Tacoma Acoustics

[Scott_F]

Anyone try these? I've not been in much of an acoustic mode in a long time, but I was in a GC in Seattle today and a Tacoma DM9 followed me back to my hotel room.

I compared various Martins and Taylors in the 1000-1250 range and the 475 dollar Tacoma smoked them all.

None electric, rosewood board, one piece mahogany sides and back and a solid spruce sitka top. Tortoise binding on guitar front and neck.

The only semi bad thing about this guitar was the stock Tacoma case. It sucked bad. Latches wouldn't stay closed. So, the GC guy threw in a nice plush TKH dreadnaught case.

There is no pickguard, just a see-thru plastic kind of sticker. I'd put a normal one on there, but i"m afraid I'd screw up the tone. Unbelievable projection. Great tone.

What a sleeper (sleeper to me, you guys probably all know about them).

 

[59paul]

Re: Tacoma Acoustics

I've liked the Tacoma's that I've played. I agree with ya Scott, these guitars are real " Sleepers " in the Market. I've got a 1964 Gibson J-50 and a 1958 Martin D-18 that get most of my acoustic attention. I've also got a 2001 Martin D-28. The Tacoma's can't touch the 2 older guitars, but they hang right in there with my newer Martin. I'd consider using a Tacoma for Professional purposes, no doubt about it !!!

 

[Jonny R]

Re: Tacoma Acoustics

I've played a couple of them. They have seemed rather nice actually. They're a little more expensive here in NZ, but impressive at the price.

They use them on the Dixie Chicks live in the Kodak Theatre DVD.

 

[JammerMatt]

Re: Tacoma Acoustics

I went shopping with a friend about 2 years ago who was new to guitar playing. He ended up with a Tacoma, and I thought he got a smoking deal for the money. Good quality woods and nice tone.

Now, he's quit playing of course, so that reminds me I need to see if he's willing to let go of his Tacoma

 

[Fatty]

Re: Tacoma Acoustics

I picked up a Tacoma K14 (solid spruce top, Jumbo body, Koa back and sides) for $475. Best money I've spent in a while.

The bass doesn't thud.. it cuts through with some solid definition. Very nice sound overall.

 

[BluesNRock87]

Re: Tacoma Acoustics

i like tacoma's alot, looked at a few when iwas looking
between a tacoma whatever and a d-15 (both about 600) the sound was really a toss up, i loved both of them. i ended up with the martin for future resale value, not that id ever sell it.....
im looking at a tacoma for my next acoustic, iether a jumbo or a 12, a tacoma or a blueridge or an alvarez, or a guild....

 

[LesStrat]

Re: Tacoma Acoustics

I agree with everyone so far. I like the Tacoma's I've played. Nice addition to your harem, Scott.:wink:

 

[xerxes]

Re: Tacoma Acoustics

cool, thanks for the review! ive been looking to get another acoustic....

 

[JOLLY]

Re: Tacoma Acoustics

Scott, you got a hell of a deal on that for $475. I did a search for them on the net and the average price on those is around $680....plus you got a better case as well.

However, the ones I'm looking at may have the electronics/ Still it seems like a good deal.

 

[Scott_F]

Re: Tacoma Acoustics

I've been questioning the move all day. I talked to a friend of mine that used to carry Tacomas. He steered me back to the martin D15. The guys at GC were able to make the swap for me and it only cost me $6.15 more. Kept the same good quality case... the stock Martin one kinda sucked in comparison. Oh well, I love the tone of both of them, but I got a bit nervous after I spoke to this guy that had a lot of experience with them. He quit carrying them due to the tops splitting. Mostly it was problems like with the one that I had that had the super thin satin finish on them. He said the ones with the thicker finishes on them were better. Either way, I love the nasty, get-to-business, no BS look of the Martin D-15.

Just call me Mr. Waffle.

 

[59paul]

Re: Tacoma Acoustics

Can't argue with a D-15. One of Martin's best sounding guitars, in my opinion . That Mahogany is sweet and warm. Enjoy it, Scott.

 

[PUCKBOY99]

Re: Tacoma Acoustics

On my acoustic search, I tried a very nice Tacoma(don't recall the model)& basically had it narrowed down to it & the Takamine EAN15. Once I played the Guild though, I realized I was buying something for life. No need for anything else...one time, good deal.

But I did like the 2 or 3 Tacomas that I played...I also didn't like the little tape like pick-guard, but that wasn't what broke the deal.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Tacoma Acoustics

I like Tacomas, but what your friend said is right. For some reason the tops are known to split near the binding. Not many, but they probably use uncured wood, or something. I like the big frets, since it's easier to do lead playing on them, but something about the tone and thin neck still bug me enough to not buy one.

Another guitar that's great, but I can't quite latch onto is Larrivee. They look so killer and sound real nice, but there's just something about the way they feel.

You probably did the right thing by opting for the Martin. I think they've figured out the art of the acoustic guitar, now, after well over a century of building them.

 

[midnite_man]

Re: Tacoma Acoustics

I've liked the Tacoma's that I've played. I agree with ya Scott, these guitars are real " Sleepers " in the Market. I've got a 1964 Gibson J-50 and a 1958 Martin D-18 that get most of my acoustic attention. I've also got a 2001 Martin D-28. The Tacoma's can't touch the 2 older guitars, but they hang right in there with my newer Martin. I'd consider using a Tacoma for Professional purposes, no doubt about it !!!

Hey Rob, the other day I thought you told me that J-50's were the only way to go!
whassup with that?

lol