MikeS
Bengalsologist
I’ve been a bad boy (GAS strikes again!)
And no, it’s not a Gretsch. I still want one (especially after seeing Jolly pick one up), but this purchase actually filled my need to replace my Ovation as an acoustic-electric cutaway. What’s funny is on the way to the acoustic room you have to walk past the wall of electrics. Had they had one of the Gretsch styles I am looking at, I probably would have never made it to the acoustic room.
It was great. The store wasn’t busy, and aside from some jerk-off who decided to screw around with a uke (for the first time in his life, apparently) for 5 minutes, I was basically alone in the acoustic room for over an hour. Most of the guitars were also decently set-up (I attribute this to the fact that the acoustic room doesn’t get as many nu-metal or emo yahoos banging on guitars they can’t afford). I must have played a dozen or so acoustic electric cutaways (I can’t even remember them all well enough to spin off all the model numbers). I’ll spare you reviews of all of the ones I remember, except for a couple Taylors. I always had in my head that I wanted the Taylor 314-CE Grand Auditorium or 414-CE Grand Auditorium, so that’s the first corner I went for first. After playing both, however, I must say I was a little disappointed. IMO, the only one that had acoustic tone deserving of the price tag was the 314-CE. It was more responsive, better balanced (though it still had a strong midrange) and warmer than the 414. It also sounded more alive, resonant, and louder. Acoustically, the 314-CE was probably my favorite player of all the acoustics I played, but I couldn’t get past the feel. The satin finish on the back and sides makes the wood look and feel like a faux-wood plastic laminate.
I also looked at a Martin JC-16GTE. It was certainly a well-made instrument and fairly typical of a Martin in regards to tone. Huge, round bottom end, warm, and acoustically very loud. The construction on this guitar was outstanding. Not that I would compare a Martin to my Aria, but the Martin’s voice was too similar to the dreadnought I already own, and I couldn’t justify spending the bones on it. I can’t knock it, as it was a damn fine guitar, just not quite what I was looking for.
So what did I go with? One that I almost never saw. In the corner, almost behind the main door to the acoustic room, on the bottom row of hooks, and behind a couple Cort acoustics on stands was this:
Takamine EF508KC. It’s part of the Noveau & Santa Fe series and made in Japan. The figured Koa body is very pretty (not to mention sounds good
)and the fit/finish and craftsmanship really impressed me. The body and fretboard binding are as clean as I’ve seen and it’s devoid of any finish flaws (as it should be at that price). I had to look it over several times to see if there was any reason at all that I could find as to why it would have been nearly concealed away in the corner. All I could come up with was that someone purposefully put it there hoping no one would see it and it would be there upon their return.
Tonally, the Tak is not too far from the 314-CE. Thanks to the koa the guitar is fairly bright (not as bright as the Taylors) and also a little warmer. The midrange also wasn’t as pronounced as the Taylor. The preamp is basic three-band equalizer with volume, and as an added bonus has an on-board tuner – something my Ovation had that I thought was a cool, although not necessary feature. The preamp is fairly transparent and offers up a slightly warmer reproduction of the acoustic tone. I went back and forth between the 314 and the Tak for a good 15 minutes, playing a lick on one, then on the other, and trying to get a feel for both guitars. I finally decided I loved both tones (liked the 314 a wee bit more) but the Tak had the exact feel I was looking for.
I didn’t get a chance to take pictures last night, but I’ll try to get some snapped tonight if I can put it down long enough to pick up the camera. I can’t wait until I can get home tonight. I’m psyched.
And no, it’s not a Gretsch. I still want one (especially after seeing Jolly pick one up), but this purchase actually filled my need to replace my Ovation as an acoustic-electric cutaway. What’s funny is on the way to the acoustic room you have to walk past the wall of electrics. Had they had one of the Gretsch styles I am looking at, I probably would have never made it to the acoustic room.
It was great. The store wasn’t busy, and aside from some jerk-off who decided to screw around with a uke (for the first time in his life, apparently) for 5 minutes, I was basically alone in the acoustic room for over an hour. Most of the guitars were also decently set-up (I attribute this to the fact that the acoustic room doesn’t get as many nu-metal or emo yahoos banging on guitars they can’t afford). I must have played a dozen or so acoustic electric cutaways (I can’t even remember them all well enough to spin off all the model numbers). I’ll spare you reviews of all of the ones I remember, except for a couple Taylors. I always had in my head that I wanted the Taylor 314-CE Grand Auditorium or 414-CE Grand Auditorium, so that’s the first corner I went for first. After playing both, however, I must say I was a little disappointed. IMO, the only one that had acoustic tone deserving of the price tag was the 314-CE. It was more responsive, better balanced (though it still had a strong midrange) and warmer than the 414. It also sounded more alive, resonant, and louder. Acoustically, the 314-CE was probably my favorite player of all the acoustics I played, but I couldn’t get past the feel. The satin finish on the back and sides makes the wood look and feel like a faux-wood plastic laminate.
I also looked at a Martin JC-16GTE. It was certainly a well-made instrument and fairly typical of a Martin in regards to tone. Huge, round bottom end, warm, and acoustically very loud. The construction on this guitar was outstanding. Not that I would compare a Martin to my Aria, but the Martin’s voice was too similar to the dreadnought I already own, and I couldn’t justify spending the bones on it. I can’t knock it, as it was a damn fine guitar, just not quite what I was looking for.
So what did I go with? One that I almost never saw. In the corner, almost behind the main door to the acoustic room, on the bottom row of hooks, and behind a couple Cort acoustics on stands was this:
Takamine EF508KC. It’s part of the Noveau & Santa Fe series and made in Japan. The figured Koa body is very pretty (not to mention sounds good
)and the fit/finish and craftsmanship really impressed me. The body and fretboard binding are as clean as I’ve seen and it’s devoid of any finish flaws (as it should be at that price). I had to look it over several times to see if there was any reason at all that I could find as to why it would have been nearly concealed away in the corner. All I could come up with was that someone purposefully put it there hoping no one would see it and it would be there upon their return.Tonally, the Tak is not too far from the 314-CE. Thanks to the koa the guitar is fairly bright (not as bright as the Taylors) and also a little warmer. The midrange also wasn’t as pronounced as the Taylor. The preamp is basic three-band equalizer with volume, and as an added bonus has an on-board tuner – something my Ovation had that I thought was a cool, although not necessary feature. The preamp is fairly transparent and offers up a slightly warmer reproduction of the acoustic tone. I went back and forth between the 314 and the Tak for a good 15 minutes, playing a lick on one, then on the other, and trying to get a feel for both guitars. I finally decided I loved both tones (liked the 314 a wee bit more) but the Tak had the exact feel I was looking for.
I didn’t get a chance to take pictures last night, but I’ll try to get some snapped tonight if I can put it down long enough to pick up the camera. I can’t wait until I can get home tonight. I’m psyched.
