❌SOLD❌ Taylor T5 C2 Ebony Top Thinline, 2008

The Taylor T5 C2 is now discontinued in favour of other T5 models, but is an excellent example of form meeting functional needs – its original purpose was to take the place of multiple instruments on a tour stage.

Some years ago, guitarists in large touring shows would take many instruments along, with a backline of guitars a functional part of the stage setting. When financial realities started to set in, this became more and more expensive to do. The Taylor T5 line was introduced to allow guitarists to dramatically reduce the number of instruments carried. These excellent instruments cover the ground previously requiring both acoustics and electrics.

Here we’re looking at a Taylor T5 C2 model with a strikingly figured Ebony top, built during 2008 at the Taylor plant in El Cajon, California. It is in quite good overall shape, with light fret wear. The finish itself is very clean and only very lightly marked. The hardware is gold plated, and the inlays are a mix of Abalone, acrylic and Mother of Pearl.

As with other T5 models, the Taylor T5 C2 carries a mix of pickups. A Piezo set is located under the bridge, a ‘lipstick’ magnetic pickup near the bridge, and a hidden humbucker in the neck position. Controls are on the upper bass side.

The original Taylor hard shell case is included.

This guitar’s ebony top in itself tells a story – not that long ago, figured Ebony like this would have been rejected in favour of jet black lumber, with these figured logs left to rot on the forest floor. This very wasteful and unsustainable practice caught the attention of Bob Taylor, who partnered with others to purchase an Ebony mill in Cameroon. They have stopped this practice, and now we see beautifully figured ebony used on many instruments, not just Taylors. Far more of the wood harvested makes it to market, which is good for the workers and the forest supply.