Do you recomend me a Takamine guitar?

Subject: Do you recomend me a Takamine guitar?
From: GUEST
Date: 11 Oct 05 - 05:20 AM

I want to buy a guitar.Do you recomend me that brand?

Subject: RE: Do you recomend me a Takamine guitar?
From: GUEST,Greycap
Date: 11 Oct 05 - 05:28 AM

The Sata Fe model EC10 has done me proud over the years.

Subject: RE: Do you recomend me a Takamine guitar?
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 11 Oct 05 - 05:36 AM

I swear by them. Much better value for money than any of the "big name" guitars, especially at the top of the Takamine range. My 6-string cost around 650 pounds (UK) and I would not change it for the world.

And in Australia I have a Takamine 12-string which holds its tuning and has a sweeter tone than any other at its price (AU$ 1700). The only better 12-string (always counting value-for-money) I know is my Cort Jumbo Custom at 750 pounds (UK).

Martins? Taylors? Gibsons? *ptui*...:-) Sure, the top Gibson 12-string models are excellent, but at a minimum of double the price of my Cort (and Corts themselves were being rebadged as Gibsons anyway 3 years ago).

Subject: RE: Do you recomend me a Takamine guitar?
From: rhyzla
Date: 11 Oct 05 - 05:56 AM

Mine is a thin bodied EN40, and cost £700 about 8 years ago. Acoustically it is sharp, maybe even thin, but onstage and plugged, it is superb.

I keep it for live shows, and occasionally for tuition, but acoustically I also have a Rob Armstrong and a Lowden.

As a medium priced buy, I would definately recommend Takemine!

Subject: RE: Do you recomend me a Takamine guitar?
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 11 Oct 05 - 05:58 AM

Try it and see if you like it. A few I do (particularly the old lawsuit dreadnaughts), but many I don't.

Subject: RE: Do you recomend me a Takamine guitar?
From: GUEST,HSA
Date: 11 Oct 05 - 07:19 AM

I'd say it depends what you want to do and how much you want to pay.
The mid range are great if you need a guitar with built in electronics. Very reliable workhorse. I've used mine for years.            
However I think for song accompaniment or for solo picking you might prefer something with more depth of acoustic tone. Which you might get in higher end Takamines but at that price there are interesting alternatives in the more "hand made" range.
Helen

Subject: RE: Do you recomend me a Takamine guitar?
From: GUEST
Date: 11 Oct 05 - 07:26 AM

I've just bought a Tanglewood TW145SC. It's a solid cedar/mahogany cutaway that plays like a dream and sounds fantastic. It cost me £250.00 and I would highly recommend it.

Subject: RE: Do you recomend me a Takamine guitar?
From: Mooh
Date: 11 Oct 05 - 08:03 AM

I had one of those lawsuit Taks for years and played it as my everyday beater, gig axe, and recording guitar. It served me well, and always provided amusement when folks complimented the sound of my "Martin". Didn't ditch the thing until I took a fancy to hand made instruments.

The newer Taks don't impress me as much, maybe because they haven't aged enough yet, or maybe because they sound a little too generic or something. I gotta say they seem well made, the electronics are acceptable, playability good, and appearance market friendly.

In their price range, there's also the Godin family of instruments which I like better.

Apples, oranges, peaches...

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: Do you recomend me a Takamine guitar?
From: jonm
Date: 11 Oct 05 - 08:35 AM

Takamine are among the best plugged-in acoustics you can get. I personally didn't like the unplugged tone or narrow fingerboard.

I got a Tanglewood TW45, slightly up on the TW145 above. Cedar and monogamy, B-band electronics which I preferred to all of the other systems I tried, half the cost of the Takamine I compared it with.

If what you meant by this question is "I've found one - will I have any problems?" the answer is no, if you like it, there are no gremlins.

Hope this helps.

Subject: RE: Do you recomend me a Takamine guitar?
From: number 6
Date: 11 Oct 05 - 08:48 AM

Takamines are pretty popular here in the Saint John area ... people seem to be rather happy with them ... as Mooh mentioned they are pretty generic sounding, but that's ok if you are not specifically into bluegrass, blues or whatever.

If you like it ... if it calls to ya .. get it. But most important, if you do get it, play it

sIx

Subject: RE: Do you recomend me a Takamine guitar?
From: GUEST
Date: 11 Oct 05 - 10:46 AM

I bought mine in 1979 for one hundred eighty bucks and it has stood the test of time. For the price, nothing beats it.

Subject: RE: Do you recomend me a Takamine guitar?
From: Midchuck
Date: 11 Oct 05 - 11:53 AM

At the risk of echoing what's already been said here:

The old "lawsuit" Martin-imitation Taks are a good choice if you want a Martin but can't afford it, or don't want to spend the money, or if you have a Martin but don't want to take it camping or to rowdy festivals or on the plane, or whatever.

Newer Taks are a good choice if you're playing gigs in bars and are going to plug in - they tend to be average guitars with excellent electronics - but I doubt I'd buy one to play as a true acoustic.

Peter.

Subject: RE: Do you recomend me a Takamine guitar?
From: number 6
Date: 11 Oct 05 - 12:00 PM

Midchuck ... please define a true accoustic??

sIx

Subject: RE: Do you recomend me a Takamine guitar?
From: mandotim
Date: 11 Oct 05 - 12:16 PM

I've got an immediately post-lawsuit EN20 jumbo with electrics. 20-odd years old, superb guitar. It has improved massively as it's got older; louder and sweeter, with a huge bass response. Try looking for an older Tak, preferably when they were still made in Japan (they are made in Korea these days). Look for the solid cedar/mahogany combination, rather than those with just a solid top. They are robust, they stay in tune, the electrics work well and they improve with age. Really good 'working mans' guitar. I've just retired mine, but she's not for sale!
Tim from Bit on the Side

Subject: RE: Do you recomend me a Takamine guitar?
From: Don Firth
Date: 11 Oct 05 - 01:49 PM

How much guitar do you need?

During the late Seventies, I dropped into the Rosewood Guitar in Seattle fairly often. The Rosewood Guitar stocks the finest quality classic guitars, ones that sell for $2,000, $3,000, $4,000, and up. They also handle a line of carefully selected "student guitars."—good sounding, nice playing guitars for a whole lot less.

So I've had a chance to play some incredible concert quality guitars and drool all over them. But having to stick to the budget, after playing a top-of-the-line José Ramirez (one helluva guitar!), I checked the student guitars. The proprietor of the shop (who concretizes and teaches) and I spent a fair amount of time passing several student guitars back and forth and playing them, and finally we both came to the same conclusion:   all five of them were pretty good, but a Japanese-made "Guitarra Artesana" imported by José Oribé was the best of the litter. One little bonus point was that it looked exactly like the Ramirez I had lusted after—Indian rosewood back and sides and red cedar soundboard, and the headstock was exactly the same cut as the Ramirez, with almost identical inlay work around the soundhole. It had a big sound, a nice, warm tone, good balance between bass and treble, and it felt very good to play. The price was $350.00. I bought it.

Some months later, I was asked by the Seattle Classic Guitar Society to do a program of folk songs and play a few classical pieces for one of their meetings. These folks know classic guitars and some of them own top quality instruments. There are a couple concert Ramirezes that appear at meetings from time to time.

As I said, my Oribé-imported "Guitarra Artesana" looks exactly like a Ramirez. They assumed that it was a Ramirez, and its sound was good enough for their sophisticated ears that it did not disabuse them of the notion! Not bad for a $350.00 "student guitar."

I'm no authority on steel-string guitars, but I've played a number of Takamines now and then and I've listened to a lot of them, and they seemed to me to measure up pretty well.

For what it's worth.

Don Firth

Subject: RE: Do you recomend me a Takamine guitar?
From: DonMeixner
Date: 11 Oct 05 - 01:52 PM

Are you buying a guitar you expect to fall in love with or a guitar you want to make a living with?

You are more likely to love one of the older "Lawsuit Taks". But new or old you can make a living with both.

If you are looking at a high end Tak that money will put you easily in the range of Gibsons, Martins and Taylors. And possibly some hand made just for you luthiers will be will to negotiate a guitar exactly like you want for a just a bit more.

Don't just consider a guitar you have played once and liked. Play lots of guitars in your price range and then buy. It may indeed be a Takamine but it might also be a Lehmann or a Larivee.

Don

Don

Subject: RE: Do you recomend me a Takamine guitar?
From: PennyBlack
Date: 11 Oct 05 - 02:55 PM

Taks are OK especially the Santa-Fe range.

But i reckon one of the best acoustic guitar deals for sound/price must go to the Martin 15 range the D-15s is a a powerful pickers delight.

I have a D.15 which is also sweet & powerful guitar - I use the Thomann link as they offer good prices when compared with the street price here in the UK.

I would advise doing lots of leg and ear work before buying a guitar, find one that suits you, not other people. Handle, play and listen, then buy the one that you like.

If you don't play already (and even if you do) tray and take another guitarist along with you so you can hear how the guitars you try sound from both sides (behind and in front).

Good luck - and remember this may lead to G.A.S. (Guitar Acquisition Syndrome)

PB

"Too many guitars not enough fingers"

Subject: RE: Do you recomend me a Takamine guitar?
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 11 Oct 05 - 03:25 PM

I know people who have returned recently-purchased Taks to music stores and traded up to Taylors and Martins. They had fallen in love with the Taks' amplified sound when they test-drove the guitars, but soon found them lacking when played acoustically.

If you do most of your playing through an amp, they're fine guitars. If you mostly play unplugged on the back porch, those 15 series Martins PennyBlack mentioned are a good value and sound great acoustically.

Subject: RE: Do you recomend me a Takamine guitar?
From: GUEST,Martin Gibson
Date: 11 Oct 05 - 04:08 PM

Buy a Tak if you need something to serve sushi on.

Subject: RE: Do you recomend me a Takamine guitar?
From: Seamus Kennedy
Date: 11 Oct 05 - 04:57 PM

I have 4 Taks, and love them.
2 are excellent played acoustically (unplugged), and 2 suck acoustically, but they all sound great plugged in.
Since I perform for a living, I want very good travel workhorse guitars which sound good amplified, and don't cost an arm and a leg to purchase or repair.
I also have a 1927 Martin 0018, and an Adamas.
The little Martin has a fabulous sound but a fingerboard that's just too wide for my small hand, so I only play it at home.
The Adamas got to be to heavy. OK, the truth - I got too heavy, portly is the word I'd choose, and the roundback Adamas on the roundbellied Seamus didn't work.
As with any guitar, take them down off the wall in the store and PLAY them.
Play them acoustically and play them plugged in and amped.
Have a friend play them while you watch and listen, and then make a decision.
Hope this helps.

Seamus

Subject: RE: Do you recomend me a Takamine guitar?
From: GUEST,Betsy
Date: 11 Oct 05 - 05:34 PM

I have 2 Martins and other guitars.
That's not the question - my answer to your question is that everyone who I know, who has one ,is very, very pleased with them - especially plugged. Can't say better than that - especially as these days there is a tendency ( in other recent threads ) to bad mouth other makes .
Constructive criticism is great - for example - I didn't know about 70's Martins being a bit dodgy - but - I haven't heard a bad word about Takemines .

Cheers

Betsy

Subject: RE: Do you recomend me a Takamine guitar?
From: freightdawg
Date: 11 Oct 05 - 05:41 PM

I was just going to say that Seamus Kennedy plays Taks and they sound great.

Too bad he has all those funny colors on his guitars. ;-)


(he types as he runs for cover as fast as he can with his tail between his legs)



Freightdawg

Subject: RE: Do you recomend me a Takamine guitar?
From: Willie-O
Date: 11 Oct 05 - 06:24 PM

Oddly enough, the only Takamine I have ever owned was a solid-body electric GZ-300. Pretty rare.

I liked it a whole lot. Very fun guitar. My bandmates didn't like it so much when I brought it to gigs--they thought it was too rockin for our folk-rock sound. So I traded it for a hollow-bodied Yamaha AEX with a more acoustic sound. I have mixed feelings about the trade.

But the GZ-300 is a nifty, reasonably priced, nearly collectible piece.

Now, let's not be slappin 70's Martins around, eh? They still lack the cachet (and Brazilian rosewood) of the older ones but they were the last (or second-last) decade of a long continuum of classic solid-wood guitars, back when the name Martin meant something special on every single guitar that had it burned onto the backbrace.   


W-O

Subject: RE: Do you recomend me a Takamine guitar?
From: Seamus Kennedy
Date: 12 Oct 05 - 02:30 AM

Thanks, Freightdawg. But to each his own, or as they say in French, Chacun a son gout.
I think that means everone has his own form of gout.
As regards the silly colors - I was merely theft-proofing the guitars.
Ain't no other guitars around look like that!

Seamus

Subject: RE: Do you recomend me a Takamine guitar?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 12 Oct 05 - 03:23 PM

They've got great pickups, and they're pretty rugged, but most of them do not sound too good acoustically. (though there are some exceptions to that rule)

I would more highly recommend Yamaha, given the choice.

Subject: RE: Do you recomend me a Takamine guitar?
From: Jeremiah McCaw
Date: 12 Oct 05 - 03:33 PM

A slightly dissenting opinion, if you please.

Listen VERY critically to the electronics if you're going to playing 'plugged' a lot. Having listened to many Taks in the folk clubs, I've formed the opinion that the lower-priced Takamines of recent years have just about the crappiest-sounding pickups in the industry.

I think they're expecting inexperienced players to chose a Tak just because Garth Brooks plays one. That's turned me off Takamine in general, even though it may apply only to the newer, low-priced line.

Subject: RE: Do you recomend me a Takamine guitar?
From: freightdawg
Date: 12 Oct 05 - 05:18 PM

Seamus, regarding your last comment:

I believe that is something which we should all regret. I like a guitar with a little personality behind it (especially if the personality is really little and stands behind the guitar as much as he can).

I've seen the Guiness model and the tri-color. Are the other two decorated?

Freightdawg

Subject: RE: Do you recomend me a Takamine guitar?
From: Chris Cole
Date: 12 Oct 05 - 05:39 PM

I've considered buying a Tak but play mostly acoustically and some of your comments have put me off-I'm looking for a small bodied, narrow necked guitar with plenty of "balls" to acompany songs, mainly with a plectrum.(I've got a very loud voice, probably as the result of singing without PA in an eight piece band!)Any suggestions? I'm talking mid range-I understand Yamaha do some good ones>Any suggestions?

Subject: RE: Do you recomend me a Takamine guitar?
From: GUEST
Date: 12 Oct 05 - 05:41 PM

All those country bands you see on TV in the videos can't be wrong. They must be good for something.

My son has one. He enjoys it. I think it is too heavy to play and be comfortable, but he stands with his and uses a strap.
I prefer to sit and play. I notice that I don't 'feel' the vibration of the guitar as much when I play the Tak, but I can't plug mine in either.

Subject: RE: Do you recomend me a Takamine guitar?
From: Severn
Date: 13 Oct 05 - 12:11 AM

Leadfingers on Sev's puter - So DONT blame him for MY bad sense of humour !! Taks are the guitars that are the prime target when someone turns up naked and wants to borrow ! They alwas expect some
kind soul to say " Take (a) Mine !!

OK - I'll go get my coat !!

Subject: RE: Do you recomend me a Takamine guitar?
From: GUEST,Jim
Date: 13 Oct 05 - 02:56 PM

I have a lawsuit 12-string Tak that I just love. Sweat action and easier on the fingers than my 6-string! Best part about it is that I got it for a whole $75 at an estate auction about 5 years ago. I figure that I got my money's worth on that deal. Anyway, I love the thing, and wouldn't part with it for the world.

Subject: RE: Do you recomend me a Takamine guitar?
From: Seamus Kennedy
Date: 17 Oct 05 - 02:14 AM

Freightdawg, the other two are not decorated - just natural finishes.
Pudlover, as regards Taks sounding good acoustically....some do, some don't.
You have to take them down and play them, as you should with any guitar you're going to buy.if you find one that meets your criteria, buy it.

Seamus

Subject: RE: Do you recomend me a Takamine guitar?
From: GUEST,Tak Luvr
Date: 27 Feb 08 - 10:07 AM

YES I do I'm 15 years old and my Takamine is better than ANY guitar I have EVER heard.It has a nice clear sound.....the electronics are nice.....when you strike a note it floats in the room....Buy a Takamine!!You will not/could not EVER go wrong with one!!

Subject: RE: Do you recomend me a Takamine guitar?
From: Beer
Date: 27 Feb 08 - 10:28 AM

Guest, Tak Luvr
Glad your enjoying your guitar. If you look at the posting date of this thread (October 11th.,2003) I would suspect that Guest has since purchased a guitar or whatever by now. It would have been nice if he/she had got back to us on what was purchased.
Beer (adrien)

Subject: RE: Do you recomend me a Takamine guitar?
From: Y_Not
Date: 27 Oct 08 - 01:06 PM

I have been offered a Takamine EN 10C in good condition with the original case by a friend, but we have no idea how much it is worth.

The model is discontinued so I can't find the original price when they where new.

Has anybody got a rough idea what would be a reasonable price.

Thanks!

Subject: RE: Do you recomend me a Takamine guitar?
From: mandotim
Date: 27 Oct 08 - 04:09 PM

The EN series were at the higher end of the Takamine range. Depends how old it is, and the condition. If it is unmarked, I'd say around £500. Playing wear, maybe £400. New, they were around £800
Tim

Subject: RE: Do you recomend me a Takamine guitar?
From: GUEST,Guest from Sanity
Date: 28 Oct 08 - 08:08 AM

I've played or owned Martins, Yamahas, Larrivee...My partner had a Takamine......any of those are, in my opinion, great guitars. Takamine and Yamaha, are a far better bang for the buck!!

(That's not to minimize the greatness of the others, though....!!)

Subject: RE: Do you recomend me a Takamine guitar?
From: GUEST,DaveP
Date: 28 Oct 08 - 10:00 AM

I'd agree with Mandotim on price guide. I have two Takamine's and love them. I've heard Takamine described as the 'workhorse of the industry' because as mentioned above you get a great bang for your buck. Bought my first after seeing Nils Lofgren using them. I have an EF261 that I prefer for acoustic work and an ND15C that I prefer when mic'd up but both good alrounders whatever the gig.

Subject: RE: Do you recomend me a Takamine guitar?
From: Argus
Date: 28 Oct 08 - 10:15 AM

I own a Takamine EN-10C and it's served me well for the past ten years or so. Taxes,case and all I paid roughly 1700 Canadian for it. They are discontinued and I haven't found any on e-bay up for grabs. I'd have to agree with Mandotim as well for the price. A buddy of mine picked one up for about the equivalent of about 400GBP and it was new, just hadn't sold for some time. As well, in my old band the guys used Tak's almost exclusively. They held up well to travel and sounded great. Yamaha is also a great guitar for the price. If it costs 2 bucks or 2000, you get a good twanger, in my experience anyhow. Just stay away from their amps. Best of luck to you.

Subject: RE: Do you recomend me a Takamine guitar?
From: Argus
Date: 28 Oct 08 - 10:19 AM

As an afterthought, Takamine has a G-series of guitars out there... stay away. I guess you could call it the "economy" They look great, play well, etc, but the sound just isn't as nice or as full as the other ones. However, they do make a guitar called a Jasmine that sounds great and sells for half the price.

Subject: RE: Do you recomend me a Takamine guitar?
From: Y_Not
Date: 28 Oct 08 - 10:31 AM

Thanks for your advice, it has a few tiny marks so I think £400.00 is a fair price.

Subject: RE: Do you recomend me a Takamine guitar?
From: GUEST,EdSheeran
Date: 14 Dec 11 - 02:43 PM

Hey, My names Ed and I sing and play guitar for a living..I purchased my first Tak a few weeks back and its fab. Beautiful sound plugged in and unplugged,I use it for gigs and it sounds great! totally recommended.
E.sheeran

Subject: RE: Do you recomend me a Takamine guitar?
From: GUEST,LarryC
Date: 20 Dec 12 - 08:29 AM

I have a Tak AN10 Natural Series. Great acoustically. Every bit as good as my buddies Gibson J 40 but easier to play. I've often said it fingers as easy as an electric. I spent $700 for it without electronics.(play mostly acoustic). By the way, the term lawsuit might be a little exagerated. Martin and Tak were going to do a joint guitar but that fell through. Martin just asked that they stop using their headstock and Takamine agreed.

Thanks everyone and yes, buy a Tak but the best you can afford.

Subject: RE: Do you recomend me a Takamine guitar?
From: GUEST,matt milton
Date: 20 Dec 12 - 11:21 AM

I wonder if that comment from 2011, posted by one Ed Sheeran, wouldn't actually happen to be a Takamine sales and marketing representative...

(Not that an Ed Sheeran endorsement would exactly have me rushing out to buy a guitar...)

Anway, for what it's worth (this thread is YEARS old!), I played a £1400 Takamine Jumbo sized guitar recently and it was really great sounding, better than more expensively priced Gibsons and Guilds.

But still not, in my opinion, really worth the £1400 asked.

The sound of any guitar is in the ear of the listener. And of course in the fingers of the player. Somewhere in the intersection of how much the player likes playing it, what the guitar sounds like played by a particular player, and what the listener's tastes are lies how the chimera of how "good" a guitar is.

Right now the cheapo Tanglewood TFA XB sounds like the greatest guitar ever to me, but that's cos I just bought one for next to nothing secondhand, and cos it's a novelty to me to play an Orchestra size model.

Subject: RE: Do you recomend me a Takamine guitar?
From: GUEST,Roger Knowles
Date: 20 Dec 12 - 07:33 PM

I was in Fuengirola, Costa del Sol, Spain, last week at the flea market and there was an EN-10 for sale there, no case.
It was scratched to heck on the front but the neck & action were fine.
OK, It was old, but looked to me in very playable condition. I was tempted, but Domestic Management would have asked if 'I really needed yet another guitar?' 'cos I already have an EC-10 that Nick Strutt's family have bequeathed to me ( and I gig a lot with).
I didn't ask the price, but it was an English guy selling who gave me the imression he knew what he was about.
If you are on the Costa Del Sol, check it out at Arroyo De La Miel or Fuengirola flea markets.
Go get it.