http://www.synthzone.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/467864/Guitar_rig_..._Sonic_Dreams#Post467864

Ain't my Taylor T5z a beauty?

Wowzer, U.D. - That thing looks like you "took it" while NASA wasn't looking! LOL! I hope it accomplishes everything you want in a techno-guitar-whatchamacallit! You are a pioneering wonder and such a talent. I'm hoping you are going to play something for us in the near future.

All the best, ----West Mayberry Dave

Great looking setup,good luck with it,
...but personally I rather see you playing
your arranger KB and singing great vocal leads & harmonies.
You were made for that in so many ways imo.
Maybe that is what I'm used to seeing you perform with who knows
..why the switch now to guitar?

MADE for playing arrangers? I hardly think so. In fact, I think I was the happiest when I had my Rhodes, Moog Bass, Synth du jour, and Drum machine. It's just easier and neater now that they're all in one box. I still use the kb pretty often, and I record with it a lot, but guitar adds a different "attitude" to my arrangements. Most major themes, or holidays suggest that I have the keys ready, but regular nights are just not that specific. I still sing great songs and add live harmonies, too. The arranger styles are wonderful, in their own right, but there's an energy that comes from strumming a guitar, and playing little fill-ins that give the song some extra pizazz. I've prerecorded many arranger styles (just drums) so I can adlib over them, but in today's ever changing market, many of us are heavily track/seq reliant, so the live guitar adds more realism than a digital tone from my kb.

Typical night at my club starts with a mellow-ish first set on guitar, no tracks, no rhythm
Gradually, the energy rises, requests determine the direction to go, and I make the necessary modifications to my presentation. Our place has many quest singers that rely on words, or their own tracks, so I always have Karafun loaded, and a DJ mixer with dual CDs, and dual USB drives available to help them do their thing. Occasionally, a guest will ask for straight guitar chords, or even pick up the axe themselves (with my permission, of course) but typically, singers just want to hear the song in its organic form, with large words, with which they can follow along.

If I happen to have the KB setup on any given night - the only thing that changes is the first, mellow set, and then, it's more jazzy than folksy. The results, and more importantly, THE PAY remain the same. The crowd never seems to mind the choice of tool I make for any given show. After all ... my main tools are my voice, and my song selections. How I accompany myself is just gravy. (not SAUCE) It's a balancing act every night, but I am always, always, always performing from the heart, and pleasing the audience is my number one objective.

Am I a KJ? Sometimes.
Am I a DJ? Sometimes.
Am I live? ALWAYS.
Am I any ONE thing? Never
Am I willing to do "whatever it takes" to keep the music alive? You betcha.
Am I happy? ... Mostly. (Depends on the day, place, and company)

Ok Thanks for the in-depth explanation....
Your such a chameleon ...

"using all the tools" ... just sayin'

First off .. it's "You're" (just sayin')

Secondly, Throughout my career, I've been a frontman, hornman, bassist, drummer, guitarist, keyboardist, percussionist, conductor, soundman, and producer of the variety of shows I've done, so why is it such a stretch to think that I'd settle for just using one tool? I've enjoyed each role at the time I was performing in that function. Playing bass in the 70s, and 80s was probably my favorite time. Bass is just such a sassy expression of oneself. I love it all, and I think you meant the chameleon comment as a compliment, so, thanks, but I don't think of myself as a changing entity, as much as an adaptable one. I'm not hiding behind technology ... I'm embracing it. Somedays I feel like Batman, with all the cool toys, and other days I'm more like Robin ... just along for the ride. The music and the crowd tell me what to do next. If you listen to your audience ... they're pretty cool that way.

You can be proud of the work you've done on stage, and in your home. If it's time to sit back, and slow down ... enjoy it. You've earned the right to make that choice.
Sowing down is going to have to be forced upon me. I'm just too excited to NOT do this. I feel like a teenager when I'm on stage ... aches, pains, bald head and all.
Now ... off to Florence NJ for happy hour!

I'm right with you on that Uncle Dave, and I've got a few years on you ... even the pains disappear for a while .... only problem is if someone takes a photo or video of me while I'm performing, I just don't FEEL like the guy I see ...

Impressive setup. I've heard some clips of you and you do a great job.

Very cool set up and T5 UD.
I have a Taylor 414ce ... Love it
Did you see the new Fender Acoustasonic Telecaster?
Little different approach, but I think still cool.

Dave...you’re right. That Taylor looks amazing. Are you using the voice live 3 for guitar and vocal effects at the same time?

Great setup!
jingleman

Beautiful Taylor Dave

Dave, how good is the Taylor T5Z. I know they have different models of the TZ line. I value your opinion, which one would you recommend?

John C.

Being humble is the beginning of WISDOM. Nice Dave.
“Everyone, and everything I listen to is my teacher”

Let's talk Taylor. First, the model I have is the T5z ... it's a smaller body than the original T5, and a more curved neck, but the electronics are the same. If you play more acoustic guitar, you may prefer the flatter neck of the T5, but the T5z has a few advantages for the electric player who occasionally wants an acoustic sound ... like me. The "z" has a shorter scale, so bending strings is a tad easier, and it's a bit more comfortable to hold in long sessions, or sets, and it fits in a standard electric gig-bag, so it takes up less real estate in your car, and on stage.

I really love the active electronics. I have several electric/acoustic options in my arsenal, but this one is the most comfortable fit for my current shows for several reasons, which I'll list here.
1) Smaller body
2) Thin, and lightweight
3) No visible neck pickup to impede my clumsy picking. (always hated where that neck pickup sits on Strats - I hit it all the time with my pick)
4) Ability to go from Acoustic, to Jazzbox, to Surf, and even Shredder (not me) with ease.
5) Single coil-like sound with no hum

My best acoustic is a Taylor 714CE ... and even though it's slightly smaller than a dreadnaught ... it feels HUGE after holding the T5z.
My most versatile axe is the Godin Montreal Triple Play - piezzo, humbuckers, and wireless midi out - studio dream machine.
My workhorse, backup is a Frankenstrat that I built with Fender noiseless pups, and an L.R.Baggs acoustic bridge saddle pickup.
... All three of these are feeling a bit lonely sine the Taylor came into my life. They all have their own particular strengths, and sounds, but the T5z is my "go-to" these days. When I have my PA4x on stage, I can comfortably pick up the guitar, and not readjust my standing position at the KB, as it's not that deep. I can leave the guitar on, and hit some KB chords, or tweak the harmonizer while holding the guitar. I love that.

It's also very well balanced - it just hangs nicely on the strap. It ships with Elixir 11's with a plain .018 G string (yuk), but since I have a death grip that squeezes plain G strings out of tune, I use the D-Addario EX115W set - this gives me similar tension with a wound G (.021)

This video helped sell me on the T5z ... check it out:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZ2V5p9X09w

I use that VL3 for voice FX, gtr FX, looping, and mixing my tracks as a main PA. It's an amazing unit.

Hi John, Here's a sample I made a few months ago when I just got the "Z"

https://www.facebook.com/boydsongs/video...=user_video_tab

I would love to hear what Capt Russ says about the t5z...?