Unofficial Taylor Guitar Forum - UTGF

Taylor Acoustic & Electric Guitars => Taylor Acoustic & Electric Guitars => Topic started by: michaelw on December 26, 2011, 03:28:44 PM

Title: POLL : Which top is on your T5 ?
Post by: michaelw on December 26, 2011, 03:28:44 PM
just wondering which top is on your T5, the tonal qualities that you feel the top contributes &
how the different models compared, which led to your choosing the model you currently have/had :)
Title: Re: POLL : Which top is on your T5 ?
Post by: coldshot on December 26, 2011, 04:35:16 PM
I have had two T5's the cocobolo had better sustain and was better for electric guitar tones, but for my type of playing i prefered the Koa T5.
I ussually play through both the pa and amp simultaneously and once I started playing that way I thought thats when the T5 really started to shine.



[attachment deleted by admin]
Title: Re: POLL : Which top is on your T5 ?
Post by: michaelw on December 26, 2011, 05:37:52 PM
I have had two T5's the cocobolo had better sustain and was better for electric guitar tones, but for my type of playing i prefered the Koa T5.
I ussually play through both the pa and amp simultaneously and once I started playing that way I thought thats when the T5 really started to shine.
hi coldshot,
in terms of your ap/amp set up, i was wondering if the T5 allows the output of
electric & acoustic tones simultaneously, similar to the Ovation VXT hybrid, or if
you would happening to be using an acoustic & an electric amp, with the A/B box ???

i have heard the T5 demo'd through an effects pedal/interface several years ago &
http://www.zoom.co.jp/english/products/g21u/ (http://www.zoom.co.jp/english/products/g21u/)
i was extremely impressed with the versatility & the overall tonal 'palette'
 
Title: Re: POLL : Which top is on your T5 ?
Post by: coldshot on December 26, 2011, 06:45:02 PM
G day Micheal, I run the T5 to a A B box then to a K4 and into the PA on the acoustic side, and straight into the amp which is also mic'd on the electric side.

That way I can have the electric tones in my foldback and front of house speakers.

I often use the both button for a really full tone.

I don't use many effects just the guitar controls and maybe a little compression, although i do happen to have an exceptional custom made aussie 50watt made amp.

www.reynolds-valveart.com.au

Title: Re: POLL : Which top is on your T5 ?
Post by: michaelw on December 26, 2011, 07:28:36 PM
G day Micheal, I run the T5 to a A B box then to a K4 and into the PA on the acoustic side, and straight into the amp which is also mic'd on the electric side.

That way I can have the electric tones in my foldback and front of house speakers.

I often use the both button for a really full tone.

I don't use many effects just the guitar controls and maybe a little compression, although i do happen to have an exceptional custom made aussie 50watt made amp.

www.reynolds-valveart.com.au
nice :)

any soundclips or youtube video clips you might be to share ???
i'm sure we'd love to hear em, if there are any available :D
Title: Re: POLL : Which top is on your T5 ?
Post by: barefooter on December 26, 2011, 07:31:45 PM
Hey michaelw,

I cannot speak to the various tops on a T5 in regards to having tried all of them out before getting one.  I received my Koa as gift :)  I will say that I have a friend who has a Spruce top, 2005 model, that I played at work a few times before I received mine.  He even allowed me to bring it home with me a few times to play and compare with the Koa once I received my Koa.  My ears detected more sustain with the Spruce than the Koa when playing acoustically and the Spruce had more volume.  When plugged in, the tonal difference was not much.  Now, all of this is my opinion and is based upon the way I remember it from 2006.  I like both mdoels that I have played, his and mine.
Title: Re: POLL : Which top is on your T5 ?
Post by: mescobar on December 29, 2011, 10:02:04 AM
I have a Maccasar Ebony topped T5.
I had a TSS (original black) that I traded a couple of years ago, and I missed it so much that I bought the Maccasar one.
My local dealer had several different models (Coco, Ovangkol, Spruce, Koa, Maple, and Macassar) when I was ready to purchase. They all sound very similar but the Macassar had a darker sound to it to my ears. I just started using a Aphex Xciter and am really enjoyong the results plugged in.
Title: Re: POLL : Which top is on your T5 ?
Post by: michaelw on December 30, 2011, 01:53:51 AM
I have a Maccasar Ebony topped T5.
I had a TSS (original black) that I traded a couple of years ago, and I missed it so much that I bought the Maccasar one.
My local dealer had several different models (Coco, Ovangkol, Spruce, Koa, Maple, and Macassar) when I was ready to purchase. They all sound very similar but the Macassar had a darker sound to it to my ears. I just started using a Aphex Xciter and am really enjoyong the results plugged in.
sounds really nice, Mario :)

am waiting patiently for the 'family picture' :D

some pretty nice koa & cocobolo to look at in here
http://www.unofficialtaylorguitarforum.com/index.php?topic=290.0 (http://www.unofficialtaylorguitarforum.com/index.php?topic=290.0)
Title: Re: POLL : Which top is on your T5 ?
Post by: Taylorplayer on January 10, 2012, 01:05:31 AM
Maple...... (http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh280/WGT53/IMG_1667.jpg)
Title: Re: POLL : Which top is on your T5 ?
Post by: michaelw on January 10, 2012, 02:22:57 AM
Maple......
very 8)
love the flame, the burst & the artist inlays ...
very nice -  thanks for sharing the pic, too :)
Title: Re: POLL : Which top is on your T5 ?
Post by: barefooter on January 10, 2012, 08:04:38 AM
Nice picture of your T5 Bill :)  I think everything about the "burst" and Maple is perferct on this guitar.
Title: Re: POLL : Which top is on your T5 ?
Post by: dcopper on January 12, 2012, 10:28:40 AM
I have a KOA T5 a custom Red Metallic T5 spruce top and a Black Standard T5 spruce top.

The spruce to my ears has a much more acoustic tone. It lends itself easier to the acoustic side. That said, the KOA and maple tops I have also played, I believe, have a fuller, rounder and a bit deeper tone. My KOA custom is really a plug and play guitar (Once you understand the T5 tone of course!). So are my spruce tops but without boosting the active tone controls on the guitars, they can sound a little "thin" depending on what you run them through. With a decent PA setup, I can plug and play and of my T5s and get good T5 tone.
The best way to use the T5  IMHO is to do the A/B box and send one side to an electric amp and one to an acoustic amp or PA (full range system). The electric side balances and rounds out the tone, filling it in, while the acoustic side brings out the higher fidelity of the T5. Sweeeeeeeeeeet!

One other reasonably inexpensive option that works well for me is to use an electric amp (Tube or SS), and run a full range speaker cabinet as an extension cabinet. I like to use the full range cab on a stand and set the amp (I use either a Mesa/Boogie Subway Rocket, Peavey Delta Blues, or Roland Cube 80x) below the cab. You can get great T5 tone in a compact package without the A/B especially if you play in cramped quarters.
To get back, (sorry if I was distracted with T5 talk), the spruce tops have a more acoustic tone in any of these setups, including straight into an electric amp. KOA is a touch brighter than maple but both are extremely well balanced. There is a definitie difference in the tone of the tops. That may be due to a thin body not contributing as much as the body does with an acoustic guitar.
There is nothing wrong either, with just running the T5 into an electric amp. It works great for solo - think of clean, clear acoustic tone free of piezo quack.
Best regards,
davidc
Title: Re: POLL : Which top is on your T5 ?
Post by: tnfiddler on January 16, 2012, 05:22:19 PM
I have the maple top on my '11 C1.  I would love to have a koa top too but, I like having a wedding band on my left hand!! :)

(http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/uu315/91redragtop/T5C1b.jpg)
Title: Re: POLL : Which top is on your T5 ?
Post by: SMan on January 16, 2012, 08:25:18 PM
I just simply love Koa. 

(http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i204/smansbucket/Guitars/T5/DSC_1088.jpg)
Title: Re: POLL : Which top is on your T5 ?
Post by: flaggerphil on January 23, 2012, 03:57:25 PM
Mine has a cocobolo top with sapwood running down the center and each bout of the guitar.  Stunning, if I may say so myself...

 ;)
Title: Re: POLL : Which top is on your T5 ?
Post by: michaelw on January 26, 2012, 12:57:23 AM
I have the maple top on my '11 C1.  I would love to have a koa top too but, I like having a wedding band on my left hand!! :)
whoa :o
i saw the other pics of your C1 & saw 2 were the same,
so i didn't think to check again here, until now ...
that pic really shows how finely-structured the figuring is

really, really nice ... & i like the finish you've selected as well :D
Title: Re: POLL : Which top is on your T5 ?
Post by: tnfiddler on January 26, 2012, 08:00:38 AM
I have the maple top on my '11 C1.  I would love to have a koa top too but, I like having a wedding band on my left hand!! :)
whoa :o
i saw the other pics of your C1 & saw 2 were the same,
so i didn't think to check again here, until now ...
that pic really shows how finely-structured the figuring is

really, really nice ... & i like the finish you've selected as well :D


Thanks!! 
Title: Re: POLL : Which top is on your T5 ?
Post by: JSeth on February 02, 2012, 12:12:21 AM
Mine is a maple top'd Red Edgeburst Standard... in hindsight, I believe that a spruce top would have a better unplugged voice!

I just love the electric tones I can get from this guitar! Everything from a Tele neck pick-up to a Gretsch rhythm sound, to a bunch of humbucker variations... Haven't really been too fond of the acoustic sound of it, although I haven't really attempted to "dial it in". I love how light the guitar is, and how accurate the fret board is, everywhere on the neck!

play on.....................................>

John
Title: Re: POLL : Which top is on your T5 ?
Post by: Gutch on February 11, 2012, 10:55:29 AM
Both of my T5's (6 & 12 string) are Maple tops.  Love the crispness of the tone.  Oh yeah, they look great too...
Title: Re: POLL : Which top is on your T5 ?
Post by: Rango on April 12, 2012, 11:52:21 AM
Mine has a cocobolo top with sapwood running down the center and each bout of the guitar.  Stunning, if I may say so myself...

 ;)

Now that's just mean to post without a picture.   :-\

 ;)
Title: Re: POLL : Which top is on your T5 ?
Post by: mgap on April 13, 2012, 03:31:28 PM
Mine is a standard, no frills, spruce top, with tobacco burst.  Here is a guitar I rarely play, It never really does what I want it to do for me(make me sound good LOL)i can not get a good acoustic sound from it, the only thing I run it through is my Hot Rod Deluxe Fender amp, I am not sure if that has any bearing on it or not..  These days I just plug in one of my a/e Taylors.
Title: Re: POLL : Which top is on your T5 ?
Post by: tnfiddler on April 15, 2012, 01:16:53 PM
Mine is a standard, no frills, spruce top, with tobacco burst.  Here is a guitar I rarely play, It never really does what I want it to do for me(make me sound good LOL)i can not get a good acoustic sound from it, the only thing I run it through is my Hot Rod Deluxe Fender amp, I am not sure if that has any bearing on it or not..  These days I just plug in one of my a/e Taylors.

I use my 614ce for acoustic songs and then switch to my T5 when I want a more electric sound!!  I really love mine and I think they look great!!