Takamine EF-381C

I have the an older model from '92 with the N4B pickup. I think the body may be maple or mohagany, but I read somewhere that it may be campnosparma. I'm not sure because I think they changed the wood on this guitar a few times over the years. Other than that, it is similar to all of the other reviews.

The sound is quite rich and full of course depending on the strings. Can sound warm and mellow with martins. I was used to kaman adamas strings for a while which was ok. I'll probably switch over the elixirs soon.

I have strung this as both a twelve string and a six.

As a six with elixirs, it has a definitive feel and the playability is superb. It feels just like a high end 6 string when used this way except for some buzzing from the unused tuners.

As a twelve string, it is fairly easy to play. Setup from the factory was fine. After 14 years, I had to adjust the truss rod which returned it to its former greatness after the action started getting a little high.

This has been fairly reliable. My frets after 15 years have begun to wear enough to cause issues in the higher strings so I probably need a fret job. I didn't even play it for a number of those years, but this is natural for a guitar like this. My equalizer started buzzing also, possibly some resonance when I pick the lower strings, but after fiddling with it a while, it is almost gone.

I have finish crack below my bridge, possibly because I wasn't humidifying it, but i'm not sure. It doesn't go through the layers of top laminate but its still a pain.

However, considering, I've had it for 15 years, I seem to have a relatively easy and uneventful ownership experience.

I've contacted them a few times, but haven't been willing to use the warranty support since it'll probably cost a bundle to ship and pay for there charges since the warranty only covers materials (I think or the other way around) for the lifetime warrantee.

This is a great guitar that is probably fairly underrated. I mean, the Boss and the eagles counldn't be totally wrong.

I've been wanting a Taylor for a while, but after playing this again, I'm sort of falling in love again. I was planning on replacing it but I think I'l refret it and try to keep it a very very long time.

You know the features....now let's get to what counts!

This guitar is perfect for unplugged work. This guitar is perfect plugged in. In a large cathedral, it sounds IMPRESSIVE! In a small living room, it sounds IMPRESSIVE! String separation distance is perfect.

Nice Full Body guitar. Feels good standing or sitting. As said before, string separation distance is great if you like to cross pick. No flaws...Action is typical high end Tak. Built in tuner is nice. Pickup is great.

Very solid. It will withstand the greatest of jams. Just remember, nothing looks better than a broke-in, well played, seasoned guitar. This thing still looks new after all of those.

Never used them

I had a G series Tak 12. This is much better in every aspect. I learned on an Echo 12 string 22 years ago. I still have the original calouses on my fingers from that thing. Anyway, buy this guitar. It is perfect.

12-String acoustic electric, Black with with CT4B-Preamp (same description as everyone else)

The CT4B-Preamp has a built in chromatic tuner which is important on a twelve string guitar.

Once tuned, stays in tune.

This guitar has a great sound unplugged, but plugged in it is very unbelieveable. I couldn't believe I was making that beautiful music. It is very full (sounds like an orchestra). Plugged in, the preamp allows you to customize the sound from heavy bass to awesome twanginess.

Not a flaw on it. Black with white binding. Perfect fit and finish

This guitar is solidly built. Tuners are high quality.

Never used them.

It is a top shelf high quality instrument which I one would use in live performances. I would compare it in quality to my Martin 6-string.

I love the sound and the looks. (Only downside is that the Black lacquer finish does show fingerprints)

If it were lost or stolen I would definitely buy another one. But If I found the guy who stole it, I would kick his butt.

Beautiful 12-string electro-acoustic with CT4B-Preamp. The only available colour is black with white binding on body, neck and headstock - really a sight. Mine was made 2004 in Japan.

The acoustic-sound is VERY impressive. I tried a lot of other 12-strings (most of them cheaper Takamines) and there were really good sounding instruments among them but none of them came close to this one. It has "the" full sound you buy a 12-string for.
Amplified you can shape the sound with the very good preamp.

Setup was perfect. Shows good workmanship, no flaws. Great action with absolute no buzzing strings. Very important thing: there ARE two strap buttons.

Everything seems to be very solid.

Never dealt with them.

PLaying for over 20 years. If it was stolen or lost (...can't imagine how you can loose a guitar..) I would buy anotherone in a second. There are no dislikes! If you search for a really good, professional 12-string that is not too expensive try this model!

It's an acoustic electric, Black cut-away EF 381 C 12 String Takamine.Serial No.98040393

The sound is excellent.Much better than the Yamaha 12 strings. Depending on the kind of plectrum or effect you want to create.with proper strings and tuned accurately ( Drop by half not)it doesn't ring it sings.I use a set of Ernie Ball Custom Gauge 12 String Light-2153studio bronze.Other standard exerts too much tension.

Action- only the Ernie Ball is good any other Branded strings like "Elixir"nanoweb or EarthWood light affects the action even at the 5th fret.
However there is a sligt bellowing at the bridge since I purchasd it 18 months ago. but it hasn't increased since then.The finish is the best part of this Guitar. Draws a lot of admiration from guitarist (owners) of other highly reknown guitars.

I suppose it will last and keep looking beautiful.I take personal care.Plus I have paid $ 1200 which is also for the build and quality. But I do hope the bellowing doesn't get worse.
I use it for songs that require the need and do gigs now and then.
wish there was a strap button at the tail joint.

I have paid $ 1200 for the guitar and another $125 for the moulded Takamine case.The serial no is 98040393. The guitar does not mention the country where it is manufactured. In india there is only one authorised dealer in the west. I live in the North and there is no dealer here. Very few people are aware of Takamine Guitars.Is there a dealer in Delhi now.I would certainly want to solve the mystery of the bellowing Takamine.

Been playing since 1965.
Have solid body Hoffner,Klira and Fender.
Acoustic Guitar- Aria Model AW 630 N 6 string unbelievable sound,action & accuracy.
should have noticed the bellowing.Still I really love the sound and looks of the Takamine.I would buy the LTD Takamine 6 string acoustic electric.
Takamine soud is way ahead of most other branded guitar I have tried.
I bought the Takamine because I had heard from people of worth of the Japanese reliability and the value that goes into any thing they manufacture.

Bought brand new in December of 2001. Its the only 12 string I ever wanted. Its as perfect as a 12 string can be without blowing your wad on a brand. If you have one or are looking for one you know what it looks like.
I do have the blue mother of pearl inlay in all the places where the standard 381 C has white, and mother of pearl tuners keys.
I dropped it two days ago and split the top across the bottom bow. I hope to get it repaired, not replaced. There is no other 12 string.

The sound in perfect in all situations, and crowd sizes. It is full and rich regardless of the type of playing it is being subjected to. It responds to all styles of music perfectly. (Until you drop and crack it) And it still does okay after that. (Anyone feeling bad for me right now?

Great action, perfect pickup adjustment right from the factory. The first time I touched it I felt nothing but perfect balance, positioning, and control. Then I stinkin dropped it.

I would take it anywhere. I have, infact. Across the states and in Europe. It is made to be seen and heard everywhere.

No warranty against dropping, and cracking.

I've been playing for years, and never enjoyed a guitar as much as this one. I really hope it can be repaired flawlessly, anything less will be disrespectful to the instrument. You will not find a finer 12 string at any price. There just is not one.

Uncertain what year it was made - I bought it through Yahoo auctions. It was slightly damaged (bridge had been knocked loose), and I had it sent to a friend who repairs guitars. No evidence of damage shows. I've been exceedingly pleased with this guitar - the action is low, the sound with and w/o the amp is very sweet. It is easy to tune with any type of tuner. Only regret is that tuning keys are so close, but hey, it's a 12 string.
This has a much lower, and thus hand's friendlier, action than a Yamaha 12 string I tried.
I had a second peg installed to facilitate playing while standing.

I have a small Yamaha amp, and the guitar sounds sweet through it. Truthfully, I am still learning to play (and have a 6 string Takamine EF261) that I can compare it to. Well, I did play and listen to a Yamaha 12, as well as a Washburn 12 (no comparison), and the Takamine wins hands down. It sounds very tinny with a soft pick, and deep and melodious with a stiff pick.
Is/will be used for contemporary worship music.

The action is quite low, which is great due to the effort needed to finger a 12 string.
The black finish is beautiful, and cleans up quickly and near effortlessly with a light spray of furniture polish (no alcohol, and high quality).
Only two complaints (both minor) are thick pick-guard, and lack of second peg to facilitate a strap.

This Takamine is second to none for durability. I am in the Navy, and plan to take it onboard ship, which I wouldn't have done with many other brands. The black finish seems to afford excellent protection.
You do have to remember to loosen the strings if not playing for several days, as, with all 12 string guitars, the tension of 12 strings exerts much pressure on the bridge.
It already gets some abuse being carried from home to office to lessons to church/chapel, and it shows no wear.

I've never had to call regarding this guitar, but I bought my six string in Japan (an EF261EAN) which had the Japanese numbering system (they call it a PT106). I e-mailed Takamine with the serial number and a description, and they e-mailed me back the same day.

I have been playing (actually learning) 1.5 years.

I love the versatility of sound with the 4 band onboard equalizer, and the fact the tone can be changed simply by changing picks (showed to me by a guitar store owner). I also love the fact that though strong and rugged, its sounds fantastic. Additionally, at first I wasn't too happy with the black finish (I like the wood look), but now I love it. Here in the Seattle area it protects against humidity damage.

The only negatives are not coming with a strap peg (I had one professionally installed), and the weight. It requires a wide strap, and I highly recommend a leather one as the nylon ones become painful under the weight of this guitar.

I did try a Yamaha and a Washburn 12 string (can't recall the model numbers) but they lacked the richness, and the Washburn had no onboard electronics. I would have purchased this at a store, however saw it advertized on auctions.

I would like to share that many people seem reluctant to try a 12 string - but I feel it is worth it. At first the finger muscles complain, but I switched to practicing half time, twice a day, which helped. My teacher is a woman with average size hands, and she does quite well with it. The versatility is astounding.

I would very quickly replace this guitar with the same thing if it were stolen or badly damaged.

this guitar is a dream for 12 string players.....it stays in tune extremely well....the tuners are very good and easy to turn.( i wish they were gold though) the neck is perfect and tight ...ive gotten many compliments at the guitar store for how awesome the neck is on this guitar. it has an eq system to die for.it has an exciter switch that makes the guitar to have to be heard to be believed...it is unreal how nice this sounds. it has a full bodied with a cutaway neck..which allows tons of access to the higher frets..i couldnt commission a 12 string to be made better then this...

i already described the sound as above......i play it out of a marshall valvestate and it is awesome...i mostly oasis acoustic stuff and just about anything else ill play it on this...that is how good this sounds.

the action was good...but the guitar came strung for 12's and i couldnt deal with it ....so i took it to get set up for 10's..and its been a dream ever since....it played fine with the 12's but my hands are small and my wrists are very prone to soreness....the finish is total black and it is one of the best paint jobs ive ever seen....everything is perfect besides it coming with 12's...problem easily corrected...not one complaint...i couldve kept the 12's on if i really wanted to... i just wouldnt have been able to play it as much as i do now... i give it a 9...cuz it was a bitch to buy strings for whereever i went cuz each store only had 10's in 12 string packs...that was another reason why i got it changed to 10's.

its an acoustic so it only has the one strap button..i wish it had 2 though..but i play it sitting down on a bed or the floor or an chair or stool...very comfortable for to play.....im 22 now...i guarantee....that if this isnt stolen...then i will be playing this guitar 50 years from now.

i only called up once to make sure what guage the strings came with and they answered me very quickly with no long waits or anything....very nice staff and i have no complaints.

i give this a 10 and i dont care..if anyone says im being unrealistic....its the truth...this guitar is a dream to play case closed.

Good tuners, not great, but decent enough. Black finish, white binding all around. Never have had a problem with the electronics, and the factory setup is really decent.
In all reality, it's an acousitc! What else is there?

I like all styles of music, and this guitar does everything from rythmn for ballads to fingerstyle on Christmas in church. At this time I do not have an acoustic amp and mic the strings directly or just plug the out directly into a mixer. Never had a problem. As far as it sounding full, it's a 12 string!
Great sounding guitar.

I got it as a factory second, but as I had bought it, the set up was just fine. There were no outward finish mistakes, so I don't know why it really is a factory second. The guy who sold it to me couldn't find a problem either.

I've never had a problem witb it, it's very dependable. I haven't had it long enough to see if it will last, but the construction seems solid to think that it will. I might have a 6 string back up (only because owning 2 12 string acoustics seems a bit much for me) because if you would break a string or mess something up, a 12 string is a bitch to fix on the fly ;-).

bought it factory second....

I've looked around where other people have been selling this guitar. I have by far gotten the best deal I have ever seen. It is a great guiatr, and I would recomend it to anyone who wants a superb sounding 12 string.
If it were stolen, after beating the person who took it, I would definatly fix that one or buy another. It's that good.

This guitar has a beautiful black finish which by the way is the only color it comes in. And an incredible EQ system.

Ever since I got my Marshall Half-Stack, I can't seem to unplug it. It sounded good through my old Crate, but makes an amazing sound through any large system.

I have played with this guitar in many settings and it has never failed me in any way. It is incredibly durable.

Well worth any price you could pay for it.

It's all on the web for you :), A single cutaway 12-string acoustic electric, MSRP of $1299. It has a 3-band EQ with a volume knob AND an exciter dial. As with all in this dreadnaught style, I think they are too big and bulky. When the money starts a-rollin' in, I'll be buying thinner guitars :)

It's absolutely beuatiful... I'm not a prodigy but this guitar sings to me. The 12 string adds an incredible flanger-like sound I adore.

I bought it used so the setup wasn't factory. The tuners are so close together they're hard to turn, probably common with 12 strings. Nothing major.

Lifetime warranty. Takamine. Say no more.

I love it, matches my Takemine EG-334 great and a great buy. I'd buy it 1,000 times (though if it KEPT getting stolen I'd invest in a nice lock :)