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Location: Alberta, Canada | Stephent28, I was afraid you'd come up with kind of review. After Bill's comments and Moodys' link, I've been doing some serious thinkin' on this one. Why the hell does there have to be sooo many great guitars out there? :)
Have always thought my one high end guitar would eventually be a D-28 or D-35. Now I'm not too sure. And given the limited numbers, time is of the essence here. Brazillion Rosewood! Sure wish I could play one. The thought of buying such a guitar without playing and hearing and feeling the soul of the instrument, really has me spooked.
I've now read 4 glowing reports, but how can one be assured of getting the same performance? What are the chances that the whole run will attain that level? Sure great you got a good one.
I've watched the video on Moodys' link about a dozen times and everything about the guitar is incredible, even the sound out of my crappy speakers.
Can't thank you enough for the review...I think!
Well, back to head scratching and drooling! :)
Dave |
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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Even tho some on this board will disagree with me, there are dealers that will give you a free 48-72 hours to try it out and make sure you like it.
You might pay a little more, but Brother Bobby offers a FULL 90 DAYS to try out any guitar they sell. If you don't like it, send it back.
Can't beat that deal to decide if you got a good one or not. |
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Location: 6 String Ranch | Dave, For what it's worth, they are probably all pretty close. Mine is #71 and it has maybe 1% more bass fullness than Steve Sutton's(Debanjo) but they are reallllll close. There were around 80 of these made. Most Dealers will give a trial period, not sure how that would work with the customs and all but still worth a shot. There are others besides Bro Bob. Check Ebay, I thought I saw a second guy there.
Anyway, good luck with your decision.
Just to add to your confusion I also just got one of the Tak EF340S BG, the solid mahogony/spruce bluegrass model, same electronics as the 75. It has a bit more fullness that you'd expect from a Dread but the 75 has more cut. While I like the boom of the dread, the 75 is more fun to play, and since it is a bit smaller, it's more comfortable. |
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Location: NJ | WOW!!! The famous Steve Sutton from the "History of the Ovation Guitar" Book??
. . . I'm impressed!!! |
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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | These "special" guitars always seem to have a bit more "consistency" that the regular runs.
Maybe they are made by the same small group of individuals????? |
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Location: 6 String Ranch | Yes Cliff,
The one and only Steve Sutton (aka Debanjo Rheinhardt) |
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Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | Stephan,
You have the 2080D 12 string now?! If so, what's it like? |
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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | :( Any day now :)
Can't wait! |
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Location: Alberta, Canada | Originally posted by cwk2:
Dave, For what it's worth, they are probably all pretty close. Mine is #71 and it has maybe 1% more bass fullness than Steve Sutton's(Debanjo) but they are reallllll close. There were around 80 of these made. Most Dealers will give a trial period, not sure how that would work with the customs and all but still worth a shot. There are others besides Bro Bob. Check Ebay, I thought I saw a second guy there.
Anyway, good luck with your decision.
Just to add to your confusion I also just got one of the Tak EF340S BG, the solid mahogony/spruce bluegrass model, same electronics as the 75. It has a bit more fullness that you'd expect from a Dread but the 75 has more cut. While I like the boom of the dread, the 75 is more fun to play, and since it is a bit smaller, it's more comfortable. cwk2, thank you for your thoughts; the struggle continues. I made a phone call today and will see what comes of it Monday.
Having just received my CB back from the factory I really shouldn't be looking for another guitar. The CB, however, has a few issues and I'm working at figuring them out, which I'm sure is doable.
It's been many years since the CB began to need help and I quit playing it. Since its return in early December, it is the only guitar I've been playing, and I really like the sound/tone, especially the strong bass response. In fact I'm so pleased with it, that I was entertaining the thought that it could easily be the only guitar I need.
Last weekend I had the opportunity to play several Martins and I heard that sound that a wood box gives and liked it. I wouldn't say it's a better sound, just different. Although I do have a spruce top/mahogony guitar, it is in bad need of repair. I will NOT do to it what I did for the CB.
So here I am, again, thinking this Tak could be the last guitar I would ever need to buy. :) (Who am I kidding:)) It is certainly nice enough!
My biggest hurdle is buying without hearing. I have played many new Martins in guitar shops that I wouldn't give a plug nickle for...the flagship D-28s! There have only been two that I would have bought, if I'd had the funds at the time. I guess it's the inconsistency of performance that occurs in the mix of craftsmanship/material from a so called "highend maker", that has me spooked. :eek:
You guys sure plead a good case, though. (I gotta quit coming here. :) )
Guess I'll see what Monday brings and how the finance officer takes the news. ;)
My head hurts...time to go play a tune or two.
Dave |
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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Dave, just to reinterate (for what it's worth).....Brother Bobby offers a 90 day trial period. I don't see how you could go wrong with this scenario.
I got mine from Sigler Music and I do not believe they offer a trial period. Just a defective exchange policy. I did enjoy dealing with them. They went to ship out my guitar and did a final inspection (wish all dealers did this!) and discovered a small scratch on the back. They contacted Takamine (who had another one that had just been built) and had it dropped shipped directly to my door. Since I have #74 that also means there are not a lot of them left at the manufacturing plant.
Good luck! |
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Location: Boise, Idaho | Dave, I can relate to living in the hinterlands as far as trying out guitars. I think the first Adamas I ever saw up close, much less played, was at Tuppy's house, back when he had the much more respectable name of StandingOvation.
I bought 5 of my current Os from this board and each has been exactly as represented and I have been elated with each one. I think that the only one of which I ever had the opportunity to play that specific model was the Ute, but that was Dave's and I played so many of his guitars my head was swimming when I left.
If I have a point, it's that the advice you get from this board is generally as accurate as you will get. If a guitar gets glowing reviews on this board, I doubt you will be disappointed in it. |
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Location: Alberta, Canada | Thanks guys. You are all making this decision both harder and easier at the same time. If you know what I mean. :)
Stephent28, I understand the 90 day trial and that is an extremely good return policy, but living north of the border, with duty issues and shipping and such, it becomes very involved and exspensive to return. Shipping and duties really hurt when I sent my Custom Balladeer back to the Mothership. BTW, can you tell me if the saddle is set up with shims like on an O. And where is the plant that builds these? US?
Mark,yeah, talk about relating! :) The thing about what you're saying, is you are discussing a particular guitar with someone who has first hand and most likely extensive knowledge of that instrument. I believe, from what I have read in posts from members here, that you will get an open and honest report on whatever guitar you may purchase here. And the chances are good that it will exceed what you may expect. What I've read here is what has me fired up about this model, but, they are reports about guitars that have been played and assessed. I guess it's buying a guitar that has not been played and proven, if that makes any sense at all.
I put in a call,this morning, to the nearest Tak dealer to see what kind of a price and availability they can provide. And once I get this all figured out, I still need to get it passed SWMBO. :)
I'm depressed and excited at the same time. :) We'll see. Thanks again.
Dave |
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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | My work here is done :D |
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Location: Alberta, Canada | Not so fast, Amigo. Can you tell me anything about the bracing used. Scalloped? You also remarked about the cool case. How would you rate it against the O cases?
Also, the nut is stated at 1 7/8. How much different is the feel to a standard O neck? I know that's subjective, but I'm not sure how else to put it.
And one more. In the Sigler Ebay add, the pictures show the bridge with inlays, but the videos show a plain bridge. What did you end up with?
If you have any experiance with Martins, how would you rate the build quality of the two?
Dave |
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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | You know, I have never been one to take the time to worry about bracings, nut widths, neck shapes, etc. I just play it and decide if it feels good, sounds good, looks good, and talks to me. If I get 3 outta 4, then it is usually a winner. The Tak is a 4 outta 4.
To me it has a thick rounded C neck but since I know virtually nothing about those things, CWK2 or someone will correct me and say it is a "v" or a soft "c" or whatever. DOn't know, don't care. It meets all my requirements.
I seen some shabby Martins and I have seen some shabby Taks, Taylors, Ovations...you name it.
This being a limited run of 80 or so with very rare and aged Brazilian Rosewood, I would imagine that Tak has their best craftsmen on it. These are not run of the mill guitars and I am sure they have been crafted to reflect that. Mine seems perfect in just about every way I could think to check it out.
Not sure if the photos used by Sigler & Brother Bobby were protos or production but mine is a plain bridge and my pickguard has the Takamine written on it (maybe that is plastic that comes off, haven't tried to remove it).
Mine looks pretty much identical to the one in the video with the exception that my maple binding on the neck in heavily figured like the body binding. The video seems to have figuring on the body binding but the neck binding looks plain. The binding is absolutely beautiful to look at....stunning!
The case is a contoured case shaped to the body of the guitar with a raised top (like for an archtop) and is a tannish figured nagahyde (I'm guessing). Three latches with a combination lock. Inside is a plush interior.
The case is much nicer looking than the "O's" but probably not as durable.
I can understand the caution but I just find it impossible to believe you would not be blown away and overjoyed by this guitar.
Oh yeah....with another 5-6 hours on it, I believe it already sounds better than when I first played it. I can only imagine the sound in 6 months, 6 years, etc!
This one will NOT be going anywhere. Like #47 is it an absolute keeper! |
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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Dave, I hope that helped. There is really nothing more I can say about it. I will try to take some pics in the next day or two and post them in my gallery and on this thread for you.....but I wouldn't wait. I guess this guitar has been in production now for almost 2 years and the end of the run is eminent.
Grab one before it is too late. |
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Location: 6 String Ranch | The Tak sticker is a peel-off and it looks better without it. I think mine and DeBanjo's have inlayed bridges. I'd say it has a C shape neck. I didn't realize that it was 1 7/8 but that wouldn't suprise me since I really like the feel of it. |
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Location: big island | stephen, you've got a p.m. response from me :) |
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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Good to know the Tak sticker peels off. I could live with it but prefer not to :cool: |
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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Lanaki, I am terrible with checking the PM's.
Thanks for alerting me. |
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Location: big island | paging stephen - paging stephen...you have another pm. (you just keep having too many brilliant flashes. ;) ) |
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Location: 6 String Ranch | Actually mine doesn't have bridge inlays either. Maybe it was only the first few. |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | Originally posted by stephent28:
My work here is done And my bank account hates you .... ;)
Dave |
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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Originally posted by Tupperware:
Originally posted by stephent28:
My work here is done And my bank account hates you .... ;)
Dave
but your ears and fingers will love me! :cool:
feel free to blame Bill....He started the damn thread and sucked me in! :rolleyes: |
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Location: Alberta, Canada | Originally posted by stephent28:
Originally posted by Tupperware:
Originally posted by stephent28:
My work here is done And my bank account hates you .... ;)
Dave
but your ears and fingers will love me! :cool:
feel free to blame Bill....He started the damn thread and sucked me in! :rolleyes:
Stephen, I really appreciate the time you have put into this for me. Your input, along with that from the rest who have posted here, has been a great help. It's truely guys like you all that make this such a great board!
I have, (I think), located this guitar, locally, at a price I think is ball park fair. Well, it's not local yet, but, I'm going to see if they can get it moved, so I can try it out. I just hope I don't have to let the Custom Balladeer go, to get this done.
I believe the apprehension I was feeling, is gone. :eek: Thanks, I think. :D
Bill, just ignore them. You done good here! I, for one, appreciate what you have uncovered here. ;) This sure has "Sleeper Guitar" written all over it. Or is it just me?
Dave |
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OT: Tak EF75J
