Members MattTheBrat Posted March 13, 2005 Members Posted March 13, 2005 If you were to compare a model with similar specs such as "Solid spruce top, laminated sides" that were in the same price range, then which guitar would you prefer? A Takamine or Alvarez? My vote is an Alvarez. I got an Alvarez 12-string and compared it to similar Takamine and Fender 12-string models. The Alvarez just has a bigger, church bell sort of sound. I owned a Takamine once and sold it. I also prefer Yamahas over Takamines. I think that Takamines sound too tinny. But maybe one of you Takamine owners disagree and if so then feel free to post your opinion. Matt
Members LDF Posted March 13, 2005 Members Posted March 13, 2005 I agree with you that Alvarezes are just better dollar for dollar. My ad60k is awsome and it's a laminate. I've owned other alvarezes as well all of which are decent guitars..
Members guit30 Posted March 14, 2005 Members Posted March 14, 2005 I would definitely say Alvarez, I recently just purchased my first one. I've had a Takemine (EG300S), I believe, didn't like the size, have had Fenders, Ibanez's and a Yamaha. Out of this bunch, the Alvarez easily is the winner.Jim
Members postalsock Posted July 30, 2006 Members Posted July 30, 2006 hey mattthebrat is your real nickname MattTheRat back when you lived in warren PA?
Members kwakatak Posted July 30, 2006 Members Posted July 30, 2006 Neither for me under $1000. I find Washburns to be a better bang for the buck. I'm kind of biased toward Taks since I own one (albeit an older discontinued "budget" model, but even then I think you have to spend a little extra to get something nice. The MIJ cedar/mahogany EAN-10C dread comes to mind. BTW, aren't many sub-$1K Washburns, Alvarezes and Takamines all made in the same factory in South Korea anyway?
Members Cldplytkmn Posted July 30, 2006 Members Posted July 30, 2006 i'm not big on the G series taks... but the naturals... fuggedaboutit
Members kwakatak Posted July 30, 2006 Members Posted July 30, 2006 Originally posted by Cldplytkmn i'm not big on the G series taks... but the naturals... fuggedaboutit OT: Yeah, remembering that cedar/mahogany tone and later trying out the rosewood/cedar GS has got me craving a cedar-topped guitar now! Hmmm, I wonder if the Supernatural (rosewood/cedar) Taks are cheaper than the RW/C Taylor GS?
Members steve_man Posted July 30, 2006 Members Posted July 30, 2006 Originally posted by kwakatak Neither for me under $1000. I find Washburns to be a better bang for the buck. I'm kind of biased toward Taks since I own one (albeit an older discontinued "budget" model, but even then I think you have to spend a little extra to get something nice. The MIJ cedar/mahogany EAN-10C dread comes to mind. BTW, aren't many sub-$1K Washburns, Alvarezes and Takamines all made in the same factory in South Korea anyway? What do you think of the Washburns in the sub $500 range? I had a friend that had one once, and the neck twisted like a pretzel. I love my Tak, and do not think of it as "tinny" or thin at all. In fact, I think it's rather mellow. Then again, it's about 10 years old, and solid wood (EG series, I believe). I'm interested on your thoughts about Washburn, though.
Guest Anonymous Posted July 30, 2006 Posted July 30, 2006 Originally posted by MattTheBrat If you were to compare a model with similar specs such as "Solid spruce top, laminated sides" that were in the same price range, then which guitar would you prefer? A Takamine or Alvarez? Both guitar lines have their merits. The dollar:value ratio, however, points solidly in favor of ALVAREZ. Bottom line, though ? Play the guitars. See how their look, feel, and sound appeal to your eyes, fingers, and ears. When it comes right down to it, it's personal preference, really. Regards....Goofyfoot.
Members kwakatak Posted July 31, 2006 Members Posted July 31, 2006 Originally posted by steve_man What do you think of the Washburns in the sub $500 range? I had a friend that had one once, and the neck twisted like a pretzel.I love my Tak, and do not think of it as "tinny" or thin at all. In fact, I think it's rather mellow. Then again, it's about 10 years old, and solid wood (EG series, I believe).I'm interested on your thoughts about Washburn, though. To be truthful I don't really pay much attention to guitars under the $500 mark. I'm of the mind that if you're looking for something under $500 to start out with, then you'd be better off buying a used guitar off one of the guitar forums. My logic is that a "starter guitar" usually gets played hard for the first few years and then discarded in favor of something nicer so why bother with a lifetime warranty? BTW, I played a $200 1973 Takamine F-360 exclusively for so long (about 14 years) that I wanted to make a step upwards toward an all-solid wood, no dreadnought guitar. I did think that my Tak had a tinny sound for the longest time, but experimenting with different strings and getting a professional setup seems to have licked that particular myth. Now I'd put its tone up against the likes of the Taylor 210. As for Washburn, I tried two models that somehow seemed to offer a little more than similarly-priced Alvarez and Takamines. The D52SW (mahogany/spruce dread) and the J28SDL (maple/spruce jumbo priced around $675). Based on some "good vibes" trying those models out I would look at a D-10S if my son should ever need a starter guitar of his own one day. He's 2 so that day is far off, though!
Members MyM.O. Posted July 31, 2006 Members Posted July 31, 2006 The Takamine TAN series is REALLY nice . No tinniness here.
Members kwakatak Posted July 31, 2006 Members Posted July 31, 2006 Originally posted by MyM.O. The Takamine TAN series is REALLY nice . No tinniness here. They have cedar tops, that's why. They're very mellow sounding and great for fingerpicking.
Members DADGADammit Posted July 31, 2006 Members Posted July 31, 2006 if i was going to plug it in all the time, i'd go with the tak, if it was just for playing acoustically to myself i'd get the alvarez. i like alvarez's better too, but i think tak's have better onboard electronics.
Members MyM.O. Posted July 31, 2006 Members Posted July 31, 2006 Originally posted by kwakatak They have cedar tops, that's why. They're very mellow sounding and great for fingerpicking. Yup. They make the Supernatural series in spruce top too. With the cool tube electronics you couldn't ask for much more from a guitar. They sound great plugged or unplugged. A little pricey, though. Alvarez makes a nice sounding guitar for the money too. I'd have to play a bunch and just pick out the best.
Members STEELSTRINGS Posted July 31, 2006 Members Posted July 31, 2006 When I went to the guitar store to pick out my new guitar I saw two nearly identical maple and spruce jumbos. One was an Alvarez the other a Takamine. I played the Alvarez first and played it for a long time but when I picked up the Tak it just didn't sound or play anywhere near as good. That's unusual I've liked every other Takamine I've played or heard, but I like the big open tone of my new Alvarez.
Members dadgad7 Posted July 31, 2006 Members Posted July 31, 2006 ok.....my vote goes to Tak, but that does not mean I don't like Alvarez....in fact I like 'em alot. I've got 2 older Taks a '91 LTD, and a '92 LTD the '92 is awesome, cedar topped. Lam Koa back and sides.Grand Auditorium style body. not tinny at all, nice deep rich fingerstyle guitar. I'd stay away from the 'G'series, when they say Mahogany, they mean Nato, and it ain't the same! Honestly, I don't think either is necessarily better than the other. You picked two pretty well matched brands! Whatever feels better in your hands is the one to buy!!
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