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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | The more I play this guitar, the more I LIKE IT!
It is really starting to open up and for a small bodied guitar it really projects well.
I believe Dave mentioned in another thread that Al has a few of these in stock and ANYBODY thinking about a new guitar that is reasonably price should CHECK THIS ONE OUT!
It obviously won't win any volume contests with it bigger brethren but it is a FUN FUN FUN guitar to play and it is EXTREMELY COMFORTABLE to hold.
Not sure if any local mom and pops would have this model in stock but everyone should call around and try to find one that you can spend an hour with.
Did I also mention that the BEARCLAW SPRUCE TOP IS SPECTACULAR!...and the solid Hawaiian Koa back and sides is to die for.
Also, sounds really nice plugged in.
Hunt one down and give it a ride!
I don't think you will be disappointed! |
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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | I just read that even tho this is listed on the Tak website as a standard production model, only 60 will be made worldwide. |
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Location: Bluffton, SC | I would love to find one locally...if, for no other reason, than to find out what the buzz is all about. Not that I doubt the sound and the quality, I just have little locally on the level of Lowdens, Collings and the like and would love to be able to sit and play something like that for a while. |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | I played one at Al's and it was amazing. It's a little hard for me to justify right now, but if I could I would. VERY NICE instrument.
Dave |
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Location: NJ | they are really nice
I like the ef 75 better but they are different animals |
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Posts: 61
Location: Illinois, U.S.A. | Yesterday, on a whim, I made an offer on a 2007 Takamine EF417S and, to my surprise, it was accepted ($1400 + shipping). After hours on the Internet searching, I've only been able to find one, possibly two, other/s of this model for sale in the world. It is a very rare duck, with only about 50 produced. I can't wait for it's arrival. The specifications are exciting.
My only other guitars presently are a 1995 Fender American Standard and a 2006 Fender Deluxe, both electric Stratocasters. My last acoustic was a C.F. Martin D-35 many years ago, which I had to sell to pay for living expenses early in my career. I'd been browsing recently looking at Ovation, Takamine, and Martin. There was no way I was going to be able to get this anywhere near MSRP. But, at half that price, still a stretch, I'll give it a try.
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Location: Bluffton, SC | Nice. And welcome aboard. If you've spent any time at all lurking here, you're probably well aware that some of the Tak's are highly thought of around these parts (sure, we're Ovation nuts but there's room for others too). Good luck with it - if that's the actual one you picked up, it's beautiful. |
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Location: South of most, North of few | what's the nut width on that animal? |
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Location: South of most, North of few | anyone??
(thump...thump...) is this thing on? |
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Posts: 61
Location: Illinois, U.S.A. | Originally posted by Trader Jim:
what's the nut width on that animal? Takamine doesn't publish the nut widths on their guitars .... apparently they want you to try the feel and sound without pre-judgements. But ....
UPS tells me I'll have this guitar this coming Thursday. I'll measure the nut width and let you know here. Just don't tell anyone, OK? |
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Location: South of most, North of few | OK, thanks! I'll keep it a secret. I tried to find it on their website, but trying to find anything there is like trying to read a Chinese calendar. sheesh, that's just wrong. Every other manufacturer (including Ovation) publishes the nut width. I was kind of trying to find out soon as I have an eye on one now. Stephen, where are you?? Out fishing with Al? :rolleyes: |
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Location: Illinois, U.S.A. | Originally posted by Trader Jim:
OK, thanks! I'll keep it a secret. I tried to find it on their website, but trying to find anything there is like trying to read a Chinese calendar. sheesh You have to love the Japanese trying to do business in English. They have a lot of pride and shun advice from outsiders still. I smiled when I came across these two points of ancient wisdom on their Web page area on the care and maintenance for their guitars:
"Do not leave your guitar in the trunk of your car! (That will kill your guitar and you will be very sad!)"
"If you don't know what you are doing with the truss rod, don't goof with it. Get to know a good guitar tech." |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | 1-3/4 |
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Location: South of most, North of few | Thanks Dave! |
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Location: PDX | Uhmm -- mine is 1 5/8. Did they make them in two neck widths?
_____
gh1 |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | 1-5/8 is very narrow, even narrower than a typical Ovation skinny. How are you measuring that? I've read a detailed review of it, and it definately said 1-3/4. Dave |
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Location: South of most, North of few | Ouch, that would be way too narrow for me. Dave? |
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Location: Simpsonville, SC | Jim. you may be a man of many talents but, quit trying to drive and type at the same time. |
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Location: South of most, North of few | Nah...Bonnie's driving now. (it's scary) :eek: |
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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Hey Jim.....sorry...have a big golf tournament going and haven't gotten on the computer much in the last 48 hours.
Just measured mine and it is 1 3/4"
I also saw you PM'ed me so I will look at that a little later and respond to you. |
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Location: South of most, North of few | OK 1 3/4 sounds better. Thanks! |
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Location: PDX | Mine is at work, i'll measure it on Monday.
When i got mine the first thing i noticed is that the string spacing was just like my Telecaster which is 1.65 at the nut.
Perhaps it is a combination of neck profile and spacing that makes it seem narrow?
_____
gh1 |
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Location: PDX | Yep definitely 1 5/8. Outside edge to outside edge of nut.
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gh1 |
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Location: South of most, North of few | sounds like they made two different models of the same guitar. :confused: |
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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | I believe Al has some in stock. Maybe he can check a few and see what his neck widths are. |
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Location: NJ | according to my rep
1 9/16 |
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Location: Illinois, U.S.A. | Well, UPS delivered my EF417S this afternoon. It arrived in pristine condition, not even a fingerprint on it, and all tuned up. Here are some dimensions I just measured:
Takamine Model EF417S S/N 06080955
(#55 factory dated 9 August 2006)
Body Style "New Yorker"
Factory Strings D'Addario EXP16
Takamine Hard Case Model GC1118T
Overall Length 40 1/2"
Width @ Upper Bout 10 1/4"
Width @ Waist 8 5/8"
Width @ Lower Bout 14"
Body Length 19 1/8
Body Depth @ Neck 3 5/8"
Body Depth @ Endpin 4 1/8"
Nutwidth 1 11/16"
Scale Length 25"
Soundhole 3 3/4"
Total Frets 21
Neck Joins Body @ Fret #14
I haven't plugged it in, yet. The un-electrified sound is incredible, though. The playing action on the neck suits my light touch. The gloss finish is flawless and the woodgrain is captivating. It is absolutely comfortable to hold while seated and quite lightweight.
The bad news is a thunderstorm rolled through my area this last Sunday in the wee hours and knocked out my PC. I've managed to restore it, but have yet to re-install the digital camera software, so I can't include actual photos tonight. The photos I included in a previous post are NOT this specific guitar, it turned out.
So, I think it's playtime now .... |
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Location: 6 String Ranch | 1:42 AM, yes it is playtime. go for it. |
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Location: Illinois, U.S.A. | Originally posted by Mauvais Beal (cwk2):
1:42 AM, yes it is playtime. go for it. Yea, dude, I went for it .... I played my guitar way too far into the night. I didn't use any particular methods. Now this morning, I'm worried that this time next year, I'll be up to my kneecaps in ukeleles! |
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Location: NJ | . . . s'better than up to your ass in banjos. |
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| :D |
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Takamine EF417S “New Yorker”