Takamine CP-132S

This guitar was built in Japan around 1991. It is one of the first accoustic/electrics I have ever seen. I haven't had much of an opportunity to use the amplification, but it seems to be layed out well with equalizers, volume control, etc. It has a strap button at the bottom (which is actually where you plug in the cord). This is nice because you can use a strap whereas you can't with most other Classical guitars.

The finish is standard high quality Takamine workmanship...solid spruce top, rosewood sides and back, ebony fret board. The only reason I didn't give this guitar a 10 for features is the lack of an indicator marker on the 5th or 7th fret. This has really made learning the upper fretboard more difficult than it should be. Other than that, I don't think you will find a more feature laden callsical guitar from that same period.

I use this guitar to play mostly classical, but every once in awhile I'll use to strum folk tunes, etc. For Classical, this guitar sounds beautiful, especially when you play quietly. It responds very well to a delicate touch.

The only things I would say are wrong with the sound is that the bass strings tend to be a little quiet and it doesn't sound at its best if you strum it too energetically. But like I said, it's almost perfect for Classical playing.

I have never needed to do any modifications or changes or adjustments on this guitar, so I guess you can say that did an excellent job of setting it up at the factory. However, I am considering lowering the action just a bit, but I think this has more to do with a personal preference than a mistake on Takamine's part.

The only thing that has bothered me is that the 4th string tuner is pretty stiff. But, I have a feeling this is something I can fix easily myself.

This guitar has been with me for 11 years. That's 8 different residences, countless plane trips, a few bus trips, being dropped, kicked, bumped into, and so on...and it looks as good as the first day I bought it (Granted, I did invest in a high quality, padded case for it.) The only mark on it is a scratch on the face when somebody dropped a big piece of metal on it. I was afraid it would crack it, but all it did was make a little scratch. I should also note that the electronics still work as well today as the first day. This is a high quality instrument that will be with you for a lifetime.

I've never had to deal with Takamine at all.

I've been playing for 12 years and this is my 2nd Classical Guitar.
For my needs, this guitar is about perfect. I'm not a pro, I don't perform...I just like to sit at night and play classical music on my guitar. But, even if I did start playing in front of an audience, I wouldn't really feel a need for a new guitar. In fact, I probably won't get another Classical Guitar ever in my life...this one is great. I honestly do not think you will find a better factory made nylon string from the early 90's.


I should say that the 10 rating I gave it is when ranked amongst other factory made guitars from that time period. In the entire world of Classical Guitardom, this would really rank about an 8. I had an opportunity recently to play on a Takamine EC-132S, which is basically this guitar's modern descendant. Every modification they made to it was an improvement. The neck was thinner, there was a cutaway for playing above the 12th fret, the strings had a softer touch, and the finish on the face was a better shade of brown. This guitar would get a 9. I also had an opportunity to try out a $5000 hand made Taylor nylon string too. That was an amazing instrument. Very delicate, very light, with suberb sound...these hand made guitars by individual makers are truly the 10's of the nylon string guitar world.