School me on Takamine Acoustics

[JOEBACCA]

Re: School me on Takamine Acoustics

Strings make SUCH a difference in the tone and resonance of an acoustic guitar. I wonder if the bad experiences with the lower end Taks has to do with cheap/well-used/corroded/dead strings.

I agree that strings make a big difference in tone and resonance on an acoustic. However both Taks I played that day had relatively fresh set of strings. I know the difference between dead sounding strings and a guitar that just didn't have the "it" factor. The GN51CE I played that day wasn't terrible but the difference between the G Series and the Pro Series were Night and Day, I played them side by side and the P3NC was head and shoulders above the GN51CE when it came down to unplugged resonance and overall projection/depth. The G series (made in Korea) is an affordable Tak for players on a budget and because of that they have to cut costs somewhere and in this case your getting a Laminate Rosewood Back and Sides but with a Solid Spruce Top with a thick tone muffling gloss finish. Where in the Pro Series 3 (Made in Japan) your getting Solid Sapele Back and Sides with a Solid Spruce Top and much better overall build quality and electronics. I always trust my ears...there's no faking the sound when it comes to Acoustic's, what you hear is what you get.

 

[Studflower]

Re: School me on Takamine Acoustics

I agree that strings make a big difference in tone and resonance on an acoustic. However both Taks I played that day had relatively fresh set of strings. I know the difference between dead sounding strings and a guitar that just didn't have the "it" factor. The GN51CE I played that day wasn't terrible but the difference between the G Series and the Pro Series were Night and Day, I played them side by side and the P3NC was head and shoulders above the GN51CE when it came down to unplugged resonance and overall projection/depth. The G series (made in Korea) is an affordable Tak for players on a budget and because of that they have to cut costs somewhere and in this case your getting a Laminate Rosewood Back and Sides but with a Solid Spruce Top with a thick tone muffling gloss finish. Where in the Pro Series 3 (Made in Japan) your getting Solid Sapele Back and Sides with a Solid Spruce Top and much better overall build quality and electronics. I always trust my ears...there's no faking the sound when it comes to Acoustic's, what you hear is what you get.

This is my experience... The difference between low-end Takamines and their mid/high-end is so night and day that I can't recommend their low-end models.
Like I said in my previous post, I think you're better off with a $200 Yamaha rather than a $300~500 Takamine.

 

[uOpt]

Re: School me on Takamine Acoustics

This is my experience... The difference between low-end Takamines and their mid/high-end is so night and day that I can't recommend their low-end models.
Like I said in my previous post, I think you're better off with a $200 Yamaha rather than a $300~500 Takamine.

I'm too lazy to do detective work, but it is painstakingly obvious that they have 2 (or more) completely different divisions at work there, with different factories backing them. One of them more being a ****tory. The line given out for the low end line seems to be that sound doesn't matter at all in the mix with looks and playability.

TOO BAD they don't bother to put a better identification on there, such as "blahblah by Takamine", e.g. "junkjustsowecanprovewecanmakeittoo by Takamine". Almost like Hamer, hehe.

 

[JOEBACCA]

Re: School me on Takamine Acoustics

This is my experience... The difference between low-end Takamines and their mid/high-end is so night and day that I can't recommend their low-end models.
Like I said in my previous post, I think you're better off with a $200 Yamaha rather than a $300~500 Takamine.

Yup.

I know Ace wanted to be "schooled" on Takamine but I have to throw out another brand to check out that arguably makes one of the best bang for your buck Acoustic IMO and its made in North America....Canada (Godin) to be exact...Seagull Guitars. Check out the Maritime SWS (Solid Wood Series) they sound incredible and the Top, Back, and Sides are all solid wood (no laminate) which is damn near unheard of at that price point. I've seen them sell in the $400-$500 range used, or Brand New from $699-$899.

 

[Hoss]

Re: School me on Takamine Acoustics

Seagull's sound great, but they have a funky neck shape...try before you buy for sure.

I LOVE my Tak...it's a G series...i learned to play the guitar on it and i still get compliments on the tone. I've played it at several places and people always say it sounds awesome.

I'll have a guitar player pick it up and play it a little bit and say..."i bet this thing cost ya some bucks?!" I say..."nah, not really...about $350 if i remember right?" They are always shocked when i say that.

Maybe I got lucky?

I tell myself all the time that i need to upgrade it...always looking and playing Larivees, Martins, & Gibsons at music stores. Then, after awhile, i ask myself if whatever guitar i have in my hands at the time, is really that much better than my Tak? The answer...so far...has been...no.

 

[Aceman]

Re: School me on Takamine Acoustics

This has been very interesting guys. Good info.

I'd be upgrading from an Ovation Celebrity, so i'd probably love a midline TAk!

Still, you make some very good points. Probably a few gems out there. But perhaps some truly uninteresting things in the mid line for the most part


*by the way - love me some Seagull!!!!! Never picked up one I didn't like.

 

[Rand-O-Monium]

Re: School me on Takamine Acoustics

Old Guild

 

[Rand-O-Monium]

Re: School me on Takamine Acoustics

Lawsuit Model:

http://jacksonville.craigslist.org/msg/4299925859.html

 

[DrNewcenstein]

Re: School me on Takamine Acoustics

I've got a Tak G330S (satin finish) that wasn't all that pricey but sounds nice. Doesn't play like an electric (well, not like any of my good electrics) out of the box, but the nut and saddle can be shaved down to correct that without a drastic loss of tone. You'll get better playability before the tone starts getting thin.

I've also got a LaPatrie classical (made by Godin) that is very nice. Wouldn't mind picking up one of their steel strings.

And I've heard nice things about the old Charvel acoustics, believe it or don't.

 

[JOEBACCA]

Re: School me on Takamine Acoustics

Seagull's sound great, but they have a funky neck shape...try before you buy for sure.

I LOVE my Tak...it's a G series...i learned to play the guitar on it and i still get compliments on the tone. I've played it at several places and people always say it sounds awesome.

I'll have a guitar player pick it up and play it a little bit and say..."i bet this thing cost ya some bucks?!" I say..."nah, not really...about $350 if i remember right?" They are always shocked when i say that.

Maybe I got lucky?

I tell myself all the time that i need to upgrade it...always looking and playing Larivees, Martins, & Gibsons at music stores. Then, after awhile, i ask myself if whatever guitar i have in my hands at the time, is really that much better than my Tak? The answer...so far...has been...no.

Hey more power to you, if it inspires you to play and create, that's awesome! Maybe the one I played was just an absolute dud....it wouldn't be the first time that's happened. All guitar companies are capable of letting some less than stellar pieces slip through the cracks. I guess for the money I would rather spend it elsewhere. The Tak Pro Series are truly on another level IMO from the G series but then again so is the price tag, the player has to justify the cost difference.

I didn't find Seagulls neck shape to be funky. Its definitely not a thin neck profile but it wasn't the fattest neck I've played either, kind of Medium-Fat. Seagull's necks are definitely on the wider side (1.8 inches at the nut on most models) which is great if you have big hands or like the extra string spacing if you finger pick. But I could see it being weird if you're used to Takamine's 1.69 Nut Width.

 

[Hoss]

Re: School me on Takamine Acoustics

For the money right now...i think the Epiphone Masterbuilt Acoustics are the best bang for your buck. $600 for Solid Wood Tops, Sides, AND Back! I've never played one, but i will definitely look one up the next time i'm in a store that has them!

Gibson also has a J15 model that is a short scale 24 3/4, that doesn't have a lot of bells and whistles, but is made in the good ol USofA in Montana. All solid wood of course and around $1500!