenter.com/In-Store-Used-USED-RIVERA-SEDONA-LITE-109511904-i3397688.gc