USED 2006 Taylor T5-C Gold Top w/ Hard Case

The 2006 Taylor T5-C Gold Top is a striking example of Taylor's innovative T5 hybrid guitar design, combining the playability and amplified versatility of an electric guitar with the acoustic-inspired construction and character that made the T5 such a distinctive instrument.

This particular T5-C features a beautiful Gold Top finish with a natural-finish back, giving it a unique visual contrast that makes it stand out from more conventional T5 examples. The guitar retains the distinctive T5-C architecture, including its thin hollow/chambered construction, bound spruce top, mahogany neck, ebony fingerboard, Taylor Artist inlays, and versatile 5-way electronics.

One of the most interesting aspects of the T5 design is its pickup system. While this guitar has one visibly mounted pickup on the top, the T5's electronics incorporate additional pickup/transducer elements within the instrument. The result is a remarkably versatile system controlled by the side-mounted 5-way selector switch, allowing the T5-C to cover a wide range of acoustic-inspired and electric guitar tones. 

This 2006 Taylor T5-C also includes a hard shell case, making it an excellent choice for the player looking for a vintage Taylor with serious stage and studio versatility, as well as for the collector interested in Taylor's early T5 history.

A Distinctive Gold Top Taylor T5-C

The first thing that sets this guitar apart is its Gold Top finish paired with a natural back.

The metallic gold top provides a bold, vintage-inspired appearance, while the natural back creates an appealing contrast and highlights the T5's acoustic-inspired construction. The bound top, stylized soundholes, ebony appointments, and Taylor Artist fingerboard inlays complete a look that is unmistakably T5-C.

For a player, this is a Taylor that looks considerably different from a traditional acoustic. For a collector, the combination of the 2006 production year, T5-C model designation, Gold Top treatment, and natural back makes this an especially interesting example.

Taylor's Innovative T5 Hybrid Design

The T5 was designed to blur the traditional boundary between acoustic and electric guitar.

Rather than simply taking a conventional acoustic guitar and adding an electric pickup, Taylor developed the T5 as a purpose-built thinline hybrid instrument. Its chambered/hollow construction, acoustic-inspired top, and sophisticated electronics allow the guitar to produce tones that can move from acoustic-like sounds to more conventional electric guitar territory.

The result is an instrument that can be particularly useful for players who want one guitar capable of handling multiple roles on stage or in the studio.

The T5-C's comfortable thinline body and shorter-than-Fender 24 7/8" scale length also contribute to its distinctive playing feel. 

Versatile T5 Electronics & 5-Way Switching

The T5-C's electronics are one of the defining features of the model.

Although only one pickup is visibly mounted on the top of this guitar, the T5 system incorporates additional pickup/transducer elements within the instrument. The presence of only one visible pickup should not be interpreted as a conventional single-pickup configuration.

The 5-way selector switch provides access to different combinations of the T5's pickup system. The 2006 Goldtop T5-C system incorporates an under-fingerboard acoustic pickup, with the five-way switch selecting different combinations of sources to provide a variety of usable tones. 

This makes the T5-C particularly attractive to players who need a broad tonal palette without carrying separate acoustic and electric guitars.

Comfortable Taylor Playability

The 2006 T5-C features a 24 7/8" scale length, a 1 11/16" nut width, a 14" fingerboard radius, and a slim C-shaped neck profile. The bound ebony fingerboard is fitted with Taylor's distinctive Artist-style abalone and mother-of-pearl inlays and 21 medium frets. 

The mahogany neck and ebony fingerboard give the instrument a familiar Taylor feel, while the thinline hollow/chambered body keeps the overall playing experience distinctly different from a traditional full-depth acoustic.

Whether you're playing chordal accompaniment, lead lines, fingerstyle passages, or using the T5's various amplified voices, the T5-C is designed to feel comfortable and responsive.

Vintage Taylor Construction & Appointments

The T5-C combines traditional guitar woods and acoustic-inspired construction with Taylor's purpose-built hybrid design.

This 2006 model features a chambered mahogany body and bound spruce top, along with a mahogany neck, bound ebony fingerboard, ebony bridge, ebony bridge pins, bone nut, compensated bone saddle, and an ebony headstock overlay. The headstock is bound and carries Taylor's distinctive logo treatment. 

The bound segmented soundholes and multi-ply top binding further emphasize the T5-C's acoustic heritage while contributing to its distinctive visual identity.

Specs

Brand: Taylor
Model: T5-C
Year: 2006
Finish: Gold Top / Aztec Gold
Back: Natural Finish
Instrument Type: Thinline Hollowbody Hybrid Acoustic-Electric Guitar
Body Construction: Chambered / Hollow
Body Wood: Mahogany
Top Wood: Spruce
Top Binding: Multi-Ply
Soundholes: Bound Segmented Soundholes
Neck Wood: Mahogany
Neck Construction: Bolt-On
Neck Profile: Slim C
Fingerboard: Bound Ebony
Fingerboard Radius: 14"
Scale Length: 24 7/8"
Nut Width: 1 11/16"
Nut: Bone
Number of Frets: 21 Medium
Fingerboard Inlays: Abalone & Mother-of-Pearl Taylor Artist
Side Markers: Black
Headstock: Bound with Ebony Overlay
Bridge: Ebony
Saddle: Compensated Bone
Bridge Pins: Ebony
Tuners: Taylor Sealed Die-Cast with Cloche Heads
Hardware: Chrome
Visible Pickup: One Top-Mounted Humbucking Pickup
T5 Electronics: Integrated Pickup/Transducer System
Pickup Selector: 5-Way Blade Switch
Controls: Volume, Bass, Treble
Case: Hard Shell Case
Country of Origin: USA

Note on the pickup description: This instrument has one visibly mounted pickup, but the T5-C's electronics are not a conventional single-pickup system. The T5 architecture incorporates additional pickup/transducer elements within the guitar, which are controlled through the 5-way selector. 

Why Choose the 2006 Taylor T5-C Gold Top?

Distinctive Gold Top Finish
The Gold Top finish gives this vintage T5-C a particularly striking appearance, while the natural back creates a unique contrast.

Rare & Collectible 2006 Example
The 2006 production year places this instrument within the early era of Taylor's T5 development. The T5 was introduced in the mid-2000s as one of Taylor's most ambitious departures from traditional acoustic guitar design. 

One Visible Pickup With Sophisticated T5 Electronics
The clean appearance of one top-mounted pickup conceals the more complex pickup/transducer system inside the T5-C.

5-Way T5 Switching
The five-way selector provides access to different combinations of the T5's pickup and transducer system, giving the guitar a broad amplified tonal range. 

Hybrid Acoustic/Electric Design
The T5-C occupies a unique space between acoustic and electric guitar, making it an excellent choice for players who need tonal versatility from a single instrument.

Chambered Mahogany & Spruce Construction
The combination of a chambered mahogany body and bound spruce top gives the T5-C its distinctive acoustic-inspired construction. 

Ebony Fingerboard & Taylor Artist Inlays
The bound ebony fingerboard and Artist inlays provide the refined appearance and unmistakable Taylor identity expected from the T5-C.

Hard Shell Case Included
The guitar includes a hard shell case for storage, transportation, and protection.

What's Included

• 2006 Taylor T5-C Gold Top with natural back
• Hard shell case

Why Shop at Metz Music?

At Metz Music, we're more than just a place to buy musical instruments—we're musicians helping musicians. We offer quality instruments and gear from trusted brands, backed by knowledgeable, personal service. Whether you're a beginner choosing your first instrument or a seasoned player looking for your next upgrade, we're here to help you find the right fit.

Shop with confidence at Metz Music and experience the difference that comes from a music store that truly cares about your sound.