Takamine Guitars buying guide and reviews. Checkout their range of guitars, including some top class acoustic, classical and even electric guitars. For years, Takamine has have been making guitars for musicians of varied skills and helping them grow as they jam with their six-strings. Takamine has a lot of guitars aimed at beginners as well as the intermediate level player. These guitars look and sound good, easy to play, and works well for rhythm as well as finger picking style of playing. And when it comes to pricing, nothing beats them.
Best Takamine Guitars: Reviews
Majority of beginners go for this brand, because of their value-for-money proposition; these guitars are known for their affordability and quality. If you are a beginner who is serious about learning to play the guitar, or an intermediate level guitar player, and don’t have the budget yet for a high end guitar, go ahead and pick a Takamine.
And its not that they only have guitars for beginners/intermediate players. I have seen several big-time performers using Takamine guitars, and the sound quality from them was as good as it gets.
There are many experienced players and performing guitarists who think that most of the top-end Takamine guitars (five hundred dollar price range) are actually outright copies of Martin Guitars. Their classical guitars are one of the most respected brands the market. Some of their patrons include famous musicians such as Jon Bon Jovi, Bruce Springsteen, Garth Brooks, and Linkin Park.
Here we take a look at some of the bestselling guitars from Takamine that are being used by guitar players from around the world.
- Best High-End (Takamine GN93CE-NAT): Acoustic-Electric, Cutaway design, spruce top, rosewood sides, Takamine TK-40D preamp
- Best Mid-Range (Takamine GD20-NS): Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar, cedar top with mahogany back and sides
- Best Inexpensive (Jasmine S34C NEX): Acoustic Guitar, Gloss / Laminate, Dreadnought
Takamine G Series GS330S Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar
The GS330S dreadnought guitar is one of the best playing acoustic guitar (for around 300 bucks), has a nice & warm sound. Even though the G-Series guitars are created from the hobbyist to the more professional guitar players, cost-wise they are much more affordable compared to some of the other brands on the market.
Pros: Value-for-money, Great sound for the price, Stays in tune for longer periods
Cons: No pickguard, No inlay on fretboard
Key features of this guitar:
- Solid Cedar top for warm, deep resonant tone. Nato side and back
- Satin finish adds to the overall resonance of the guitar
- Mahogany neck and dual action adjustable tension rod for true guitar playing
- Rosewood fretboard and bridge. Chrome tuning pegs
- Factory setting up is good, low enough for most beginners. Stays in tune very well.
Takamine GD30CE-NAT Dreadnought Cutaway Acoustic-Electric Guitar
The Takamine GD30CE-NAT Acoustic-electric dreadnought guitar, with its solid spruce top, and rich, resonant mahogany back and sides, is perfect for any live setting, be it on stage, next to the campfire, in the studio or even at home. It has bright mid-range sounds, and will find favor with those looking for a value buy. It does just about everything right.
- Pros: High Quality Tonewoods, Fast-sliding Neck, Provides great feel and playability, has rich & resonant sound, excellent amplified performance and versatility
- Cons: You may wish to change the strings as per your liking
Who Is It For?
This is suitable for anybody who is looking for an affordable acoustic electric guitar, especially those who love the bright mid-range sounds.
If you’re a beginner or an intermediate player, this guitar will grow with you as your skills improve. And as with any other Takamine, you can expect more bang for your buck with the GD30CE-NAT.
Some of you may find the action a bit high making it harder to press the strings, but then it could easily be lowered a bit. No big reason to discard this guitar though! Even the tuning pegs may tarnish over time, but again that is typical of affordable guitars.
Good to play & good craftsmanship; though it may not sound better than the Martins and the Taylors, there’s hardly anything to complain if you look at the price of this guitar.
More Benefits
Takamine is a brand that many look forward to, if they want something affordable and something that delivers value for money, and the Takamine GD30CE-NAT too fits the bill.
It is part of the Takamine G-series, and though the color may look pretty plain and traditional (The tuners are gold plated), its got a great sound and does everything well.
The dreadnaught cutaway body style makes it more suitable for lead guitar playing as the tone is typically bright and clear.
This guitar comes equipped with the TP-4TD preamp and a battery operated tuner which makes tuning on the go extremely simple.
The TP-4TD preamp is a product of Takamine which is found in most of the G-series guitars. It offers a three-band equalizer for easy adjustments.
As with most guitars, you may change the strings as per your liking.
Watch: Video review of Takamine GD30CE.
Here are the key features/specs:
- Body Shape: Dreadnought Cutaway, Top: Solid Spruce, Back & Sides: Mahogany
- 12″-radius rosewood fingerboard, Pin-less rosewood bridge, Elegant Natural gloss finish
- Takamine’s TP-4TD preamp system gives you a built-in tuner with three-band EQ and gain controls
Overall, the Takamine GD30CE-NAT is a fine guitar and comes with a TP4T preamp and a solid Spruce top. The Takamine GD30CE-NAT Acoustic-electric Dreadnought Guitar looks and sounds great. It has dazzling looks, brilliant feel and a great tone.
Buying Options
Takamine Classical Guitar Reviews
One of the more popular guitars in the market; they have a wide range of products to suit the skills of various wannabe guitarists.
This is a Japanese brand and is endorsed by famous guitarists such as Jon Bon Jovi, Garth Brooks, Bruce Springsteen, Avril Lavigne, and Linkin Park.
The sound is warm and mellow, with or without amplification, and will perfectly complement your skills to perfection.
Construction
Takamine classical guitars are categorized under the Hirade series.
These are made from the finest wood such as mahogany, cedar wood, rosewood and ebony.
The designs are also quite beautiful with tri color mosaic wood which encircles the sound hole, the turning heads are also finely inlaid with pearl and gold.
Buying Options
Takamine classical guitars are easy to hold & play, and use the finest craftsmanship. No wonder they are quite popular amongst the top star musicians. You can buy them online for great deals and bundled packages.
Jasmine by Takamine S34C NEX Acoustic Guitar
Jasmine S34C NEX (by Takamine) Acoustic Guitar reviewed here. The all-wood construction, laminated spruce tops and d’addario exp strings gives rich tone to the guitar, available at an entry-level price.
- Pros: Inexpensive but good brand, Cutaway design
- Cons: Laminated top
This one is not as big as a dreadnought guitar but it feels like a regular sized guitar. It has a cut away body style but is NOT an acoustic-electric, so you won’t get the electronics (pickups) that usually comes with such styles.
You may also use this as your backup guitar to try slide and other styles of playing, and just to fiddle with. For the price, it sounds pretty good though its not as full and rich as some of the pricey guitars. But then you normally get what you pay for, however in this case you may just get a bit more.
This guitar is playable out of the box, though you may set it up to make it sound better. You may want to make some adjustments to the action to suit your taste, so it may require some work on the nut and saddle.
Its also a good idea to buy a tuner to tune it.
It looks nice, plays nice and is affordable. The sound is fabulous, considering the price, sounds like an expensive guitar. If you are a beginner, go for it.
Key features and specs:
- Solid or laminated spruce top and Nato back and sides.
- Rosewood fretboard
- Natural finish
- 21 fret Mahogany neck
- Comes with steel strings
- Has strap buttons
- Cutaway design
- The pick guard is glued on (not difficult to peel it off)
- From headstock to the bottom of the body it measures around 40-41 inches (around 3 feet), the body measures about 20 inches
- Case is NOT included but you can get a padded gig bag for around 20 bucks
Overall, a great acoustic guitar for the price from Takamine (known for making affordable guitars). Its constructed well with good craftsmanship, the sound is okay due to the laminated top (used to keep the price low). Its perfect for beginners who want to get started on the guitar. Its a known fact that the Jasmine line of guitars from Takamine are more affordable compared to most other brands and that’s why they serve as great entry level guitars for beginners. The laminated top makes the Jasmine S34C look like a more expensive guitar. Experienced guitar players can also use it as a backup instrument. The guitar comes with a pick guard that protects it from getting scratched and damaged. This is a great entry-level guitar for the beginner guitarist.
Buying Links
It has a great sound, is comfortable to play, and looks like a more expensive guitar.
Takamine Guitars: Buying Guide
About Takamine
Takamine is a Japanese based guitar company; and have been in the business of making guitars for several decades now (it was established in 1962). The name actually is named after the Takamine Mountains in Sakashita, Japan. In 1978, they were among the first companies to introduce acoustic-electric models, where they pioneered the design of the pre-amp/equalizer component. This brand now has grown quite big and has grown into a multinational guitar manufacturing company that produces guitars for beginning guitarists as well as for professional musicians.
Most Takamine guitars are made in Japan.
Takamine, as a brand, is known for their acoustic guitars. Takamine guitars are more popular with learners and with those guitar players who want a value-for-money guitar. Having said that, they do have a wide range of guitars for the skilled players as well. In general, this brand is known for their steel-string acoustic guitars.
They have a range of affordable guitars that are easy on the pockets, but still produce excellent tone and sound. Takamine also has a good range of acoustic electric guitars on offer. And the price varies from as low as around 250 dollars to as high as a few thousand bucks.
Various Series
Takamine has several series, each varying somewhat in construction quality, materials used and specifications which gives a particular tonal result.
Here are the various series available, select one that suits your playing style.
- Limited Edition
Takamine celebrates 51 years of acoustic tradition and peerless guitar craft with the special-edition LTD2013 SE “Peak” model. - Signature Series
These are equipped to inspire great performances from singers and songwriters alike. - Pro Series 7
For the serious performers, featuring solid spruce tops and solid rosewood backs and sides, beautiful flame maple body and neck binding and the CTP-2 CoolTube preamp for unmatched amplified performance. - Pro Series 6
A stunning collection of guitars with bold looks and features that will help you stand out visually and sonically. With solid spruce tops, solid flame maple backs and flame maple sides, plus the CT4-DX preamp. - Pro Series 5
For the performer in mind, featuring solid spruce tops, solid rosewood backs and rosewood sides, and the CT4-DX preamp system for peerless amplified performance. - Pro Series 4
With a refined style and strong, clear voice, the P4DC offers an immediately rewarding acoustic experience. With a solid spruce top, solid sapele back and sapele sides, and CT4B II preamp. - Pro Series 3
Elegantly appointed with resonant tonewoods, decorative touches and state-of-the-art electronics. An exquisite acoustic experience onstage and off. - Pro Series 2
Great projection, balance and harmonic richness. Split-bone-saddle bridge provides faultless intonation. - Pro Series 1
Resonant X-braced solid cedar tops, sapele backs and sides, and the acclaimed CT4B II preamp system for outstanding amplified sound and performance. - Legacy Series
A distinct collection of many longtime fan favorites from past Takamine® series with great names such as Keystone, Tradesman, Nouveau and Santa Fe. - Classics & Hirade
Solid cedar or spruce tops with rosewood backs and sides for a brilliant and rich classic tone. - Bass Guitars
Takamine has put 40 years of experience into producing some of the finest electro-acoustic bass guitars the industry. - G Series Jumbo
As the name implies these guitars are big, bold and very beautiful. The jumbo body creates a sound that is loud and strong with excellent articulation all the way up the neck. - G Series Classics
Our classical guitars pay homage to tradition but are built to modern standards of construction and performance. Tone is of utmost importance. - G Series Bass
G Series jumbo acoustic basses are known for excellent tone, stable tuning and state of the art pickups and preamps. - G Series FXC
The FXC is a small body voiced to cut through other instruments and a great choice for a player used to playing electric guitars. - G Series NEX
This is our version of the “auditorium” sized guitar. This body size is extremely comfortable to play on stage whether seated or standing. - G Series Dreadnoughts
The dreadnought is built for power and projection. The tone is deep,rich and complex. Suited for a wide range of musical styles from rock to country where volume and “cut” is essential. - G Series Ukulele
Takamine ukuleles are available in soprano, concert and tenor sizes. Each feature quality craftsmanship and the tonal quality you’d expect from Takamine.
Jasmine guitars are the more affordable range of guitars from Takamine who are well-known for making affordable but quality entry level guitars.
Checkout more guitars, besides takamine guitars
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