Takamine EAN15C

I’m 54, and been playing since I was 11/12. Up till now, I’ve never written a guitar review, having never felt the need. Guitars are like women. Some are great, others not so great and just plain bad. It depends on you, and the chemistry that exists in the middle somewhere. Guitar chemistry exists between the player’s psychology, his hands, the strings, how the guitar is set up, amplification and effects etc. Sometimes it’s difficult to define precisely what makes a guitar work for you. It approximates in some ways to what the Japanese term ‘kansei.’

I picked up this Takamine EAN15C a couple of nights ago from kijij. The guy was asking $450 Canadian for it and I bargained him down to $400. It had lain in the hard shell case pretty much unused, for the major part of it’s ten years. Strings were dead and I was thinking that maybe the seller had never changed them. The fretboard was as dry as any I’d seen in quite a while, and he didn’t have an amp so I couldn’t check out the electronics. The guitar had no major dings, or breaks, the neck was straight, and the intonation was almost perfect. Minor mother of pearl inlay missing from the saddle. The action was pretty good and worked fine for my big thick fingers 

First thing I did was get the strings off. I wish I’d taken pictures at the start. Fretboard was cleaned with a damp cloth and warm water. I’m never too liberal with fretboard cleaner/oils but this one looked as if it would benefit from it. I gave it one coat which soaked right in at the and the following morning gave it another dose. This really brought the thing back to life. I polished the frets which had become very dull. They had virtually no wear to speak of and came up really well. The whole body of the guitar was cleaned off and polished up with some lemon oil and then I restrung it with Elixir Lights (12s). First strum of this Takamine with new strings just blew me away. It sounded great. Not too much top. Warm and clear tones which just ring out. I put a new battery in the box and plugged it into my Ibanez Troubador TA35, acoustic amp. This thing was singing like a bird. The best word to describe this guitar is simply “expressive.” It just provides so much expression and the pick up seems to capture the most subtle nuances of hammer ons/offs and slides to great effect.

My other acoustic 6 strings guitars are Tacomas (DR14C & DR20) , both of which cost me at least twice as much as this Tak. Nothing I’ve come across previously has compared favorably (for my playing and style), with the Tacomas. Build quality, tone, (acoustic and amped), weight and balance and overall feels are very similar to my Tacoma DR14.. I’ve owned Taylors and Martins which are inferior to this Takamine. Recently traded a Faith Venus electric-acoustic which sounded incredible amplified. This EAN15C sounds even better amplified than the Faith with it’s Shadow system. I’m delighted with it, and think that I got a great deal at $400 CAD. It’s not very often that I feel like I should go back and give the guy some more money. This is obviously the older model, as the TAN15C has the tube pick up installed. I can’t compare this guitar with that model as I’ve never played one, but this Takamine stands up proud with every acoustic guitar that I’ve ever played or owned. It’s an outstanding guitar either for use with a pick, or for finger picking. It’s solid, durable and the quality of the workmanship is evident in the detail.

Purchased the Guitar at the Guitar Center in Los Cerritos, Calif. I paid $832 plus tax

Very fast action, smoothe and rich tone, beautiful and simple decor. It is truely the sweetest guitar I have played in quite sometime, if not ever. The tone is full, rich, has a great mid and base sound. Plugged in it sounds as natural as it does unplugged-which means a great set up. The closest I had to it was last years Taylor 514CE (with the older pick-ups). It is a cut-away which is what I was looking for. This was one third the cost and certainly as good. It is my second Takamine, the other is a 12 string electric acoustic. even teh Guitar center salesman was surprised by this guitar. I had no idea takamine sold something of this quality. With a little more adjustment in the play, it will be perfect. It even has a built in Tuner.

The only thing I disliked is the case is too expensive, it came with no extra strings, or strap (as I have heard they normally do). I bought another case that was a perfect fit for $30 and am very happy I saved the $100 bucks it would have cost.

The Spruce body and the Rosewood neck is a great site to behold. While it does not have fret markings like many other guitars, it stands out more because of that. I am not sure if that was intentional, but set it side by side a few guitars, and you will see what I mean. The tuners are beautiful and another unique part of its asthetics. They keep the strings in tune and there is no play in them. The built in harmonic tuner ios also a neat idea and very helpful.

I rate this guitar as superb for craftsmanship, looks, sound and cost. I defy anyone to find a better guitar for the price I paid. I have been playing guitar for over 30 years. I have been in bands in Germany, Spain and in California. This guitar will be great for playing on the beach and will be up on stage with me when I play again. I love it and I think that if you can find it, you will too.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

Made in Japan is a beautiful cutaway guitar with 22 frets ...
trs the handle is comfortable and the shiny patent DEPOS egalment on the handle only increases the fantastic capabilities in the game ..
the table is solid cedar, shiny patent makes it even more beautiful ..
sides are rosewood and the back.
is an all solid guitar, and the sound suffers ...
its little more than in the incredible ean10c is rosewood and painted ...
for 200 euros more, definitely worth it!

UTILIZATION

The handle as I said is super pleasant to the touch, the frets wide enough for large fingers, and the roundness of the handle allows all the madness .. it slides like butter thanks to its extra polish.
Access in treble is superb thanks to the great beautiful cutaway drawing.
it's a guitar in standard weight but with a superb ergonomics: it's good takamine trs.
the sound is magical ... but look instead for the following question ...

SOUNDS

It's a guitar with cedar Sides Rosewood, so to speak, they are among the best wood utiliss, especially since the guitar is all solid. the sound is fantastic, with a clarity in the treble, midrange and fantastic (we feel that the cedar has a lot to). The bass are well represented, with little hide the sound ... they are perfect.
(Those who desire to have a serious sound will move to form jumbo that throws a lot of bass! Type EN20)
this guitar is well trs the agreement, and really precise and a fabulous precision. we are in the high end takamine.

OVERALL OPINION

In fact I just bought it, but this is my 14 th guitar, so I think I know what I mean ...
I have tried many, and most Chres ... this one is perfect revle with a price that is pokey compared to the services provided qulait!
it is a choice I would do without hesitation. Takamine did a good Boulo!