Takamine EC-132CE

The fingerboard, back, and sides are all rosewood with a spruce top, which makes for an excellent sound even when unamplified. The built in pre-amp has a 3 band graphic EQ, and includes a chromatic tuner which is great for non standard or open tunings. The tuners are gold, and have a very nice feel and response when adjusting the tune.

For an acoustic electric guitar, the sound is amazing. I had every intention of buying the cordoba CWE-S based on reputation and reccomendations alone, but it did not hold up side by side to this guitar. The more I played the takamine, the more I liked it. I hope that you have the opportunity to listen to this instrument in contrast to other instruments in its pricerange. The volume rivaled that of a non-hybrid, with a very clean tone and resonance. When I hooked it into my crate 30D, I was even more impressed with the range and depth.

I have not made any adjustments from the factory set-up. The finish is beatiful, and I did not notice any pitting or discoloration anywhere along the neck or the body.

Feels very solid, and the electronics are clean. I have only owned this intrument for a few months, so time will tell.

I bought this guitar from guitar center. Takamine has a manufacturers warranty as well, but I doubt I would ever make use of it. I was not receptive to buying a guitar from a japanese manufacturer but unless your manufacturer lives next door, I guess sending a guitar to the factory is problematic no matter what.

I have been playing guitar off and on for 20 years (since I was 12). I have owned a variet of classical guitars, and a few low end electrical guitars. This is the most expensive guitar I have ever owned, so from that perspective you can take my ratings with a grain of salt when you compare it to the taylor and martin owners of the world. I was looking for a mid range hybrid guitar with a good unplugged sound. I think the takamine was definitely the king of the category, and I was hard pressed to find guitars at twice the price that offered the same quality of sound. When I started my search, my budget was $1200, I was unable to find anything that held up to the takamine in that range. Paying half of what I expected for a guitar that exceeded all my expectations was definitely a fantastic value.

Classical/nylon string. Made in Japan, 2000. Spruce two piece top. Split Rosewood back, Rosewood sides. 4 band eq/preamp/pickup. Two piece Mahogany neck.
Nice hard shell case.

Sound is bright, but a lot fuller than most classicals I played. Sounds great through an amp that has a tweeter. Deep, full sound with lots of bass, unlike most Yamahas I played. Beautiful inlay, glossy finish on sides and back. Would have givin it a 10 here if it had variable midrange and phase switch.

Perfect set up from the factory. Action is great for a classical. No intonation, no buzzing, stays in perfect tune. Plays easy, looks perfect, no flaws of any kind.

I don't play gigs, but this seems like it was made for a pro. I would not hesitate to play this anywhere if I were asked. I would probably use the pickup with an Acoustic amp with a tweeter.

Own lots of other gear, electric guitars, bass, amps, yada, yada, yada. Who cares? If it were lost or stolen I would check all the pawn shops around here, or maybe just buy another one. I compared it to several Yamahas, the only one I liked was the APX6-NA, because of it's electronics, but it sounded dull and lifeless without the amp. I also tried several Ibanezes and other low-end classicals and they all played like crap. Action on them was WAY too high, some were half and inch off the fretboard at the 12th fret. Yamaha's neck was too narrow for a classical, but otherwise a good choice (APX-6NA). They don't make it anymore anyway, so what's the point? I wish it had the variable mid sweep and phase switch of the Yamaha.