The Ovation Fan Club
The Ovation Fan Club
Forum Search | Statistics | User Listing Forums | Calendars | Albums | Language
Your are viewing as a Guest. ( logon | register )

Random quote: "It's much too late to do anything about rock & roll now ..." - Jerry Garcia / Grateful Dead



Jump to page : 1
Now viewing page 1 [25 messages per page]
It's a wood box, but still Kaman...

View previous thread :: View next thread
   Forums Archive -> The Vault: 2008Message format
 
G8r
Posted 2008-01-22 8:57 PM (#58958)
Subject: It's a wood box, but still Kaman...


Joined:
November 2006
Posts: 3969

...so it's in the family. My Takamine TNV340S arrived today, and boy am I happy. For those who aren't familiar with Taks, they are well-crafted, nice playing, and very good sounding guitars made in Japan and distributed by Fender/Kaman. They compete very well in all the aforementioned categories with Martins and Taylors, at much lower prices for a comparable quality.

This particular model is one of their top of the line, with solid bearclaw spruce top, solid mahogany back and sides, abalone trim and a very nice electronics package. I got it as an FRG at what I think is a steal (about 1/4 the MSRP for a new) and so far, I'm lovin' it. I can't find a single flaw anywhere that would make it FRG. Very sweet player, nice balanced, loud tone that'll only get better as it ages and opens up with use (and it'll get a lot of use).

Some pics:




Top of the page Bottom of the page
Damon67
Posted 2008-01-22 9:26 PM (#58959 - in reply to #58958)
Subject: Re: It's a wood box, but still Kaman...



Joined:
December 2006
Posts: 6994

Location: Jet City
I love that top. Kinda reminds me of my ex-wife's stretch-marks.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
rededdie
Posted 2008-01-22 9:35 PM (#58960 - in reply to #58958)
Subject: Re: It's a wood box, but still Kaman...



Joined:
January 2006
Posts: 387

Location: Whitecourt, Ab
Beautiful unit, g8r. Was the pickguard an option?
Top of the page Bottom of the page
CrimsonLake
Posted 2008-01-22 9:40 PM (#58961 - in reply to #58958)
Subject: Re: It's a wood box, but still Kaman...


Joined:
August 2006
Posts: 3145

Location: Marlton, NJ
Wow... woulda been nice if it arrived a few days earlier.

Damon - that image is now stuck in my mind... thanks!
Top of the page Bottom of the page
G8r
Posted 2008-01-22 9:42 PM (#58962 - in reply to #58958)
Subject: Re: It's a wood box, but still Kaman...


Joined:
November 2006
Posts: 3969

Ed - no options were available since it's an FRG, strictly as is. I'm debating whether to replace the pickguard with a clear one to show off all the figure. Beal has a TNV460 that he put a clear pickguard on and it looks very nice.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
Beggin
Posted 2008-01-22 9:48 PM (#58963 - in reply to #58958)
Subject: Re: It's a wood box, but still Kaman...


Joined:
November 2006
Posts: 2241

Location: Simpsonville, SC
Nice Sergio! Hope to see it at the next jam or Amelia if ya got room. Clear pick guard would look good.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
maxdaddy7271
Posted 2008-01-22 9:56 PM (#58964 - in reply to #58958)
Subject: Re: It's a wood box, but still Kaman...


Joined:
March 2006
Posts: 482

Location: enid, ok
I, too love the top, and do not know Damon67 or his ex-wife. But yes, thanks for that image. I was laughing 'till I realised what you'd done to me. Also, I would give seious thought to the clear pickguard.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
Weaser P
Posted 2008-01-22 10:07 PM (#58965 - in reply to #58958)
Subject: Re: It's a wood box, but still Kaman...


Joined:
October 2005
Posts: 5328

Location: Cicero, NY
Very nice, Sergio. Enjoy.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
Mark in Boise
Posted 2008-01-22 10:10 PM (#58966 - in reply to #58958)
Subject: Re: It's a wood box, but still Kaman...


Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 12754

Location: Boise, Idaho
That's about as much bear claw as I've ever seen. Nice.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
an4340
Posted 2008-01-22 11:09 PM (#58967 - in reply to #58958)
Subject: Re: It's a wood box, but still Kaman...


Joined:
May 2003
Posts: 4389

Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands
Just asking, but if you wait too long before getting the clear pickguard won't you risk a witness shadow due to some wood being more exposed to light and air?

I don't see the stretch marks, like you see in some bearclaw patterns. Maybe that's the reason this is an FRG. The pattern is spaced out, almost like strokes of flame you see in some maple, but wider. Very nice.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
G8r
Posted 2008-01-22 11:11 PM (#58968 - in reply to #58958)
Subject: Re: It's a wood box, but still Kaman...


Joined:
November 2006
Posts: 3969

Originally posted by an4340:
Just asking, but if you wait too long before getting the clear pickguard won't you risk a witness shadow due to some wood being more exposed to light and air?
Absolutely right. Gotta make up my mind quickly.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
stonebobbo
Posted 2008-01-22 11:15 PM (#58969 - in reply to #58958)
Subject: Re: It's a wood box, but still Kaman...



Joined:
August 2002
Posts: 8307

Location: Tennessee
Congrats. Takamine makes some great guitars, and the good ones are really good.

I'd lose that particular pickguard, but I'll bet a Greven tortoise one with a lot of clear in it would look really great on that guitar ... the bearclaw would show through in places.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
colt357
Posted 2008-01-22 11:21 PM (#58970 - in reply to #58958)
Subject: Re: It's a wood box, but still Kaman...


Joined:
September 2006
Posts: 713

Location: Alberta, Canada
That has some seriously nice bearclaw! Very coool!!!

Enjoy, g8r. Sounds like you got a great deal.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
Tupperware
Posted 2008-01-22 11:50 PM (#58971 - in reply to #58958)
Subject: Re: It's a wood box, but still Kaman...


Joined:
January 2005
Posts: 4903

Location: Phoenix AZ
JUST BEAUTIFUL !!!
Top of the page Bottom of the page
Tupperware
Posted 2008-01-22 11:50 PM (#58972 - in reply to #58958)
Subject: Re: It's a wood box, but still Kaman...


Joined:
January 2005
Posts: 4903

Location: Phoenix AZ
JUST BEAUTIFUL !!!
Top of the page Bottom of the page
Trader Jim
Posted 2008-01-23 5:23 AM (#58973 - in reply to #58958)
Subject: Re: It's a wood box, but still Kaman...


Joined:
June 2006
Posts: 7307

Location: South of most, North of few
Love that top Serge, just got there a little too late eh?
Top of the page Bottom of the page
Jeff W.
Posted 2008-01-23 8:10 AM (#58974 - in reply to #58958)
Subject: Re: It's a wood box, but still Kaman...


Joined:
November 2003
Posts: 11039

Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub
Beautiful bookmatching...

Lose the pickgaurd.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
Tupperware
Posted 2008-01-23 8:17 AM (#58975 - in reply to #58958)
Subject: Re: It's a wood box, but still Kaman...


Joined:
January 2005
Posts: 4903

Location: Phoenix AZ
OK, personal opinion. But I've taken photos of lots of guitars like this and yes the pickguard never looks quite "right". But in person, I REALLY like it? You can argue if it serves any purpose or not. Some will say that if you have good playing technique you don't need the pickguard. But at least to me, in good (naural) light a high quality pickguard with nice beveled edges looks very classy. Hell, thsi whole GUITAR looks very classy.

I said this on the other board but I'll repeat it here: I never liked bearclaw. It always seemed like defective wood to me. UNTIL I saw how Takamine does it. I think they do the best bearclaw in the business !!!

Dave
Top of the page Bottom of the page
Jeff W.
Posted 2008-01-23 8:40 AM (#58976 - in reply to #58958)
Subject: Re: It's a wood box, but still Kaman...


Joined:
November 2003
Posts: 11039

Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub
I agree about the Bearclaw Tupp, it's more frequently aesthetically distracting than appealing... but, this one, in particular, is very good...

However, you're wrong about Pickguards... only good Pickguard is clear and the best Pickguard is none at all... I know this for a fact.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
MWoody
Posted 2008-01-23 8:56 AM (#58977 - in reply to #58958)
Subject: Re: It's a wood box, but still Kaman...



Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 13987

Location: Upper Left USA
It's a beautiful guitar!

I have my own opinion as far as BC and PG's go but... that is a beautiful guitar.

In a few more years it will even get better!
Top of the page Bottom of the page
Jeff W.
Posted 2008-01-23 9:01 AM (#58978 - in reply to #58958)
Subject: Re: It's a wood box, but still Kaman...


Joined:
November 2003
Posts: 11039

Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub
"Acoustically" speaking, Woodrow...
Top of the page Bottom of the page
ProfessorBB
Posted 2008-01-23 9:20 AM (#58979 - in reply to #58958)
Subject: Re: It's a wood box, but still Kaman...



Joined:
January 2006
Posts: 5881

Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains
The bookend bearclaw is about as nice as I've ever seen. Tak has picked up a number of big name artists. They're gaining momentum in the CW venues. It can't hurt their marketing.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
alan814
Posted 2008-01-23 9:29 AM (#58980 - in reply to #58958)
Subject: Re: It's a wood box, but still Kaman...


Joined:
May 2007
Posts: 166

Location: Veedersburg, Indiana
Just absolutely beautiful. Enjoy enjoy and then, enjoy.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
fillhixx
Posted 2008-01-23 1:13 PM (#58981 - in reply to #58958)
Subject: Re: It's a wood box, but still Kaman...



Joined:
November 2005
Posts: 4827

Location: Campbell River, British Columbia
JMO, lose the pick guard. Play it 'till it's got a soundport like Trigger.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
Jump to page : 1
Now viewing page 1 [25 messages per page]
Jump to forum :
Search this forum
Printer friendly version
E-mail a link to this thread

This message board and website is not sponsored or affiliated with Ovation® Guitars in any way.
Registered to: The Ovation Fanclub™ Copyright (c) 2001
free counters
(Delete all cookies set by this site)