Taylor T-5. & other "thinline"acoustic-electrics~How "acoustic" does it really sound?

[quadrogong]

Can I get away with one in an acoustic set?

The artist I'm playing for won't want me using an archtop or hollowbody..
but I'd like to get something with a rich,authentic sounding acoustic tone,
..but with a thinner,more confortable body,
and neck/action more similar to an electric..

I'm looking into customizing a carvin "tele" shaped AE's,(AE185 , AC375,& CC275)
Looking at Godin,and I found a nice used Gibson Chet SST with the star inlays..

I'd like something modern,with a nice preamp/pu system,that'll sound great through a PA with minimal knob-twiddling.
built-in tuner would also be nice..

[Trandy]

Yes...you can "get away" with a T-5 for an acoustic set.

Personally, I am not enamored with it's "acoustic" sound at all. It sounds very nasally to my ears....especially the "B" and "G" strings.

[NeuroLogic]

I really like the T5 however, it takes signal processing and pa cabnets (most with smaller speakers to avoid boom) to sound good as an acoustic. The electric sounds are not like an electric guitar. This part is hype by Taylor but, amp & sound modeling can cover "get away" with the electric side. The overlap of electric and acoustic sounds are cool.

[quadrogong]

I play through a PA,going direct 100% of the time,
so it's generally for strumming,pop/rhythm stuff..
I'd like something that sounds like a full,rich flat top while plugged in..
..nicely eq'ed,natural sounding..
The taylor is probably getting crossed off my list,

I can get 50% off list from a Martin endorsement,so I'd really like to go that way,if possible..
but I don't think they have anything thin and comfortable with the kind of neck and feel I crave.
Most of Martin's thinline stuff seems to be in their cheaper "X" series,which doesn't knock me out.

I know if I picked up a simple D-1 or D-18 with an Aero+ in it,it'd sound great..
but my right forearm gets sore on thick bodied acoustics if I play longer shows,I need thinner bodies or rounded contours,that sharp corner on a flat top's body can irritate me.

[JSeth]

The T-5 may not be for you - I love mine, don't get me wrong! It plays like a dream, perfectly intonated, up and down the neck - and, unlike a previous reply, I love the electric sounds it makes... Unplugged, it even has a very well-balanced voice, albeit a quiet one...

Only problem is, I don't think the amplified sound is worth a crap as an acoustic. Granted, I haven't experimented a lot through a pa system - tried the setting on my Bose T-1 for yjr T-5 and it was really weak - but, for my tastes, it doesn't cut it as an "acoustic" sound...

Good luck with your search!

[RAILhead]

Don't forget that the T5 also handles acoustic stringing as well.

[aparnell]

A Lot of players love the Anderson Crowdster

[NeuroLogic]

If you are looking for an acoustic only, try the Composite Acoustic X series. These are very comfortable, play perfectly and sound great plugged in. The complete lack of maintenance is fantastic. I've not played an Anderson and many are raving but, I question the high price for a relatively modest build instrument. I prefer the T5 as it covers a jazz sound that the Anderson will not and I have engineered an excellent acoustic sound as well. I would love to see CA make a T5 style guitar.

The T5 has nice electric sounds just not the same as the Tele, Gretsch, etc. that they claim to cover. A lot of processing is needed to cover the difference.

[NeuroLogic]

Also keep it in mind that the 2nd generation Expression pickup system is much better than the original.

[Pietro]

Crowdster is the deal for this! If you want a dash of electric, too, there's the plus.

Here's mine. It sounds just great in only-acoustic mode, too.



He's doing a two-pickup version later this year. No word on pricing and stuff, but you can NOT (at this point) send the one-pickup to him for a retrofit.

It is simply the best sounding plugged-in acoustic guitar I've ever had or played.

[RAILhead]

Here's mine:

http://www.thegearpage.net/board/sho...d.php?t=599743

[Alter]

you might want to check out the turner guitars also

http://www.renaissanceguitars.com/steel-guitar.php

[ib2010]

ditto on the TA crowdster. If you create proper "ambient space" in your signal path, it's wonderfully acoustic. It plays - tunes- feels as nice as any instrument going.

[jrgantt]

Just throwin' my 2 cents.

The Crowdster Plus is the way to go. Sounds phenomenal through a PA. It is a sealed hollow body with no soundhole so you have zero feedback at any volume. It weighs less than 6 pounds and has a super thin body which translates into comfortability through your entire set. Including the encore.

There was a lot of hype over the T5--as it was just introduced at the time I wanted to make my buy, but I decided to order an Anderson because:

<> The custom built superior craftsmanship of an Anderson guitar. Those guys make some of the finest most playable necks on the planet. The fullness and clarity of the entire fretboard was unreal. The T5 didn't do so well in the upper registers.

<> The onboard treble, mid, & bass controls. The treble & bass on the T5 was not enough for my needs.

<> The CMA pickup. Specifically designed for the intonation & sound of acoustic bronze strings. Giving your axe mind bending electric abilities.

<> The Stereo/Mono button. Run a TRS Y cable into an amp and the other side into the house for versatility extreme. So you can gently lull the crowd into a heartfelt singalong and then melt their faces at the flip of a switch. You can also blend both signals.

<> Anderson Staff. The most knowledgeable and most friendly group of people EV-ER. Seriously. Call 'em up. You'll get a real person. They will make the time to talk with you to find out your needs and wants and answer any question you might have.

- JRG

[WahmBoomAh]

I`m using the Turner (nylon and steel) and am settled into the sound of them ....Anyone A/B`d the Turner to the Anderson ?
I personally am turned off to the Anderson bling factor...I think Turner makes a simpler and classier looking axe ...but sound????