Ever Played a Takamine guitar?

Subject: Ever Played a Takamine
From: 53
Date: 13 Apr 02 - 10:52 PM

I think that Takamine makes the best sounding acoustic electric guitar in the market, or a least one of the best sounding guitars. Anybody have any thoughts about this matter?

Subject: RE: Ever Played a Takamine
From: Little Hawk
Date: 13 Apr 02 - 11:20 PM

They're quite good, but not necessarily the best. Try a Larrivee, with a Fishman Prefix Plus pickup.

- LH

Subject: RE: Ever Played a Takamine
From: DonMeixner
Date: 13 Apr 02 - 11:21 PM

You may be right for certain purposes Bob. I played a mess of A/E guitars before I settled on My Martin JC-16. The Taks weren't in the top 5 for my playing style.

BUT! One of the nicest A/E guitars I ever played was a Tak 12 string with a carved back. Owned by a fellow in a Scots band from up in Ontario.

Don

Subject: RE: Ever Played a Takamine
From: simon-pierre
Date: 14 Apr 02 - 12:29 AM

Indeed, it's the only guitar I ever played!... Waiting for the Dobro, Tele, Strato, Martin, sigh...

Subject: RE: Ever Played a Takamine
From: Genie
Date: 14 Apr 02 - 04:39 AM

I have a Takamine Jasmine [nylon-string] acoustic/electric cutaway. It sounds fine and plays as easily for me as any nylon-string guitar, but they're all too wide in the neck to be comfortable for my short fingers, so I want to sell it and stick to playing my steel-string Martins and Gibson.

Genie

Subject: RE: Ever Played a Takamine
From: Midchuck
Date: 14 Apr 02 - 08:33 AM

I'm very partial to the early (before the mid-'80s) taks, which were exact copies of Martins (mostly) or Guilds or Gibsons (once in a while). The imitation was so exact, it's funny. Even to the typeface and layout of the lettering on the headstock.

The interesting thing is, the sound is a pretty good imitation too; even though they're mostly laminated woods. And they're cheap. But beginning to get more expensive for one in good shape.

Peter.

Subject: RE: Ever Played a Takamine
From: GUEST,jonesey
Date: 14 Apr 02 - 09:17 AM

Finally, a Takamine thread! I've used the Tak-A/E's over the years and find them great value for the money. Found a 'flying V' A/E years ago and was wondering if anyone else out there had ever seen one? It was made by Takamine and while it sounded crap acoustically it had a built in piezo(under the saddle, I think) that was/is as good as anything else around at the time. Should have bought it as it was really strange looking.

Subject: RE: Ever Played a Takamine
From: Willie-O
Date: 14 Apr 02 - 09:23 AM

I have a different type of Takamine. A GZ-300 solid body double cutaway electric. No acoustic component. My favourite electric guitar I've ever owned. It feels great to play or to look at (nice dark wood-grain body) and has never had a problem with the electronics or the neck. (Good thing too, cause its a one-piece body with neck attached.) I play it far too infrequently. The sound has a great bite and while it's definitely an electric setup, it's just stiff enough that I'm comfortable with it as a primarily acoustic guitar player.

I gather it's a bit of a rare bird. Was inexpensive as well, $350 Cdn used.

W-O

Subject: RE: Ever Played a Takamine
From: GUEST,jonesey
Date: 14 Apr 02 - 09:44 AM

Sorry guys, should've explained better...The A/E 'flying V' of which I speak was, actually an acoustic guitar shaped like a 'flying V'. It had a soundhole in the same place as the standard acoustic guitar and the bridge was the same, too. It had a saddle/bridge pin configuration like a Martin. Was the same width as a 'dreadnaught' and the points of the 'V' were more rounded than on the elctric guitars, i.e. Gibson, B.C. Rich, Jackson, etc. It didn't have any sort of magnetic pick-up just a piezo with a 1/4" jack. I can't remember if it had volume/tone pots, but I don't think so. Anyway, I'd love to hear from anyone who's seen one of these beasts. I've played the Tak solid body elecs and find 'them' excellent value for the money as well.

Subject: RE: Ever Played a Takamine
From: 53
Date: 14 Apr 02 - 10:39 PM

I have a LTD 90 which is a great guitar for stage work, and then I also have a GS330S which I use just to bum around on, both are great guitars.

Subject: RE: Ever Played a Takamine
From: Seamus Kennedy
Date: 15 Apr 02 - 02:58 AM

Yeah, I've got 3, which I play on stage, customized for me, and I love them. I also have a Martin 1927 0-18K which I don't play on stage, a Guild something-or-other, and an original Adamas which I played for years, but became too heavy (both me and the guitar). I LoveTakamines!

Seamus

Subject: RE: Ever Played a Takamine
From: GUEST,vcjp
Date: 15 Apr 02 - 04:44 AM

I have a takamine 12 string that i paid 300 dollars for brand new in 1981. I found it in a music shop on the gold coast in queensland, australia. It has been at times the only thing i have had that was worth having. I have played it most days since then. I bought it for it's sweet sound and it still has it to this day. It has done nothing particularly famous but then nor have I but it has had its moments and then so have I. vp

Subject: RE: Ever Played a Takamine
From: English Jon
Date: 15 Apr 02 - 07:37 AM

I've got an EF407 which I keep in D modal, and a mid eighties blonde top - don't know the number. Both great guitars. Not the best in the world, but more than adequate for my level of playing!

EJ

Subject: RE: Ever Played a Takamine
From: GUEST,redhorse at work
Date: 15 Apr 02 - 08:50 AM

I've beeen playing an EF261SAN (I think)since Mrs Redhorse won it as a raffle prize at Merlefest '98 (it didn't come with any paperwork so I'm not certain of model). A bit light on bass, maybe, but nice and easy to play, nice sound amplified or unplugged and stays in tune. Not too heavy a sound for accompanying a solo voice. Love it.

Subject: RE: Ever Played a Takamine
From: GUEST,Cocky
Date: 15 Apr 02 - 11:15 AM

I regret not buying the green 2.0 ghia from the chinky`s.

Subject: RE: Ever Played a Takamine
From: 53
Date: 15 Apr 02 - 09:54 PM

Like I said earlier, to me Takamines have the best amplfied sound of any guitar made. It has to do with their preamp system.

Subject: RE: Ever Played a Takamine
From: catspaw49
Date: 15 Apr 02 - 10:28 PM

Not all of the Lawsuit Taks were made of laminates. The guitar in this picture is a 1980 "Lawsuit Tak" and this one is all solid woods, mahoghany and spruce, and an exact copy of a D-18 and the sound is the equal of any Martin D-18 I've heard or played. I've changed some things over the years including nuts and saddles as well as machine heads and pickguard. I've not treated her kindly but I have never had a guitar I enjoyed more or felt better with.   Absolutely Sweet Marie. And I would never dream of giving her up.

The new Taks are pretty decent guitars and very popular road instruments plugged in. Kaman improved the onboard electronics tremendously.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Ever Played a Takamine
From: GUEST
Date: 16 Apr 02 - 09:14 PM

...bought a bottom of the line, sight unseen G-240, and have not regretted it. Its quality is about even with my playing, so it's like a match made in heaven - however ...

The neck had a slight bow which I tried to correct, and now the neck has a dead spot on the third fret, 1st string (high G in the standard G chord, which is about all I play in) ... it's driving me crazy. Loosening the truss rod to reintroduce the bow didn't help.

Subject: RE: Ever Played a Takamine
From: 53
Date: 16 Apr 02 - 10:45 PM

Take the guitar to a good repairman and I'm sure that he'll be able to fix it for you. Bob

Subject: RE: Ever Played a Takamine
From: GUEST
Date: 17 Apr 02 - 07:49 AM

....probably, but that would likely cost more than the guitar is worth. If nothing else - the guitar will be useful for setup experimentation, etc.

Subject: RE: Ever Played a Takamine
From: Murph10566
Date: 17 Apr 02 - 12:46 PM

Have a mid-70's Tak 12 string - (a Guild Wannabe right down to the Logo, as Midchuck noted)... It's always had a pleasing ring unplugged, but I've been disappointed with the sound electronically since I had a shop install a Fishman pickup... (Bass & high E strings are weak)...

One of the finest guitarists I've ever heard, Bill Bridges, has played Takamine A/E's exclusively on stage for the last few years... I'm really impressed with the sound... It would make a nice addition to my modest collection someday...

Regards,

M.

Subject: RE: Ever Played a Takamine
From: 53
Date: 17 Apr 02 - 05:40 PM

Oh well, go for the setup practice.

Subject: RE: Ever Played a Takamine
From: Peg
Date: 17 Apr 02 - 07:12 PM

the 12-strings ARE nice; a friend of mine had one with a dark mahogany finish..lovely sound...

I would be interested in hearing if any of you hear of a six-string lawsuit Tak for sale...

peg

Subject: RE: Ever Played a Takamine
From: 53
Date: 15 Oct 02 - 03:10 PM

refresh

Subject: RE: Ever Played a Takamine
From: NicoleC
Date: 15 Oct 02 - 03:24 PM

I used to have a Jasmine A/E -- it had a lovely mellow acoustic sound, particularly since I picked it up on sales for about $150 (US). The pickups, though, didn't sound as good as the Takamine labels, but were still pretty decent.

Subject: RE: Ever Played a Takamine
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 15 Oct 02 - 04:12 PM

Well, after all the glowing endorsements of Takamines I regret to say that my one experience with them is not so positive. A few years ago, a friend got it in his head that he wanted a Takamine. He tried out every one in the store and finally settled on an acoustic-electric with a body the size of a Martin J. Well, when he brought it over to show it to me and we played a few songs together it sounded like pure crap up beside my DC-28. He took it back to the store the next day and traded up to a Taylor 710. I don't doubt that they make some good guitars, but that one sure wasn't one of them.

He later admitted to having fallen in love with the plugged-in sound of the Tak, which is kinda dumb since he rarely plays plugged-in. Also, the music store from which he bought it keeps a California Blonde acoustic amp set up to demo AE's. Not exactly a fair test to my mind since the Cal Blonde is such a great amp that it will make anything sound good. If you're gonna try out AE's you need to bring your own amp.

Bruce

Subject: RE: Ever Played a Takamine
From: vectis
Date: 15 Oct 02 - 05:26 PM

Tried one but was not impressed. I much prefer the feel and sound of my 1968/9 Yamaha FG140.

Subject: RE: Ever Played a Takamine
From: GUEST,The Banjoest
Date: 15 Oct 02 - 06:56 PM

I like playing my Takamine, especially when I go camping. It makes an excellent canoe paddle.

Subject: RE: Ever Played a Takamine
From: 53
Date: 16 Oct 02 - 11:23 AM

It is the best guitar for the money.

Subject: RE: Ever Played a Takamine
From: GUEST,Greycap
Date: 16 Oct 02 - 02:03 PM

I've a D-18, a D-28, a Santa Cruz F-128 and a Takamine Santa Fe. The Tak is my box of choice for amplified bookings. Not so good on acoustic, but through the pa, works just fine, nice actionm and brings home money so I can buy other acoustic stuff.
Horses for courses!! They are ok.

Subject: RE: Ever Played a Takamine
From: Little Hawk
Date: 16 Oct 02 - 03:30 PM

I have mixed feelings about them, but have played some that are quite nice (and some that were really crummy). Overall I like Yamaha better. For really hitting the cream of the crop I recommend Larrivee, Collings, Taylor, and some (but not all) Martins.

The thing is, though, you might just find a Takamine you really like, in which case other people's opinions aren't going to make any difference, are they?

- LH

Subject: RE: Ever Played a Takamine
From: Allan Dennehy
Date: 17 Oct 02 - 06:52 AM

Had an EN10. Lovely looking guitar. Sounded great plugged in but any old piece of plyboard would beat it unplugged. Come to think of it, I've never heard a new Takkie that could really do the business unplugged.I've often heard it said that a Takkie will take more belts and mistreatment than any other guitar. Does that ring a bell with anybody?

Subject: RE: Ever Played a Takamine
From: Fingerbuster
Date: 17 Oct 02 - 07:00 AM

They sound fabulous, but unfortunately i have fingers like chipolatas
so to me the necks are too narrow. Incidentally is the name pronounced; Take(mine) as in "i own it", or "meeny" as it is usually enunciated?

Subject: RE: Ever Played a Takamine
From: GUEST,Herring_brother
Date: 17 Oct 02 - 07:54 AM

I've got an EN40c and it's great for PA gigs, but not fantastic acoustically(sp?). Looks nice though :)

HB

Subject: RE: Ever Played a Takamine
From: Little Hawk
Date: 17 Oct 02 - 10:26 AM

Pronunciation of Japanese words rendered into English spelling is easy...

Pronounce an "e" like our "ay" in stay, or shorten it a bit to "eh"...a little clipped or shortened.

Pronounce an "i" like "ee" or shorten it a bit to "i" as in hit, in a word like Yamashita (Yah-mah-shi-ta or almost Yah-mah-sh'-ta)

You do NOT put an accent on the 3rd syllable of a 4 syllable Japanese word. It's not Hi-Ro-SHEE-Mah...it's Hi-Ro-Sh'-Mah or Hi-Ro-Shi-Mah...nice and smooth all the way with no accent. The easiest way to achieve that, for a North America, is probably to put a slight emphasis on "Ro", the second syllable.

So, Takamine is pronounced...

tah-kah-mee-neh or tah-kah-mee-nay

To call one of those guitars a "take-mine" sounds truly horrible.

- LH

Subject: RE: Ever Played a Takamine
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 17 Oct 02 - 11:21 AM

Posted By Bob (53)
It is the best guitar for the money.


My comment

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Subject: RE: Ever Played a Takamine
From: 53
Date: 17 Oct 02 - 11:28 AM

Takamines have a good resale value to them also.

Subject: RE: Ever Played a Takamine
From: GUEST
Date: 17 Oct 02 - 09:14 PM

darn right! I am still looking to buy a lawsuit Tachamine like the one I sold off years ago...lovely sound.

Subject: RE: Ever Played a Takamine
From: Little Hawk
Date: 17 Oct 02 - 09:30 PM

I think you'll find that new country music guys like them a lot these days, probably because of the pickup system.

- LH

Subject: RE: Ever Played a Takamine
From: Thomas the Rhymer
Date: 17 Oct 02 - 09:41 PM

After playing many Taks over the years, I have a consistant feeling about them now... I reserve my judgement untill after I've played it.
It seems that many were made (some years back) with mediodcre materials, and some were 'just right'. I have a real affection for 'good' Tak 12 string guitars, and some have excellent acoustic sound. I have little experience with Tak electronics, but it wouldn't supprise me in the least that thay got it right... I'm of the opinion that most any guitar you can play that doesn't buzz can be made to sound great with electronics... nice to 'get it' of the shelf tho...ttr

Subject: RE: Ever Played a Takamine
From: Little Hawk
Date: 17 Oct 02 - 10:06 PM

A friend of mine has one that is an absolute beauty, acoustically or electricly. I've played others that sounded like they were made out of cardboard. It all depends which one, that's all...

- LH

Subject: RE: Ever Played a Takamine
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 17 Oct 02 - 10:51 PM

The question "Which is the best acoustic electric?" is infinately debateably and completely unsolveable.

The reason I wouldn't buy Takamines is that they are so closely associated with the Nashille "Hats". Leave them for Garth and Clint!

Subject: RE: Ever Played a Takamine
From: Little Hawk
Date: 18 Oct 02 - 12:11 PM

The "best guitar for the money" is either...

1. Yamaha

or

2. Seagull

- LH

Subject: RE: Ever Played a Takamine
From: 53
Date: 18 Oct 02 - 01:26 PM

12 strings are another story cause they are entirely different breed of guitar.

Subject: RE: Ever Played a Takamine
From: GUEST,Baillie
Date: 19 Oct 02 - 05:29 AM

Yes, I have played a Takamine, they're very good, but so is my copy of a Martin c1838 model parlour guitar made for me by the English Luthier Andrew Whale, I've also got one of his Octave Mandolins as well. He is well worth checking out, have a look at his website - you'll see my guitar!

Subject: RE: Ever Played a Takamine
From: 53
Date: 19 Oct 02 - 10:41 AM

Go for one of these.

Subject: RE: Ever Played a Takamine
From: Little Hawk
Date: 19 Oct 02 - 12:46 PM

You are the master of brevity, Bob.

- LH

Subject: RE: Ever Played a Takamine
From: GUEST,guitarfixer
Date: 20 Oct 02 - 09:50 PM

Check out the Takamine models that feature the 1/8 inch bridge saddle. Notice the Taiwan label. They are Yamahas. Check out the Korean models. Much lower quality. Takamines once came from Japan. They were pretty good guitars. Not as durable as Yamaha though. Yamaha even uses different finish on back & sides than on the soundboard. They perform 17 types of tests at the sawmill and grade their wood accordingly. Despite Taks reputation for good sounding pickups, often Tak owners are frustrated trying to get good sound. You can pay $100 more for the exact same Yamaha when you buy it with the Tak label. If that makes it the best guitar for the money then their advertising has worked. Seagulls (Until recently) often have inaccurate scale lengths. Sometimes the tops collapse due to the lack of significant top bracing. If these things don't bother you, get one.
I remember about 7 years ago Takamine ran an ad in the trade magazines: "Give your customers the best value for their money this
Christmas." The ad featured a Solid top, Yamaha Jumbo FG-411S with the Takamine label. The price was much more than the Yamaha price. At that time the same Yamaha guitar was also sold by C.F. Martin as a Sigma FD-16S. Also cheaper than the Tak. Oh, well.

Subject: RE: Ever Played a Takamine
From: SlickerBill
Date: 21 Oct 02 - 12:45 AM

Hey Willie-O! Finally another GZ-300 player! What a great electric guitar; real meaty sound, like a Gibson. Gotcha beat though; paid $200 Cdn for mine, with case. Found it in a pawn shop with three strings and a cheese cutter ste up. "Whatcha want for this piece o' crap?", i sez. Great axe.

As for acoustic Taks, I got me a lawsuit Tak alrighty. solid spruce top, but no electronics. I had a piezo put in, but eventually found I just wasn't satisfied with the range for performing purposes, especially for a solo acoustic set. In a band setting the Tak was okay, though even there it lacked oomph, esp the bottom end. So i got a Larivee. I don't think I could part with the tak though; too many sweet memories; lots of songs written on her. Besides she's a great open tuning axe, and sounds particularly sweet with a slide. But I do feel bad not playing her as much as I should.          SB

Subject: RE: Ever Played a Takamine
From: 53
Date: 21 Oct 02 - 08:31 PM

Go slicker Bill