Unofficial Taylor Guitar Forum - UTGF

Lessons, Recordings, How Tos, Repair, Accessories => Lessons, Recordings, How Tos, Repair, Accessories => Topic started by: Steve Coombs on March 28, 2013, 05:49:26 PM

Title: Advice re T5 please . . .
Post by: Steve Coombs on March 28, 2013, 05:49:26 PM
Hello all, I'm brand new here . .
I've been a Taylor owner since i bought the Fall 2001 Limited Edition 314ce Imbuia . .  what a lovely guitar. When it was made Bob Taylor said that if he could get more Imbuia he would use it more often - I'm not a tonewood expert but for me the sound is lovely and the chocolatey smell even after 12 years is really noticeable !!
My next Taylor was the classic solid body - my first venture into electrics for some time. I really enjoyed playing it.
Then I saw a pic of the T5 C5 with it's wonderful macassar ebony top. So beautiful and a dream to play, offering acoustic and electris sounds in one guitar . .  That signalled the departure of the solid body . .
So now it's question time. I play the T5 thro a Trace TA300 which handles the acoustic sounds beautifully. In order to utilise the electric sounds of the T5, without the need for two amps, I figured I would run it thro a Line 6 Hd300 pedal to the amp and then set a clean or true bypass patch for acoustic playing . .  has anyone else tried this and succeeded ? or not ? Has anyone any pointers to a good system given the guitar and amp I am using? Would I be better off just using a mild distortion effect pedal with true by pass ? I figure I can't be the first travelling this road so if you have a solution I would be pleased to hear . .  thank you all . .  Steve
Title: Re: Advice re T5 please . . .
Post by: BigSkyTaylorPlayer on March 29, 2013, 07:40:58 AM
Hi Steve, welcome.

Search this forum and the AGF for T5 and you will see a host of threads discussing them.  There is one guy who is the go-to on all things T5 but I can't think of his name right this minute.  I'll do some searching and edit this post.  dcopper and coldshot are the two I was thinking of, I'm sure there are lots more both here and over at AGF.

I enjoy my T5 and bought an acoustic amp to get a better sound from position 1 and 2 - I haven't gotten into pedals yet but I can feel it comin' on.... :D
Title: Re: Advice re T5 please . . .
Post by: Steve Coombs on March 29, 2013, 10:30:12 AM
Hi TP. thanks for the reply . .  I am really happy with the acoustic sound thro the trace amp . .  you hear lots of criticism of the T5 - cant do acoustic, can't do electric etc . .  but I am actually quite happay with it . . and if Tony Iommi is happy to use one to demonstrate sabbath riffs on TV - well you cant really argue - can you . . .  I will look out for the members you suggested. Hopefully they'll post anyway!!!
Thank you, Steve
Title: Re: Advice re T5 please . . .
Post by: coldshot on March 29, 2013, 04:48:38 PM
G day Steve, the best advice anyone could give you regarding the T5 is to experiment, and try lot's of different senario's.

What strings are you using, after a lot of experimentation I use elixir electric .012.

Strings will dictate your tone quite a bit, especially if your using acoustic strings, I struggled with electric tone until I switched.

I've found the best tones to my liking are using an electric guitar amp and a PA simultaneously, but that is if you have access to both.

Pedals like a Sans amp GT 2 work well if you just using a PA, just don't try too much overdrive.

Let us know how you get on and welcome to the T5 club, the Macassar ebony T5 I saw on Taylor's website was stunning.
Title: Re: Advice re T5 please . . .
Post by: Steve Coombs on March 30, 2013, 06:50:38 AM
Hi Coldshot, thank you for your reply. I'd heard of the Sans Amp but never looked at one - they look great and of course they are much smaller than the HD300 which I have been using . .  trouble with the HD300 is the size, complexity and almost total lack of support . .
I always use D'Addario strings on my acoustic and the T5. At the minute the T5 is wearing electric 10's. For me I like the longevity and brightness the D'Addarios give . .  without the same expense as the Elixirs.
I think for me the issue is to find a way to get a light electric sound to give variety to the acoustic sound the set up I have already does so well. Now I know that a dedicated electric guitar amp would do that  but what it couldn't do is the acoustic sounds . . and I am attempting a minimalist approach after years of having heaps of kit !!!
I would like one lead to an FX unit - one lead from that to the amp, but the FX unit needs a 'true bypass' so that I can keep the lovely acoustic sounds I already have.
Does anyone think I will achieve what I would like to do? Has anyone tries a similar solution ? Did it work ? Am I shooting for the moon ?
Happy Easter all, Steve
Title: Re: Advice re T5 please . . .
Post by: coldshot on March 30, 2013, 06:43:26 PM
Steve, the Sans Amp Gt 2 is about the size of a cd case, I use it as my only pedal these days, works well with the L5 archtop too.

If I'm playing an open mic and only doing a couple of songs that's what I use for my electric tones and and straight into the pa for the acoustic tones.

I think a wound "G" string helps considerably with the acoustic tones.
Title: Re: Advice re T5 please . . .
Post by: Steve Coombs on March 30, 2013, 10:08:42 PM
Hi Coldshot . .
If you use acoustic strings with a wound G do you have the acoustic saddle? If not do you hear any problem with the intonation?
When you use the Sans Amp do you still play thro it with it turned off for acoustic sounds?
That is exactly what I would like to be able to do. If you do play thro it turned off do you find it colours the acoustic sound?
Thank you for your reply, Steve
Title: Re: Advice re T5 please . . .
Post by: coldshot on March 31, 2013, 03:21:46 AM
Steve, I only use elixir electric heavy strings .012's now after a lot of experimenting.

I find these strings give me both good acoustic tones and great electric tones through the pa, I only use the Sans Amp for my electric tones. I don't think it colours the acoustic tone at all when it's switched off.

I go guitar straight to sans amp out to pa.

The acoustic saddle, I bought one but if I were you I'd only get one if you found intonation problems.

I treat the T5 as an electric guitar that I can get nice clean tones from, I find it's a very nice guitar in a duo setting with a full bodied acoustic.
Title: Re: Advice re T5 please . . .
Post by: Riggie on April 01, 2013, 06:46:29 PM
Give me a ring and I'll tell you of my experiences trying to find nirvana!

A :-)

Hello all, I'm brand new here . .
I've been a Taylor owner since i bought the Fall 2001 Limited Edition 314ce Imbuia . .  what a lovely guitar. When it was made Bob Taylor said that if he could get more Imbuia he would use it more often - I'm not a tonewood expert but for me the sound is lovely and the chocolatey smell even after 12 years is really noticeable !!
My next Taylor was the classic solid body - my first venture into electrics for some time. I really enjoyed playing it.
Then I saw a pic of the T5 C5 with it's wonderful macassar ebony top. So beautiful and a dream to play, offering acoustic and electris sounds in one guitar . .  That signalled the departure of the solid body . .
So now it's question time. I play the T5 thro a Trace TA300 which handles the acoustic sounds beautifully. In order to utilise the electric sounds of the T5, without the need for two amps, I figured I would run it thro a Line 6 Hd300 pedal to the amp and then set a clean or true bypass patch for acoustic playing . .  has anyone else tried this and succeeded ? or not ? Has anyone any pointers to a good system given the guitar and amp I am using? Would I be better off just using a mild distortion effect pedal with true by pass ? I figure I can't be the first travelling this road so if you have a solution I would be pleased to hear . .  thank you all . .  Steve
Title: Re: Advice re T5 please . . .
Post by: Steve Coombs on April 07, 2013, 06:34:36 AM
Hi All. First let me say I understand that The T5 is neither a full bodied acoustic nor a solidbody electric. It is , however, a fabulous instrument to play. After a year of wandering in the wilderness, playing it thro a PA and using a Line 6 HD300 pedal for electric sounds, which i had to switch out completely to get acoustic tones I have got the sounds I want from a simple set up . .  The T5 now runs straight to a Sans Amp Tri AC pedal and thatis plugged into the front of a Trace Elliot TA300 acoustic amp. The pedal gives me a choice of 3 different amp models and gain plus basic EQ. With a patch selected I have the electric sounds I want - in fact I find the sound excellent. With no patch selected just running straight thro to the amp I still have the great acoustic sound the guitar and amp are capable of . . .  One happy bunny !!!

My thanks to Coldshot for his help and advice re Sans  Amp . . 

Steve
Title: Re: Advice re T5 please . . .
Post by: coldshot on April 07, 2013, 05:38:58 PM
G day Steve, great to see you've found a solution. All the best mate. 
Title: Re: Advice re T5 please . . .
Post by: dcopper on April 08, 2013, 07:23:28 AM
Sorry I did not see this earlier. I always love to talk about the T5 and setups. Coldshot is dead on with his recommendations. I use Elixir 12's with a wound G, which gives you a full body electric tone and good acoustic tone. Remember though, the T5 is a different animal. It is not an 810 or a Les Paul, it is a T5 and good "T5 tone" can easily be found once you get over trying to use the T5 to mimic other guitars. I also have SansAmp modelers that work very well. For simple pedal and effects, after trying all the DigiTech, Line 6, Boss and other multi-effects, I have found that the Boss ME70 pedal works best for me. The "clean" setting is a great match to the T5 and the effects board works like pedals, so no menus to get through for your settings. The ME70 also has a built in looper that is fun to play. One other thing you may want to do, that I find works successfully with the T5 as well as even my acoustic Taylors, is to use a full range PA cab as an extension speaker to a clean guitar amp. I use small amps like the Roland Cube 60/Cube 80 or even my MesaBoogie subway rocket and use a PA cab as an extension cab. For the T5 that works very well. Since the Taylor expression system uses a magnetic humbucker under the fretboard, it works well with my other Taylors (914ce, 814ce cocobolo, etc.). Coldshot is right in recommending experimenting. Running through a guitar amp will not get you the same full range tone since guitar amps are voiced in the midrange for electric guitars, but you may be amazed at the fullness of your tone. Some acoustic guitarists use electric amps when they use mag pickups like a Sunrise. Fun stuff and remember if it sounds good to you, it is good. I also use a Fishman SoloAmp and a Roland AC90, along with powered QSC K8 cabs.
Have fun with your T5.
davidc
Title: Re: Advice re T5 please . . .
Post by: Steve Coombs on April 08, 2013, 11:59:10 AM
PM sent . .  Steve
Title: Re: Advice re T5 please . . .
Post by: methos1979 on April 15, 2013, 09:31:59 PM
Sorry I did not see this earlier. I always love to talk about the T5 and setups. Coldshot is dead on with his recommendations. I use Elixir 12's with a wound G, which gives you a full body electric tone and good acoustic tone. Remember though, the T5 is a different animal. It is not an 810 or a Les Paul, it is a T5 and good "T5 tone" can easily be found once you get over trying to use the T5 to mimic other guitars. I also have SansAmp modelers that work very well. For simple pedal and effects, after trying all the DigiTech, Line 6, Boss and other multi-effects, I have found that the Boss ME70 pedal works best for me. The "clean" setting is a great match to the T5 and the effects board works like pedals, so no menus to get through for your settings. The ME70 also has a built in looper that is fun to play. One other thing you may want to do, that I find works successfully with the T5 as well as even my acoustic Taylors, is to use a full range PA cab as an extension speaker to a clean guitar amp. I use small amps like the Roland Cube 60/Cube 80 or even my MesaBoogie subway rocket and use a PA cab as an extension cab. For the T5 that works very well. Since the Taylor expression system uses a magnetic humbucker under the fretboard, it works well with my other Taylors (914ce, 814ce cocobolo, etc.). Coldshot is right in recommending experimenting. Running through a guitar amp will not get you the same full range tone since guitar amps are voiced in the midrange for electric guitars, but you may be amazed at the fullness of your tone. Some acoustic guitarists use electric amps when they use mag pickups like a Sunrise. Fun stuff and remember if it sounds good to you, it is good. I also use a Fishman SoloAmp and a Roland AC90, along with powered QSC K8 cabs.
Have fun with your T5.
davidc

David - do the Elixir Electric 12's come with a wound G or did you buy that separate?
Title: Re: Advice re T5 please . . .
Post by: coldshot on April 15, 2013, 10:12:44 PM
The Elixer .012's in electric strings come with the wound "g".
Title: Re: Advice re T5 please . . .
Post by: capndar on April 26, 2013, 09:03:06 PM
Hello folks

I recently bought a 2008 T5 spruce top....I play out (in public) acoustic but the tendinitis and arthritis in the left had were getting to me so I looked for a guitar that I could play for hours but still give me an acoustic sound through the PA....

I got the easy playability but am still struggling to get the truest acoustic sound.  This looks like the best thread to post the question.  What string/guitar setting combination will get me closest to an a acoustic  sound?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions

Capndar
Title: Re: Advice re T5 please . . .
Post by: dcopper on April 27, 2013, 07:56:48 AM
IMHO I would stick with the 12-52 Elixir electric strings. Having the wound "G" and slightly thicker gauge beefs up the tone and stabilizes the tuning. You will not suffer real loss of any acoustic tone but will gain the added ease of playability for your hands. You should experiment though and try a set of acoustic strings as well, just do not go to a set of super lights or any gauge lower than a .12 on your high E. Keep your setup simple- try experimenting with the onboard active eq which is very responsive. I use position 2 most of the time for what I find to be the true tone of the guitar. If you want a bit more "air" then you can use position 1 which activates the body sensor. You could add a tube type preamp to warm up the tone but I have found that the less in the signal chain for the acoustic tones, the better it sounds. Sometimes when either room acoustics or the sound system made me feel that my tone was "thin", I would use a SansAmp Acoustic DI (not made anymore but there is an Acoustic Driver) that would thicken up the tone some. After using/buying/trading so many pedals to use with the T5, I found for ease of use and good clean tones, the Boss ME70 works very well for me. For most straight acoustic applications however, I go straight into the board. Read some of my T5 posts and Coldshot's posts and also other forum members posts on the T5.  You will see how versatile and also how "misunderstood" the T5 is. I find it is a do-all guitar for me and can cover anything I want to play. The biggest thing is that it is its own animal- a T5. Once you get it, you get it.
Have fun.
davidc
Title: Re: Advice re T5 please . . .
Post by: coldshot on April 27, 2013, 06:28:08 PM
G day capndar, what are you using for amplification?

Most of the guys I have helped with their acoustic tone were using an acoustic amp which was usually the culprit. try not to colour your sound too much, start out with everything flat and slight adjustments do the trick, especially with the T5's pre amp controls.

I prefer to go straight into the desk or pa these days, I also use elixir electrics in .012's with the wound g string.

The Taylor K4 does help as did a G Natural, although I don't use either anymore.

Experiment is the answer to good tone with the T5.

Let us know how you go.

Cheers.
Title: Re: Advice re T5 please . . .
Post by: capndar on April 27, 2013, 09:58:41 PM
Thanks gents

I am running straight into my PA....trying position 1 so far and trying flat eq in the guitar

Working with some eq on the board

Will keep you advised

Cap'n Dar
Title: Re: Advice re T5 please . . .
Post by: coldshot on April 28, 2013, 12:38:59 AM
Sorry cap, after reading your post again I saw you mentioned you wre playing through a pa, just a thought are you using a trs or balanced lead, it does send a cleaner signal.

With electric heavy strings .012's positions 2 and 4 with a little bass sound very acoustic through my pa.
Title: Re: Advice re T5 please . . .
Post by: capndar on April 28, 2013, 09:47:03 AM
>>With electric heavy strings .012's positions 2 and 4 with a little bass sound very acoustic through my pa.<<

Thanks  -  am playing today - don't have time to switch strings but will experiment with 2 and 4 and bit of added bass

Capndar
Title: Re: Advice re T5 please . . .
Post by: capndar on May 22, 2013, 08:40:39 PM
I have put Heavy elixirs on (wound g)  and play live this week...we will see!
Title: Re: Advice re T5 please . . .
Post by: guitararmy on May 23, 2013, 12:11:28 PM
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/accessories/live-wire-trs--xlrm-patch-cable
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/accessories/american-recorder-technologies-xlr-female-to-1-4-male-mono-adapter

I read on the AGF that the T5 has a TRS output and that you lose some with a standard guitar cable.  I'm using the above cable with the adapter so that I can run my T5 through a Boss tuner pedal before going into the PA.  I think it sounds better, and it's not too expensive to try!
Title: Re: Advice re T5 please . . .
Post by: dcopper on May 24, 2013, 11:18:45 AM
You may want to skip the boss tuner pedal and try something like a SNARK which is very inexpensive or a breakout pedal (Taylor website) that allows you to keep the low Z line clean and still go out to a tuner. Boss also has a new clip on tuner as well. The balanced signal helps.
davidc
Title: Re: Advice re T5 please . . .
Post by: guitararmy on May 24, 2013, 03:15:29 PM
Thanks for the advice.  I'm afraid that with a clip-on tuner I would forget that my output isn't muted.....
Title: Re: Advice re T5 please . . .
Post by: capndar on July 22, 2013, 05:26:51 PM
A slow night last Saturday at the place I play so I felt a little more at liberty to experiment
With the T 5.  I have the wound g, playing straight to pa...I use a normal 1/4 in guitar chord

I was (of course) pleased with the playability of the T5  but am still struggling to get a more acoustic tone.  If I boosted anything on the guitar it seemed to sound even more electric

Suggestions ?
Title: Re: Advice re T5 please . . .
Post by: R1balla on July 23, 2013, 12:13:43 AM
I have done a ton of experimenting with the T5. I play at church so the board is EQ'd by a professional. I have no clue what its at but i can tell you what i run.

T5 with Elixir 12s (electric). Tubed pre amp (around $30) has made a huge improvement on my acoustic tone. I bypass my pedal and run to the PA. Of course, i use a ABY.

For electric sounds, I have a 15 watt Vox tubed amp. The pedal I am using is the Digitech RP500 and i am loving it. I get comments and questions nearly every sunday after worship. The other electric guitarist plays on a strat with stomp boxes and the same 15 watt vox amp as i do and we sound very similar. I have spent hours upon hours on the electric tones on my pedal. He has a better crunch than i do, but i do not crunch often. My role is acoustic when needed and electric leads, solos...etc with some crunching. anyways, back to the acoustic sounds.... I have no EQ on my board when I run acoustic (bypass everything). I use position one but have not tried 2 or 4 for strumming yet. I am very pleased with my sound right now.

The tubed pre amp has helped me so much. The one that I have is the ART Tube MP Studio V3 Mic PreAmp. Its only $30. worth a shot IMO. If it doesnt sound how you like it, return it. No risk.

Also, I am not sure if anybody has mentioned this before, but the type of 1/4 inch you use makes a difference as well. When i first started to play on stage, they gave me Live Wire cables to use.....terrible. Cheap and always short out. Currently, I use Planet Waves with one right angle, the other male end straight. it was about $35-$40. IMO, you shouldnt play on a cheap 1/4 inch if you are playing live. Worth the investment and Planet Waves comes with a lifetime warranty.
Title: Re: Advice re T5 please . . .
Post by: ewalling on July 23, 2013, 01:41:55 PM
I love the tone Pat Kirtley gets on this T5.

http://youtu.be/E7gii-9lVtg
Title: Re: Advice re T5 please . . .
Post by: methos1979 on July 23, 2013, 11:37:15 PM
I get an absolutely lovely acoustic sound out of my T5 through Zoom A2.1u that I picked up used for like $80. I found the model I liked best (the Martin 00-28 I think) and built several presets on top of that using reverbs, delays, flange, phaser and all kinds of other cool sounds. I get a ton of compliments from people on it whether played through my Genz Benz Shenandoah acoustic amp or straight into a PA.
Title: Re: Advice re T5 please . . .
Post by: R1balla on July 24, 2013, 11:53:55 PM
i have a Zoom i play with at home to mess around. about 10 years old. i still find the best acoustic sound is with no effects except reverb.
Title: Re: Advice re T5 please . . .
Post by: Corgle on August 26, 2013, 09:35:20 PM
Does anyone have any experience running a T5 through a Baggs Para DI? I just added one and it seems to help with acoustic tones going to a Fishman Loudbox Performer. I have been able to get warmer, fuller sounds out of the number one position and also have made the mids fuller. Finding the right gain setting is critical. After that I have shifted the notch to the low side and tuned the mid. Amp and on board pre amp flat.

Any thoughts or suggestions on this one?