Takamine and Michael Kelly A/E jumbos

[Tim Bowen]

Takamine EG523SC

http://www.takamine.com/?fa=detail&mid=741&sid=526#


Micahael Kelly Nostalgia 60 SJCE

http://www.michaelkellyguitars.com/n...ia_60sjce.html


Any experience with these? I'm seeking an affordable backup for my Larrivees for teaching and gigs. Jumbos have caught my eye lately. The Takamine is a little better looking for my tastes, and it's more expensive. I've been thrilled with my Michael Kelly Legacy mandolin, so I'm giving their acoustic-electric guitars a look as well.

Playability, intonation and tuning stability, electronics systems, output, everything and anything to do with live amplified/DI'ed A/E tones - insight and opinions much appreciated.

[aunchaki]

Originally Posted by Tim Bowen

everything and anything to do with live amplified/DI'ed A/E tones - insight and opinions much appreciated.

I think Takamine wrote the book on amplifying acoustic guitars. They're built like tanks, sound great and amplify better. I own one and am patiently waiting for my next Tak! I think you already know what you want!

[RickG501]

Alvarez makes a pretty nice one AJ-60 I believe and so does Washburn a Cumberland J56 or 58 or therabouts. Both are a good Jumbo, especially if your looking for something with a flamed maple back and sides and a spruce top...and solid wood! Something akin to a Gibby SJ-200. However that said they are NOT a SJ-200 nothing else is.

Just spittin' out some alternatives for you to give a look/play at.

[twangcaster1]

Well, I own 3 takamines and am contemplating the idea of purchasing a 4th one(one of the new T series ones). So, you know where my vote is.

[Tim Bowen]

Thanks for the replies. No hurry on this decision; it's a backup, as mentioned. I'll have a look at Alvarez and Washburn as well. I've played several SJ-200's and would agree with Rick's general take... no Gibby budget for this purchase, though!

My duo mate brings a late 80's Takamine along as a backup for whenever he or I break a string and need a quick replacement (his main squeeze is a Gibby 200). The Tak does have great playability, the EQ section is quite responsive, and it's one of the loudest freakin' acoustic-electric guitars I've ever played live; output is like a mammoth.