Guitar Reviews: Taylor T5, Line 6 Variax Acoustic 700
Yesterday, I got to go to Guitar Center in Roseville (Minneapolis for all of you that don’t live in Roseville) and play a few neat guitars.
I can already hear the collective YAWN from all but about three of you.
I played a $3500 acoustic, and am still convinced that mine (which didn’t cost anywhere near that) sounds better than any acoustic out there.
The highlight though, was getting to test out a few new guitars that I’ve read about. Here’s my thumbnail review.
Taylor T5 Thinline Fiveway
This claims to be an “all in one” guitar, everything from acoustic to Humbucking electric. But really, it’s just an electric guitar that approximates an acoustic.
Okay, that’s not entirely fair, as I didn’t spend hours playing with the EQ, and the guy at the store didn’t really know a whole lot about it either.
I must say, I was impressed with it’s electric sound. Both single coil and humbucker sound. VERY nice. But the acoustic sound, from what I could get out of it, sounded like an electric guitar trying to sound like an acoustic.
Verdict: A fine guitar. Possibily even a versatile guitar. More investigation is necessary, but, being the purist I am, I suspec that I will continue to use a real acoustic guitar for acoustic sounds, and a strat for my electric sounds. Also, the guitar was not worth the $2800 price tag. (they had a base model for $2100, and a custom model for $3100. I played a “deluxe” model.) A $3000 guitar should feel like a $3000 guitar. Immaculate balance, action, tone… this guitar did not strike me with any of the above. If it were in the $1500 range, I would consider purchasing one.
Line 6 Variax Acoustic 700
This was cool. Alternate tuning at the push of a button. 16 different acoustic family instruments (bandjo, mandolin, sitar, several acoustic guitars, etc) available at the turn of a dial. No need for a capo, as you can just dial in the tuning you want. A slider for pickup (microphone) placement. The action felt like an acoustic. The sound was decent, though not amazing. The price: $1100-$1200, a tad steep for an acoustic guitar of this quality (made in Korea). You are definitely paying for the modeling technology.
The verdict. Not bad. Not bad at all. I’d consider purchasing one, but I am holding out for a Crowdster.
(Okay Pat, commence mocking my reviews :))
No mockery. I just think that once you actually play a Crowdster, you’ll feel the same way about it as you do the Taylor and Variax - it’s a pretty nice fake, but it’s still a fake, and, especially for the price, it just doesn’t hold up.
Ok, some mockery. You? Purist? Mr. Flamekat? Hehehehe…
Check out Sadowski and Godin. They make great thinlines ala the Tom Anderson at a much more affordable cost. Kinda like your Lowden.
OK, having now played the Line6 (only had to go to Des Moines, not Minneapolis), I can say that, as a toy, it’s kinda fun. As a guitar, it’s a steaming heap of crap.
You can ask if you’d like a more detailed review.
I’ve just sold my T5 koa and bought a ‘54 reissue strat instead. Perhaps it was just problems with the individual guitar and I’m sorry for being on a downer, but;
Trying to keep it in tune was virtually impossible. I had the guitar tecs check it out several times, had the bridge professionally readjusted, tried different string gauges and types etc., etc., but to no avail. Not a problem in the studio, but a total pain during gigs…I was hitting the tune-up pedal after each number!!
Feedback; yes, I know all hollow bodied guitars suffer from the same problem, but this guitar howled….and not in a good way.
Sound; Famed for its diversity, but limited dependent on your choice of amp, again leading to gigging limitations. Crap “acoustic” sound through a Marshall amp.
I have a Taylor acoustic which is stunning in every way, but I would not recommend the very expensive T5C2 to anybody even considering using it during a gig; shame, because I couldn’t wait to buy one…..