>>I have a Takamine f-470SS, which is Koa back+sides, spruce top. This was, I believe Takamine's first all solid wood guitar. It is stunning visually. Acoustically, it is loud, with great sustain and balance, and almost too much clarity in the notes. I like Koa guitars, and would generally say that they are similar to Maple in clarity and balance, but a bit warmer.
Sandy <<

I have a Takamine single cutaway EG544SC-4C, I think it's part of the Takamine G-series of guitars. It has koa back, sides and neck. Fingerboard and bridge look to be Honduran rosewood. The top is cedar. It is very beautiful to look at--especially the back where that distinctive koa grain really stands out. People always comment about the back of the guitar and the headboard. That gold Takamine logo against the koa grain looks really snazzy. Back and sides have a lot of knots in the word which are much darker than the surrounding area and people comment on those as well--the guitar is dotted with them.

Soundwise it is smaller, thinner guitar than a dreadnought. That lack of boomy resonance gives it a more up close, personal sound. It's a very good picker's guitar and is greatly favored by a Malmsteen freak I know at work who only plays electrics. Indeed it has a fast neck bound in white strips. The strings are kind of close together. It's not made at all for my hands which require thicker necks such as that found on a Seagull but I know so many people who play thin-neck acoustics that I needed to get one and practice with them so I could quit sounding like a pathetic beginner when I try to play someone else's axe. I'm getting the hang of it and have learned to subtly shift my fingers and hands while playing to adjust to this guitar which actually makes me a better player.

The electronics are the best I have ever seen on an electro. For the price, Tak has by far the best electronics. This one even has a built-in electronic tuner that works great!! All of it powered on a single 9-volt battery. I never have to worry that I forgot mu clip-on tuner. The Tak has it's own. I don't know why more guitar manufacturers haven't picked up on that. Everybody loves that feature.

The intonation on a Tak is extremely precise. I'll be plaing one of my other guitars, set it down, pick up the Tak and strum an open chord and the difference is undeniable. Tak intonation is about as perfect as you're going to get. Very precise and very bright.