My #1 - Takamine content & Lots of pics

[brianwahl]

Here is my beloved Takamine FD-360sc. It's not in production any longer (actually, not even listed on Tak's discontinued model section). I believe it's the model Garth Brooks played prior to his sig. model, but I'm not much of a country player.

 

So, here are the spec's:

 

Spruce top

Rosewood Back/Sides

Mahogany neck (I think)

Rosewood fretboard

Maple inlays

Rosette and backstripe - padauk, ebony and walnut,

Digital DSP AD-1 preamp

 

Made in 2000 in Japan, I think.

 

Mini Review:

 

Sound: I love the sound - I would describe it as clear, slightly bright, and very balanced. The bass tones and the treble tones mix perfectly, in my opinion. It's fairly loud - good projection. It is really a joy to play and hear - one of those acoustics that is inspiring to play.

 

Playability: The neck is on the thinner side. This is a preference thing, but I'm used to it and like it. It is very comfy. The rosewood board on this thing is awesome. Very tight grain and feels nice and smooth - a bit of a soft feel to it, but not slow. I've cleaned it with 000 steel wool and oiled it with lemon oil every 9 months to a year - it's a great neck. I've set it up for the style that I play. The action is low - but not really low. I'm a strummer, so I like the action just a tad higher than some. Intonation is perfect. I never get tired of playing it.

 

Build quality. I just gave this guitar a cleaning and fretboard conditioning the other day - and I once again gave it a thorough inspection. I simply cannot find one flaw in it at all - besides the ones I've put in it myself. The wood grain is perfect - none of the sanding marks I can see on my Fender Tele. The double binding is flawless. Joints are perfect. No visible glue. It is an example of great craftsmanship. One thing I've always loved about it is the weight. I've picked up some guitars that just felt like a bag of bricks. This one is nice and light - not too light. It can feel a bit on the "delicate" side, but not too much so. Just enough that you want to treat it with care.

 

Electronics. Everybody says that Takamine's are built to be plugged in. This one is no exception (though it sounds better unplugged, in my opinion). It's got some fancy electronics on it, allowing you to adjust feedback response, reverb, and the usual tone and volume controls. It's really easy to dial in a really nice sound. The reverb actually is very useful, giving the guitar a nice full-bodied sound plugged in.

 

I've seen some tak-bashing here and there, and I really don't understand it. I think mine plays/sounds just as good as any taylor/martin/guild/gibson/etc that I've ever played that's anywhere near the same price. The only stuff I've played that I liked significantly more was about 3X the price - at about $4000.

 

Pics coming. . .

[brianwahl]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[brianwahl]

How about a clip??

 

Here is a song from my latest album - the intro features just the acoustic:

 

Brian Wahl Band: All To You stream | mp3

 

That was recorded with a pair of MXL 603s mic's (small-diaphragm condensers) into a PreSonus FirePod. For those of you who aren't into recording - that means budget gear - not high-end stuff.

[LiveMusic]

Ya got a great one Brian! What does "write" mean on the electronics?

 

I like your song, as usual. You are very talented and a beacon for what can be done in a living room with low budget!

[brianwahl]

Ya got a great one Brian! What does "write" mean on the electronics? I like your song, as usual. You are very talented and a beacon for what can be done in a living room with low budget!

 

I believe "write" lets you store a setting. It's got 18 presets. 9 of them are factory settings, and 9 of them are "user" settings. I don't really mess with writing a new setting too much. I kind of have a minor tweak I do with one of the factory settings every time I plug in. I suppose I should do my tweak then write it to a user setting, haha.

 

Thanks for the compliments! It's more of a spare bedroom than a living room .

[roadscholar]

Real nice guitar. I'm a huge Tak fan myself. I've had more than a dozen over the years, always have at least 3 or 4 onhand. My favorite is an EF317S which is a Folk/New Yorker size body, and has the same soundhole rosette and fretboard inlays as your FD360SC. It also has stunning Koa back and sides.

[EastCoastPlayah]

Great guitar - I have the 12 string version (FP-400SC) from 1996 and love it. Its tied for my favorite with my 1996 Steve Wariner Ltd Ed Tak! Both of mine have the Accuracoustic pickup and I will have them forever. I hope you enjoy yours.....

[Elderling]

They can be excellent guitars, but sometimes a bit hit-or-miss. I have an EG544SC-4C I got at Guitar Center, there were another two identical ones in the store. Mine played and sounded great--everyone who picks up my guitar even now loves it. The other two were tinny and horrible, and the neck didn't feel right at all. It's pretty much this one, except the grain is a little darker than the one in the photo.

 

[kwakatak]

Nice guitar! Is that one of those Nashville series? If so, then judging by looks alone it's a far cry from the older discontinued F series as well as the current G series guitars.

 

[basschick22]

nice guitar, Brian...i'm diggin' my jumbo Tak. (TF250SMCSB)

I love hearing my guitar being played almost as much as I love playing it.

[darkest_fugue]

i have a discontinued tak en10c which i bought out of whimsy because of a musician that had one that got an amazing sound from it, my friend's 4000 dollar taylor sure has it as far as looks go but my tak has it where it counts

[brianwahl]

 

i have a discontinued tak en10c which i bought out of whimsy because of a musician that had one that got an amazing sound from it, my friend's 4000 dollar taylor sure has it as far as looks go but my tak has it where it counts

 

 

I actually had it down to between that en10c and my tak when I was buying it. You're right - it is a sweet guitar.

[EvilTwin]

Nice lookin' guitar.

[darkest_fugue]

by the way, thats a nice song, i hope your talent gets you to good places

[AK47]

Nice guitar Brian. Too good for Garth.