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Taylor T5z Classic Koa Hollowbody Electric Guitar - Shaded Edgeburst Sweetwater Exclusive

6-string Acoustic-electric Guitar with Koa Top, Sapele Body and Neck, and Ebony Fingerboard - Shaded Edgeburst
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Taylor T5z Classic Koa Hollowbody Electric Guitar - Shaded Edgeburst Sweetwater Exclusive
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There’s a New Hollowbody In Town

One look at the stunning Taylor T5z Classic Koa, and you know you’re in for a treat. From its drop-dead gorgeous visuals and flawless playability to its sumptuous sonics, this very special hollowbody electric just begs to be played. The magic starts with premium tonewoods: a stunningly figured koa top, toneful sapele sides and back, and a smooth-as-glass ebony fingerboard with low action and jumbo frets. Solidbody electric players will feel right at home, and acoustic players will wonder why they’ve been working so hard. Check out the beautiful Taylor T5z Classic Koa. Trust us — you’ll be hooked!

Next-gen Acoustic-electric, for a Song

There are electric guitars, there are acoustic guitars; then there’s the Taylor T5z Classic. Sweetwater’s guitar pickers are big fans of Taylor’s T5 Thinline acoustic-electric. With the T5z Classic, Taylor gives you even more features that will make you feel right at home if you’re coming from a solidbody electric. They’ve thinned out the body even more, and spec’d the silky ebony fingerboard with a 12-inch radius and jumbo frets to make string bending even easier. And the range of available sounds? Far beyond what we’ve come to expect from traditional acoustic or electric guitars. With the T5z Classic, there’s no limit to your sonic possibilities!

Acoustic or electric: you decide

Actually, it’s both. The Taylor T5z Classic allows you to get fully acoustic sounds and fully electric sounds from the same guitar. Seamlessly. It’s designed to be used with both acoustic and electric amps using a standard guitar cable or a balanced cable. Think about what an amazing advantage that is when you’re performing! If you’re primarily a solidbody slinger, you’ll particularly appreciate the T5z’s fast sapele neck. If you’re in the mood for shredding, the shortened scale length and jumbo frets ensure a fingerboard (ebony) that is endlessly pleasurable to play with either electric or acoustic strings.

Next-generation electronics

The Taylor T5z Classic features a whole new generation of electronics. Tones are selected via the easy access 5-way switch located on the side of the guitar. Two pickups — a concealed neck humbucker and a visible bridge humbucker — produce a truly impressive range of electric guitar tone, while the an acoustic body sensor system delivers breathtaking acoustic sounds. Inspired by the research on the Expression System, the T5z body sensors are overwound to produce the sparkling highs and shimmer for the most acoustic-like switch position. The T5z Classic’s preamp was designed to deliver a wide range of tones in every switch position. Controls include Volume, Bass and Treble.

Sleek, comfortable, resonant body

Inspired by the Taylor Grand Auditorium silhouette, the T5z Classic features a sleek and comfortable-to-hold carved hollowbody of sapele. Like all Taylor guitars, a custom-voiced soundboard is the heart of the T5z tone; the koa top creates a strong, colorful voice with prodigious sustain. Finally, stylized F-holes command the eye and enhance the resonance of the body chamber, allowing the top to breathe and capture the dynamics your performances.

Taylor T5z Classic Koa Hollowbody Electric Guitar Features:

  • A universe of fabulous electric and acoustic sounds in one amazing instrument
  • Koa top; sapele back and sides
  • Hollowbody design with active soundboard for natural acoustic tone
  • Compact body is comfortable for solidbody electric players
  • Ebony fingerboard with jumbo frets for enhanced playability
  • 24.875-inch scale length, 12-inch fingerboard radius for effortless string bending
  • Versatile T5z electronics with 5-way switch
  • Acoustic body sensor, concealed neck humbucker; visible bridge humbucker

Why Buy Your Guitar from Sweetwater?

See how Sweetwater goes to great lengths to give you the very best online guitar buying experience. From our online Guitar Gallery that allows you to see and select the exact instrument you want to our 55-point Inspection process and our in-house guitar techs, we take the guesswork out of buying your next guitar online.

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Tech Specs

  • General
  • Number of Strings 6
  • Left-/Right-handed Right-handed
  • Body
  • Body Type Hollowbody
  • Body Shape T5z Classic
  • Body Material Sapele
  • Top Material Koa
  • Body Finish Satin
  • Color Shaded Edgeburst
  • Neck
  • Neck Material Sapele
  • Neck Shape T5z Carve
  • Neck Joint Taylor T Lock
  • Radius 12"
  • Fingerboard Material Crelicam West African Ebony
  • Fingerboard Inlay Small Diamonds
  • Number of Frets 21, Jumbo
  • Scale Length 24.875"
  • Nut Width 1.6875"
  • Nut Material Tusq
  • Hardware
  • Bridge/Tailpiece Ebony Bridge with Micarta Saddle
  • Tuners Taylor Sealed Black
  • Electronics
  • Neck Pickup Concealed Humbucker
  • Middle Pickup Body Sensor
  • Bridge Pickup Visible Humbucker
  • Controls 1 x volume, 1 x treble, 1 x bass
  • Switching 5-way blade pickup switch
  • Miscellaneous
  • Strings D'Addario XS Nickel-plated Steel, .011-.049
  • Case/Gig Bag Softshell Case
  • Manufacturer Part Number: DT58024100900361264

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Customer Reviews

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Rated 5/5

Taylor T5z Classic Koa

Yes Yes Yes , I bought my Taylor T5z Classic Koa 5 days ago and absolutely love it !!! I have been playing for over 45 years , I own an early Stratocaster , a Custom Shop Tele , a 61 Tele , a Dan Electro , just sold my Les Paul and Tom Anderson's , I have had firebirds , 335s , 69 Strat , 54 Tele from Ron Woods (just my history) no big thing !!! Still love my Strats , Teles and Paul's , I must say I am having a blast with this guitar , so easy to play , so many tones , light , fun , can hear it on the couch late at night while everyone is sleeping !!! It is a great little guitar , good for song writing , giging as a one man band ( or with a beautiful singer ) lol … You know it won't replace those other guitars , but I must say the more you learn to adjust the volume , treble and bass , you really can get about any sound from it !!! You can play the Stones , Jazz , Crosby Stills and Nash , Switch over to Led Zeppelin , then SRV on the fly !!! I went over to my friends ( full time giging musician ) as he had two of the T5z Pros , I was going to get one from him with the Maple Top ( little brighter) as I compared the I like the koa classic just as much and with pedals you can get almost any sound on any guitar , lol … Bottom line liked 'em both , but stuck with the classic koa , ($ less )Happy as a Clam (still in the sand at the beach ) Life is good and I can't put it down, so give ''em a try , different amps different sounds , if you can play a few , their all a little different !!! Richie Boy
Music background: Garage bands and private parties , few clubs , nicer crowds , Aloha Rich
Rated 5/5

wow

Just wanna shout to Josh for puttin up with me... This guitar is awesome, pics do not do it Justice. Plays like a dream...... Thank you.
Music background: had songs on the radio..... that was cool. Played the famous Double Door Innn in Charlotte N C
Rated 4.5/5

T5z and me

When I first started reading about the Taylor T5z Koa it sparked my interest. I was hesitant because of the price and not knowing if it would satisfy my musical needs. I wanted a light weight quality guitar that I could switch between electric and acoustic and get a good "acoustic sound". I rolled the dice and ordered the T5z. The guitar arrived from Sweetwater undamaged and playable right out of the box. The guitar sounds good when played through a sound system or a quality guitar amp. I will admit that you can play it unplugged but you won't get the acoustic fullness that you'll get from a regular body acoustic. If you wanted to practice without bothering someone in the next room it would be perfect. The guitar has good neck action and a beautiful finish. If you can afford one it would be a great addition to add to your guitar line up. So far so good. I've used it plugged in to the sound system with a full band and it sounded great. Nice guitar for when you need that acoustic feel. Gives a good electric guitar clear sound on the other settings. Being totally honest it isn't going to replace your Les Paul or Strat. Again, it's a nice tool to have for certain enviroments.
Music background: Live gigs with band/studio work/song writing
Rated 4.5/5

Taylor T5z

Years ago when Taylor first came out with this line of electrics I wanted to buy one but couldn't afford it. I am still working through all the tones this guitar has and, so far, love the instrument. I have over 20 electrics (Strat, LP, SG, Tele, all USA made) and play them all but this guitar is so lightweight and the neck is simply made in heaven. This T5 may become my "go to" guitar for playing on our worship team.
Most of the time I play keys on the worship team, but with this guitar I may start requesting I be used on guitar more! So far no regrets. It would be a much prettier guitar with a gloss finish in my opinion.
Sweetwater is THE. BEST. ONLINE. music store and I can't give enough credit to my sales rep, Nick Huskins! He has bee a tremendous help to me over the years.
Music background: Mult-iinstrumentalist. Mostly play on worship team, but have played folk, bluegrass, rock, soul and country.
Rated 4/5

Great player but goes out of tune

Plays great and sounds incredible. Works well with my zoom effects board but goes out of tune faster than my other guitars, especially the G string. This is a bit of a challenge as a worship leader. Other than that, it works for me as advertised. It's easy on the fingers with a very fast fret board. Appreciate Shelby and Sweetwater.

As one of the nation's top Taylor Guitars dealers, Sweetwater receives regular on-site training from Bob, Andy, and the rest of the Taylor crew. We're also, many of us, Taylor players ourselves, and we're happy to steer you in the right direction once you're ready to make the leap. New to Taylor? Our Find Your Fit guide simplifies Taylor body shapes, woods, and series. Longtime player? Our Taylor Custom Shop, annual limited editions, and in-house mods offer a level of exclusivity you won't find in stores. Whatever your pleasure, Sweetwater's climate-controlled warehouse and 55-point Inspection ensure your Taylor guitar arrives ready to play just as the manufacturer intended.

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