Look what I just got... Taylor Flametop T5

[mmcquain]

Well I finally sold the Ovation (the round back just didn't cut it with my round front) and decided to move up to a Taylor T5 (which I'd looked at last year but couldn't bring myself to spend that much $$). At church they want me to start covering for some of the rhythm and acoustic guys and a Les Paul or CS356 is overkill for some of the songs we do. Sooo, after much web searching I landed on this guy from Bruce at Wildwood (who I HIGHLY recommend... always good to deal with a Forum Dealer!). It just arrived today (I'll give an updated tone report with new pictures as soon as I can). The only bummer is that I have to sell my Strat to help pay for this - gotta' keep the wife off my back! :gazza

http://www.mcquain.com/lespaul/T5_BlueEdgeburst.jpghttp://www.mcquain.com/lespaul/T5_Flames1.jpg
http://www.mcquain.com/lespaul/T5_Body.jpghttp://www.mcquain.com/lespaul/T5_Flames2.jpg

[maidenstrat]

Wow that is some colour. How do you like it? i`ve been keen on one for a while now but was put off by something a dealer told me.

[mmcquain]

Wow that is some colour. How do you like it? i`ve been keen on one for a while now but was put off by something a dealer told me.

What did the dealer say?

[gakees]

I've always been one to scratch the itch, so, I wish you hadn't posted this. That's a beautiful guitar.

http://www.taylorguitars.com/newsletter/2006/march/Marc_Seal.aspx?play=hi

This is all I need to hear.

[maidenstrat]

He just wasnt impressed with it at all, didn`t say it was a bad guitar just not for him and not for the price they were going for here at the time. I still fancy one, oh and the cases are just so cool looking wish my 814ce had a case like that.

[sliding-tom]

Since my wife loves the colour blue so much it wouldn't be much trouble to convince her I needed one of these but you know I'm very conservative concerning guitar finishes and blue just isn't a classic finish. It's a beautiful guitar, though.

[gakees]

Within the next few weeks, I hope to be trying one of these out. The plan is to trade my R8 and a little cash for one. I have an R8 and an R9 and I don't need both.

[mmcquain]

Within the next few weeks, I hope to be trying one of these out. The plan is to trade my R8 and a little cash for one. I have an R8 and an R9 and I don't need both.

Please post some pics of your R8 and R9 (I love Les Pauls). One thing though... I assume you're talking about getting a T5 Custom instead of a Standard (like mine) since you say you're trading an R8 AND some cash. I know that what I paid for my T5 flame top was LESS than what an R8 costs/is worth. I know that some of the T5 Customs can get expensive but still, sounds like you're paying a lot if you're trading and having to add cash to the deal. I recommend giving Bruce at Wildwood Guitars in CO a call. That's where I got my T5 (under $2K) as their customer service is top-notch and the prices are great. They also know all about the prices of R8, R9, etc. and will treat you very fairly. Another thing to consider is selling your R8 on eBay. I've sold close to 20 guitars in the last 5 years that way and have found that you can get better money (as a general rule) when selling them yourself than trading them in (trade-ins need to leave more "mark up" room for the dealer to make a profit). You end up getting more bang for your buck, which you can then invest in more guitars! :rflao

[gakees]

Yep, I'd like to get the Custom. There's a dealer not far from where I live whom I've spent many dollars with over the years for everything from PA's to amps to guitars. He's always given me a pretty good deal. Ebay? Naw. I've never bought or sold anything on Ebay, plus, I prefer to keep things simple. But, I'll tell you this....I will get in touch with Wildwood. Also, another shop I might contact is Canyon Music in Durango. But I doubt they would be interested in a trade since they only carry acoustic instruments. Anyway, here's the girls.......
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e164/gakees/bankpics002.jpg

Not the best pic, but the only one I have of both of 'em. So, that's both LP's and the 336 out there this evening.....

By the way, how's that T5 of yours doing?

[mmcquain]

By the way, how's that T5 of yours doing?

Doing just fine. I played 'er this past week at church. It's great when you want an acoustic sound for most songs but just flip the pickup selector and kick on the distortion and presto... instant lead guitar for one song that I need to do some fills on. I love the fact you can do so much with this one instrument.

Also, I really like your flametop on the right in that pic.

[bluespckr]

Yep, I'd like to get the Custom. There's a dealer not far from where I live whom I've spent many dollars with over the years for everything from PA's to amps to guitars. He's always given me a pretty good deal. Ebay? Naw. I've never bought or sold anything on Ebay, plus, I prefer to keep things simple. But, I'll tell you this....I will get in touch with Wildwood. Also, another shop I might contact is Canyon Music in Durango. But I doubt they would be interested in a trade since they only carry acoustic instruments. Anyway, here's the girls.......
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e164/gakees/bankpics002.jpg

Not the best pic, but the only one I have of both of 'em. So, that's both LP's and the 336 out there this evening.....

By the way, how's that T5 of yours doing?

Those are a nice looking set of Lesters. There's nothing quite like the sound on a Les Paul, IMO. Just when I think I want to try something else, and think I'm happy with the new XYZ guitar, I plug one of mine in, and then ask myself why I got XYZ. The XYZ's come and go in my house, but my two Les Pauls stay.

As far as dealing on eBay, I've sold a few guitars and a couple of amps on there and have had good luck. Generally, I've always asked for what I would pay for the same guitar -- a fair price -- and have always gotten it or more. Certainly you can do better on eBay than by just trading, in most cases. Music stores generally give you very little return on that investment.

[sliding-tom]

That's two beautiful guitars, Allen! Although I'm more of an ES 335 type of guy, lately I've been thinking of one day to be able to afford a sunburst LP with humbuckers. :wail

[gakees]

I finally got to play a T5 yesterday as I took off to Alexandria with every intention of buying one. But I came home empty handed. Now that's unusual for me. Anyway, the guitar played very comfortably and it truly had a good sound from any of the pickup selections available. The reason I decided to not buy it is fairly simple....I couldn't figure out a use for it that my current mess of guitars can't handle. Guess I shouldn't have bought the 336. Anyway, mmcquain, after playing it for about 45 minutes, I agree with you....it is a really good guitar.

[mmcquain]

...But I came home empty handed...I couldn't figure out a use for it that my current mess of guitars can't handle. Guess I shouldn't have bought the 336. Anyway, mmcquain, after playing it for about 45 minutes, I agree with you....it is a really good guitar.

Hey, at least now you know. And it helped reinforce your feelings for your other guitars. As for the 336...that's a great guitar too (I love my 356). Since you didn't get the T5 that just means you have some $$$ for your next G.A.S. attack! ;)