Takamine EAN-10C

Solid ceder top with satin finish, mahogany back and sides, orange pearloid tuner knobs, gold tuners, rosewood fretboard and string through bridge with compensated bone saddle and bone nut. CB4II built in tuner/ equalizer/volume control. nice plush hardcase

You would never know it from looking at this guitar but this is one of the nicest sounding acoustics I have heard. The wood combination gives it a warm, rounded sound but it does not sacrifice bass or treble. While testing out some taylors and martins i found them too be a bit too brite and almost brittle sounding. I'm sure the highest end martins/taylors are better but then you're talking >$2000 easy. Sustain is surprisingly long and the compensated bridge is very good at keeping intonation spot on over the entire neck. Depending on how you play you can get myriad sounds from this guitar.finger picked gives you a nice soft round sound with very good bass and clear articulated highs. Picks really enhance the treble, especially lighter picks. Unplugged it projects very well and can actually be almost painfully loud when strummed hard with a heavy pick. plugged in it shines as well. the onboard eq allows fine tuning and sounds amazing with a tube amp. Takamine preamps are renowned for their recording prowess. String choice does make a big difference..you'll have to experiment to see what you like. A new set of phosphor/bronze's sound great to me.

Incredible fit and finish from the factory. I havent needed to do a thing to it. The tuners are amazing and this thing stays in tune for weeks on end. the on board tuner is very good. I have checked it against a peterson strobostomp 2 and it is very close. Its really that good a tuner. Some guitars have trouble with the G,B strings but this one stays true. Action is medium to low which is nice. The satin finish is subtle and very beautiful. I knew nothing about takamine before i bought this and after having played all the Taylors/Martins I happened to look across the room and see this one hanging. In my opinion it is a fine looking guitar...simple, elegant lines/proportions with a handy cut out for the low fretboard. There is no pick guard so if you are a reckless strummer you might want to put an aftermarket one on there since the satin finish is a bit delicate. it will show scratches and dents so you have to be careful but it adds to the subtlety of the sound rather than having the extra brite quality of a lacquer or poly finish. The biding and hardware all look handsome on this guitar. frets are a tad sharp over the edge of the fretboard but not too much to be bothersome. Nut and saddle are made of bone..so no string pinching or binding. The only downside to this finish is the satin..which is a plus and a minus. It looks very understated and elegant scratches/dents easily so requires a little more than the average care.

I have had this guitar for over a year now and dont gig with it. Pretty much stays at home with the occasional trip out to the park in a gig bag. So far so good, other than a stupid mistake of dropping my watch on it and leaving a little dent on the face (I was way drunk and sort of missed the dresser) it has held up very well. Seems like you could gig this no problem. You just cant bang it around and pour beer all over it. Get a pick guard if you worry about scratching the top. buttons are solid and the neck is very solid. Doubt you would need a backup.

Haven't needed to deal with them.

Before you go out and spend 2 to 3 times as much on a higher end 'name' guitar, do yourself a favor and check this out. I would gladly buy another of these if something happened to this one. Takamine is a brand that a lot of people dont really know about but once you play it you will be hooked. I bought another model as well after getting this one. You see a bunch of these on stage even though they might not have the name recognition of the Martin/Taylor. I love the versatility of this guitar. It can sound very different depending on how you play it. The sound is very rich and full, with no lack of attention to any of the spectrum. Bass, mids and highs all sound very good...its almost super saturated with bass/mids which I find better sounding than the almost brittle sounds i have heard from other high enders. There is nothing i wish it had. Its a classy looking git with a great sound to boot! definitely takes the prize for sleeper guitar in my opinion! you can find these for around $900 in some places. Best value for your money. Trust me, you won't regret getting one of these...

Features have been discribed below. The guitar really is a "plain jane", satin finish, no fret markers or pick guard, just a solid cedar top, pinless bridge and rosewood neck. Mine came with a ABS case (which I think they all do) built in Electonics and tuner, gold tuners with Amber Plastic Buttons and strap buttons screwed in with a felt washers.

The sound of this guitar is what sold me. Balanced across the tonal spectrum. Rich and full a great all around rhythm acoustic guitar. Very easy to play, the guitar doesn't get mushy whan you dig into it. The electronic's are superior to anything on the market for live playing, comes with build in tuner as well. Whether I am playing with friends or solo the guitar works. Nice and loud but not overly so, I'd have to say excellent for acompanying vocals. I tryed several guitars of the same model, because sometimes one will stand out. With this model they all sounded pretty much the same.

I tryed several at the Guitar Center in San Francisco, before bying and the fit and finish were consistant right across the board. The neck is comfortable. Action is just right no adjustments needed. The guitar is finish in satin with no pick guard.

The guitar shines when played live it is so balanced that their is very little need to adjust the EQ I just plug it in and turrn the volume up and down as needed. I play through an Ultrasound Amp or a house PA. The guitar is truly plug and play. I have had problems with other guitars that sounded great acousticly but terrible plugged in, not so with the Takamine. Outstanding sound reproduction.

I haven't dealt with the company. But a friend of mine at work has one of those Martin Knock-off Takamines which must be 35 years old, he plays it every Sunday in Chuch plus jam sessions etc and the neck is still straight, action is right on and the frets are still good! This after 35 years! So I think this one will last a while. I never hear any complaints about Takamines.

Overall for my musical playing which is singing a using the guitar for accompaniment it is a really a nice instrument. I have been playing guitar for over 30 years and since I no longer have a band and just play songs and sing this guitar is perfect for me. I've owned Taylors, a Martin D-28, SPD-16, a Larrivee D-50 (one of the most prettiest guitars I have ever owned) and other guitars. I plug the Takamine and my microphoone into my Ultrasound Amp and that's the only equipment I use these days. The Takamine for under $900 bucks is a real value.

2003 model with the brown hardshell case with Takamine moulded into it.

Satin oiled finish, single cutaway, dreadnaught sized acoustic guitar.

Mine came with the Graph-ex equaliser on-board from new, so not the bod-standard one that tends to come with the EAN10's.

I'm an acoustic artist.........I play gigs on my own with nothing but my guitar and voice to hide behind. I have NO backing tracks, NO drum machine, NO other musicians to cover for me.

I've owned a fair few acoustic guitars in my time, but mostly around the #300 - #400 price region. My last acoustic had been a Takamine, but one of the lower end models (an EG something-or-other), so I went down our local guitar store with the express intention of walking out with a high end acoustic.........we're talking Martin, Taylor or Gibson here. It had to be able to be plugged in as I always play my guitar directly through my PA, and I simply didn't want the faff of setting up a mic for the guitar as well as all my other gear. When you're your own roadie, techie, and artist you really want simplicity, unless you like turning up an hour and a half before a gig to set-up which you won't get paid for!

I tried a number of Taylors and Martins, and was trying to make my mind up when the salesman in the store asked if I'd tried Takamines before? I told him I already had one, but was after something a bit more long term, and therefore a bit higher end. He pointed out the EAN10C and recommended it as his favourite guitar in the acoustic section at that time...........he was right! Acoustically it could cut it with the Taylors and the Martin, but when it was plugged in it simply blew them away. Takamine REALLY know their on-board electrics.

I'm a baritone singer with the power behind my voice to give Tom Jones a run for his money; I needed a guitar with enough raw power to cut through my voice and give me the backing I needed for my gigs......this Takamine delivers on all counts.

Perfect!

It came straight off the wall and has never needed anything other than new strings and a tune once in a while.........that's one of its MAJOR strong points - I can play an entire 4 hour gig (you just gotta love the new licensing laws!!) without having to even threaten it with the tuner, and I'm not exactly soft with it in my playing style............I only do about three songs fingerstyle!

I'm a strummer with the odd bit of flashyness thrown in - basically when you're playing as backing to your own voice without backing tracks or other musicians you can't break into smouldering solo licks without losing the rhythm - the action of this guitar has been spot on for me from day one.

The finish is as flawless as the day I brought it. OK so it has some slight plec marks on the body below the sound hole, but nothing that you can see unless you tilt the guitar the right way into the light, and only then if you're up close to it. It's a very plain piece of wood (hence the guitars name "Jane" - 'Plain Jane'!) but it simply makes up for its bland looks with a wonderful sound.

Reliable?

I've know Swiss watches and German cars that sat next to this thing look like positive risks! She's perfect and has never let me down.

The only thing going on her is the top 5 frets, which are getting a bit flattened (I wore grooves in my last Takamines frets after three years!) after three VERY hard years of gigging. I play gigs every weekend and I play this guitar every single day whether it be practising, or just working on my own songs. I do all my own composing on this instrument. It doesn't get a let up.

I never gig with a back-up. If I do have a problem it is usually due to a broken string. When you're solo there is nothing you can do but stop, change string, and tell jokes to your public whilst you're doing it. You gotta be good with an audience for this form of live playing!

Never needed them.

If I ever had a major accident with this guitar, or some tea leaf nicked it, I would be straight out and playing others to find one that matched it. I know that the wood will never be the same in another version of this guitar, but I would keep hunting until I found one as good as this.

I have a multitude of very expensive electric guitars, and even have one that hardly gets used and could be sold to raise money for a #2000+ acoustic should I ever want it...............it's not going to happen!

Why would I want something with Taylor or Martin written on the headstock, unless I'm a complete snob? For what I do this instrument is far and away THE most perfect gigging companion I could ever hope to have.

I've already tested out my Gibson CS-356 through my PA as I don't have a back-up acoustic, and sometime in about a year or so's time I'm probably going to have to have this guitar re-fretted. There's no point in me getting another acoustic when this one is so unbelievably good, so my CS-356 will just have to cover for "Jane" whilst she goes off to the luthiers.

I'll never be tempted by the name Taylor or Martin again. It's Takamines all the way for me from now on!

This piece or art (at least for me) is a Japanese model (the REAL deal). The other reviews have already said about the features of the guitar, so I won't go in details about it; but I'd like to comment about the cedar top. Almost all the acoustic guitars I'd played before were made of laminated tops or spruce tops. When I heard this guitar, it was heaven to me. The looks on this guitar are really awesome.

The cedar top, as most fo you may know, is more rounded and warm than a spruce top, and I love that. I play strummingstyle, leadstyle and fingerstyle, so I need a guitar that can sound very good on all three styles and this guitar definitely does the trick, specially on fingerstyle, which blows any ANY other guitar I've ever played before, even Taylors and Martins. For lead, it has a very crystal-like quality sound that can cut through nicely. On strumming, most people would prefer spruce over cedar, because it's brighter. For me, it's a matter of taste. If it's hard strumming, this guitar, although it's very loud, it's not "edgy," because of its warmth. However, the EAN10C has an awesome "pianissimo," whic is VERY useful to me, specially since I do church music, when a player needs sometimes to go from a "forte" sound to a "piano" sound inmediately.

All of those characteristics are the same whether it's plugged or unplugged.

I bought it already used, so I'll base on that fact. The ONLY thing I disliked about it was the action, which was a little bit higher than I like, but finxing that was not much of a problem. There is also the fact that cedar top is softer than spruce, which means the dings and scratches are easier to appear and do. However, if you're not a "primadonna" about guitars, that won't be a real problem. If you are, a good solution would be installing a pickguard (most of the Takamine Naturals do NOT have pickguards). The former owner WAS a primadonna (hehe!), so mine has a pickguard, which I didn't care all that much about it.

Like I said before, the cedar top is soft, so one should be aware that the guitar can be scratched and dinged; but it seems like a very solid guitar and very dependable

I'd never needed any C.S.

This guitar is worth everything I paid for it and more. I'd definitely would buy another one if someone would steal it. I became a cedar top lover because of this guitar. Everything in it is great, so I'd recommend to anyone, specially if you're a fingerstyle guitarist

Everything has been said already. The preamp and tuner are great features.

I play a lot of jazz and blues through a 50w Randall amp and with a little reverb the sound is perfect for me. Unplugged it has rich tones when fingerpicked. I would like the the lower tones to be a bit fuller but then you can't have evrything. The preamp works well and has good range. The piezo pickup works a treat.

This is where this guitar comes into its own. The action is superb. Being a jazz player I need a good action when playing fast licks. I also play with much lighter strings than normal. The intonation is reliable. I bend with a lot of force but the guitar never needs tuning even through a 4 hour gig. It amazes me how well it stays in tune.

I have had this guitar for 3 years and have been constant gigging with it. During that time I have sold 3 electric guitars that I used to take to gigs as well. I found the tak was all I needed. It has handled unbelievable abuse and still going strong. I'm one clumsy mother and forever banging it against something DOH!

Never needed any. These guitars are made so well

I'm pretty biased so I will rate my Tak very highly. I have played many different guitars over the years and this one has no peer for the price. If it were stolen I would get another one. Before I first purchased it I played a few different name brands when I was on the lookout for a replacement for my old Yamaha. When I heard this I had to have it.

2005 model, with gray SKB molded case and 'Takamine molded' into the top. Tuner built in and EQ, compensated 2 piece saddle. full featured for a guitar this price.

Excellent tone for the $. It plays really well and factory setup is 3/32 and 2/32 at fret 12 (about like a Telecaster for most folks) and no rattlles or dead spots. A very goof fingerstyle guitar and the action is soft, yet not mushy. Similar to a RainSong.
Very well balanced and mine does NOT have a weak bass response. Full sound and my minor complaint is a slightly sweeter treble (B,E) would be ideal. Amps very well. At this price, it's tough to beat on action and sound.

Very well made and solid. I prefer a gloss body, but the sound and action are what makes a guitar 'work'. This one plays very well, good fret ends and smooth tuners. It is not fabulous: an action of 1/16" at fret 12 with no rattles would be ideal, but no complaints.

Takamine's are well made and not much need to worry about their durability. You seldom see a neck mounted strap button with a felt washer, but it's a nice touch.
I keep a damp chunk of sponge in the case for humidification: cheap and self indicating if the humidity is low!

Can't say

Over all: 9. It isn't awesome, but sounds as good as most Taylors and better than most Martins and Gibsons in the 1700-2000 range. Plays great and is versatile. A very good value at this price point (under $800 with good case).

Cedar Top, Built in Tuner, strings.... if your reading this you probably know all the details anyway

I disagree with the previous review about not having any bottom end. I played about 20 guitars all in a row and this one had great lows. Even when compared to more expensive Taylors, Martins and Gibsons. I love the sound of this guitar. Very natural and balanced. The Cedar top gives it a warm mellow sound as well as articulate. Great for finger picking. This word is overused but the "tone" is fantastic.

Action is not the lowest I have played but very comfortable. No flaws on the guitar and the tuners are very precise.

I am a little worried about the oil finish on this guitar. While I am sure it aids in the great sound if you sweat a lot this may not be your guitar. Only time well tell how well it holds up.

Been playing for 20 years and this is just a great all around instrument for the money. I played Larivees, other Taks, Taylors, Gibsons, Martins ,Epiphones and Ibanez. Nothing comes close for the money. Very pleased with the Tuners as well as the onboard electronics. Very happy with it thus far.

This guitar is less than one year old, made in Japan. Solid top. Electronics with tuner (excellent feature for live usage). Cedar top (more on this under Reliability section). Beautiful instrument, excellent hardware. Hardshell case included.

This is a very middy sounding instrument, lacking low end a bit. Cuts through the mix like a knife. I play this out through a little Marshall acoustic 50w amp. Overall it sounds wonderful, and solo work is great. Three band equilizer helps shape the sound. Very sensitive to your playing technique.

Action on this was perfect, playability is mainly why I chose this over other similarly priced guitars. However, there were two other identical models in the store, both of which were set up terribly. Fret buzz was unacceptable for even a $300 guitar. This one is just right though. Finish was great when new, but see next category for how it is now. The natural colored cedar top looks wonderful, and the lack of a pickguard really makes this a great looking instrument.

After only ten months of light usage (~3 gigs per month and some practice) the cedar top on this guitar is degrading rapidly. Near where my picking hand pincky lightly rests on the body when playing is worn, which is to be expected without a pickguard. However, the wood and/or is actually disappearing. It's as if the surface is being eaten away. This is also happening to a lesser extent at the neck/body joint on top, which worrys me more as far as the structural integrity of this guitar is concerned. I'm planning on taking the instrument to Guitar Center to be sent back to the manufacturer for inspection. At the rate this flaw is growing I wouldn't doubt that there may be a hole in the top of this guitar by the time it's a year and a half old. This instrument has been babied also.

I'll find out very soon. This is a $900 guitar and should last more than 10 months.

I've been playing for almost 20 years. This is my first "high quality" acoustic guitar. I love the playability and sound, hate the lack of durability. I compared it with a low end Martin, which I now wonder if I should have purchased it instead.

2002 EAN-10C, made in Japan acoustic-electric dreadnought cutaway. Nice solid cedar top, solid mahogany back and laminated sides, with a satin finish. Scalloped braces and dove-tail neck-body joint. The fingervoard is rosewood, the bridge is also rosewood. The tuners are amber-colored Takamine tuners, the neck scale 25 1/2 inches. Mine came without case AND without electronics (new Soundchoice thingy by Takamine - I had to purchase my Graph-Ex onboard pre-amp separately).

I play mostly fingerstyle, which is what I think this guitar is great for. The guitar is quite responsive when plucked or strummed lightly and suits fingerstyle riffing really well. Strummed hard, it doesn't have the complexity or richness of a higher-end Taylor, Martin or Larivee - however, my guitar is new and this might change as the wood matures. Plugged in or acoustically, it sounds great in my opinion, and is a very good value in it's price range (hey - this isn't a $2000 Taylor!).

Fit and finish were very good. There were no finish flaws that I coulds detect, and a quick look inside the guitar (through the soundhole and the soundchoice port) didn't show any sloppiness: no glue drops or tool marks, etc). The satin finish gives a nice organic feel to the guitar. Action was OK, the frets well dressed with little to no file marks, and the nut was fine. Overall, fine craftmanship as expected from a made-in-Japan Takamine.

I don't play live that much, and I never abuse my guitars, so I don't know how durable the guitar is. The guitar is well-built and should be as durable as any guitar out there.

Never had to deal with Customer Support.

A fine guitar, I am very pleased with it. I have been playing guitar now for 15 years, and currently own a Ramirez classical, this Tak, a Gibson Les Paul, a Takamine GZ-300 solidbody electric, a Warwick Fortress 1 bass, and a whole slew of keyboards.
I have the fortune to have many friends who play music and this has given me the chance to play some outstanding instuments (Larivee, Martin, Taylor, Lowden...) and obviously the Tak doesn't meet the high standards of some of these other instruments. However, the EAN-10C costs only a fraction of some of the guitars that I just mentionned, and it is by all means a very solid value and fine instrument in it's own right.

Dreadnought body shape with tinted wood rings.
Solid cedar on top mohagony on the side and back with rosewood fingerboard. Finished in satin.

Excellent sound across the board. Good for country, jazz and light rock. You can play the lot with this guitar.

A great action for playing fast licks. Easier to play than a lot of electric guitars I have played in the past.

This guitar can stand up to a lot of abuse. Have played in tight venues where it has been banged up a lot. Also played outside on the decks of ships where the elements can be extreme including all that salt air. Handled it well. Looks fragile but from from it.

No problems at this stage

This is the best acoustic guitar I have owned. I have played Matons, Martins and all the usual suspects. This guitar has no peer for its price.