Takamine produces high-quality acoustic guitars for today’s modern players. They have instruments available for beginners, intermediate, and advanced guitar players. You’re sure to find a Takamine guitar for your needs.
Quick Answer: Best Takamine Acoustic Guitars
- 1. Best Takamine Acoustic Guitar Overall: P7NC
- 2. Best Cheap Takamine Acoustic Guitar: GD203
- 3. Best Takamine Acoustic Guitar Under $1,000: GN77 KCE Koa
- 4. Best Takamine Acoustic Guitar Under $500: GN30CE
- 5. Best Signature Series Takamine Guitars: Glen Frey Signature
- 6. Best Pro Series Takamine Acoustic Guitar: P5DC
- 7. Best Legacy Series Takamine Acoustic Guitar: EF508KC
- 8. Best Thermal Top Takamine Acoustic Guitar: EF740FS-TT
Our best Takamine acoustic guitar guide will help you find the ideal instrument. I’ve played acoustic guitar for many years and have experience with different guitars, including Takamine. These guitars are a great investment.
See Also: Best Acoustic Guitars 2022 Buyer’s Guide
Takamine offers several different guitar series, so you’re sure to find a guitar that meets your playing style and overall guitar abilities. There’s a wide range of choices when it comes to these great guitars.
About Takamine Acoustic Guitars
Takamine is a Japanese guitar company, and they have produced guitars since 1959. They were the first to introduce Takamine acoustic electric guitars including Takamine semi acoustic guitars, which are now quite popular.
The company pioneered the preamp and equalizer parts that are now common in many modern acoustic guitars. They make a wide range of great guitars for beginners, intermediate, and advanced guitar players.
Things To Consider When Choosing a Takamine Acoustic Guitars
Here’s a few of the points you need to consider before ordering a Takamine guitar. These are excellent, well-rounded instruments for various guitars’ skills and musical styles.
Size
Takamine acoustic guitars are full-sized guitars. However, they offer a few smaller body styles, such as the orchestra, which are easier to hold. They also provide traditional dreadnoughts as well as cutaway models.
The Overall Tone & Sound
You can expect a robust tone and excellent sound from Takamine guitar. They are great for whatever guitar style you’re interested in. They are perfect for chords, soloing, or fingerstyle guitar work.
Price
Here’s a bit of what you can expect regarding Takamine acoustic guitar prices. You will find a great model, whether you’re a beginner, intermediate, or advanced guitar player.
- Beginner – $450-800
- Intermediate – $800-$1500
- Advanced – $1500+
Electronics
You may or may not want an electronics system with your guitar. You’ll require an acoustic amplifier to use these systems, which is an added expense, but you’ll need it if you want to record or play live. You may also want a microphone for recording your acoustic guitar songs.
Types of Takamine Acoustic Guitars
This list of the different types of Takamine guitars will make it easier to find something that works for you. In addition, there’s multiple models available within each series for every player and budget.
Pro Series Takamine Acoustic Guitars
This series is extensive, and Takamine offers various body styles and shapes. Many guitars feature electronic systems, ready for an acoustic amplifier. This is a good, well-rounded series of guitars like the Takamine d series acoustic guitars and the Takamine g series of Takamine acoustic electric guitars.
Signature Series Takamine Acoustic Guitars
The signature series features guitars built to the specifications of your favourite artists. You’ll enjoy faithful reproductions of guitars played by Glen Frey, Garth Brooks, Toby Keith, and more.
Legacy Series Takamine Acoustic Guitars
The Legacy Series features popular Takamine guitars from the past. These are fan favourites and would be the ideal option if you have an older Takamine and want to try the brand again. These are upgraded and sound great.
Thermal Top Takamine Acoustic Guitars
These guitars have unique spruce tops that have been heated, which improves the tone. The guitars also have solid mahogany back and sides for even better tonal projection.
See Also: Best Acoustic Guitar Picks
10 Best Takamine Acoustic Guitars
This list will help you find a great Takamine guitar, whether you’re a beginner, intermediate, or advanced guitar player. There’s an excellent guitar available for you, no matter your current level of ability.
1. Takamine P7NC Acoustic Guitar
- Type: Cutaway Dreadnought
- What’s Included: Guitar, hardshell case
- Pickups: CTP-3
- Material & Finish: Spruce, rosewood, ebony, gloss finish
- Best For: Professional players
The Takamine P7NC is an excellent acoustic guitar that provides top-quality tone from the spruce top and rosewood body. It’s got a well-rounded Eq system along with a chromatic tuner, so you have perfect tuning when you play.
The ebony fretboard is smooth, and the deep cutaway gives you easy access to all of the higher frets. The guitarist is perfect for fingerpicking, playing chords, or performing solos. It’s the right choice for recording or live sessions.
✅ Robust EQ
✅ Good tone
✅ Deep cutaway
✅ Hardshell case
❌ Expensive
❌ EQ has a lot of buttons
Why I Recommend It
I like this guitar because of the combination of a spruce top and a rosewood body. These woods give the guitar a rich tone. This sound will develop even more over the years as your instrument ages.
The EQ uses a 12AU7 low-voltage tune to power the system. This provides a rich and vibrant tone for recording or when playing live. This EQ system gives you more sound control when compared to other guitars.
2. Takamine GD20 Acoustic Guitar
- Type: Dreadnought
- What’s Included: Guitar
- Pickups: N/A
- Material & Finish: Cedar, mahogany, ovangkol, gloss finish
- Best For: Beginners that want a solid guitar
The Takamine GD20 is a perfect guitar for beginners. The cedar top proved a rich tone, and the mahogany neck is smooth at all positions for a nice comfortable feel as you learn how to play.
The dreadnought style provides sound volume, whether you’re strumming chords or learning your first scales. This is one of the best beginner Takamine guitars as it’s built well and sounds great.
✅ Good tone
✅ Solid construction
✅ Nice neck
✅ X-bracing
❌ No case
❌ May need some setup
Why I Recommend It
This guitar is well-built and better than many beginner acoustic guitars on the market. You will pay a little extra for it, but the added cost is well worth it. The guitar sounds great, and it’s easy to play for beginners.
Since this is a full dreadnought, it’s probably better for an older teenager or young adult. It may be too big for small kids to hold. The instrument is a clear winner for beginners that want a comfortable guitar to play.
3. Takamine GN77 KCE Koa Acoustic Guitar
- Type: Cutaway Mini Jumbo
- What’s Included: Guitar
- Pickups: TP-4TD
- Material & Finish: Koa, mahogany, laurel, gloss finish
- Best For: Intermediate guitar players
The Takamine GN77 KCE Koa is the perfect choice for the intermediate player. It’s made with Koa wood which offers a superb tone. The electronics system gives you clear amplified tones through any acoustic amplifier.
The smaller jumbo body means that the guitar feels better whether sitting down or standing up when compared to a regular jumbo. You get the same great jumbo style tone without the bulkiness or a full jumbo guitar.
✅ Great look
✅ Deep cutaway
✅ Nice tone
✅ Good electronics
❌ No case
❌ Eq a bit hard to access
Why I Recommend It
At under $700, this is a solid intermediate guitar because it has a great electronics system and produces an exceptional tone. In addition, the Koa wood looks great and adds to the great tone of this acoustic guitar.
The laurel fingerboard is smooth, and the cutaway makes it easy for the player to practice soloing higher up the neck. This is one of the best intermediate Takamine acoustic guitars for today’s player.
4. Takamine GN30CE Acoustic Guitar
- Type: Cutaway dreadnought
- What’s Included: Guitar
- Pickup: TP-4TD
- Material & Finish: Spruce, Mahogany, Ovangkol, gloss finish
- Best For: Beginner guitar players
The Takamine GN30CE is a great beginner guitar as it’s got a full tone and a decent price at under $500, which makes it the ideal choice. The electronics systems give you a great tone through your amplifier, and there’s a built-in tuner, so you stay in tune.
The Takamine cutaway acoustic neck makes it easy for the player to practice their soloing across the smooth mahogany neck and ovangkol fretboard. It’s got solid die-cast machine heads along with a synthetic bone nut and saddle.
✅ Electronics
✅ Cutaway
✅ Great tone
✅ Solid construction.
❌ No case
❌ Saddle/nut could be better
Why I Recommend It
I like this guitar because of the great price. At under $500, this one is a steal. The preamp, Eq, and built-in tuner give the player all they need to sound great. At this price, this makes the guitar quite attractive.
The neck on this model is great, and the player has easy access across the whole fretboard, thanks to the cutaway. I wish the Eq was on the side and not near the neck, but this is personal preference. Other than that, this great is a solid pick.
5. Takamine Glenn Frey Signature Acoustic Guitar
- Type: Dreadnought
- What’s Included: Guitar, case
- Pickups: CT4B
- Material & Finish: Spruce, rosewood, mahogany, gloss finish
- Best For: Eagles fans or those looking for a superior acoustic guitar
The Takamine Glenn Frey Signature dreadnought is the ideal choice for those that are Eagles fans or for anyone that wants a solid and dependable guitar. You get a great tone from the spruce top and rosewood body.
The preamp system allows you to dial in great amplified tones, and there’s a built-in tuner to keep you in tune no matter what you’re playing. Combine this with a smooth and responsive neck, and this guitar has what you need.
✅ Solid Construction
✅ Big tone
✅ Pickup
✅ Great neck
❌ A bit expensive
❌ No cutaway
Why I Recommend It
I like this guitar because it produces a big acoustic tone, and at under $2,000, you get everything you need for a professional dreadnought tone. Whether you’re an Eagles fan or not, this guitar is solid.
The Built-in chromatic tune makes it easy to use different tunings without the hassle of a stand-alone tuner. The bone nut and saddle further enhance the guitar’s tuning and give it excellent intonation. This acoustic is ready to rock.
6. Takamine P5DC Acoustic Guitar
- Type: Dreadnought cutaway
- What’s Included: Guitar, case
- Pickups: CTP-3 Cooltube
- Material & Finish: Rosewood, mahogany, spruce, satin finish
- Best For: Intermediate/advanced players
The Takamine PD5C is an excellent guitar for intermediate or advanced players. It’s got an easy-to-access cutaway, excellent tone, and a smooth playing neck. It’s made with top-quality wood, so you get a lot of value for your dollar.
This instrument also comes with an Electronics system that offers you excellent tones while plugged into an amplifier. Use the guitar in your studio, on stage, or anywhere you want great acoustic amplification.
✅ Cutaway
✅ Good Eq
✅ Solid tone
✅Built-in tuner
❌ Expensive
❌ Eq position could be better
Why I Recommend It
The Takamine PD5C Is a solid and well-rounded advanced guitar that comes in at a great price. The preamp system is unique as it uses a tube, and this system produces excellent tones no matter what styles you want to play.
You have a lot of ways to shape your tone with the equalizer, and it comes with a built-in tuner, so your instrument will always be in tune. This is one of the best professional Takamine guitars for today’s players.
7. Takamine Ef508KC Acoustic Guitar
- Type: Cutaway dreadnought
- What’s Included: Guitar, case
- Pickups: CT4B
- Material & Finish: Mahogany, koa, rosewood, gloss finish
- Best For: Intermediate guitar players
The Takamine Ef508KC instrument is made with attractive koa wood, which gives the guitar a unique look. It comes with a preamp and pickup system, so it’s ready for any amplifier. You get the amplified sound you need to sound amazing.
It’s got a mahogany neck and a deep cutaway, so the player has easy access to all of the higher frets. The rosewood fingerboard is smooth at all positions, so it’s comfortable whether you are soloing or playing chords.
✅ Great tone
✅ Deep cutaway
✅ Electronics system
✅ Hardshell case
❌ A bit expensive
❌ Electronics need a better position
Why I Recommend It
I like this instrument because it offers a lot for the price you pay. It’s the ideal instrument for intermediate players as it has a full-featured equalizer system, deep cutaway, and the tones you want out of a mid-priced guitar.
You could spend a lot more on an instrument made out of koa, but this one won’t cost you a whole lot, so it’s an excellent bargain. It comes with a hardshell case, and it’s set up right out of the box so you can get started playing.
8. Takamine EF740FS-TT Acoustic Guitar
- Type: Cutaway dreadnought
- What’s Included: Guitar, case
- Pickups: TLD-2
- Material & Finish: Mahogany, sapele, spruce, ebony, gloss finish
- Best For: Intermediate/advanced guitar players
The Takamine EF740FS-TT is an excellent guitar with a lot to offer. The TLD-2 electronics system provides superb amplified tones. The deep body enhances the sound volume when strumming or soloing.
The neck is smooth, and it’s got a deep cutaway so the player can access all of the higher frets with ease. The OM body style makes the guitar ideal for fingerstyle guitar and similar styles.
✅ Thermal top
✅ Cutaway
✅ Good electronics
✅ Superb tone
❌ Expensive
❌ Electronics need a better position
Why I Recommend It
This is an excellent acoustic guitar because it has a thermal top. This specially treated top provides an excellent tone. The moisture has been removed from the wood, so you get an instrument that has a vintage-style sound to it.
On top of this excellent top, the guitar is easy to play with a comfortable neck, it has great electronics, and the deeper guitar body makes it ideal for intricate guitar work. This is one of the best professional Takamine guitars.
9. Takamine TSP178ACKN Thinline Acoustic Guitar
- Type: Cutaway dreadnought
- What’s Included: Guitar, case
- Pickups: CT3-N
- Material & Finish: Maple, mahogany, ebony, gloss polyurethane
- Best For: Professional guitar players
For those that want the feel of an electric guitar, the Takamine tsp 178 AC Thinline offers you this type of playability. It’s got a deep cutaway neck for easy access to the higher registers.
It comes with a robust electronics system, so it is a perfect option if you want to record or play on stage. The neck feels like an electric guitar neck, except it’s acoustic. If you’re used to electric guitars, this acoustic is a good option.
✅ Thin body
✅ great electronics
✅ Attractive look
✅ Nice neck
❌ Expensive
❌ Case could be better
Why I Recommend It
I like this Thinline acoustic guitar from Takamine because it gives you the playability of an electric guitar, except that it’s acoustic. This neck is smooth up and down the front board, making it comfortable for acoustic guitar solos.
There are a lot of nice options on the equalizer, and it’s positioned a little bit better than some of the other Takamine models. The controls are nice and easy to access while playing, and there’s a built-in tuner.
10. Takamine GY93 New Yorker Acoustic Guitar
- Type: Small body dreadnought
- What’s Included: Guitar
- Pickups: N/A
- Material & Finish: Spruce, maple, walnut, mahogany, laurel, gloss finish
- Best For: Beginners
The Takamine GY93 is an excellent guitar for a beginning guitar student. This is a smaller body dreadnought, so it’s easier to hold whether standing up or sitting down.
The spruce top and the X-bracing help to enhance the tone of the instrument. It’s the perfect guitar for beginner students to learn their first chords. These features make it one of the best beginner Takamine guitars.
✅ Good neck
✅ Small body size
✅ Good price
✅ Easy to play
❌ May need some setup
❌ No case
Why I Recommend It
I recommended this guitar for younger students who struggle to hold larger Dreadnought acoustics. The smaller size of the instrument would be more comfortable for them while they were struggling to play those first chords and notes.
This instrument costs a little bit more than some beginner guitars, but the extra price is well worth it. You’ll get a guitar that is easy to play and comfortable to hold. The beginner student will be encouraged to keep playing.
Takamine Acoustic Guitars Aesthetics & Build
Here’s a few things to keep in mind in terms of the build of a Takamine guitar. It’s important to have a good understanding of what you’re going to be buying prior to ordering.
Material
Here’s a rundown of the basic tonewood types that you will find in Takamine acoustic guitars, as well as other acoustic guitars.
- Spruce – This is a common tonewood used for the top of many acoustic guitars because it has a great overall tone and resonance
- Mahogany – This is often used for the back and sides of acoustic guitars because it has an excellent sound and works well with other tonewoods such as spruce
- Rosewood – Expensive acoustic guitars may have rosewood for the back and sides, which offers an excellent tone. This wood is often found on fingerboards because it’s smooth on the fingers up and down the neck
- Laurel/Nato – these are often used for guitar fingerboards. They are an alternative to rosewood
- Maple – This is often used for guitar necks because it is quite solid. It is sometimes also found on the body of an acoustic guitar
Finish
There’s several different finishes used for acoustic guitars. A breakdown of those individual finishes is indicated below.
- Satin – This is a smooth finish often used on acoustic guitars. it doesn’t have a lot of shine, but the smoothness and overall flat look of the finish is quite attractive
- Gloss – This finish is quite shiny, and it is also durable. Some players prefer a glossy finish as opposed to a satin finish
- Polyurethane – This is a common guitar finish that has a lot of shine, long life, and it resists cracking
- Nitrocellulose lacquer – this is a hard and durable finish that has quite a lot of shine. It’s used quite often on electric guitars, but it is sometimes found on acoustic guitars
- Polyester – This is another finish that offers a lot of shine as well as excellent durability
Color
Natural wood grain is the main color used in acoustic guitars. There are a few different colors, such as black, blue, Sunburst, and so on, but the main color is usually a natural wood grain as this looks the best.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Here’s a few frequently asked questions that people have in regard to Takamine acoustic guitars. Keep these points in mind before making your purchase.
How Much Do Takamine Acoustic Guitars Cost?
It doesn’t matter your current playing level. Whether you are a beginner, intermediate player, or have been playing guitar for many years, you’ll find a Takamine acoustic guitar to meet your needs. Here’s a common price breakdown.
- Beginner – $450-800
- Intermediate – $800-$1500
- Advanced – $1500+
What Are The Best Takamine Acoustic Guitars?
Here’s a listing of what I consider to be the three best Takamine acoustic guitars for each playing level. Any one of these instruments would make an excellent choice.
Takamine GN30CE Acoustic Guitar – Best for Beginners
The Takamine GN30CE is an excellent acoustic guitar for beginners, and since it is under $500, it’s a great bargain. It’s got a cutaway neck, electronic system. It’s made with superior tonewood and is easy to play.
Takamine EF508KCAcoustic Guitar – Best for Intermediate Players
I like Takamine EF508KC acoustic guitar because it’s made with koa wood which has an amazing sound. This one has a nice cutaway and great electronics. Any intermediate guitar player would have a lot of fun with this instrument.
Takamine P7NC – Best for Advanced Players
I like Takamine P7NC because it has everything that you need as an advanced player. The electronics system is unique since it uses a tube to produce sound. The neck is smooth, and this guitar produces an amazing tone.
Where Are Takamine Acoustic Guitars Made?
Most of these instruments are made in Japan. Some of their guitars are made in Korea or Taiwan. It all depends upon the model.
What is The Best Sounding Takamine Acoustic Guitars?
One of the best-sounding Takamine acoustic guitars is the P7NC. This guitar has everything you need in an advanced acoustic guitar. It’s got a great cutaway neck, great electronics, made with exceptional wood, and sounds amazing.
Where To Buy Takamine Acoustic Guitars?
There’s a few places where you can pick up a Takamine acoustic guitar. This short guide will help you decide where you want to pick up your instrument.
Amazon
Amazon is one of the better locations to pick up guitars. They offer an excellent selection of instruments, they have fast shipping times, and you can read reviews before ordering your new guitar.
Online Music Retailers
Guitar Center and Sweetwater are two other locations where you might want to pick up your new guitar. You’ll find a wide range of instruments available. Both companies have good shipping times and excellent customer service.
Your Local Music Store
You can always purchase your guitar at your local music store. The main advantage to this is that you can try out the guitar before ordering. The disadvantage is that guitar stores often don’t have many guitar models.
See Also: Best Acoustic Guitar Accessories
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Table of Contents
- Acoustic Guitar Brands
- About Takamine Acoustic Guitars
- Things To Consider When Choosing a Takamine Acoustic Guitars
- Acoustic Guitar Accessories
- Types of Takamine Acoustic Guitars
- 10 Best Takamine Acoustic Guitars
- Takamine Acoustic Guitars Aesthetics & Build
- Electric Guitar Accessories
- Frequently Asked Questions:
- In Conclusion
In Conclusion
Thank you for reading our best Takamine acoustic guitar guide. These are excellent guitars no matter what your playing level. They have a great tone and robust electronics systems to meet your needs.
Please like, share, and leave your comments. We want to hear from you about Takamine guitars. Now go out and play your new guitar, you earned it.