Takamine Guitars?

[josh_michael]

So, what do you guys think about Takamine guitars? I know some people that really like them, but they're higher end models are certainly not as popular as others of the same price range (which of course doesn't mean anything). But I just want to see what those with experience with them think. I'm looking for a cedar top guitar, and my local small town music store has a P1d in stock. Didn't get to play it for very long the other day so I'll have to go back and do that to really see what I think about it. But, anyhow, what do you think about them?

http://www.takamine.com/guitars/bod...dnought-rosewood-fingerboard-with-case/#specs

Thanks
Josh

 

[SigXer]

In my experience, (which has been pretty limited) they play really well, but don't have the fullness that I expect from acoustic guitars in the $1500+ price range. YMMV.

 

[josh_michael]

Hm ok thanks for the input

 

[shooto]

In my experience, (which has been pretty limited) they play really well, but don't have the fullness that I expect from acoustic guitars in the $1500+ price range. YMMV.

^ this pretty much, but it's also not a fair comparison...I have a Takamine that love (EAN15C) and in its price range ($500), nothing is better, imo...it is full, projects really well and it places nicely-

but if you compare it to a $1500- $2000 Taylor...well, those are just on another level

 

[ib2010]

I like Takamine guitars. I am a big fan of Cedar tops in general, and recommened you play as many as you can, side by side. I bought my Taylor 714 Cedar/Rosewood after playing a variety of wood types back to back. It was an unplanned result, it just hit all my buttons,by far ,the one that spoke to me. Also consider if you're going to plug it up, and to what. If the Tac is really special to you, go for it.

 

[petty1818]

Takamine is known for their pickup system, which is why most people buy them. However, that system requires a fairly invasive install into the bridge with a bit more bracing in the guitar. This contributes to a sound that's not as complex as other acoustic guitars on the market.

 

[josh_michael]

Thanks for the input guys

 

[boppstar]

I have a pair of Tak EF740sgn models that I gig regularly. They are not my favorite guitars ever, but they are very consistent live and are somewhat overbuilt which helps them handle higher sound levels before feedback and withstand the rigors of gigging. They would not be my first choice to record in the studio for much the same reasons mentioned previously by others.

 

[jamess]

I have a Takamine Santa Fe PSF48c that I bought new for about $1200 in 1994. Spruce top, rosewood back and sides. It plays very easily, and plugged in it sounds fantastic. However unplugged there are many guitars in the same price range that sound better, more complex and richer.

If you plan to play primarily plugged in, Takamine is an excellent contender. But with all acoustics, you have to decide what sounds best to you.

 

[fetchzee]

I have a Takamine Santa Fe PSF48c that I bought new for about $1200 in 1994. Spruce top, rosewood back and sides. It plays very easily, and plugged in it sounds fantastic. However unplugged there are many guitars in the same price range that sound better, more complex and richer.

If you plan to play primarily plugged in, Takamine is an excellent contender. But with all acoustics, you have to decide what sounds best to you.

I've got a 1994 PSF48c that I bought used last year for about $450 - I agree with this completely, but I'd add that string choice absolutely matters with these guitars. The GHS white bronze make a big difference...and I think the big picture is that these guitars are designed to be played live and plugged in.

Unplugged, they are good guitars. Plugged in, they are great guitars.

 

[Improbable Joe]

I just bought a P1DC. I like it... how much are they charging? I paid a hair under $900 for mine, and to me it sounds a ton better than the other $900 guitars in the shop.

 

[teletaylor]

If I were you I'd look at used Japanese Taks, great value for fantastic gigging guitars.

I am not super familiar with newer models.

 

[Jonny Hotnuts]

Look at my 50$ 'Goodwill' score! It was sold as a broken guitar because the bridge popped off! After resetting the bridge its by far my favorite steel string.

This is the Brazilian 375S.....needless to say I pooped myself when I found what these sell for! (but IMO not unjustified, its that good!)

~JH

 

[SciFlyer]

If you buy a Takamine, chances are you will want something nicer down the road. You are better off saving up more cash and buying something good. Martin, Gibson, Taylor, etc. Just my opinion.

 

[SciFlyer]

You can also look for a used USA made Guild (found a great '70s D-25 for 500.00 a few years ago) which will probably be nicer than most new guitars costing much more.

 

[Synex7254]

Look at my 50$ 'Goodwill' score! It was sold as a broken guitar because the bridge popped off! After resetting the bridge its by far my favorite steel string.

This is the Brazilian 375S.....needless to say I pooped myself when I found what these sell for! (but IMO not unjustified, its that good!)

~JH

Awesome score!!!

 

[jamess]

^ Wow! That's the kind of find dreams are made of. Congrats!

 

[weet5150]

You cannot beat a Takamine!!
Here is my list:
EF341SC
EF381SC
EF325SC
EAN77
For the money, you cannot beat the reliability and preamps!
Especially the cool tube.
Stay clear of the G series, buy Japanese!

 

[abaniko]

I agree to a point with You Weet5150. I do however own an 97 fp360sc Japanese Tak and have to say the original Accuracoustic EQ did not live long. I bought the guitar new in 99 for $850. The cool tube is getting mixed reviews and is said to eat batteries faster than most do. There other preamp CT4B ll gets rave reviews but Japan wont send them to KMC and the only Tak preamps for sale out there are the cool tubes. They say it was a tube problem and the battery problem is fixed on the cool tube ll but it cost around $300. I have learned to bypass my dead Accuracoustic and now the guitar sounds better flat....The palathetic pick up sounds great...almost as good as my lrbaggs anthem . I will now be forced to buy a D/I box. Well made guitar no doubt but I wont buy another.

 

[Dubious]

i've got an old tak jumbo from the 70s.. its an exact copy of a guild jumbo - even the logo is in the same font and it came in a guild case!! bought it used over 20 years ago for under $200. Records KILLER.