Takamine EF-325 SRC

Built in 2001 made in Japan,has 20 frets with a solid spruce top and bubinga sides and back.This one has Takamine electronics with slide control volunm and three band eq. also has a built in tuner which is a great option for a quick tuning on stage or for alternate tunings as the tuner will give you the note being played.The finish on this guitar is transparent red which is good as it gives you a color plus you can see the woods grain, Its body is a cutaway design if your in to up scale picking, tuners are the sealed takamine type and seem to be ok.The neck on this guitar is narrow which would be good if your hands are small although mine are fairly large and have no problem playing it.I bought this guitar new for studio work and its mostly used about 10 hours per week,I notice a fair amount of fret wear on the frequently used frets i asked the dealer about this and they said if it gives me any problems they would refret it. so far it hasen't so i did not have them done.As far as acessories it came with a hard case and thats it.

The sound of this guitar is nice not overly loud.Micked with an AKg condenser mike the sound color is clean and full,Its used in various styes of music from soft ballads,latin to fast down east fiddle tunes it serves them all respectivily well.It sounds great pluged in as well as true acoustic sound possible if you set your Eq,just right and have a good sound person, one thing though if your on stage with this guitar a plug in the sound hole would be wise due to feed back but i guess this may be a problem with any acoustic electric.

This guitar was set up very well rite out of the crate the action is low and it playes well rite up the neck, I use D'darrio lite phospher bronze strings and they do fine for my style of playing. one thing I do notice is when re stringing you have to make sure you push the string pegs in really tight or they tend to come back out on tightning. The guitars finishing was good no problems The only thing it did not have a strap button on the neck side of the body I had to carefully install one.

I think this would be good for on stage miked or pluged in, Yhe hardware seems good although I baby mine and clean it often.I have seen some older 325s and the finish seems to be holding its own. As I mentioned before I had to install a strap button on the neck side of the body asit did not come with on? I checked a ef325 that had on and placed it there that wsa 3 years ago and no problems. I would use this guitar with no backup but carry a spare 9v battery for the electronics,It doesn't seem to be a battery hog but its piece of mind.

Only complaint was the fret wear and my dealer said they would corect if it gave problems.I did not have this done, I never had to deal directly with Takamine or use any warranty.

I have been playing Guitar nearly 40 years as well as keyboard and Bass and I use my equipment like one of the family well looked after, This is the newest guitar own I also play a 30 year old Yamaha Classical a 1970 les paul and a 1971 fender P bass. Yes if my Takemine was stolen I would replace it with another Takemine.I usually get compliments on the sound of this guitar from players and non players alike.Sometimes I thing the only way to buy a guitar is blindfolded as we get influenced by brand names I have tested many each has its own quality guess its a personal preference.The day I purchased it was narrowed down between The ef325 and a martin of comparable price the tak to me just seemed to play easier and had the color in the sound i was searching for. I can honestly say theres nothing about this guitar that i don't like.Everybody has different taste its what makes life and music so interesting.

Made in 1996. Solid Spruce top stained a deep red, Babinga back and sides, black pick-guard, white binding around the body and white bound rosewood fretboard, 3 band Takamine brand EQ. Scalloped braces. Takamine inlayed name on the headstock, chrome Takamine tuners. Made in Japan.

Musically this guitar shines, I bought the guitar through EBAY and it had been played a lot. The first 4 frets were worn out. I took in and had the frets replaced and a new bone saddle made. When I picked the guitar up the repair person said how good it sounded. When I got it home and tried it out he was right it sounded super. I liked it better than my Martin, in fact I sold my Martin that weekend. I use the guitar through an Ultrasound Amp, no feedback and just a tremendous sound. Not as loud as a Martin acoustic but no wimp either. I like it. Very balanced sound and easier to play than the Martin.

Like I said I bought the guitar on Ebay for $300 and I put $200 into it for a re-fret, set up and a new bone saddle and I think it's a great deal at that price. The Takamine makes the same model today as a Signature model for about $1000 so I think I got a deal. The finish is very durable. I rubbed out the guitar with Dupont No. 7 and it is as good as new. The acoustic pick-up by Takamine is excellent. Strap buttons are solid and the tuners keep the guitar in tune forever.

When I bought the guitar the dicription read "played every weekend..." and when I got it like I said the first four frets were worn out. So with very little work and a little spit and polish the guitar looks like it will last for a few more years.

N/A

Overall I give it 8.5. It's no Collins or Breedlove but the guitar sounds great, is easy to play and for banging out songs sounds fine. In fact because Takamine now makes this as signature model, I am looking for another one. I have been playing since 1972 and have always wanted an acoustic that sounded good and played well. Every acoustic I owned I was dissatifed with, except Breedlove, but then agian I wouldn't go out of the house and play the Breedlove because it cost so much. For some reason I never tried a Takamine. Now that I have I'm hooked.

The features on my tak are more than excellent. the action is just beautiful, such a comfortable feel. The tuners are amazing, very trustworthy for gigs, I find my fears of going on stage and something breaking are completely erased when I play this guitar on stage. The pickups are also very nice. Even the bright sound a tak can be configured to a low bassy sound if desired. overall, no complaints.

I play mostly a lot of folksy and/or alternative, acoustic music. Even the bright sound of the tak is everything I desire in a guitar. For on stage, off stage, or in the studio. I absolutely love the sound of this guitar. Even if your without effect pedals and stuff, you can aquire your own sound for every song. I usuall y plug into the system, or Pa while I sing and play through it. No extra sounds, no humming, every setting is clear and bright. One thing, if your turned up to loud, to much frequency can sometimes give you feedback, but as long as your treble is low, it is possible to play.

Everything on my guitar is very strongly put together, no cheesy glue on look, or hardly hanging on tendacies, everything is great, I have banged it couple of times, and everything is still strong. I love the nice red finish, it gives it class. The action on this guitar is superb, even on the 20 fret, acoustics solos are played soooooo smoothly, no complaints in this section either. Love it.

I have played numorous shows with my tak, with no back up and I am overly confident. In some really worn parts the finish is starting to wear, but thats what happens, and plus, it gives it your own character. All the hard ware, and everything is solid. I had a strap button placed on the body right under the neck (like an electric) and it is really holding up. No signs of weakness. I would definitely play this guitar with no back up. no fears.

I havn't had to deal with the company at all since I recieved this guitar. Everything is great.

Overall I love this guitar, and most likely never sell it. I love this guitar, compliments to the developers, you've made an excellent guitar.

Red Spruce top, 20 frets, Made in Japan (Not Korea),
Heavy lacquered- Simply beautiful piece. And I dont really like red!

Well this is a different guitar. It has a somewhat muted projection compared to other guitars in it's price range. But plug it in and MAN you get a deep, rich sound found only in more expensive guitars.
One reviewer said great strummer not great picker- when not plugged in I agree. When plugged in however- it sounds great as a picker.

For me- PERFECT- I have a medium sized hand and the strings are factory set kinda low. I have a buzz on two frets (# 13 and 14) on the low E string. But since I like the factory setting so much I put up with the buzz on those two.
Usual Takamine excelent quality- solid piece. I see one reviewr had some problems but Takamine has a very good reputation and mine has lived up to it.

I believe this to be a very solid guitar. Lacquer will probably get scratches at some point- but ALL lacquered finishes do! Other than the white binding looks good and solid. No other imperfections that I can see or feel.

Dont know have not had to deal with them.

I have been playing for years but am not in a band- just like to play when I have time. If stolen I may not buy it again since I play more unplugged than plugged- but I would have to probably pay more to get a more projected sound. I basically chose this because I personally love the action and neck size. And the Red is really cool IMHO. I did compare this to Fenders and Korean Takamines- it was better than the ones that I played in the stores. I wanted to buy a Martin that was acoustic only that sounded great and was in the same price range, but needed electric capabilities since I play at church functions.

I FOUND HER IN A PAWN SHOP AND REALLY LOVE THE WAY IT PLAYS,BUT IDO AGREE WITH SOME OF THE OTHER REVIEWEE'S. YOU REALLY HAVE TO PLAY THIS GUITAR VERY DYNAMICALLY TO GET ALL THE GUITAR HAS TO OFFER.BUT THAT'S HALF THE FUN OF GETTING USED TO A GUITAR. I LOVE MY EF325-SRC


TIM REEVES MPHS. TN'

I USE MY TAKAMINE EXCLUSIVELY! I DON'T EVEN BOTHER WITH A BACK-UP.
I STAY PRETTY BUSY IN A ACOUSTIC DUO PLAYING SOMETIMES 4 TO 5 NIGHTS A WEEK ,AND AFTER 4 YEARS OF PRETTY SOLID GIGGING THE SRC HAS NEVER FAILED ME MECHANICALLY.

I HAVE BEEN PLAYING GUITAR FOR ABOUT 20 YEARS . WHEN I SAW THIS GUITAR HANGING ON THE RACK I KNEW I HAD TO HAVE IT ESPECIALLY FOR THAT PRICE, I LOVE THE WAY IT PLAYS,THE WAY IT LOOKS,AND AS LONG AS YOU DON'T HAVE TO GET REAL AGRESSIVE WITH IT ,I,PERSONALLY DON,T THINK
I COULD HAVE FOUND A BETTER SUITED GUITAR FOR MY SITUATION.

TIM REEVES,MPHS TN.

The features have been well covered.

I use mine for a whole range of styles. Basically though when unplugged it is a great strummer but as a finger picker it suffers from a slight lack of projection. It really comes to life though when it is plugged in to my trace elliot. The onboard DSP really comes into its own, giving a great variety of sounds with the added flexibility of fully adjustable reverb.

The finish was impeccable and the action low and easy I did find a little fret buzz on the 1st and second strings around the D chord though ( little tweak on thr truss rod.).
It is a beautiful looker. Sompe people may find the gloss finish a little overdone but I love it. The guitar is almost perfect for my needs, however and its quite a big one considering the money I paid.
It has two dead spots on seperate strings, there is no ring or sustain
from F# on either the D string or the A string. I am in the middle of sorting out an inspection with the original suppliers.

This is a very solidly built guita I don't think you'll need a backup
with this baby.

As I said above I'm trying to sort out an inspection by the supplier
(Peter Cooks - London) they have been helpful. I am also trying to find out if there are any other owners who have a similar problem.

I have been playing for about 4 years. I own a standard strat as well as this e/acoustic. I tried a model in a local shop before ordering the one I have from a mail order company. Obviously if I could change anything it would be to sort out the lack of ring on the f# notes.
I did have a much cheaper Fender acoustic which draws no comparison.
I've given it a cautionary 6 out of 10. I may well revise this to a 10
if I get the little problem sorted

The other reviews covered this.

Good basic live sound and natural sound.

Guitar fine.

I have had continuous problems with this guitar. First off,
I was breaking a lot of strings. Then, the built in electronics
trouble started, and still I'm in Takamine/C Bruno and Sons hell.

The distributor is C Bruno in Sons in Bloomfield Connecticut.
Actually, they may go by the Kaman now. They are horrible.
They won't bend or help in any way to help solve an issue. They will, however quote the warranty and the letter of the law to you; and charge you full list plus labor for parts.

I WAS a full Takamine believer. I'm on my second and last Takamine guitar. Period. It is worth avioding them just to stay away from the rude and pitiful distributor. Do your self a favor and stay away. It's for your own good.

I've been playing and owning guitars for twenty five years. This is my first bad experience. I will fix this guitar and sell it; and never look back.

Any interested parties? Contact me.

Beautiful red stained color with Bubinga sides and back this guitar has the then,(95) top of the line on board adjustable EQ and volume preamp. Nicely binded and the best fitting neck I've ever rapped my small hands around.

When playing unplugged this guitar, (and it might just be mine), doesn't really project like, say, a Martin or Taylor but has a nice even deep tone to it. It resonates fine. But when I plug it in it sounds as good as anything I've heard at live concerts.

The finish is a little on the thick side but durability is desirable for me. You'd have to spend several hundred dollars more to get a better made, better playing acoustic.

No problems so far and it's gone live with me.

Unknown

Been playing for 26 years and I've owned four other acoustics and I like this one just fine thank you. I only wish there were Guitar Centers around when I bought it so I could have saved a few bucks. But no matter, I'm happy with it. A word of caution! If you ever take your acoustic in to have work done on it, take a picture of all sides of your guitar before you do, and get a written verification of condition from the person you've entrusted. It will save you a ton of grief if you care about your gear like I do.

Features...This guitar is a beautiful red stained solid spruce top with bubinga sides and back. It has 22 frets, a graphic eq with volume control, a palathetic pickup, it has a transparent finish that holds up real well, with chrome gotoh machine heads. The neck is 1 9/16". Not too big not too small. Well now that I got through all that I like this guitar. A lot. It feels good. It sounds good. Nuf said.

My electric style is punk. My acoustic is very different. It's like I'm playing as 2 different people. This guitar (with the right strings) has a nice percussive quality. At first it had a bit of string buzz but a simple adjustment of the truss rod took care of that right away. It has a full sound. My only problem is plugging it in. I love it through a nice amp but through my amp or through a PA I don't like it as much. I need another EQ. It really sounds great though with a nice chorus pedal, phaser, or compressor.

The action from the factory was really low. I like that but this was so low that I had string buzz. Besides that it was impeccable. The finish is nice but with my playing it'll take a beating.

I've used this guitar live and I love it. The hardware's great, the finish is nice, the strap buttons are super solid, and I do use it without a backup. It's a great guitar.

Never dealt with them

If this guitar we're stolen I'd buy the only other guitar I'd want: the Dave Matthews model Martin. Hopefully this won't be stolen though. I love the acoustic quality, it can be a hassle plugged in though. I compared this guitar to Ovations, Guilds, Taylors, Ibanez, and even a nice Gibson, I liked this one better than any one in the store except for the one Martin that was $5000 (vintage, beautiful, dream guitar) I suggest it if you can find it. +Mike+