Taylor Electric Guitars: The T5, T5z, and T3
Taylor electric guitars are not to be thought of as a motley crew - The T5, T5z, and T3 / T3B are all impressive guitars that deliver the same winning combination of playability, tone, and build quality that we all love about Taylor acoustics.
Pictured is the T5z Classic! Click on a photo for a hi-res version! Keep reading for in depth breakdown of Taylor electric guitars.
History
First introduced in the mid 2000s, Taylor's first electric guitars were unsurprisingly just as ground-breaking as their acoustic designs. Among these guitars are the T5, the T5z, and the T3. They also made several solid body models that never quite took off, but their semi-hollow and hollow body models are here to stay! The T5 and T5z are some of the best hollow body hybrid acoustic electric guitars on the market, and the fully electric semi-hollow T3 (with available Bigsby), is a welcome competitor in its space - with better tone and playability than most!
T5 & T5z
The T5/T5z was the original Taylor acoustic-electric hybrid hollow body. These guitars bridge the acoustic and electric worlds like no other with their proprietary electronics, and offer a wide variety of tonewood combinations. Construction wise, the T5 is designed to be the acoustic leaning sibling, with a larger body, and a neck profile, radius, and frets very close to a Taylor acoustic. The T5z on the other hand is for those who want an electric guitar feel, as it features a smaller body, a smaller 12" radius, extra feedback resistance, and jumbo frets.
Both models are available in a "Classic" version, with a mahogany top and sapele back and sides, a "Standard" version, pairing Sitka spruce over sapele, a "Pro" version, boasting a figured maple top, and a "Custom" permutation, showcasing a Hawaiian koa top and gold hardware.
Aesthetics:
The T5 and T5z Standard models are available in a set of finishes, including Vintage Sunburst, Black, and Honey Sunburst. "Pro" models are available in Tobacco Sunburst, Gaslamp Black, Pacific Blue, Borrego Red, Molasses Sunburst, and Trampas Green. You'll find several limited edition colors out there too!
Electronics:
The proprietary electronics are the heart of the T5 and T5z models. Taylor starts with a set of 3 pickups, including an acoustic body sensor active soundboard pickup, a concealed neck humbucker and a "lipstick" style bridge humbucker. The first pickup provides the acoustic tones and the latter 2, the electric. These pickups, combined with a 5-way switch, can be blended to provide everything from a more-than-representative acoustic tone, to high gain leads and chunky rhythms. You also get a trio of control knobs, which can adjust your volume, bass, and treble.
Position 1: Neck humbucker and body sensor
The most "acoustic" voice available - it even responds to your dynamics like a real acoustic guitar!
Position 2: Neck humbucker only
Jazz and blues players will live in this position! Nice warm, round tones.
Position 3: Bridge humbucker
You can cop everything from Tele twang to high gain rhythm playing from this one, the hottest pickup of the bunch.
Position 4: Neck and bridge humbuckers in parallel
Reminiscent of a ’50s hollowbody, big and clean tones with a bit of grit if you dig in.
Position 5: Neck and bridge in series
You'll live here if you crave juicy, liquid high gain leads and other fat single note tones.
New T5z Classic Deluxe:
The latest edition to the best selling T5z line is the "Classic Deluxe" model, which boasts a warm Shaded Edgeburst gloss finish throughout the entire body!
T3 & T3/B
The semi-hollow body guitar has always been a great choice for the musician who requires versatility. Taylor's take on these guitars combines the vintage inspired tonal foundation with playability and forward thinking features that could only come from Taylor.
The T3 series guitars pair maple tops with a sapele back and sapele sides. The tonal engine is provided by either a pair of humbuckers (ceramic or alnico, your choice!) or a pair of mini-humbuckers. Other unique Taylor features include a tone knob that both boosts mids and/or adds bass, a roller bridge for tuning stability, an optional Bigsby vibrato tailpiece, and the patented T-Lock neck, inspired by the revolutionary NT neck joint - which uses a special spacer to give you the perfect neck angle.
Aesthetics:
These electrics come in a wide variety of finish colors including: Natural (standard), Ruby Red Burst, Black, Orange, Tobacco Sunburst and Honey Sunburst. Crisp white binding around the body and F-holes, and under-stated dot inlays over the ebony fingerboard provide a nice package full of class.
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