guitarman1980
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Post by guitarman1980 on Jan 3, 2014 12:40:38 GMT
Hi all, I'm new to this forum. After playing guitar on and off for the last 10 years. I’ve finally got the passion again to push myself to learn more and buy a better guitar. Then be good enough to hopefully inspire and teach my two boys when they are old enough in a couple of years! I started off years ago with a basic Stagg acoustic, then a beautiful Yamaha and a Epiphone Gibson. Now I just own a random acoustic purchased from an antique shop which sadly got damaged last week just as I’m getting into playing more again! So I’ve decided to spend a bit of money on a decent guitar and have been looking online and in some shops over the past week. I’ve got my eye on a couple of models but yesterday fell for the ‘Takamine GN20 NS’ at my local guitar shop. www.takamine.com/guitars/body/nex/gn20-ns-rosewood-fingerboard-natural/ I had in mind to spend around £300-£400, but the GN20 NS is only £207! I didn’t expect a guitar at that price to sound and feel as good as it did. I’ve looked for reviews on-line but have found nothing to back up my thoughts on this guitar. Can anyone comment on this model and Takamine, or recommend anything similar?? Thanks, appreciate any replies!
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Martin
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Post by Martin on Jan 3, 2014 13:42:16 GMT
guitarman1980I'm not familiar with that guitar, however Takamine is a very well known and respected maker, and for that price, if it feels and sounds good, it's not a massive gamble. Hopefully you'll get some more specific advice on here, and I hope you'll stick around and join in the forum
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Post by baroqueandroll on Jan 3, 2014 14:38:09 GMT
Hi Guitarman
Takamine are brilliant and I'd highly recommend there guitars
Their G series range have been a staple of their product line up for years and for the money offer brilliant value for money.
I have had mine for about 14 years (its a EGS-430SC) and its still my go to guitar of choice if im gigging. The only thing i would say is that if your NOT planning to play live then you may find that it sounds a little 'thin' compared to other makes when played unplugged.
To me Takamine made some of the best 'live' guitars, I.E Guitars designed primarily to gig with and as such their TK40 preamp (for its time) was stunning. You can see the heritage they have for there pre amps if you check out any of there models that include the 'Cool Tube' system (found on the top end models)
i don't know where you found the takamine to try, but if the store happened to have any models by a make called 'Stanford' i'd urge you to try them out. Its been a while since the brand was supported in the UK but when i sold them they where simply amazing!
They had a range called the 'performer' that was designed by Czech luthier Frantisek Furch and built in China and where simply stunning! i had until recently a couple of their guitars but circumstances dictated that i sold them!
They also did a range that sat below this called the 'Monterrey' that was signified by model numbers that began MSCG or MSD etc. These sold new for bang on your budget and where superb. The build quality was no better than anything within your price bracket, but the sound they made was and if you can find one to check out side by side to that takamine it would be interesting to see what your thoughts where.
With that in mind though, Freshman, Crater,and Tanglewood (and a hole bunch of other makers) all do lovely guitars that are bang on your budget so perhaps you should also check those makes out as well.
The guitars mentioned above all fall into (or are very close to) the price of that Takamine but you original budget opens up a whole new world where the choice is truly huge, and in my opinion never been better!
Faith have some great guitars in their range and the new 'naked' series look great. If you can id recommend you trying these if for no other purpose than to compare the sound of a guitar built using a traditional neck/body joint to one that uses a bolt on design. Patrick James Eggle designed this bolt on neck design (along with the bracing) and you may be surprised in how they sound when you A/B them against other guitars.
I suppose the best advise i can give you, as Martin has said is try everything you can get your fingers on and if you like the sound it makes then get it, no matter what the make or model as its a really personal thing
Have fun on your quest and let us know how you get on and what you get
Good luck with your search
Kindest
Paul
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Post by scorpiodog on Jan 3, 2014 14:45:15 GMT
Don't know the guitar, but there are some stonking guitars around these days for not much money. The only thing I would say is that, especially at the lower price points , there is often a lot of variation between individual guitars (sadly there is also some with more expensive factory built guitars). So if the one you played spoke to you, then buy that one. Don't assume all the examples of that model will be equally good. Good luck with your new guitar. We all love new guitar days here, whether they're our own or somebody else's! Welcome to the forum. It's good here. I'd love to see pics and hear sound recordings of your new baby once you've bought it.
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Post by redpick on Jan 3, 2014 16:07:39 GMT
Welcome Guitarman, if you have played the Tak. and it plays and feels good, maybe you have everything you need in that guitar. You may want to consider buying used to make your budget go further. Consider playing the following (new) models to get a feel for what is comfortable-neck shape, nut width etc. Some makes to consider ( although your budget may afford used only): Johnson/Recording King, Taylor 214/210, Seagull, Sigma (old or new co.), PRS SE, Eastman,Moondog, Yamaha, Blueridge. Best of luck and also consider taking a buddy to play each to you so you can test it from the listener's side.
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leoroberts
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Post by leoroberts on Jan 3, 2014 16:29:39 GMT
I'd agree with the "If you like the Tak, go for it" comment - providing you've played a few other guitars and still like the Tak! redpick has suggested some other potential makes, as has baroqueandroll ... and nobody has yet mentioned Vintage Guitars which have always had a 'bang for buck' reputation.
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Post by baroqueandroll on Jan 3, 2014 16:58:25 GMT
Vintage, I'll second that recommendation
I must admit i forgot about that brand (it just shows how many great makes are out there at the moment)
A mate a while ago bought one of the Gordon Giltrap models and it sounded brilliant
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Post by sweyne1 on Jan 3, 2014 16:59:42 GMT
My Freshman Apollo 3OC was £440 when I bought it. Slightly over the top of your budget but including very good electrics (if you need them). All Freshmans appear very good value and quality for the money. Well worth trying.
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andrewjw
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Post by andrewjw on Jan 3, 2014 17:49:43 GMT
My first "proper" guitar was a Taki... I'm a cedar top fan too.. If it sounds/feels good then ..
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guitarman1980
Sore Fingers
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My main instrument is: Acoustic Guitar
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Post by guitarman1980 on Jan 3, 2014 20:37:58 GMT
Thanks everyone for your replies and advice!!
Have been to another guitar shop after work and played with some other guitars. Including a Faith Naked Series (thanks Paul), also some Washburns and an Epiphone. All great but didn't have that same feel as the Tak. So going back to try it again tomorrow morning.
Will let you know how I get on.
Thanks all again for your help!
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Post by dreadnought28 on Jan 3, 2014 20:41:41 GMT
Welcome!
I would try a few guitars right up to your maximum cost price. As stated above Takemine make great plugged in guitars but in my experience too they sound thin when played purely acoustically. You can also save a lot of money by buying used. Check out the usual places, eBay, Preloved. Gumtree etc plus on here too.
Where are you located?
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guitarman1980
Sore Fingers
Posts: 6
My main instrument is: Acoustic Guitar
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Post by guitarman1980 on Jan 3, 2014 20:58:05 GMT
I'm in Leigh on Sea in Essex. Will take your advice and try a few more before going back to the Tak.
Have been looking at buying used but not seen any I like yet.
Thanks.
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bluesboytoby
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Post by bluesboytoby on Jan 4, 2014 10:39:48 GMT
just to second pauls comments about faith guitars i bought my jupiter model from paul when he had his shop & i am glad i did in fact i then bought a mecurey parlour guitar both keepers i also own 2 models by vintage well worth a try a lot of bang for your buck ,try lots of guitars before setteling on the one.
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minorkey
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Post by minorkey on Jan 5, 2014 0:15:52 GMT
Some quality guitars out there these days for little outlay. Tanglewood being one British example.
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Post by ocarolan on Jan 5, 2014 0:28:28 GMT
Hi guitarman1980 - can't really add to the excellent advice already given, but I can extend another warm to the Forum. Hope you'll keep us up to speed with your guitar hunt. Keith
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