Takamine Pro Series EF508KC NEX All Koa Acoustic Electric Guitar, Natural with Case Customer Reviews

First, a disclaimer: There are so many different guitars on the market, and so many different musicians with different preferences, that no guitar review can be perfectly wide-ranging. So instead of trying to examine this guitar from every slant, I'm simply going to relate my experience with it. And I can't tell you how very pleased I am with this guitar.Some of the standout points:* The craftsmanship. From the minute you pick this guitar up, you can feel how well-made it is; invisible seams, beautiful lacquerwork, solid body binding. And the attention to detail is just wonderful; I've never had a string bind while tuning, the pegs both come out easily and stay in when you put on new strings, and the tuning machines are smooth and precise. Takamine's Japanese-made guitars are very well planning-of, and this one absolutely lives up to their reputation.* The size. This is a very subjective area, of way, but I love the size of this guitar - it's small enough to not feel humongous on my lap while still large enough to have a nice rich sound. If there's one quibble it's the thickness of the neck; I have longish fingers and can hold it fine, but my shorter-fingered spouse occasionally has trouble reaching some frets.* The aesthetic appeal. The guitar's looks were what prompted me to pick it up in the first place; the koa wood is beautifully figured, and the inlay work (abalone around the sound hole, small snowflake-shaped fret markers) is beyond reproach. I also love the subtler design cues that make the whole thing feel more coherent as a work of art - the way the bridge tapers to a point in the same way as the headstock, for instance, or the way the ivory-colored plastic is just the right shade to set off the warm brown of the koa wood.But any guitar, no matter how well made, is going to be judged ultimately on its voice. And given that the top, back and sides are all made of koa wood, this guitar has some interesting acoustic properties.Something many folks don't grasp about koa wood is that its sound changes with use. When a koa guitar first comes out of the woodworking shop, it has a very bright tone, akin to maple; high in the trebles but so-so in the midrange and without a whole lot of bass. As it's played, however, and the wood vibrates, the sound opens up and becomes richer and fuller. I've heard people claim that after years of constant play their koa guitars rivaled rosewood for bass; while mine's nowhere near to that point yet, it was played daily by the title-holder of the music shop where I bought it, and it's got a far more balanced midrange and bass than I expected when I first picked it up. I'd say it's akin to my mahogany Ibanez in terms of sound, except that it has this wonderful warmth and sustain that the Ibanez just can't match (not that that's really startling; they're two different guitars from completely different price points).Obviously, a musician's choice of instrument is a very personal and subjective thing, so I would never recommend buying a guitar without playing it first and getting an idea of its sound and how it fits in your hands and lap. But if you want a smaller guitar with a wonderfully unique voice, I highly recommend trying out this model; I'd say it's absolutely on par with the Gibsons I was originally eyeing in terms of craftsmanship, and significantly less expensive, to boot.
- A. Rose "Miss Rose Rose"

This is not going to be a "wordy" review. You can find many of those somewhere else. I have had this guitar for over 3 months and LOVE it. I have owned koa Taylors, Epiphone acoustics and others. This is by far the best sounding acoustic I have ever owned or played.The plug in electronics are fantastic as played through my Fender Acoustasonic Jr. Assuming you are using an acoustic cable, all I can say is WOW.It is a beautiful guitar and begs to be played. I am very critical of my instruments, so this what I have to say is not to be taken lightly.
- Brian Mendenhall "B-Mendenhall"

With before a live audience the guitar for about a year, I decided that I wanted to get serious. Being paid serious with any musical instrument means gunfire out for a nice one that you will in fact take pleasure in before a live audience. So, I went to Guitar crucial top the day with Thanksgiving (they were having a 20% off one item sale) and promised for myself that I would play every guitar in the outlet and walk out with my pet, regardless of cost (ok...like no matter what business not more than $4000).I played every guitar in that room, from the low-cost Fenders to the obtuse-pricey Gibsons and Martins, and this is the guitar I walked out with. Not only was it the first guitar to catch my EYE, it was also the guitar that trapped my EARS. The signal is so beautiful and bright and sweet. The case that comes with it is awesome, too, which is an extra bonus.I have had this guitar for 6 being now, and I have NEVER regretted export it. To this day, I will go to a guitar crucial top and play a few of the high-end guitars and then pick one of these up, and it still sounds better to me than any guitar in the room. I get countless complements on its good looks and signal. I will have this guitar in anticipation of I die, or in anticipation of it goes out of use...at which top I will buy another one.If you like fingerpicking and softer-style strumming, this is the guitar for you. Probably not the best for heavy hitters. I don't play it amped a lot, but when I do it sounds a bit harsh. Probably since I don't know what I'm responsibility with the amp.
- Tyler Lewis

Takamine Pro Series EF508KC NEX All Koa Acoustic Electric Guitar, Natural with Case

The EF508KC NEX is handcrafted in our pro series facility with the intention of has been building precision feature instruments ended five decades. Beneath the impressive figured Koa is a world-class acoustic electric guitar with the intention of will soubriquet any application whether in a full band setting or solo performance. Facial appearance a fully leap body and fretboard, finished in natural gloss finish accentuating the excruciating grain structure of the Koa. The mahogany narrow part is joined to the body with a habitual, ultra passionate dovetail establishment. Dual proceedings adjustable tension rod keeps the guitar playing true no matter what the environment. Includes Takamine’s palathetic pickup®, known in the industry as one of the most true and natural sounding acoustic/electric pickups. The CT4B preamp has long been the popular choice among Takamine pro artists, as long as lukewarm natural acoustic tone at distinguished sound pressure levels.