Takamine GS-330S

Cedar-Top (more on this later). No pickguard. Decent tuners.

One word - Wow. A friend wanted to learn guitar and I was helping him pick one out in Guitar Center. I was showing him the difference in sound between a $149 beginner guitar versus the more expensive ones. I played the Martin, Gibson, the higher end Takamine, and middle of the road Ibanzez, etc. Then I picked up the Takamine GS330S, listed at $220 used. I said to him, "You probably won't hear much of a difference between this one and the cheap beginner..." Then I strummed a few chords... and stopped. I checked the price tag again. Puzzled, I continued playing while my friend said, "It DOESN'T sound bad at all!" Not bad? It sounds better than the $500+ and $800+ Ibanez, Epiphone, Takamine, etc guitars that I tried. Is it better than the $2000 Martin? No. But it's close. And for a $200 guitar, That's damn amazing. The cedar-top gives it a strong and loud sound like all cedar-top does. But what makes it so good is the clarity. Cedar-top is strong but it's not clear, that's the rule. Even the most expensive cedar-top does not have the same clarity as an equally expensive spruce top. But the trick is, cedar can get away with the clarity issue by being fierce and loud... provided the clarity does not entirely get lost in the resonance. Which is exactly what the GS330S can do. It creates a wall of sound with enough clarity to sent chills down your spine or wraps the sound around you like a blanket. Wow. Needless to say, I bought the GS330S.

The action was too high, but that's fixible. The guitar is easy to play. Does not have a pickguard and it's just fine with me.

Have no problem with it. Like other cedar-top the top sheet is prone to chip and such.

For a guitar that lists at $299, it is absolutely a fantastic value. It plays like a $1000 guitar, it sounds like a $1000 guitar, and it cost you a fraction of a $1000 guitar. Yes the tuner could be better and it could use a pickguard, but that's not complaints you make on a $299 guitar.

Solid w.r. cedar top (not laminate, as one review says. Look at the wood grain throught the soundhole.) Nice wood binding, which I think is much classier that plastic. Nice satin finish, the spray-on which imitates oil. V straight, well-contoured mahogany neck, but a little shallower than my ideal. V. plain guitar: no fingerboard art, and a stenciled Takamine logo on the head. I personally prefer this plain look in an inexpensive instrument: cheap cosmetics look, well, cheap!

Fabulous sound! I visited a half-dozen music stores with up to $800 to spend for strictly the best sound, and bought this at a third the price. I needed another cedar-top for the warm, rich contrast to my bright Martin 000 spruce-top, but now I play the Takamine almost exclusively, no matter the sound I need. This is a dreadnaught, but since it doesn't have the bass-drum overkill on the low strings I use it for singing, accompanying singers, playing duets w/other acoustic instruments, etc.

I'm a tecnician, so I monkeyed with the setup, but it was fine. As usual, it was shipped with lousy strings. There a re a few minor flaws in the finish, notably some tool marks at the heel, but if that's the Takamine compromise to spend more time and care delivering a souns which is way above the price trange, good!

After a year, it's a standard open mic guitr, solo or in a duet. Though this is not its role, it soounds good playing barre-chord stuff all over the neck, (Current favorite: Sleepwalk. The high D-minor could use a cutaway, but this is one of about three tunes where I reach that high!) Ther was no heel-side strap button, which I like. I want to place mu own a little more under the heel than standard. Reliability: yes. Durability: Time will tell.

n/a

I play a Martin in a band, whre I'm essentially a drummer. Fabulous old Harmony (yes!) with the neck reset to the right angle, great wood and great for fingerpicking, or arpeggioing-along. (See if you have a local genius luthier who can do this!) I love my old, old Yamaha 401, and I keep a couple of other Yamahas around for experimenting with alt. tunings. I used to look for on-board electronics in an acoustic, but none of them souded decent so now I play only where the house can make me sound good. Plywood Yamaha FG-75 for the annual canoe trip! Had an Ovation, but sold it when I realized I no longer played it. (Fine for the harsh, overtone sound I use on about two tunes)

2005 made in taiwan

Rich, loud, best sound under $750 I could find

Set up PERFECTLY from the factory and my Tak GS330 has given me new respect for the made-in-taiwan label. Finish and joints was flawless. The case it came with (free) from an online site not affiliated with the current sponsors of Harmony Central made this an irresistable deal. If this letter doesn't get printed, then I'll let the newsgroups know about that too!

Would be fine to play live and the thing is built solidly.

Fantastic sound and value for money. Even if it cost 3x more than it does.

As an addon to my previous review. Have had this guitar two months now, and it is in my opinion the best guitar under a thousand bucks you can buy. I play music with guys that use Martins and Vintage Gibsons and this little gem more than holds its own! Don't know how Takamine managed to pull this off, but if you see one of these gems on E-Bay.....GRAB IT!!!! I'm not too sure Takamine is making them anymore. Peace and God Bless.

AWESOME

Used pledge furniture oil on it, brought out all the beauty of the blonde finish. I is kinda partial to blondes anyway))))))

Don't treat it like a rock in yo9ur backyard and it'll last forever.

Has a five year warranty. But hope I never need any customer support!

Get one

Made in 2004. Bought if off E-Bay . Cedar top, Nato, (Laminate?) back and sides and presumably a Nato neck. Plain jane, but that's how it's supposed to be. Has a nice old time understated look.

Sounds great. Came with D'adarrio strings which sounded so good, I haven't changed them out as I customarily do with a new guitar. I've had several high quality guitars and this one holds it own with anyone of them. High praise for a $200+ guitar, but it's true. Doesn't have a great deal of bass, but midrange is great. Has a cool woody sound to it. Must be the Cedar Top.

I was skeptical about setup coming from the factory, but lo and behold it came setup perfectly. Low action, but no buzz, frets easily, great factory setup. Whoever inspector 1245673333 is, he deserves two bowls of rice!

Seems OK to play live. I'm using it today as a matter of fact. Looks like it has good no name tuners, so far have held tune fine. Will switch out to Grovers if I have any problems. Of course this guitar is not built like a tank. Feels a bit light as I'm sure the wood is thin. I suppose this contributes to the overall excellent sound. Finish is a bit rough in a couple of places on the side of the guitar. I suppose if it bothered a person, maybe they could use some 000 steel wool on it. I pay it no heed though. Kinda rough around the edges myself))

Has a lifetime limited warranry. Hope I never have to call any customer support though!

I bought this guitar sight unseen and unplayed. I bought if from reading the recomendations on here. I wasn't disappointed! This guitar is a fantastic value. Takamine took a great Cedar Top and built a budget minded acoustic juggernaut around it. I say buy it.

Solid Cedar top, nato sides and back. Satin finished guitar with very good chrome tuners. A very light guitar for its size but seems to be very well built. A no frills, simple, solidly made guitar. Looks like a guitar made 40 years ago.

I have never heard an acoustic guitar under $1,000 dollars that sounds as good as this--and the GS 330S is only $300.00 dollars!
Very well balanced sound---across the spectrum. I used to have a Taylor Big Baby--which is a fine guitar--and about the same price.
But this sounds even better than the Taylor--and to be honest--it sounds better than any Taylor or Martin that I played under a grand. It is very easy and comfortable to play too!

The guitar was set up OK from the factory. But let's be honest--every guitar that you buy--no mattter what it costs--needs to be set up by a professional to play its best. Since I had it set up---it just plays like butter! The guitar is very well built and looks like a well-worn used guitar. Takamine has done a superb job with this guitar! A friend of mine who builds guitars for a living said to put
some liquid gold wood cleaner on the guitar every few months. It makes it look even better! Protects it too!

This is a very well built--and light guitar. It is extremely comfortable to play too! Everything seems just solid and built to last. As I mentioned before, it is important with satin finished guitars to properly take care of the wood with a good, non-abrasive cleaner that also "lightly oils" the wood. I use the guitar in church and people have commented on how good it sounds! I wish Takamine had included the second strap button (I had to have one installed when I had it professionally set up) and a clear pick guard (although, it may not sound quite as good with the pick guard. I'm debating whether to have one installed).

Takamine sent me an e-mail saying the had received my warranty registration (By the way, the guitar comes with a limited lifetime warranty) and thanking me for purchasing one of their products.

I've been playing the guitar for over 15 years. I primarily play the electric guitar. I have an Ibanez SA 220EX electric--a superb guitar that was especially made by Ibanez for Guitar Center. I have not played an electric that sounds as good under $1,000 dollars. The Takamine GS 330S is a well-built, superb sounding guitar for not much money. You really can't get a better sounding acoustic until you pay over $1,000 dollars. You can by the Takamine, get a good case and have it professionally set up for less than half the cost of a medium level Martin or Taylor. Save you money, and buy this--you won't be disappointed! Highly recommended!

The features are minimal, but that's how i like it. chrome tuners, cedar top, no dot inlays = great vintage look

you have to play one to beleive it. i was looking to get a martin or taylor in 1000 to 1200 dollar range until i read the reviews on this guy. the sound is warm and mellow, and it can get loud. for i bright sound i slap some elixir strings on it. it is a versatile balanced guitar.

the action was great. not as low as some of the martins i played but the price and sound were better. the satin fininsh is fantastic. it looks old and worn in. everything was in the right place and it was ready to play out of the box.

i work this guy over and it is holding up great. it has been dinged up a little and has some scratches but nothing too serious. i think this will last a long time.

it sounds and looks fantastic. i bought this one without playing it. i relied on the reviews from this site. nice work to everyone that contributed. this guitar is my favorite and is one of the best deals out there. i've been playing for years and this is one of the best acoustics i have ever played. and the price........ forget about it. it's a steal.

I'd imagine this is guitar was made after 2000, I do know it's from Taiwan.

Y'arrgh, there be 20 frets on the rosewood fingerboard, the body be made of Nato wood, also known as Eastern Mahogany and it's got a solid cedar top.

How does it suit my music style? Huh, that's tough because I'm not really sure what my style is. I play alot of Flaming Lips, Hendrix, Fleetwood Mac, Ryan Adams, etc... But it should be just fine for my wife, who is learning.
The Tak delivers a nice sparkly and jangly tone when strumming chords and a nice earthy, singing-tone when soloing. But hey, I've really got no business playing solos anyway.
As far as volume goes, this guitar has no pickups, but a round sound hole which projects a very nice volume. Especially compared to my Seagull (also a cedar top) which actually sounds weak compared to the Takamine. The Seagull was considerably more expensive too. Damn!
Oh well...

I bought this instrument used, but it was in near mint condition.
The action was just about right (for what I'm used to) and the bridge had been re-glued. But I only know that because the shop owner (Ron) told me so.
The finish is a beautiful clear satin, over cedar. Very plain, very natural.

If you tried to play this guitar live, you'd have to mic it, or get one of those pickups that fit in the sound hole. But I'm sure it'd be fine.
The hardware seems good enough for the pricing. The tuners could be a little better.
The strap buttons seem just fine.
I doubt I'd use it on a gig anyway, but I'd bet it would prove reliable.

I don't know about the factory support.
If I did need some work done, I'd take it to someone local.
Besides, I bought it used and it is likely out of the warranty period.

I purchased this guitar for my wife. She wants to learn to play a little. And I figure, she might really get into guitar, or she may get frustrated and hang it up. Either way, the Takamine G330 is a win-win. One of us will have a very good quality, solid-top acoustic to goof around with.

I've been playing 20 years or so, know a thing or two about guitar construction and consider this instrument a fine value.

My gear consists of a Cort - Hiram Bullock Signature, Dillion - Bryan May Copy, Seagull - cedar top 6-string with Baggs EQ, and a little Spanish number from the village of Paracho, Mexico. I play the electrics through a Music Man 212 HD-150 through an array of pedals (Ibanez Tube King Overdrive, DOD Chorus, Danelectro Tremolo and a Dunlop Crybaby).

I can't really think of anything I should have asked before buying the guitar. I mean, come on! It's a no-frills, quality guitar - which is what I like.

If it were stolen or somehow burn up or destroyed, it wouldn't be a huge tragedy, since I haven't had it that long. But I would be pissed.
Would I buy another just like it? Maybe, but this guitar is for my wife and that would be up to her

What I really love about this acoustic is that it's a no-nonsense, quality, solid-top instrument. It's got decent volume and a nice earthy tone (thanks to the cedar). Plus I love the price, $200.
The only thing I don't like is the lack of a cutaway, but I will admit that you lose tone when you go cutting holes in a perfectly good guitar.

I've never been real big on Takamines, maybe because the seem to be ubiquitous or that they focus so much on the electronics. But I do like this guitar alot and recommend picking one up.

This is a very basic 20 fret solid cedar top dreadnought. If you like the simple look it is fine. No flashy inlays or anything like that. This guitar is certainly not a showpiece. The colours are all very nice and that's about it. If it's features you want - get another guitar - unless of course you want simple.

If you want features, get something else, but if you want sound quality - look no further! The price tag falls well short of the sound. Going by the sound alone, this guitar ranks with other guitars well out its price league. Loads of colour and texture. Even and strong, rich and crisp. This guitar kicks butt like no other in its range. If anyone knows another gutar under #450 that sounds better - I'd like to now about it. I didn't give this 10 because nothing is perfect, but I would give it 95/100.

Factory setup was pretty crap. The action was uncomfortably high. Don't let this put you off. I had mine sorted, cost #20, now it's great. Nicely book-matched top, good straight and tight gran, no run-offs in the sound hole. No buzz or anything else.

The matt finish does not inspire confidence - it marks easily and doesn't cope with knocks well. If you get one, treat it with care and it will be fine.

Although this guitar doesn't take knocks well - that is cosmetically. It is fairly light weight - but very strong structurally. I know this because when it was 3 months old a 400watt PA speaker was dropped on it from a height. Some damage was sustained - obviously, but the structure maintained it's integrity. Some repair work was necessary and I got it re-finished with a sunburst gloss - now it is better than ever. Always us a back-up - I would with any guitar anyway.

Took it back to shop I purchased it from for repair and setup. They saved my guitars life and quickly too. however, that was not takamine so I have not rated it.

Been playing for 12 years. I would buy it again without question and would even pay more for it if necessary. I took my time buying and compared it to loads of other guitars in its range, seagulls, yamahas, fenders, Ibanez, ovation, tanglewood etc. Basically I tried every guitar in its range in every guitar shop from eastbourn along the coast to worthing. No other guitar compared. There is nothing I hate, I really like the slim neck, low action (now) but above all, i love the sound.This is a cracking guitar.

2002

For the money paid, the sound of this guitar is surprisingly good. It's not a big, projecting acoustic sound but it has a quality of tone that's warm and very pleasing to the ear.

No problems with the action - it frets very easily.

Hard to say at this point - I've only had the guitar a year but I can pretty much tell that, if it's not mistreated, it should last a long time. The only thing I'm concerned about as far as durability is the bridge pegs - they seem like they could break easily or slip out when tuning up new strings. I expect this may be the first mechanical problem I experience with this guitar.

For the price of this guitar, not only is it a great "beginner" guitar, I'd recommend it to anyone looking for a quality-sounding acoustic at a rock bottom price. The sales clerk at Mars told me when I was looking at this guitar that it was the best acoustic they sold for under $500 and I've come to find out, that he wasn't just handing me a sales pitch - it was a very accurate statement. I've tried out low-end Martins and Taylors (none of those can be had at $250, by the way) and I actually preferred this Takamine GS-330S. A friend of mine has an $1100 Taylor and I like the tone of my Takamine better. I've done some digital multi-track recording with this and it sounds beautiful on playback. I'm really excited about adding an LR Baggs pickup and then recording with it. Oh yeah, if stolen or lost, I'd definitely buy another one.