NGD - Takamine P5DC

[Shredmaster007]

I just got this Takamine P5DC today to go along with my J45 and 356ce. Here's my quick review:

Unplugged sound: 9/10
Plugged in sound: 10/10
Fit/Finish: 9.5/10
Playability / Feel: 9.5/10

[rstaight]

Nice, I have 2 Taks and love em. Sure you will be happy.

[mtnhickorynut]

It's a beauty. What are your cool tube settings?

Are you going to write up a comparison to your Taylor and Gibson?

[noledog]

Congrats Shred on a beautiful instrument of exceptional quality and craftsmanship!

[Shredmaster007]

Originally Posted by mtnhickorynut

It's a beauty. What are your cool tube settings?

Are you going to write up a comparison to your Taylor and Gibson?

I haven't had to fiddle much to get it to sound great - I set the tube about 2/3rds, no notch, a bit more bass, flat mids, a touch less treble. Exactly what I was looking for: plug n play. No excess string noise (like the ES2 picks up), no worries about hitting a mag pole with a pick or string. The tube definitely adds warmth to the sound.

2017 Gibson J45 Adj & Baggs M80 (active)
Unplugged sound: 9.9
Plugged in sound: 9
Fit / Finish: 9.5
Playability / Feel: 10
Mojo Bonus: 10

2018 Taylor 356ce ES2
Unplugged sound: 9.5
Plugged in sound: 9.5
Fit / Finish: 10
Playability / Feel: 10 (for a 12 string)

I feel like the P7D, J45 Banner and F512e would all be the '10' versions of what I have, if I had twice the money and twice the talent to justify their purchase

[Shredmaster007]

Originally Posted by noledog

Congrats Shred on a beautiful instrument of exceptional quality and craftsmanship!

Thanks for helping me with my Tak questions, it was a great choice!

[SalFromChatham]

I’m a long time Gibson and Martin guy, who recently is enjoying the heck out of a Takamine P3NC. Yours looks stunning. Congratulations on a fine purchase!

And I feel the same way about my Taks sound, plugged and unplugged.

[mtnhickorynut]

Originally Posted by Shredmaster007

I haven't had to fiddle much to get it to sound great - I set the tube about 2/3rds, no notch, a bit more bass, flat mids, a touch less treble. Exactly what I was looking for: plug n play. No excess string noise (like the ES2 picks up), no worries about hitting a mag pole with a pick or string. The tube definitely adds warmth to the sound.

2017 Gibson J45 Adj & Baggs M80 (active)
Unplugged sound: 9.9
Plugged in sound: 9
Fit / Finish: 9.5
Playability / Feel: 10
Mojo Bonus: 10

2018 Taylor 356ce ES2
Unplugged sound: 9.5
Plugged in sound: 9.5
Fit / Finish: 10
Playability / Feel: 10 (for a 12 string)

I feel like the P7D, J45 Banner and F512e would all be the '10' versions of what I have, if I had twice the money and twice the talent to justify their purchase

If you like the Baggs M80 you could add the Takamine TriAx to blend and take advantage of the dual channel cool tube. That adds another dimension, so I'm told, if you could imagine a 10+ on plugged in sound.

Being able to wring out any difference between your P5 and the P7 likely requires exceptional talent.