I wasn’t too wild about the T5 when it came out a couple of years ago. No doubt it’s a gorgeous-looking and great-playing guitar. But as I feel about any hybrid, I feel that it was a compromise; not quite an acoustic, not quite an electric. And despite bearing the high-quality of all Taylor guitars I’ve played, the T5 wasn’t a guitar that I’d spend $2700 to buy. For that money, I’d get two dedicated electric and acoustic guitars, and be happy with switching between the two – which I do anyway, so it’s not a stretch.
Enter the T3 semi-hollowbody. This is a dedicated electric guitar, and something I think is definitely worth checking out. With a mahogany back and neck and maple top, it promises to produce a big, expansive tone. Not only that, the T3 sports a push-pull knob that when engaged, pushes the mids up – nice touch. By the way, the “B” model of the T3 includes a Bigsby tremolo with roller bridge.
Ranging in price from $2249 to $2399 street, this is by no means a cheap guitar, but it certainly bears taking a good look at, even if I don’t ever buy one – but I’ve been known to say that, and turn around get something if I totally fall in love it; though it would be pretty difficult to justify that kind of expense with my wife, especially since I spent that much just recently getting a couple of guitars and an amp… ☺ That’s another article…
In any case, check out this video demo of the T3 from the 2009 NAMM show.
From the clips, even though the T3 has humbuckers, it’s amazingly bright, and sounds a lot like a deeper voiced Tele. That tone alone is worth taking a good look at this guitar!
Photo courtesy of Taylor Guitars
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