Historic Liberty Tree wood tops this extremely limited edition guitar.
The Liberty Tree T5 is crowned with a solid cream-and-chocolate top of tulip poplar milled from the wood of the Annapolis Liberty Tree, the last survivor in a group of majestic trees once chosen to designate clandestine meeting sites for Colonists plotting the American Revolution. This living symbol of freedom and independence grew on the St. John's college grounds in Annapolis, Maryland, until severe damage from Hurricane Floyd in 1999 caused experts to declare it a safety hazard for students and order it felled. Taylor subsequently purchased approximately 80,000 pounds of the historically significant wood, and in 2002 released a limited edition run of 400 Liberty Tree Grand Concert acoustic guitars as a playable tribute to those who struggled for freedom during the birth of our nation.
The Liberty Tree T5 features a hand-inlaid Revolutionary-period battle banner on the guitar's shoulder and a post-Revolution American flag on the peghead. Eleven mother-of-pearl stars on the fretboard, and two more stars on the banner represent the thirteen original colonies. Binding on the body, neck and headstock is figured maple, accented by red, white, and blue purfling. The same purfling outlines a backstrap of Liberty Tree wood. The body's back cover panel is satin-finish maple with a laser-cut inlaid Liberty Tree shape crafted in the tree's wood and with the word "Liberty" etched in lasered script just beneath it. All hardware, including the vintage Gotoh tuners, sports an antique gold finish.
Taylor T5 electronics, designed to facilitate moving between authentic acoustic and electric guitar stones, are included.
Fifty Liberty Tree T5s will be made in all. Each one will be individually identified by the name of a state and accompanied by a numeral designating the order in which the state entered the Union. The guitars will also come with a special custom case.
