T5 vs T3

[retrieverbeliever]

Hello, all and Happy New Year!

Does anybody know the body size difference between the T3 and the T5?
I have a T3B, and I'm hoping the body size of the T5 is about the same as
the T3. I don't want to get to the ES335 body size, so I might end up going
with a T5Z, which certainly wouldn't break my heart! I do prefer the smaller body.

I don't know why anybody would ever get a 335 if they compared it to the T3.
I wouldn't trade my T3B for any 335 on the planet unless it was Clapton's, Moore's,
Beck's, Hendrix's, etc.

I have a new Yamaha SA2200, which is superior to a 335, it just has that same body size.
Great neck, I wish I could shrink the body!

Thanks in advance!
Jerry
Central NC

[timfitz63]

Hi, Jerry!

I agree with you about the tone of the T3; I recently picked up a Custom T3/B with a Sitka Spruce top (the standard T3's have a Maple top, just like the ES-335) and the vintage Alnico humbucker pickups.  I think it sounds great!

As nearly as I can tell from feel and visual comparison (I've not compared the measurements exactly), the T3 and T5 body dimensions are the same.  The T5z is smaller than either of those, with a body size similar to, say, a Gibson Les Paul.  The Taylor web site doesn't seem to offer exact dimensions on the guitar specs either; but you could probably put in a call to Taylor Customer Service and get all the facts-n-figures on both models.

[KM Frye]

I was looking for a hard case for my T5z and my dealer produced a brown one that looked right. It is a Taylor case, and the cutout inside sure looked like a T5z. A lightfingered intruder had made off with a Taylor which had been in the window about six years ago, he said, and the case had been gathering dust ever since. He let me have it for a song.  I was happy

But the T5z wouldn't fit. The lower bout was about 3/8" too wide for the cutout and the waist was in the wrong place.  Altering the interior would have left the lower bout hard up against the outer shell, so I decided to take it back.

After a bit of searching, the storeowner came up with a piece of paper- the stolen axe was a T3.

And THAT was how I learned that the T3 was a little different from the T5z.

Plus I am still in search of a deal on a case. However, it may have to come from the factory. We shall see...

[retrieverbeliever]

Thanks very much for your advice about the T3 vs the T5.
Sorry to learn of your case being lifted. My someday they'll come up with some
sort of exploding dye pack dye pack. That would be interesting but probably
would ruin the instrument.

I'm going to stick with my T3B and get a SB C2 Koa solid body.

This is one of the few that Taylor made with the whammy at the bridge.
I don't think I've ever seen another one.

All I have to do now is try to find a Taylor whammy. Anybody know where I might get one?

[KM Frye]

Wasn't it a licenced Bigsby?    Perhaps they can tell you which model was used.

[HondaMC1]

I used to live near the El Cajon service center and would have work done from time to time.
At that time they offered occasional "blem" guitar cases that were rejected by domestic packaging from the Mexico manufacturing plant at very fair prices. The blems were minor appearance issues and would not matter to me for a replacement.
This was several years ago and may NOT be offered today.

I found the Service Center staff are fantastic and at that time always "under promised" and "over delivered" on the service provided and the promised finish time.

[Sprintbob]

Anyone reading this who becomes interested in a T3, feel free to contact me. I have a mint 2015 T3 Natural that I never play. I thought I would get into electrics but the interest never gelled. Maybe we can work out a good deal for the both of us. Send me a message here and I’ll get back to you.