Takamines?

I've been a lifelong cheapskate:oops:, and have always found Takamine guitars to offer great value for the money. I started in 1975 with an F-360 (recently gave it away, after pretty well wearing it out,) then later added a C-140SH classical, and I've recently built up a modest collection of them: an F-349, F-340S, a GX-200T (a fun electric, headstock in my avatar,) an F-400S 12-string, and an EF-340 SBG, which is the greatest guitar I've ever owned, my favorite by far. Except for the SBG, all these are "vintage" Taks, from the mid-'70s to mid-'80s.

Today Takamine offers a zillion models, from entry-level Jasmines and the G-series acoustic/electrics, up to all-solid, hand-crafted, exotic-wooded, cool-tubed, bling-laden, collectable beauties. I think at all points, relative to the marketplace for comparable guitars, Takamines still offer great bang for the buck, with excellent sound and playability.

Any other Takamine fans on TDPRI?

Big fan here.
I've owned several and like you have found them to be excellent guitars.

My first guitar was a G330H bought in 1997. Man, I love that guitar. There are way better guitars out there, but for the money, this thing has been great. I traveled all around the country with it, I've sung around a million campfires, used as a pillow, spilled anything and everything on it, and banged it to hell, but it keeps playing. It has a really bright ringing high end, which is actually cool, because I like to have a lot going on when I jam out, especially with slide and open tunings. Sure I'd love to have a nice Martin someday, but my Takamine will always be a close friend.

I bought this Takamine Santa Fe back in '97.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2184/1504638055_96e17a8e81.jpg

I wanted the top of the line model which had the 12th fret marker design all the way down the neck (I think that was the only difference?) but they were all out of stock in Australia, so I had to settle for the next one down.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2065/2196241310_729a1f764f.jpg

I never even knew at that time that you could have a guitar set up by a tech, the guitar played ok and sounded fantastic against anything I played it along side, but I thought it should have been a better guitar. So it sat in it's case for 8-9 years ago (I had it stolen and retrieved at that time too!).



http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2163/2195452641_a19c24f6f0.jpg

Fast forward to this year and I remember I still have this guitar sitting in a closet at my parents place. I thought to myself that I'd spent all that money on it all those years ago and was well aware of tech setups by now..., maybe it should finally get one?

And OH BOY! Did it make a difference! I've always felt Takamines were the best plugged in acoustics you could get (well, that I'd heard anyway?), but now this thing played and sounded amazing acoustically aswell!

I'm currently making up for the 8-9 years I left it in the closet and loving every minute of it!

I played a few Taks. They were all nice guitars but never really spoke to me. So I have never owned one. Most of them I played seemed be very well crafted.

I almost bought a Limited Edition model in 2000. It had some beautiful inlay work on it. I seem to recall that it looked a lot like RichardWitt's Santa Fe but I think it had waves inlayed in the rosette. I passed on it to get a Taylor 314CE.

I have one. It's a pretty standard model, don't remember which one. Got it in the early 90s. I was told at the time that Takamine was a Japanese company that originally tried to copy Martin. Not sure if that is a valid story or not.

Wayne

I was told at the time that Takamine was a Japanese company that originally tried to copy Martin. Not sure if that is a valid story or not.

Wayne

Most acoustic guitars are Martin copies. Takamine originally carried it a little farther with the script on their pegheads, but changed to the current peghead (around 1980, i think) to keep lawyers happy. And they were a Japanese company, but Kaman Music took them over and promoted them better. The G series and a lot of others are more original designs, but I still like their F series dreadnoughts.

I have a late '70s F385 and a late '80s F400 12 string. I had an '84 F360C, but after 20 years of heavy use the top started bowing until it was unplayable. Since the neck is also heavily worn, it didn't seem worth fixing. Still sitting downstairs, what to do, what to do...

Big fan 'ere.


Got a TAN46C, the one with the Cool Tube preamp. In the beginning I was very sceptical about this preamp, but it turned out to be the best preamp system I have ever used... Incredible! The instrument is very solid and can withstand any kinda stage use.

I'm going so far to say that my search for the perfect acoustic guitar for the stage is over.

However, for studio use I stick to my Martin D-28. Martins have a good tone, but IMHO they're not specifically built for road use (and - as we all know - they're quite expensive too).


Just my 2 cents


Cheers!

The Tak's from the 70's & early '80's had Martin-shaped headstocks, with a logo that, from 20 feet away lokked like a Martin logo.

Most acoustic guitars are Martin copies. Takamine originally carried it a little farther with the script on their pegheads, but changed to the current peghead (around 1980, i think) to keep lawyers happy. And they were a Japanese company, but Kaman Music took them over and promoted them better. The G series and a lot of others are more original designs, but I still like their F series dreadnoughts.

I have a late '70s F385 and a late '80s F400 12 string. I had an '84 F360C, but after 20 years of heavy use the top started bowing until it was unplayable. Since the neck is also heavily worn, it didn't seem worth fixing. Still sitting downstairs, what to do, what to do...

Sorry, didn't see your reply before I wrote mine. You've got it right.

that's what I thought, they did look similar. Nice guitars though for the money.

Wayne

Here's a Takamine I bought back in high school. It's a G series but still a very nice guitar, a 334-SC I believe.

http://i369.photobucket.com/albums/oo133/braderrick/328.jpg?t=1245864312

And here it is with it's new sibling...

http://i369.photobucket.com/albums/oo133/braderrick/315.jpg?t=1245864418

Big fan 'ere.


Got a TAN46C, the one with the Cool Tube preamp. In the beginning I was very sceptical about this preamp, but it turned out to be the best preamp system I have ever used... Incredible! The instrument is very solid and can withstand any kinda stage use.

I'm going so far to say that my search for the perfect acoustic guitar for the stage is over.

However, for studio use I stick to my Martin D-28. Martins have a good tone, but IMHO they're not specifically built for road use (and - as we all know - they're quite expensive too).


Just my 2 cents


Cheers!

Those Naturals are beauties!

My 340 SBG has mahogany back and sides, so will sound more like a D-18, but the Takamine TF (or EF) 360 SBG has solid rosewood back/sides. I've read reviews on the Takamine forum, where blindfold tests and playing sessions stood the Tak in great favor, in company with Martin, Collings, etc., and other dreadnoughts costing much more. I chose the EF version, myself, because I play at home, unplugged mostly, and the passive "line driver" pickup is unobtrusive, and also less expensive. It still sounds very good to me when I plug it in, but serious performers prefer the TF versions for their Cool Tube preamplifiers.

I bought mine about 20 or 25 years ago. It cost me about $450 including a hardshell case. Someone recently offered me a grand for it. Not sure its really worth that, but it is in pristine condition. I love the beautiful warm tone and it feels great to play. I would love to get my hands on a nylon string Takamine.

http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m408/apolloguitars/misc/family011.jpg

That's a beauty. AN10C, or something like that? Usually the model number is stamped on the wood strip beneath the soundhole (and the first two numbers of the serial number, on the neck block, tell you the year of manufacture.)

The "Hirade" line of classicals, I understand, are world-class guitars, and available with the Cool Tube preamps, and again, top to bottom, all the Takamine classicals are lots of guitar for the money. My C-140SH classical is almost 40 years old, and it's a joy to play and hear.

I like Takamines. I would have gotten one if not for the Breedlove. I simply like the feel of the Breedloves more and plan to get another Breedlove for an upgrade.

Takamines would be other choice though.

Haven't played one in years, but my first real good acoustic was a "lawsuit" Tak dread with rosewood and spruce. Several people have asked me over the years what happened to my old Martin...

Also had a Tak classical with horrid intonation issues, though it otherwise played great. I should have had the bridge relocated.

Wish I had them both back now.

I don't care for the current Takamine designs very much.

Mike Bruce

here's my favorite acoustic of all time! bought er for $150 back in 85. lovely abalone inlays, bound ebony FB. had a crack in the top next to the FB when i got it but i played it like that till about 3 years ago when i finally put some money into upkeep on the thing! a truly wonderful playing and sounding guitar! if i could marry a guitar this would be the one!

Add me to the fan list. Bought an EN10C back in the early '90s. Wonderful guitar, easy to play and sounded good plugged in.

I've had some issues with other Takemine players over the years getting them mixed right - they can sound kind of brittle at times. But with a little patience we can usually make 'em sing.

a not so good pic but i have an older EF341C...love this guitar, sounds really nice both unplugged and plugged in to the PA...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v692/marknicholson/IMG_0508.jpg

old faithful
http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn234/gremboul/DSCN1095.jpg

Can't remember what the model was, I sold it. But it was awesome and I wish I still had it. It was an '86. EC something or other.

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i320/kyle_74/Guitars007.jpg

I have a Takamine CD132sc acoustic/electric classical guitar. It's a very nice guitar.

My first guitar was a Takamine. It's in my classroom, I use it almost everyday.

Mine is a 1990 F-349..a fine Martin D17 copy. Mine is later, after the headstock change. I love that older headstock design....maybe one day ;)

I bought a GS330S back in 2002 to take with me on deployment and it is an awesome inexpensive guitar. My son has stolen it away as he really bonded with it and learned to play guitar on it.