Takamine F-360s

Made in March of 1978, I bought it new in the summer of 1980. This was my second guitar, I traded my old Hohner up for this beauty. Classic dreadnaught...just like the Martin D-28. The only thing holding it back from perfection are the tuners.

The tone and projection is what makes these Takamine's so special. The ring that you get just makes you smile when you play it. I have played many Martins and a few Taylors and this one gets my vote every time.
My friends all want me to leave it to them when I die! I will never sell it.

As I've read in prior posts....the neck and action are just plain sweet.

Mine has been abused a little over the 30 years I've had it....travelled and gigged with it ofen. It still plays better than brand new...

I don't think there is another acoustic guitar out there that can touch it...especially for the money. My uncle bought one 3 months after I did and his wasn't quite the same. If mine was stolen, after the tears I would search for another one to replace it. I would hope to find one.

Solid spruce top, rose wood fret. Aesthically it is a very plain looking guitar, but it is beautiful in its simplicity.

I play music from Ben Harper- Red hot chili peppers, and it represents them all nicely. THe highs on the guitar are completely full and bright and such a great ring to anything you play. UNlike martins and taylors the lows are not as profound but are very nice when paired with the bright highs. i bought it used in mint condition and the man i purchased it from was not lying in that description.

The guitar was made in 1977 and its set up is still suited for today. The action is incredible. THe 360 is effortless to play, even more so with ELixir nano web mediums thrown on there. After 31 years the neck is still straight and no other serious problems. The quality of the wood is incredible and joy to the eye.

31 years and it sounds incredible. The guitar doesnt really even have scratches on it. The finish is exellent and still holding. You can tell quality workmanship went into the making of this wonder. Everything is solid and holding up.

never had a problem

I paid 650 for this guitar and it plays like its worth more than a grand easy. I have been playing for a year and was really looking for a quality upgrade from my old Harmony acoustic. And i found it in this vintage master piece. If this guitar were stolen i would rip my hair out. it is truely a treasure and i would search for another one. Some people might look at it and assume it is off poor quality and sound by its looks but as soon as you start strumming you will shut them up with its incredible pure sound. it just fills the room. if you see one of these for sale go check it out you will not regret it. takamine has out done its self with this magnificent piece of craft that can compete with the more expensive acoustics {taylor, martin} When you grab one hold tight to this master piece.

Nice Martin D-28 copy. Solid spruce top, rosewood fret board. Replaced tuners about a year ago with Grovers. I've had this instrument since I bought it new in 1978 and the finish has held up very well

This guitar has a nice full sound and plenty of volume.

The guitar was set-up nicely when I purchased it. I did nothing to the set-up for many years but had a local shop lower the action a little about 3 years ago and the playability really improved. The shop owner was impressed with the guitar and said he would put it up against simialr style Martins and Gibsons.

The finish has held up very well, especially in light that the guitar is 30 years old.

This guitar has been very durable and reliable, it has withstood my bad playing for many years and I expect that it will continue to for many yeras to come. I replaced the tuners last year mostly for aesthetic reasons.

I've never had to straighten the neck and all of the seams and joints have remained well glued since 1978.

Never had to deal with customer support.

I have hacked at guitar for over 35 years. I bought the Takamine F360S because I had just lost a newly re-conditioned Gibson J-45 (1962) in a house fire and could not afford to replace it. Someone suggested a Takemine, I played this one and thought that it was the best value for what i could afford at the time. I would definitely replace this one with like-kind.

Solid Spruce top, rosewood back and sides. The specs say it's a rosewood fretboard too, which after 25 years of consistent playing is cupping between the frets, but it doesn't seem to effect playability. Overall it's pretty plain looking, but in a good way--not trying to look flashy. What I've espectially enjoyed is the slim neck at the head, and have found most other guitars clumsily wide.

Loud! This is a powerful acoustic that's surprisingly bright, but rich at the same time. I replaced the saddle with bone and it's even brighter.
After all these years I finally got a Martin D-28 (I didn't know until recently that the 360S was a D-18 copy), and while I like the Martin a lot, I have to admit its sound is a bit muddier than the Takamine in some open chords.
I've traveled the country for 20 years dragging this guitar around, and when I've been in the south--or wherever there's more humidity than in N. California, the Takamine gets very rich, and I've gotton a lot of compliments on its sound. People expect it's a Martin by its full sound.

The tuning pegs were crap, and were replaced within a year of owning it. My guitar has a number 2 stamped in it, which I've been told indicates 2nd finish, that there is some minor finish flaw, but I've never been able to find it.
Actually a sword a stuck into it within its first year above the soundhole (not while I was playing...), and luckily it went straight with the grain, leaving a hole just the right size to slip a spare pick into. The puncture missed the bracing, and with glue applied the hole hasn't gotton any larger.

The top finish is starting to develop hairline cracks after all these years, stress cracks from the bridge--and the sword hole. But bear in mind that this guitar has been abused...I took it hitchiking in the snow, it's been hot and cold and knocked over thousands of times. It's actually taken the beating quite well.

Only flaw would be that the bridge started to crack a year ago which is allowing the saddle to lean over slightly. But again, it is a surprise it's held up this well.

I got the guitar (brand new) when I was 16 years old in 1982, and have played it constantly. It's always been a faithfull and hardy instrument. About eight years ago I finally got a short fret job (I play a lot of lower open chords) and a general adjusting, and found that I'd forgotton how nice the action is when adjusted properly.

As I wrote above, this guitar has been banged around a lot, and fellow musicians are always impressed with its sound--since it's looking a little rough around the head, and are generally surprised at how easy and smooth its action is.

Nope, this never came up.

I've been playing a few years longer than I've owned this Takamine--about 27 years, and this guitar was chosen for me by my music teacher at school at the request of my mother for a Christmas present. And with my lifestyle of travel this guitar is the only thing that's lasted all this time and that I've always had with me. I'll get the cracked bridge replaced and it will again/still be an excellent guitar.

When I had the fret work done on it (in Dallas), he kept it for a month! I rented a Washburn to get by, and found it to be the tinniest piece of junk I'd ever played! It really wasn't even fun playing when it sounded that bad, so off from what I was used to.

Compared to the D-28, the Takamine just has a different value, a different brighter sound that doesn't have quite as deep lows, and when I have someone over and those two guitars are played together....man, that's some nice sounding music. They compliment each other well.

Finish is in really good shape small minor dings not noticeable unless with scope. I Play it every day and i'm not going to put it in a showroom so minor things i don't care about , there made to be played and that's all there to it .. i can't find a stamp or date on it but have the serial numbers .. if anyone knows how to get specs from them plz email me thanks

this Guitar is Amazing Takamine F-360s,(early 70's model) I've had it for 3years now and my friends can't beilieve the sound that this guitar has compared to there guitars which are far more expensive , lately me and my Friend have been trying to find new guitars in stores that are nicer sounding than this one but cannot ,

they Action on this Guitar has never been adjusted and it's perfect! I've read all these reviews and see ppl complaining about the tuners ,, and i can't beilieve it!!!!! THIS GUITAR almost NEver goes out of tune it just blows my mind even after playing it for hours of hard strumming it only needs a slight tweak on maybe 2 strings outta 6 i've played other guitars and my friends are always tuning theres. when i got this guitar from my Uncle who had it in the case for probably ten years takes it out and plays it with little or no tuning required. no flaws at all they only thing i could pick on is that the 30 something yr old guitars white trim is slightly turning yellow not much thou. I understand why there was a lawsuit but what Martin should be mad about is they made it better ! they only thing i'd have liked more is a strap button on the start of the neck by the body .

If I was to ever to make any Recordings This would be the Guitar i'd use barr none!

they probably don't even have one for this guitar bc it's never had any issues

I bought this Guitar off My Uncle 3years ago who had it i was looking to buy a nice new one with a cut out and more flashy colour , but ended up buying it off him, he only wanted 400$ for it which is what he paid for it he said .. hey bought in in a store on portage ave in Winnipeg,mb,canada in early 70's around 72 he figured. I knew it might be a really great Guitar but had just started playing when i knew of it and now i must say my standards are pretty high if i ever were to buy another guitar , it'd have to sound and look better . I Love the sound i use medium martin strings on it and don't have any problem with action or warping at all.. very Well Made. I probably will never sell it!

Not too sure when it was made, late 70's or early 80's, who cares. This has a solid spruce top with, and despite what you may have heard, solid rosewood sides and back. Nice chunky neck, but balanced by the best action Ive ever encountered on an acoustic. It came with 12's, but I genuinely thought they were 11's or even 10's. Tuners work, despite other reviews saying they were poor, if they work, they work! This was a copy of a Martin, although in truth, it is actually a replica of a 1938 Martin because Takamine bought[not stole] the paterns of discontinued Martins from Martin themselves. Features? Well,there's a hole where the sound escapes from,a nicely bound, and now aged neck and thats about it, very 'Plain Jane'. If you want abalone, mother of pearl or marquetry,then this aint for you. Id love to give it a 10, sod it, I will, 'cos I love the looks.

Even after 30 years, I still dont think I have a 'style'. I play everything from Beatles,CSN,Byrds,Allmans Neil Young,to Pearl Jam and Green Day - all badly.How does it sound? Well put it this way, I recently won a bit of money and decided to buy a really top quality acoustic. Despite never actually playing one, I decided to treat myself to a Santa Cruz D model. Everyone I'd spoken to said they were the best up to around $2500. I bought a 2 year old one, played it for a day trying to convince myself it was better than the 360s then put it straight back on Ebay! The 360s was just so much clearer and open, [despite the strings being about a year old] and the seperation and musicalness- is that a real word?? just blew the SC away. By comparison, the Santa Cruz sounded compressed and jangly whereas the Takamine really breathed. The Santa Cruz also had a poorer action than the Takamine I also have an Alvarez DY45, which is a mahogany dread. The Takamine has all the sparkle of the Alvarez, but just sounds better, more rounded, and again, not as jangly.It also has a far better action.You know when you hear a clear and mellow acoustic on a record and you think 'that sounds great'well, thats the Takamine.

Stunning finish, its 25+ years old, all the trim has yellowed and the top has darkened a tad, but other than that, it looks like new and puts to shame its more expensive rivals. As Ive said so many times before, the action is unbelievable, a child could play it.

Its a cliche I know, but its 25+ years old, these guitars are top quality despite the stupidly low prices tag. Gig with it 'till your fingers bleed, 100% reliable, basically because, apart from a string breaking, whats to go wrong?

Probably very good, but no personal experience.

Baby Boomer, playing since the early sixties and owned , as far acoustics are concerned, a Nancy Griffiths Taylor[concert body's to me sound too boxy until plugged in], a 68 D18[shouldnt have sold it but it did need a lot of repairs]a couple of Alvarez - DY's are very good but the action could be improved, Gibson J45 and J50[the 45 sounds better, the 50 can be a bit muddy]a Yamaha solid top [loud and clear but not much character]a couple of Ovations[great if your're thin and need an electro acoustic, but if your stomach goes out instead of in, forget 'em, and acoustically they suck]plus 2 or 3 others which were so memorable that I cant remember them! These 360S Takamines come up on Ebay and sell for around $600, they should be over $1000, theye the biggest bargain around.Before you consider ANYTHING, get one of these, if you dont think its great, then sell it and get your money back , but IMO, you'll need to spend $$$$ to even match this beauty.

I'd been eyeing this guitar for about a month in a local pawn shop, but the price was too high, $600. It had really old stings, but it still sounded better than most guitars. I finally offered the price that I was willing to pay, and now it's mine. A beautiful solid spruce top, 20 fret mahogony neck dreadnaught accoustic Takamine 360S, made July, 1974. The body is a little shallower than my other guitars which seems to make the sound more focused and louder. I put some Elixer 12's on it, and it has a rich, full, balanced tone. The tuners are simple open tuners with a cover on them, and seem to work well. The feel of the neck is just about perfect, and as straight as an arrow. Even the notes up the neck are easy to play and great sounding. I'm glad that it doesn't have any built in pickup or battery holder.

As a fiddler, I love to play old time fiddle tunes. I also like to comp old time tunes on guitar and play the melodies. This guitar is great for comping, as the bass is very rich and loud. You can use a very light touch and get a very fluid phrase. No clunky sounds at all. Also great for comping sweet ballads and playing blues.

The guitar is very well made. The bracing is finely finished, no glue showing, the spruce top is fairly wide grained but bookmatched perfectly. Very attractive. The guitar is 32 years old, and the frets are worn but still work great. The finish still has a deep luster, looks brand new except for two dings on the top and one on the side.

I just got the guitar last Friday and played it in public Saturday night at the open mic that I host. I was very pleased with it's performance. It's sound filled the room. Better than my other guitars.

I've been playing guitar for 42 years, and have owned various guitars. I have three other guitars, two no names that sound and play great and a Stu Corwin with a cherry wood box. But this is now my favorite. I like that it looks just like a Martin, but it ain't. I like the sound even more than the Martin D28. It's a richer sounding guitar.

To be honest - I was originally looking for an older Martin for that rich and aged ?sound? that only comes from a quality vintage. I had been in and out of several large shops without finding anything that was right. After some time, I ventured into a small town with a vintage guitar shop.
I was there for a while, when the owner said: ?You may want to try that one,? pointing over to an old sunburst F-360SD Takamine in the corner.
It was in really nice condition - but a Takamine? ?What the hell? I thought. So, I picked it up and noticed right away that the feel of the neck was like putting-on your favorite jeans. The action was perfect?but the real impact on me was the sound ? I couldn?t believe what I was hearing! The owner noticed my amazement and just smiled saying ?she?s a nice one isn?t she?? Sure, I tried to put it down (after all, I wanted a vintage Martin), but I didn?t get two feet before picking it up again?
Takamine's date, stamped inside, is Aug 28, 1978. The F-360SD (which is the "sunburst" model) has a Solid spruce top with rosewood sides and a nicely bound neck. Takamine closely copied Martin?s famed 1938 D-28.

The sound still knocks my socks off - It remain's my favorite. It has a rich deep bass, plenty of volume, and fantastic tonal separation. I absolutely love the sound of this guitar...

The neck is straight as you could ever want, and the action, with Phosphor Bronze strings, is perfect for my playing style - low, without any buzz.
The finish on the guitar has the rich patina that quality, older guitars get. The binding is yellowing, which fits the age and overall tonality of the woods. No stress cracks, or issues with the bracing. Structurally, the guitar is as good as new.

This guitar is almost 30 years old and still near mint, I think that speaks for itself.

Not needed.

Overall this is a 10.
Through the years, I have owned and played some great guitars, but none with this sound.
If you search for one make sure it has the "S" - such as F-360S, or F-360SD (the "S" stands for solid top).

My F360SC was made in April 1978. I had decided to quit playing the club scene and was paring my equipment down to the bone. Id always been a Gibson electric rock-n-roller but I wanted a good accoustic for home use. A friend of mine had just become a dealer for a new line of Japanese made guitars...Takamine. There was a beautiful sunburst dreadnaught that looked identical to an early Martin. Solid spruce top, clean lite bracing. Id looked at Martins and as everyone knew at the time, late 70s Martins were crap with a high price. I didnt like "jumbos" so a Guild was out. I tried the Takamine and loved it! Nearly thirty years later I still love it.

Ive played this guitar hard and its been on the road in 38 states. The sound gets better every year. Lets put a few rumors to rest. The Takamine Company (established 1976) bought the rights from CF Martin to produce models that they no longer had in production. Thus the mix up on what model the 360 resembles. Its made according to a 1938 retired Martin patent. The top is solid spruce with solid rosewood sides and back (the guy at Takamine who sez they only made laminate sides and back needs to check the early production records for the 360SC)! The axe projects all over the room and sounds almost identical to a vintage Martin with, perhaps, a little less bottom. Age continues to improve the sound.

The finish was beautiful when factory new and has held up remarkably considering 30 years of road rash. Being a Les Paul player, I like low action. Ive always used GHS Pro Formula Phosphor Bronze 11s (10s if I can find them) on the guitar and it plays as smooth as butter. The bracing etc was expertly done with no excess glue or other problems. Its a great playing hand made guitar. Its poorest quality are the keys, but even they are better than what came on a Martin from the 30s or 40s.

Like I said, this guitar has stood up to almost 30 years of all the abuse I could give it. Its lived the whole time in its factory case and has definitely not been babied. You couldnt ask for more.

Never had an occasion to need support.

Ive been playing for about 35 years and Ive owned all the usual top quality US made electrics, mostly Gibsons and usually several at once. The Takamine F360SC is the ONLY acoustic Ive owned all these years. It was the most expensive top-o-the-line model when I bought it new but man! I never dreamed it would hold up so well for so long. The sound just gets better. If you can find one of these early ones, grab it and hold on for dear life. They didnt make many SC models and they were VERY expensive for 1978, but no other guitar Ive ever owned comes close to holding up over that long a haul. If someone stole it, Id find him and stomp his guts out!

The date stamped in it is June 8, 1978. Made in Japan. I ordered it new for $350 including the case in a mall music shop in Raleigh, NC from a guy named Sully, who claimed he used to be a roadie for Gregg Allman. He recommended this guitar because of the sound, rightly so, and he persuaded me to change the machines and we put on a set of Grovers before I ever played it the first time. I replaced those machines 25 years later, when the case had started to rub and eventually damaged one of them. Other than that I've never had any trouble whatsoever.

Has a rich tone, and now after 26 years sounds better than ever, really, especially with new Elixir Nonowebs on it. It has mellowed especially over the last five years or so. I have played it nearly exclusively since the late 70's, but now my son's making it sound more like a D-28.

The guitar was set up well, has needed occasional minor neck adjustments, but the action is still close and the intonation clear. There is one irregular spot on the solid spruce top, and that was the one disadvantage to ordering it. By the time it arrived I didn't want to send it back, and so I took it along with this irregular spot in the grain.

This guitar has been played hard from time to time, but never commercially. The finish is still excellent, with more than 25 years worth of dings. Never play a new guitar while wearing a metal belt buckle!

Never had any repairs on this guitar, but I bought a Takamine EC-132CLH classical in 2003, and Takamine was prompt and even replaced the saddle for free after it got lost during an evacuation for Hurricane Ivan in Mobile Alabama in 2004.

I also have a early-80s model Electra Les Paul copy that has the special efffects pots built in.

For the money I would definitely buy this guitar again.

Bought this guitar in 1980(guitar was built in July 1980) from music store in southern Indiana
Price paid: $350.00

I have played Martins and Gibsons and this guitar stands up to them. It is not quite as deep on the base as the Martin but the tone is clearer and with now strings rings better than the Martins I have played. I play a combination of Blue grass and Chet finger style and there is no limit to what this guitar can do.

Finish on mine is outstanding and after 23 years it even looks better than when new. The binding has yellowed and this guitar has the look of a vintage Martin.

Seems to be very durable. After 23 years I have not had to adjust anything. I baby it a lot and keep it polished but there are a couple of minor dings that are hardly noticeable. I don't play out any more but would not be afraid to take this on stage every day.

Never needed it.

I would give it a very high 9. It would have a ten if the tuners were a little better. Have not had any trouble with them but they are lighter than on a D-28.

Made and purchased by me in 1980. I read a review in International Musician and Recording World by Stephen Delft on the Takamine F312s and subsequently bought my F360s on the back of that review from Ivor Mairants in London. Solid spruce soundtable, laminated rosewood back and sides, mahagany neck, rosewood finger board and bridge.
Mine has a piezo internally fitted (by me)with a strap peg output socket. I tried the other day and I could not get my hand in to get to the piezo anymore ! Tuners are non-descript but still work fine after nearly a quater of a century. Nicely finished frets which need dressing now. I believe that it is a cross between a D18 and a D28 since it has a 2 piece back with inlay like a D28 but it has binding where the D18 lacks it. My memory may have let me down on that assertion.

This guitar has suited me fine up until recently when I suffered GAS in the guise of wanting a smaller bodied instrument which has been sated with a Yamaha LS 400 VT. The Takamine sounds rounded and full with the D'Addario EXP 12 thou's that I use. I very much like my Takamine and for the money that I paid for it, it has given me much pleasure. It is resting at the moment whilst the novelty of the Yamaha wears off! I leave it tuned to open G for slide now that I have the Yamaha, so that's convenient.

The guitar was well set up to my liking straight from the shop. Ivor Mairants offered a free set up when the guitar had settled in but when I tried to take them up on the offer, they welched on me. That was a long time ago though. The guitar had no flaws. It has lived it's life in a Calton case that cost more than the instrument did itself so apart from a ding on the sound board following a fight with a UK mains plug on the end of a piece of flex, it is pretty much as new.

This guitar would withstand live playing, after all it has done OK for nearly 25 years It is dependable but I would change the tuners for Sperzel locking variety, if playing live.

Poor support from the suppliers (back then) but never needed any from the manufacturers. I e-mailed Takamine about the so called lawsuit story. They replied courteously that there never was a lawsuit. Well -they would wouldn't they !

I've been playing for 33 years. If it were lost or stolen I would be unable to replace it now other than by chance of course. I would not be inclined to replace it thou
gh because there is so much better available for the money these days but back then, a solid top guitar for under a ton looking and playing the way that it did was an unbeatable combination. It was supposed to be a copy of a Martin, it was a very good one so what else could it have needed? I played a Martin dreadnaught once and immediately noticed the difference. That sums it up I suppose. It has done me proud and I would not part with it.

beautifully matched rosewood back and sides. Nice spruce top has a few dings in it from many years of playing and abuse, but has developed a warm patina. White bindings too are slightly discolored , but as this baby was completed in June of 1976, there's not much to complain about. She's only just come back from her first visit to the shop, new Grover tuners to replace the cheapies she came with, and had the bridge reglued (My husband just doesn't understand humidity issues!!!). Other than a minor at-home truss rod adjustment a few years ago, new strings, and a new case, $188.24 is all I've ever spent on her.

This is a flatpicker's dream! Other reviewers have commented on the similarities to the Martin D28 and the alleged lawsuit. Okay Takamine says no suit, but they don't make them like this anymore either, do they? Where I'll disagree is that I have played *some* Martins that don't play as easy and don't have the same tonal definition. This guitar is bright, and it needs to be strung with light or extra light strings, as heavier strings have a tendency to pull the neck up. I play a lot of combination fingerstyle/strum with variations on attack. It really shines with a bluegrass or Celtic style music played that way, but as I don't play with a pick much anymore, I'm looking for a second guitar for fingerstyle. Under hard strumming, you can sometimes get a bit of buzz., but that could be a humidity issue for me, also, as the action is set pretty low. The neck is most comfortable for me. Of course I'm used to it. I've been playing it since I was 13.

The only complaint I have about this construction of this guitar overall is the poor quality tuners. Everything else has held up extremely well over time. Action is low and comfy. Another thing I love is the unfinished neck. Over time, it has developed a rich, glossy patina that looks like it's got finish on it, but it doesn't. There's no way I would get rid of this guitar, no matter how many other guitars I buy.

This guitar is a workhorse. Will take a lot of abuse, and keep performing. The only thing I would caution players again is that the neck may not withstand heavier strings. Medium strings on this thing and it's loud loud like a Gibson jumbo, but you will see the neck pull up over time and the action and intonation will falter. The finish on the rosewood is like glass every where but the soft front spruce where many little dings have marred the surface. Replace your tuners, and you'll be even happier.

Other gear I own is a Rickenbacker 360-12. I am looking for a guitar that projects better for fingerstyle, but I would never give this guitar up. It was a gift and it replaced a modest-quality classical guitar. Once I made the switch, I was sold. Great product for the price.

1978 F360S-LH "Martin Law Suit" guitar, solid spruce top, rose wood back and sides (possibly laminates on all F360s's?), 20 fret neck, standard dreadnought body, neck is about as round as a baseball bat and has a somewhat high arch to the fret board, but it still feels great.

this guitar has been kinda beaten up over the years, but it still sounds fantastic. great highs and lows all the way throughout with new strings, even old dead strings. its pretty loud too if you're strumming away with a pick. you could basically play any style you wanted to with this guitar, incredibly versitile.

the guitar was already almost 20 years old when i got it, so i'm not sure how the action was when it was factory new, but 22 years later, it has a great low feel to it. bookmatched front and back wood, almost two-toned in the front (darker down the middle, lighter on the sides).

this was my first guitar, and i take it everywhere cause i have a better one now. needless to say, its been through some rough times, dropped countlesly by drunk friends, banged on by young kids, not to mention myself banging away on it endlessly. but, with all abuse, its still rocks, still sounds great, and is still holding up great. this guitar will last me for the rest of my life, i'll never need a back up if i have this guitar.

never needed any

i've been playing around 9 years, 7 of those years were played on this takamine alone. i have an amazing limited original G&L Asat electric that i rarely get a chance to use, and now play my beautiful Bourgeois Slope-D acoustic *check out bourgeois if you're a true guitar fan). the binding has cracked and is actually missing in some places, the top is lifting a little, the bridge is lifting a little, it needs new frets and a real good buff job, but i'll never let go of this lil guitar, might be cheap in price, but it'll last you, all you'll need is strings. this was also one of the more rare left handed F360s's, but was turned into a righty before i got it, but still sounds like a dream. fantastic guitar.

It's a 1979 made in July. Very good looking D-28 copy but with no neck dart. Everywhere it's known as the "lawsuit" I talked to Tak and they said there never was any lawsuit and it just makes for good guitar folk law. Hmm urban myth. Also everyone thinks they are solid rosewood sides and back. I thought so too but Tak says all F360s were rosewood laminates. yeah I know the inside looks the same as the outside but Tak just says "Pretty good trick, huh! None were solid, all were laminate." that blew me away!

I play bluegrass and Dead. The sound is very good. I have an 2001 HD-28 and I have played both with new strings and the Tak was really good but you could hear the difference (Damn well better for the price of the Martin. Yes the Martin did sound about $1000 better but lets face it sound and cost are more logarythmic than linear. For the money the tak is excellant.

the neck is straight fast and smooth. It could be a little thinner. the board has a slight radius , just enough to be nice and comfy. yeah the tuners are not the greatest in the world but again for the price range its good enough.

Everthing is solid as a rock. Personnally I Love the way the binding has gotton that aged amber appearance. I'm not too big on the brandy new whitey tighty look. There are no cracks a couple of slight scratches and a ding or two but no serious dents. It is a workhorse, for 34 years old it looks better than me at 42. The spruce soundboard has that darker aged yellowish look too. It looks like it has aged very very well.

I have only had to use Tak for info on it. They were pretty decent. got back to me pretty quickly. It was a big letdown when I found out that there was never a lawsuit or that it wasnt real rosewood.

I have been playing for about 25 years. If it was stolen or lost I would definately want another one. I love the way it looks , I love the way it plays I love the way it sounds.

don't know what year model it is, i just found this site while trying to find out a bit about my guitar that i aquired from a friend second hand a few years back when he emigrated. we did a swap and i think i got the better part of the deal!

i play a lot of beatles and british pop such as oasis, turin brakes etc. seems to cope well with just about any sound i can get out of it, real smooth tone with no high or low peaks to moan about.

haven't touched it other than new strings every so often. plays a dream and holds tune for ever , even when drunk friends get hold of it after the pub!
only occasional problem is the tuner on the g string gets a bit notchy when the strings get a bit worn, other than that it's excellent.

i've had this one for about 3 years and it out performs me easily. few scratches and dings but they were there when i got it so it's doing well for me so far, even when i take it into work for a lunch time play.

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been playing about 10 years, had a few different guitars over that time. still got my epiphone sheraton which i used to play everyday until i got the f-360s about 3-4 years ago. it plays and sounds so nice that i hardly ever bother to switch the amp on for the sheraton now, shame really. can't see me ever parting with this one as it's just so damn good for what i want to do.

F-360S-LH given to me in 1982. Is an '81 or '82 model. I've had it 21 years and it has held up great. (4/10/03)Sounds better every year. My brother is a righty and has been playing over 30 years and brags constantly on my Takamine. You will not find a better guitar for the money. Period. I think my Dad gave about $300 dollars for it new in '82.
It is the "Martin Lawsuit Guitar" and I can see why they sued Takamine. They were afraid once people played this one, they might buy one and take a vacation with the extra $1000 or so. Or buy the Takamine AND a Strat or Tele (American) with the extra money.

I play mostly Beatles acoustic songs (Balckbird, Mother Natures Son, Yesterdy,etc.) and it sounds great on any acoustic song. Nice highs, not too much bass. Full sound. Stay's in tune 'till the cows come home.

Guitar is beautiful. Beautiful spruce top, rosewood back and sides. I use ultra-light Martin strings. Finish is a 10 all around.

Guitar has held it's own for 20+ years. I dropped it about 15 years ago (cheap case I bought came open, not a Takamine case) and it put a indentation about 3" long by 1" wide on lower top side where binding is. The wood is damaged but the wood has never chipped off after all these years. It just sort of cracked the top. I have not done anything to this bad place because wood is still intact. Can't believe it hasn't chipped away yet. Does not look like it will.

Never had any qualms.

Been playing about 30 years on and off, mostly on the last 5 or so. My Dad bought it around '82 and I had never heard of Takamine. My Dad knows nothing about guitars but the place he bought it sure did. Will never, ever get rid of this guitar. As a matter of fact, have bought 2 more since. A right handed F-360S for my brother to pick when he comes over, and a F360S 12 string. Can't stress enough what a great bargain this guitar is. Nothing in it's price range can hang with it, and a hell of a lot of $1000 or $2000 dollar guitars can't either. My Dad made an excellent buy. Even if it weren't of sentimental value, I would never sell. If someone stole it, I would hunt them down like a dog. Lefty F360S's are not that common. I'd put up a nation wide APB.

I bought mine off of a guy who needed money for skiing equipment back in the late 70's for $250. Best buy for a guitar I ever made. I just love mine - everything is first rate although the tuners could be better. It's very durable and still play perfect despite the years of abuse I've put it through. I would never sell it!

Very full rich sound. I had trouble with a slight bass buzz when I first had it, but I was using too light of gauge of strings. I also adjusted the neck and that seemed to solve the problem.

Very nice finish although it now has a few nicks from my abuse over the years.

I've been playing for 30 years.
I also own a Les Paul Deluxe from the 70's.
I have an old National Steel from the late 30's that my mother had.
I'm in the process of buying a Takamine EF-341SC (Springsteen model)

1995 is stamped on one of the inside beams.
20 Frets
Solid Top
Dreadnought
Rosewood neck fingerboard
Chrome tuners
case

I don't normally play acoustic, but I like the sound. It's bright and full,

THis is what surprised me. Usually, .012 gage strings kill me on an acoustic, but I played this for over an hour the first day I got it and no pain! Great action!

Just got it so can't say.

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Good acoustic - I'm thrilled.

I purchased my 360 ( left handed ) new in 1977 - and it's been quite a guitar - materials and finish are on par with any mid range Martin made during that period, and to my ear, the tone of the guitar is superior to any D-28's of that period - hell, it's the "lawsuit" Takamine and a real eye opener that someone could beat the Martin family at their own game - the guitar has endured a lot of harsh weather and is still as strong as it was on day one - it's aged beautifully and most people think that they're looking at a vintage Martin when it comes out of it's case - outside of installing a Fishman ( mid-life crisis - wanted to be able to use a digital effects amp with it ) and having the nut cut down ( I wanted it to play like my old Hagstrom III electric ), the guitar hasn't had any repairs or major alterations. Outside of the cheap tuners, the guys at Tak did a super job !

The sound just gets better every day - full rich, warm sound - no extra bright highs - no boom box bass - nice overall sound - real similar sound to the current Santa Cruz

original action was kind of hard - lowered the nut and it plays almost like an old Tele -

this guitar can handle almost anything you can throw at it - solidly constructed - excellent joinery and use of braces - looks better today than when I walked out of the store with it 25 years ago

no need for any warranty work - no dealings with Takamine directly

yikes - I've been playing now for over 37 years and I wouldn't part with this guitar for anything - as for the new Taks, I don't believe they have anything that could match the old 360's

Takamine F-360s. Essentially a Martin D-28 copy, right down to the square headstock, scripted logo, pickgaurd, binding, and branding inside the guitar. Rosewood back and sides with checkered binding on the back strip. Bound body and fingerboard. Rosewood fretboard and bridge. Solid spruce top. Very nice looking guitar and nice finishing. Neck is handrubbed while body is high gloss - just like you know what, yep, guessed it. I give it a 9 beacuase the tuners are cheap, but everything else is very good quality. Nice finish and materials otherwise.

It doesn't sound like a Martin D-28, but it is close. It actually has a more crisp balanced sound compared to the D-28's I've played, and I actually prefer it. The bass is loud and deep, although slightly less depth than the martin. Loud guitar, the voicing projects very well. For the money, it blows away the Martin.

over 23 years old and it's still going strong. Sturcturally its fine, but some of the binding is starting to yellow (normal). The finish on it looks just as a Martin would. Durable little sucker and sounds sweet to boot. Setup was a little on the high side, but I corrected that easily.

No Probs with it at all. Solid build and construction. Typical high Japanese build quality... Say what you want, but I think many high quality Japanese "copy" guitars are right up there with originals.

Don't know, haven't needed to talk to them.

I found out that this was a "lawsuit" model which Martin sued takamine for, since the guitar was soooo similar to the D-28. Now I know why they did it, it's essentially a D-28 but at 1/4 the price!!!!! What a value, almost sounds like the real thing, most people will be fooled. It's not made anymore (mine's from the 70's) so you need to find them used. If you do, check into it, you won't be dissapointed. I've had a Taylor, Larrivee, a custom luithier built acoustic and have played many martins. This one stands up with those in every way possible. I'm not letting this one go, I can't believe the guitar you get for the price.

20 Frets
Solid Top
Dreadnought
Rosewood neck fingerboard
Chrome tuners
case

I love the sound it is great for blue grass and country.
It has a deep clear sound.

Had to set it up myself but after I did it played great.
The good thing about this Guitar is that it sounds better with age.
The white trim around the top is a little discolored but that is all but heck it is over 20 years old.

No problems everything plays better than new. I would and have used it on a gig without a backup.

I have never dealt with the company. Never had to.

Been playing for 30 years. I have a Telecaster 1960 and Fender Precision Bass, A FP360SC Takamine 1994. EBO Gibson Bass not sure how old but got it in 1979.
I checked over 100 Guitars before I bought this one. At the time Takamine was not a well known Guitar but the sound sold me.
I would buy it again as a matter of fact I did. I gave it to my son as a present. I heard he was going to sell it so I bought it back from him.
I love the rich sound.
Great Guitar.