Tama TG 135

Finish is typical of Japanese 70's guitars, very well done, probably poly, no issues. Dreadnought, solid spruce top, solid indian rosewood back and sides, mahogany neck. 3-piece back (like a D35 Martin), maple binding around the top, back, and between the 3-pieces in the back, Tama labled locking tuners (were ok, Grover replacements drop right in and are only slightly better), unbound neck and the neck profile is very much like that of a Martin D of the 70s (kinda thick, slight v, not chunky, 1 11/16" string width at nut), made in the latest period of Tama's deal with Ibanez (the supplier of this guitar to Tama, OEM deal), around '77 to '79. Got the big pearl T in the headstock. Has an added L.R. Baggs pickup and preamp (good system). No body issues, is the same build quality of a D-35 from the 70s, in my opinion, and probably a hair better fit and finish, but might be a little less loud.

Pretty loud. Not punchy like a scalloped-braced D-28, and not as loud as one of those, but pretty loud completely balanced. I play it thru the pickup about half the time, into a PA amp or a Princeton silverface. The action is low, with no buzz on any fret. I'd compare it to a D35 on tone, with a hair less volume. Its not a $3k guitar on tone and sound, but then they don't bring that used (well worth what they go for).

Top, back, and sides were completely correct on bookmatching. Bridge has never been worked on, has original ebony bridge pins with the pearl dots to match the pearl T logo in the rosewood laminated headstock. The original tuners had some discoloration from age, but no worse than some grovers would have had (and were still holding and were tight enough on the slack). No noticable flaws in action, fit, or finish.

I've played the guitar at least a thousand hours, with no movement of anything (no adjustments needed, even at the neck), no finish checking of any kind, etc.

They ain't made these guitars since 30yrs ago... so, don't know.

These are great guitars to pick up inexpensively and play a lot. I'm sure there are bad ones out there somewhere, same as with most brands, but mine's been one of the guitars that I've played the most. I've had four Martins, a '65 D-18, '73 D-28, an early 90's JC-40, and I've still got a 2001 D-18GE. I have a Santa Cruz DPW, an Eastman 804CE, several Fender electrics: a '72 Strat, a '74 Tele, a MIJ '62 RI Strat, a Mexican Nashville PowerTele, and several amps (a 60s Fender SuperReverb, a 70s Fender Princeton, an early 90s Fender Blues Deluxe, a home built 50s Fender Deluxe copy, and a few others). The things I like the most about the Tama is that its unusual, makes a conversation piece, is a real workhorse, plays and sounds fine, and I've got $340 in a guitar that's actually doubled in value in 5yrs time (according to ebay pricing). For what it is, its a good solid 8-9 on a scale of 10.

Dreadnought, 3-piece rosewood back, solid spruce top, ebony fretboard and bridge, diamond shaped thingy behind the nut like the more expensive Martins have. Abalone T on the headstock. Tama-made tuners. Made in the late seventies. Made in Japan.

Sound is okay, nothing more than that. Highs are a bit muffled and it has to much bass. It is hard to get the high e-string in tune. Intonation is probably not very good. Using a capo above the fourth position makes things even worse. The other reviews treat this guitar like some holy grail, but I think that's not very realistic.

Don't know what the original set-up was. Action is quite good when I bought it, but that was only a few years ago (second-hand). No messy glue-job, all very clean. Bridge seems to be reglued (former owner didn't mention this and I only saw it later, but I guess it wsn't like this original), so that probably came off. When I play the bass-strings loudly it rattles a bit which maybe because of loose bracing. I looked inside of the guitar, but could not find anything.

It's a solid guitar, but I do not use it onstage, but that's because of the sound.

Tama doesn't make guitars anymore, so I guess no chance!

I have been playing for 20 years now. My acoustics include a Yamaki 12-string (1978), a Takamine N-10 (1990), a Martin D28 (1976) and a new HD28 (2004). I use the HD-28 onstage as well as the Yamaki. Electrics include a Gibson Les Paul Studio (1990), a USA Fender tele (1986) and a Yamaha RBX550 bass. I also play mandolin and tenor-banjo.
I bought the Tama because of its looks and the woods used. When I bought it, it didn.t sound very good, but I thought I could have the improved by good strings and a proffesional set-up. Nope. In comparison to my other acoustics it's still very mediocre. There are worse guitars though!