Takeharu WT-300

Hell I owned several Takeharu,s in the 70,S well made instruments at an (then)affordable price early Japanese guitars,I played and carried them all over the world and they were really good, exept for the name on the headstock , wat whas then "not done"you had to play a Guild or Martin , but these where not any better than the Japanese , wich are now collectors items , have fun with it , as I did , look out for well made reasenlebly "cheap guitars mostly they are much better than to be expeted , Dr R

Headstock

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yes

I bought this 1970 WT-300 recently on e-Bay in a pretty sad looking state - dirty and corroded strings - but some polish, a new set of GOTOH gold machine heads, bridge pins and Thomastik strings and WOW - what a lovely guitar. Gloss finish on what appears to be solid spruce top with solid rosewood back and sides - may even be Brazilian rosewood not sure how to tell. I think mahogany neck with rosewood fretboard - 14 frets before body with 20 total, It has adjustable bridge and it doesn't appear to lose anything by this.
It has a zero fret and apart from that looks like a cross between a Martin D-35 with 3 piece back and D-41 with the hexagonal MOP inlays. It also has MOP inlays around the rosette and top binding. It has full body, fretboard, and head binding

I have played for over 30 years finger picking James Taylor, Knopfler etc. My hands aren't what they used to be so I usually use very light soft .010 to .041 Thomastik strings but for this I used the heavier .011 to .050. The sounds is deep rich bases with clear rich highs. My wife say "it sings" and I agree - I am knocked out with the tones and clarity.

This is a 37 year old guitar - there are some knocks - but the neck is straight and the intonation is perfect. A few frets are pretty worn and can buzz a little unless you take care. I plan to have this seen to.

This must have been a delightful guitar when new. The workmanship is obvious in the fact that it plays and sounds so good after 37 years.

I wouldn't hesitate to gig with this - the sounds is so big. I would need a back up as I couldn't handle the heavier action for a full gig, but that's just because my hands are stuffed!!!

Takehar...who?

Been playing since 1966. I have a Takamine SF, a couple or Yamaha's an 1974 Admira classical and an Aria Sandpiper which was my favourite before I got the Takeharu. The Takamine and Aria are strung with very light strings and so very easy to play - almost electric action - where as the Takeharu is heavier so harder for me - but worth the pain.

I paid only $355 plus another $120 on machines and bridge pins. I would love to hear from other Takeharu owners.