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If you have been in the market for a great acoustic, you might be wondering, are Takamine guitars good?
The answer is a resounding yes! Takamine makes some of the best acoustic guitars in the world. It doesn’t matter if you are a beginner or a professional, they have an outstanding guitar that will fit your needs.
Whether you’re on the lookout for a high-end guitar to add to your collection. Or, simply want to know if Takamine is a good investment! This Killer Rig article will give you all the information that you need.
Are Takamine Guitars Good?
Takamine acoustic guitars are known for their quality construction. But also their attention to detail, and great sound.
They are also very versatile, which makes them a good choice for a wide range of players. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, Takamine guitars are great and provide good value for money.
The company offers a wide range of products at different price points. So you’re sure to find something that fits your budget.
Takamine has a reputation for making quality acoustic guitars! Their instruments are used by many professional musicians, which speaks volumes.
What Takamine Guitars Are Known For
Takamine guitars are known for their great tone and easy-to-play body styles and necks. Their acoustic-electric guitars are played by artists like Blake Shelton and Glenn Frey. This is because of their great sound and performance.
Guitar models with their NEX body style provide a cutaway for improved playability on the upper frets. Its scaled-down jumbo size provides a balanced tone. The thinner shoulder gives it a modern feel that is very comfortable.
It’s for reasons like this alone! Takamine acoustic guitars have become known for their excellent build quality and performance.
Takamine Electronics And Pickups In Acoustic-Electric Models
The Takamine electronics system is designed to provide loud, clear, distortion-free sound. It consists of a proprietary design that allows for louder output and clearer sound.
All without crazy distortion. This makes Takamine guitars great for both live and studio performances.
2 Types of Electronics in Takamine
- Preamps.
- Pickups and Transducers.
Preamps
Depending on the model, Takamine offers different types of preamps. The Cool Tube preamp is often installed in premium line models. It makes the amplified sound richer and more full.
The Cool Tube preamp has a three-band equalizer. But also a built-in tuner with a mute function, a notch filter, and gain control.
Other guitar models offer variations in the type of preamp design that is equipped. It’s important to try out different models to see which one gives you the sound that you are looking for.
They all include the preamp system, but some come with either a 3-band or 4-band EQ.
These options give you more control over the sound of your guitar. Also, the built-in tuner has a mute function. The notch EQ and gain control options are also available in these preamps. They both provide a ton of versatility.
Pickups
There are two pickup system types that Takamine offers. The first and most common type is the Tri-Ax 2 active soundhole pickup.
The second type is the Palathectic Pickup. These pickups are designed to work in conjunction with the preamp system. They will give you the best possible sound.
Some users defined the Tri-Ax 2 Soundhole Pickup’s tone as frosting on a delicious cake. This is due to its ability to blend in perfectly with the preamp sound. Perfect for any occasion, this pickup gives a rich and smooth sound.
If we talk about the Palathectic pickup, it’s designed to work in harmony with the preamp. It’s designed to give you the best sound possible.
This system is perfect for live performers who want to avoid feedback while playing. Additionally, it provides incredible detail and clarity, making any song come alive.
You can also install the Soundboard Transducer from Takamine. This transducer is placed near the other pickup. It gives you the sound of an acoustic guitar without any electronic interference. This is ideal for guitar enthusiasts who want to add their own twist to songs.
In need of an electric? Check out if Cort guitars are good here!
High-Quality Wood Used By Takamine
The soundboard or top wood is an essential part of any acoustic guitar. It has a significant impact on the projection, playability, and dynamics.
Takamine’s soundboards are offered in a variety of woods. The most popular being cedar and solid spruce.
Cedar
Cedar wood is considered to be the “king of the softwoods.” It’s prized for its mellow, warm tone and excellent projection. Cedar is a very light wood, which makes it easy to play. It also has a natural resistance to warping, so it’s an ideal choice for soundboard material.
Cedar wood is used to produce a deep and rich tone in nylon-stringed guitars. Cedar is also becoming a popular soundboard material among steel-string guitarists. Players who write songs with rich vocals.
The major drawback is that cedar is a softwood and is therefore more prone to cracking than harder woods.
Also, the sound can become muddy when the guitar is used for hard strumming or picking.
Solid Spruce
Solid Spruce is best suited for acoustic guitars. It’s mostly used for its ability to provide a rich and warm sound. Guitars made from this material have a wide range of tones!
So they respond well during both light and heavy picking. Solid Spruce also has a wide dynamic range and adaptable nature.
Overall, Solid Spruce is a perfect match for any style, from country to blues and even pop or rock & roll. So if you’re looking for an all-around great guitar, be sure to check out a Takamine made with a spruce top!
Koa
Koa is another wood type that has been quite popular with guitar manufacturers. It’s sourced from Hawaii and looks beautiful when finished right. Like mahogany, koa has a balanced tone, especially in guitars with larger body shapes.
However, it’s slightly brighter. This is great if you use your fingers to pluck the strings, as this will provide more presence in the tone.
Is Takamine A Good Brand For Classical Guitars?
Yes, Takamine makes great classical guitars. Takamine is widely known as one of the best classical guitar brands available! They have a long history of making them.
In terms of sound, Takamine classical guitars are known for their warm, rich, and deep tones. Additionally, Takamine classical guitars are known for their beautiful designs.
Top-quality woods are used for Takamine classical guitars. This results in beautiful-sounding instruments. Woods like cedar and spruce are often used for the soundboards of classical guitars. This gives them a special tonal quality.
Takamine also uses different kinds of wood for the sides and back of its guitars. Rosewood and Sapele can be found, which adds to the wonderful tones they produce.
Why You Should Choose A Takamine Guitar Over Other Brands?
Owning a Takamine Guitar means owning a workhorse of an instrument. They’re famous for their toughness and resilience in a wide range of performances.
Whether you’re playing a small club show or a large arena concert! Your Takamine will be able to provide the volume and sound great you require.
Another reason to choose Takamine is for their electronics. They were one of the first companies to put quality pickups and preamps in their acoustics! And they continue to innovate in this area.
Takamine is a fantastic choice if you’re seeking a great-sounding acoustic or classical guitar.
Popular Models
Takamine makes a wide range of guitars that are all high quality. Let’s look at a few of their more popular models.
Takamine GN93CE
This is one of their more top-of-the-line models. It comes with a split saddle for better intonation. Plus, gold-plated die-cast tuners, and a TK-40D preamp.
This is one great-sounding guitar, both natural and amplified. It presents a loud, bright, and articulate tone! It has a great low-end response thanks to the mini-jumbo body shape.
The TK-40D preamp that comes with the guitar is one of the best sounding on the market! Making this a great acoustic when it comes to value for money.
It has a 3-band EQ, notch filter, and gain control that provides some great tone shaping. But on top of all that, it’s also a great-looking guitar!
Takamine EF341SC Pro Series
Next up, we have a very popular model that is made in the workshop in Japan, the EF341SC. This is a guitar that is very popular with artists like Bon-Jovi and Bruce Springsteen! This is because of the wonderful sound and premium build quality.
It has a solid cedar top which provides an incredibly balanced tone among all frequencies. The highs are shimmering, and the low-end response is on point. The hardware is all high quality and the guitar is beautiful.
It will cost a lot more than other models because it is one of the top guitars they make, but it’s also worth every penny.
Conclusion
Takamine’s commitment to quality, detail and innovative technologies set them apart. Miles apart from some guitar companies.
Their use of different woods for the construction of their guitars results in a unique sound. One that is sought after by many guitarists.
When combined with their great electronics and durability, it’s easy to see why! Takamine is one of the most popular guitar brands in the world.
Are you looking for a high-quality guitar that will provide you with years of service? Then Takamine is definitely a brand worth considering.
FAQs
Are Takamine guitars handmade?
Takamine uses both modern techniques and traditional hand craftsmanship to create their guitars. This combination results in a pure sound that can be enjoyed for generations.
Do Takamine guitars have truss rods?
Yes, all Takamine guitars have truss rods. Takamine includes a 2-way truss rod system in their designs. This allows for neck adjustment both forward and backward.
What strings does Takamine use?
Takamine recommends D’Addario Strings for their guitars because they do sound amazing. This is another indicator that they have a commitment to great quality above all else.
