Yes - me too. More of these types of videos pls, Rhett! Especially for those of us still learning/trying to progress, but needing to do so on a tight budget.
also grab'em quick while they're around since these videos will raise the prices of these hidden gems. Alternative are Korean ones, but those are little bit more of a mixed bag here and there.
A pure “His Master’s Voice” worship pose. Whenever I pick up a guitar to sofa noodle, my pooch gives me ‘the finger’ look and pointedly leaves the room ...
In 1982, when I was 15, my parents bought me my first guitar, a used 1975 lawsuit Takamine. A lot of guitars have come and gone over the past 41 years, but I still have that Takamine. It has aged wonderfully. It sounds better now than it ever has.
Had my acoustic Suzuki 3 piece back since 1979 (first guitar). I still think it has the best action of any acoustic guitar I have ever played and I’ve played plenty.
The reason that one sounds so good is it's an EF-360S. The "S" was for a solid spruce top, with laminated back and sides. The "E" indicates the electronics. So that aged spruce is (mostly) what you're hearing, and you got the exact model people seek out. The difference to a D-28 is obviously solid back and sides, which makes quite a difference as well. Nice find!
looks like they go for $500-850 online. That's a little much really, you can start getting used Larivees and other really great guitars at that price point.
I had the good fortune of seeing Eagles play live many times since the early 70s when they toured with their highly collectible Martin guitars. On the Hotel California tour, they brought Takamines and left the Martins safely at home. As Rhett stated, from a distance they look like Martins. As a certifiable gear-head I have always taken binoculars to shows and I noticed at that show - those aren't Martins! A little known fact, the acoustic intro we hear on Hotel California is a Takamine. Here's a quote from Don Felder: "The acoustic guitar in the intro is a Takamine 12-string with a DeArmond pickup. We miked the acoustic and put that in the center of the mix. Then we took the pickup’s output and ran it though an Echoplex and a Leslie. We miked that in stereo so it has this left-to-right kind of swirling, ethereal characteristic.
This can be a little deceiving as the larger Japanese makers have their own, high end 'custom shops' where they build guitars that are the match of anything available, and that is reflected in the cost. So, Don Felder's 12 string Takamine could be a guitar made with the finest tonewoods, by an expert Craftsman, much different from the old 12 string Takamine that you can pick up cheaply from a guitar store.
I have several Japanese made acoustics from the 70’s that are Martin lookalikes and surprisingly so sweet sounding & easy playing. A couple I’ve had since the seventies…one’s a Gould another’s a Kasuga, a couple 1970 Epiphone’s that in 1970 were made in Japan instead of kalamazoo, Michigan that I purchased for next to nothing. The Japanese really knew how to make great guitars, still do!
Sadly, mine disappeared in 2017. Beautiful tone and voice. It was a gift in 1974, used, from my brother in law, meant to bring me back to life. It worked. I fell in love with it, returned to playing, recording and touring.
They’re good, solid instruments. I inherited a F 360S from my mother in law. She’s still with us, but possession is 9/10s of the law. Lol. I believe she bought it new in 76.
When my Dad passed back in April, he left me a Martin and an Arbor Acoustic from 1978 Based on a D-35. Same deal. Has the Martin style stamp on the brace inside the sound hole. Sounds and records fantastic. Like a Vintage Martin. Maybe not a Pre-war but a Martin from the 70’s.
I tend to like the build quality and sound of Japanese guitars. One of my guitars is a 1989 Takamine 6-string and was looking at a new Takamine 12-string. I saw your video with you holding the lawsuit 12-string and decided that I needed to check it out. I headed off to Music-Go-Round, played the guitar and wow, what a sound. So much better sounding than the new model. I bought it, took it home and proceeded to go over it. I did a bit of work to it cleaning things up and I replaced the worn bridge saddle. I also installed a LR Baggs Anthem since I find Takamine electrics too brittle sounding. It now looks, plays and sounds fantastic! Thanks Rhett for pointing me in that direction. I'm a happy boy!
These are great! I'm lucky to have my dad's 1976 Takamine F385 12 string that he bought new in 1977. Records like a champ, and sounds better then any of the Martins I've played.
My uncle got a “Lawsuit Tak”, in the late 70’s & that axe had such a smooth & gentle sound but had really good volume as well. Your spot on when speaking about the Tak’s! Great video!!
My mom gave me her Takamine D-28 copy when I was still my teens -- the 1980s. Fast forward to 2015 or so, when I had been playing with younger guys in The Big Idea: they see my "old Martin knockoff" and I heard for the first time "Lawsuit Takamine." It now stays in the home studio. At some point it became priceless to me, anyway. Takamine & Co. F-360S, July 1977. I now have a "Mystery Martin" (copy with no information, no numbers, to be found on it anywhere, no name on the headstock ...) that I use to play out and about that also sounds.. amazing. But that's a different story, eh?
I had a 1973 F-360 (a D-28 clone but with a laminated spruce top and rosewood fingerboard and bridge instead of ebony) that served me well through my college days in the early-mid 1990s but I took poor care of it. I put it in storage but neglected to loosed the strings and the glue holding the neck block in place softened, causing the block to slip and the neck angle to degrade. The binding bridge and binding came loose as well. I paid to have it repaired but it still didn't last longer than a few more years and it inspired me to take up luthiery as a hobby. I read about Martin construction techniques and attempted to apply the same neck reset process but found out quickly that the similarity to an actual Martin D-28 is simply cosmetic. For starters, I discovered that the neck joint is not a dovetail neck joint - or even a mortise/tenon; it is a but joint held in place by five wooden dowels. I also had access to a Martin store display top and intended to replace the bellied laminate top with a solid spruce one. When I routed off the old top and compared it with the Martin top I discovered that the Takamine braces were much thicker and not scalloped. In addition, the bridge plate (which on a Martin is typically maple) was actually an oversized piece of spruce - which is a soft wood and was likely the reason why the top bellied so much. I still have the guitar but it's in three pieces. I've since built a couple of guitars but never repaired one. I'm wavering if I should take the chance with it. PS: eventually I replaced it with a real but low end Martin D-16GT but that guitar is a mahogany/sitka dreadnought with a satin finish on the back and sides and faux ebony bridge and fingerboard. I was able to play them side by side before the Tak met its demise and even the newer guitar sounded much better to my ear.
Great video! Fun to see young fellows like yourself discovering Japanese made '70's acoustics. People tend to forget that the Japan was loaded with master craftsmen in the post war years while they were rebuilding their economy. It's my firm belief that they are what made the difference in the instruments they built.
I have a solid spruce top Fender F-35 made in Japan in 1975. Call it my Martin w/ a wee self-esteem problem. Doesn't really project but has such sweet tone and volume for practicing and jamming at home. Spent $150 on it a few years ago. Added a bone saddle and pegs, but I had to pull the top down a little before that, with simple humidifying, and a weird interior holder/brace rig with brass pins I bought online that held the bridge down flatter for a while.
Definitely. I recently picked up an early 70s yamaki d28 replica that is just phenomenal in every aspect. Beautiful sound and very playable. All for a fraction of the price of a same era d28.
I have one from ‘78. It’s my go-to acoustic. I also have an early 80’s Japanese electric that just kills called an Aria Pro 2 cs-400. Currently my go to electric.
I met David Crosby in 1991 backstage at a CSNY show in Saskatoon, SK Canada Joni Mitchell"s hometown. I told David I loved his vintage Martin's and their tone. I mention I just bought a used 70's lawsuit Takamine copy of one of his. He said those early Takamines were very good guitars with a few he played sounding as good as some of his old Martins. It was a super cool night. CSN gave their band the night off after Joni's parents, during dinner at there place, said they loved it when they played their early songs just 3 piece acoustically. They were promoting a new album but changed the set list and their set up for Joni's parents. It was the only time on that whole tour they did that.
Martins of my younger days (I’m really old) varied in quality, expensive were almost perfect, affordable often needed attention to be what a Martin should be. The buyer of an affordable Martin may not have been experienced enough to make the needed adjustments. I guess the affordable, quality Japanese guitars where a product of the need to compete with those more expensive Martins.
Had a 1979 just like it ! Lawsuit era ! Built like a D-28 and had the original tak electronics and still worked ! Found it in a small shop! Coolest part was the original owner owned a guitar shop but had died of cancer ! His daughter wasn’t able to keep any of his guitars and I was able to return it to her as a gift ! Awesome sounding guitar too!
I've had an EF-340 of the same era for many years and absolutely love it! My Dad bought it for me used in the late 80's. The EQ on the pick up can be pretty bright, so when I play plugged in I keep it down all the way, but other than that it plays super easy and sounds full and balanced both plugged in and acoustically. Just got it re-fretted a few years ago and even though the re-fret cost more than the guitar is worth, I couldn't be happier with it. Great guitar and tons of sentimental value for me.
I recently bought a Yamaha red label acoustic and it sounds phenomenal. I have a Martin 000-15S and a Gibson J35 as well. All great guitars but sound totally different to each other. I can see why people can spend crazy money on acoustic guitars - but as your video shows, there are still great deals to be had which get you sounding like a record, and well-loved acoustics always get better with age.
I got one, back in the 90’s, that I wish I’d taken better care of. In the shop, they had the higher quality ones, that were $1200-$1500, and then the $600-$750 ones, that just had a cheaper pickup, and usually the frets weren’t rounded off well, etc. I played every guitar, until I found one of the less expensive ones, that had the same action as the more expensive ones. It’s a dark guitar, though plugged into an amp, it’s bright, and has worked well for playing lead.
I have one of these, '78 F-360S-L (but was converted to right handed), it was my first guitar, I was 16, took it to every party, bon fire, etc., beat the heck out of it basically, lots of dents and dings, lots of temps and humidity swings. I'll be 43 next month, still have her, still play her, and she still sounds fantastic. Great guitar! Also have a '99 Bourgeois Slope D. Almost afraid to play that thing, its *way* nicer than anything I should own, and worth more than anything I own other than my house lol
I bought a 1976 F360S about 20 yrs ago. Needed some work but sounded great. My sister was dating a guy named Chris Camp at the time- great Luthier. He reworked the fretboard, replaced the tuners and installed a Martin pickup. The sound it projects is incredible.
I was gifted a "lawsuit" Takamine 12 string several years ago in mint condition. It has always sounded amazing and I'm glad to see this era of Taks getting recognized. I'll have to look for a 6 string before the prices go up.
I own a Takamine F360S that I purchased NOS in 1981. The S stands for solid top. I have played it in Bluegrass circles where it has been mistaken for a D28 Martin. I have stopped pointing out that it is not a Martin. One guy actually got pissed at me for bringing that POS into a bluegrass circle. "Thirty seconds ago you thought it was a great old Martin." It will belong to my son someday.
I love the sound of that Takamine. It is support for what I have been trying to tell folks for years, "It is not the name on the guitar that matters most, it is how she sings to you when you touch her."
I bought a lawsuit Tak 360s in 1976. I was a college student and couldn't afford a d28 Martin. The music store told me that the Tak was a better value. The top is solid spruce, back and sides are laminate but it still plays and sounds amazing. It's my campfire guitar. Never had to adjust the truss rod, neck is straight as an arrow.
I have one of these myself my dad bought and gave to me and have always loved the tone of it and it has only gotten better with time and I prefer the thinner neck. Thanks for you're content!!
10:05 I love that you have your dog (name?) so attentively sitting and watching you play. My two are my biggest fans and never cover their ears even when I miss a note. Great video as always Rhett. Thank you!
I have a 1976 FY40 & 1974 DY 57 beautiful guitars, 000-18 & D18 type guitars both are mahogany /cedar. The A Y in the arrow shape is a really cool logo. I can't really say if the FY 40 sounds like a martin but the 57 does.
I bought my Takamine 12 string new 48 years ago. Have absolutely LOVED it since day one! Phenomenal tone and voice. Throughout the years have had several offers. No way would I ever consider parting with it.
good for you, glad you got a DEAL. AN OLD FRIEND OF MINE HAS ONE, HE BOUGHT NEW BACK IN THE MID 70'S AND i REMEMBER IT, AS BEING A GOOD ONE TOO AS WELL. MY HUNCH IS THAT IT MAY NEED STRINGS However= I bet it is in great shape, my hopes and not prayers but i do hope to see and play her again one day. Mike in phoenix, Az. stay safe and healthy...............
Probably a little less obscure to most players but for those that aren't aware many yamaha acoustics from that era are unbelievable for the money. I think its a combination of old wood and great craftsmanship.
I found an old Yamaha on CL last winter by a guy clearing out his garage. Very clean condition, lovely warm sound. You literally would not believe how little he wanted for it. He just wanted to clear space and send it to a good home. I did not really know what it was "worth" on the used guitar market, but it didn't matter. I just figured it should make a decent beach guitar for the price. He was happy and it came home with me. It is better than I deserve.
My parents bought me a Yamaha Country Jumbo CJ818 in 1979 as an 18th birthday present. I had it professionally re-fretted 2 years ago. It is now 44 years old sounds amazing and plays beautifully. It is, and always will be, my go to guitar. I had an LR Baggs M1 pickup fitted but it doesn't capture the nuances of the brightness of the sound, the high freq harmonics for example. So I bought myself a Yamaha A3R three weeks ago because of the pick up system (with on-board Mic modelling and resonant feedback damping) and because it has a cut away for high neck "noodling" - but if that pickup system was available as a separate, after market accessory, I would have just put it onto the 818 because, sonically, I haven't heard anything sound sweeter (to my ears). Conclusion? The A3R is an amazing guitar and sounds just amazing through an amplifier. But my old Yamaha is firm proof that old guitars from the 70s, if they've been reasonably well looked after, can be hidden gems.
I was doing setups and minor repairs for guitars coming into a local pawn shop when I landed a beautiful 1988 Takamine NP-15C in almost perfect condition. I spent a lot of time with it, and promptly put it on layaway. For $500 I couldn't wait to get it home. Beautiful maple binding, cedar top with solid rosewood back and sides. The preamp sounds great, and it proudly hangs next to my 2001 Martin SWDGT where it deserves to be. Tweed HS case was included. Winner!
The old Takemine guitars can be very, very good. I've had three old one's through my workshop. The preamps usually need new capacitors and pots which is a proper pain and doesn't result in a decent sound (well not yet anyway!). I tend to fit a jack socket preamp without any controls so that the guitar looks original. Enjoy this gem Rhett. Also worth looking at old Yamahas...
i still have my first Takamine, the shop gave it to me free when my parents bought a fancy piano. it's mahogany back and sides + spruce top. After 18 years or so it's gotten so much better. I currently have it in Nashville tuning but in open D it's glorious.
I play my 68 Yahama FG180 Red Label every day. The resonance and projection of this cheap little guitar is just amazing. Bought it used 5 years ago for 250 dollars and I havent put it down since.
I bought a 1971 Yamaha FG180 Red Label from my next door neighbor in the spring of 1972. He used to run out of money at the end of the school year and have to start selling stuff. Paid $120, as I recall. The Yamaha was purported to be a poor man's Martin in those days and many people played them. That laminate guitar had a great sound. I had some work done on it and bought a nice case before I gave it to my nephew a couple of years ago.
I have one from 1982 that is still a lawsuit era. I have frequently had people tell me how great that Martin d-28 sounds. I've gotten away from it for several years, but use it as my knockaround guitar. Sounds and plays great!
Ive had an EF360S since 1986 and it is outright the best performance guitar Ive ever had. She a bit beat up but you've just given me the inspiration to take it in for a fret job and set up. They are now known as the Glenn Frey special and of course cost a lot more.
Another guitar that you don't hear about to much are "red" label Yamahas from the same era. They may not sound like a Martin, but are still killer guitars. (6 & 12 string)
I had one of the "original" FG180s (1971, new) and it was a phenomenal guitar. Not quite the D-18 that a lot of people compare it to, but neither did it cost that... And I would bet it was tougher... but it was very solid and did yeoman duty for me for a couple decades. I have these Takamines, which I reported here on, and Martin now, but still miss that Red Label as it was my first good acoustic guitar. In recent years Yamaha resurrected the Red Label line as a commemorative, including the FG180. Little did I know! Well, I sorta did...
@@springertube Yamaha went for the school market early on and built solid simple guitars for that market. Not necessarily great sounding but it got them lots of contracts.
I have an Ibanez acoustic Artwood AW-50 all wood that was made in Japan in 1981. It has a solid spruce top and solid rosewood back and sides. It is a copy of a Martin D-28 and sounds amazing. I bought it in Houston brand new in 1983 or so for $150 or something. Absolutely beautiful guitar.
This video reminded me of my first guitar, a late 60s Aria Martin clone with a bolt on neck that was unreasonably decent for a cheap guitar. And even now, 40 years later, I can still remember the way that thing smelled when you took it out of the case. :D
I must admit that the Takamine sounds like Melissa off of the Allman Bros album. The sound is full even and well balanced sound. I am impressed and I think you hit a home run on the choice you made Rhett! Well Done. Find a Fishman that will fit and your set.
I own 2, a 1984 F-340s and a 1977 F-360s. Both solid tops, both factory left handed. If I sold off all of my acoustics, these are the two I’d keep. No question.
Rhett, you've just discovered one of the Holy Grails of guitar values. Great guitars.. I've played Takamine "lawsuits" (from my understanding they were cease and desist threats, not full on lawsuits, but the moniker stuck) for 45 years, including the model you bought, but without the "E" part (electronics). They had different trims on the same (numbered) models over an eight or ten year period, at one point that (F360) being a dead-on "D-28" like mine was, then they added the neck binding for a half-way-to-35 look. A 370 model added (typically) fancier figured wood and headstock binding, accidentally or not creating a guitar Martin never really had in their regular line up, but still with this horizontal logo scheme. I lost my 360S and it's virtual D12-28 twin 12 string, the 400s, in a church/pastor's office burglary the night before I was about to play at a friend's wedding- as I found out 90 minutes before ceremony...rushing home to get my trusty Red Label Yamaha FG180 which saved the day! The 375S, one of my current two, went full on 35 with the 3 piece back and added nicer-yet figured Brazilian/jacaranda, albeit laminate (as all these are, thus the lower price point). I think they may have variously then added a "non 35" bound headstock and (also non 35) diamond valute on the neck/headstock backside. The F375 effectively is the top of the line, as a 4-something 41/45 clone-- complete with a large vertical logo--is scarce and comparatively unobtanium having been made in very low numbers. The other one you tried looked perhaps like their "18" variant, 340, my other one, which of the dreadnaughts is perhaps the most common out there. Critical to me is having the "S" suffix (340S etc), which signifies solid top, and those run a bit of a premium over the "non S"-- or let's say the latter should generally not be priced like the "S." The mahogany b&s 340S makes for a great gigging / road guitar. That one you tried, especially if an "S," may indeed have just needed some major TLC, string change, nut and everything. By the way, try setting yours up with D'Addario "light mediums," AKA "bluegrass" as some call them. They keep the mediums' bass wound guages and lighten the trebles down a modest notch for greater lead playability. Your and Rick's string guage test notwithstanding, IMO these dreadnaughts truly do exhibit "better" tone and volume with a bit heavier (than light) strings, IMO, in the Tak's case helping the Martin illusion further along. Highly subjective I realize depending on what you're trying to do. That said, my 375S simply did not play as well as I wanted with straight mediums that my 28 (and 340S) seems fine with, and I found that the light mediums solved that playability issue. All guitars are different however, and yours may do fine with straight lights. A particular guitar's overall goodness can oftentimes belie the string gauge--or at least make lighter/heavier guage less important. My F-375S is my daily and, along with my 340S, travel/gigging guitar(s) as you're alluding to, saving my still like new '99 D-28 from getting bashed around. I love my 28--not quite "vintage" yet, but the 375 with that Brazilian (again albeit laminate) and close to 50 year aged top resonates it out of the room. Aging is part of it, but it's not just that. my first (new then stolen) ones had that quality right out of the box! It's a canon. Yours looks to desperately need a fretboard and bridge moisturizing. These pieces being rosewood will never be as dark and rich as the Martin's ebony, but I've never seen any as light and dry as yours. Also, while the electronics were "ok" in their day, in fact one of the few on board units (watch Stephen Stills in concert--as CSN--playing Treetop Flyer and others on his 370S or 375S),...but use the fact yours doesn't work along with your low purchase price and mount a much better LR Baggs in the same location (not as ideal as in the valley between bouts but better than nothing). Be not dissuaded by the laminate back and sides. Takamine, like Alvarez Yairi (of the famous Kazuo Yairi, RIP, which is a notch up in price and quality from these but "even more" will have you saying 'bargain Martin') ...makes/made them well and resonant. When Martin forced Takamine to change their logo, effective early '80s here in the US, they went overboard, IMO, to their now familiar and drastically different headstock shape and oversized script logo, and in the process lost some of their mojo, again IMO, however otherwise excellent they may be... and Garth Brooks and just about every country act (and the Eagles)--can you say perhaps artist subsidy?-- notwithstanding. As trite as it may sound, I've always gotten a kick out of people coming up to me and saying "your Martin sounds great" and then, after a thank-you, I let them in on the little secret! EDIT: don't get me wrong, these are not, typically, "vintage Martins" or good examples of recent decades' manufacture (I'm talking Martin's long standing "Standard line of D18-45)--missing the ebony pieces for one thing--so I would set those expectations aside,...But individual ones can do a very close mimic, and they all are very good and for all intents and purposes indistinguishable in a live setting, note Stephen Still's usage...or do great at recording also as Rhett alluded to. Quality strings of the right gauge (to you) and a good set-up are everything on these, not that they are not on others... But these truly can shine with just a little bit of investment, or just be great daily at home or road guitars as is.
I bought one in the late 70's and still use it to this day. If the logo on the headstock said Martin, no one could tell that it's not. The electronics don't work but, when I play out, I put in a sound hole pickup and it sounds great. A great guitar! The dog is having a tough time figuring out which guitar is better...
I have a high end Takamine guitar and the quality and sound is incredible. I also have a friend that owns an older Takamine that I worked on. It needed some TLC, humidified, setup and it sounds good. They are well made and the craftsmanship is excellent. Not to be confused with the Chinese offerings flooding the market.
I've just bought an early secondhand Guild GAD-50E dreadnought built in China for $672. It has solid Indian rosewood back and sides, a solid spruce top, one-piece mahogany neck, Grover Rotomatic tuners, ebony bridge pins, wooden body binding and a Fishman under saddle pickup. It's beautifully made, and has a shell case. I've owned Martins, USA-built Guilds and Gibsons. This Guild is right up there with the best - a great flatpicker's guitar. Good volume balance across the strings, a pleasing sweet tone, and plenty of punch. Unbeatable value.
My father bought me an F400 12 string for my 21st birthday 40 years ago and boy did I love that guitar. I lost sight of her and it stayed in a case for many years until recently. I realised my chubby middle-aged fingers were less dexterous than before. So she is now a 6-string and I could not believe how beautiful she sounds configured this way. My go-to Acoustic. Thanks, Dad, and thank you Takamine.
I own a 1977 Takamine F400 12 string. $100 pawn shop find 8 years ago. Restored it myself with a conversion to bolt-on neck reset, refret, Groverr mini lockers and new saddle/nut. Plus misc. brace repairs. Neck is doweled on, you have to saw it off, drill the block and put anchors in the heel. Brutal but it works. Mine looks like the one you have around 4 min in. but no pup built in. Mine was rode hard and put up wet a few times.... I own five 12 strings, including a D12-28 Martin on which the F400 is based. As well as a Cole-Clark Fat Lady II 12 string and others. I play the Takamine 90% of the time. Played her out Monday and she is going out again tonight. I get a lot of positive comments from other players regarding her sound. But I took the time on the new saddle for perfect intonation. She is worth every minute I spent restoring her. Happy you got turned on to these great Japanese guitars.
My Dad has a Takamine just like that which he purchased while in the Navy during Vietnam. It needs a neck reset and the fretboard has some wear, but it is a great guitar with a cool history. The 70's Epiphones made by Matsumoku in Japan are also great guitars that won't break the bank.
I bought a Takamine 12 string in Ventura at JB Penny, original receipt with SN noted in the early 70s, played drop D finger picking and open G tuning at Cold Spring Tavern in SB and it was stolen in Portland a few years later. I even let people play it at Cold Spring since I enjoyed hearing it so much! Johnny Paycheck's guitarist corrected my playing of Jorma's Embryonic Journey and Water Song while at Cold Spring one day. Wasn't too swift on remembering names at that time. Bought another 12 string Takamine later in the 90s for $100 that had been tuned to E and had a warped neck. Loosened the strings for a year and the neck behaved itself when tuned to D.
My wife was a notorious garage sale hunter. About 7 years ago she dragged home a "Sigma" 0028 style. Sigma was Martin's low price line. It was in excellent condition and sounded great. Inside on the back strap was stamped CFMartin Nazareth PA and a serial number. Other than "Sigma" in a Martin like script on the headstock, that is the only lettering on the guitar. Everyone that has looked at it, including me, thinks solid 'rosewood/Adirondack spruce. My wife, being the aggressive negotiator of garage sale things, talked them down from $50 to $30! LOL It sounds/plays great!! 8) --gary
I got to thinking and that's not the only one she dragged home for me. I was at our camp and she called and described a Fender bass at a yard sale. I explained what to look for and said don't give more than $500. She knew a little what to look for herself also. I got home 3 days later, she bought a Fender "fretless" P-bass, sunburst. On the back of the head was a "custom shop" decal! It sounds/looks and plays beautiful! She paid $200 for it, including the case. Of course we kept it and I still use it when I need a bass. I've started looking closer at the sales. 8)
that's a really good point about not being afraid to ding old guitars... i have an old 70s MIJ acoustic, it's not in awful condition, but it definitely wasn't taken great care of, so i'm very relaxed. on the other hand my 2022 taylor AD17...
My parents bought me my first acoustic guitar, a new Suzuki Three-S F-120 that was built in Nagoya, Japan in 1981. It’s a Martin D-28 copy from the tail-end of the lawsuit era. Fantastic build quality and really good tone. The guitar has been well-loved and well cared-for over the past 4 decades. In return, it seems to sound better every year. When I was a kid, I added a strap button and installed a Shadow sound hole pickup for gigs. Nowadays it also sports a nice bone nut, bone saddle and Schaller open-back tuners. The guitar has collected its fair share of small character marks (like me) but is a very resonant and rock-solid player. It’ll stay with me until I leave it to one of my sons.
I have a 1970's F340 6 string acoustic lawsuit model. I have owned it for 40 years. One of my first guitars and knew nothing about setup, fret maintenance anything. Had one of those cardboard cases and carried it around on my motorcycle and played it in the mountains, lake and dessert. About 4 years ago, put it in the shop for new tuners, nut and frets. To this day the guitar stays in tune and sounds fantastic.
If you ever want to be blown away, try finding or purchasing a Nippon Gakki - Red Label YAMAHA from the late 60’s and early 70’s. I purchased an original 1969 FG-150 for $200 over 10 years ago and this guitar is the one every producer, singer-songwriter, and friend envy when they try it. The mojo, the character, the sound, the feel… it’s amazing! It’s been in countless of records and singles here in Puerto Rico.
My wife had one from the 80's (83 or 85). It was what Gretsch would call "Walnut" all over. It was wonderful. I gave it to her nephew after she passed away. It played and sounded wonderful. BTW it had a truss rod.
My dad has one, it tells a special story. It’s special to us. We got in a fight some time ago, half an hour later we both sat down in the living room, he picked up his lawsuit guitar i picked up my eastman. The fight was immediately over…
I bought a 1978 Takamine 12-string new. Best acoustic I've ever owned, and I played it on just about every recording session I ever did. It had amazing action and rang like a bell. About 30 years later, my wife and I held a large gathering at our home. During dinner a guest's daughter's junkie boyfriend snuck into my music studio and made off with it. By the time we realized my prized guitar was missing, it was too late. He was long gone - as was my Takamine acoustic-12 and a Washburn Def Leopard union jack electric-6.
I've played Japanese-made Takamine guitars for 34 years (among others brands) and their fit and finish is second to none. IMO, they are the best gigging acoustics out there. They were lauded for their pick-up systems in the 70s and they have continually made improvements to the onboard preamp systems (cool tubes, added, etc.). I currently have 4 in my collection, two of which have seen thousands of road hours over the years. They definitely fit nicely into a certain "role".
My dad handed me down this same guitar - I’ve always loved it. Needs some love now, I feel bad for neglecting it. Thanks for teaching me a little more about it
Thank You so much for sharing Rhett! Yes both the Takamine and the Gibson sounded really good different, but for the price the Takamine wins for sure. Love your dog he or she is a good listener that really enjoys your playing like we do. Thanks again.
the electronics in these guitars are really where they shine. musicians like neil young and jerry garcia were using takamines in the 80’s because they were delivering the best sound through their patented pickup technology. Will be awesome once you get those electronics working
In 1978 or 79, I was a budding player and cashed a savings bond my dad bought when I was born and used it towards a Takamine F340S. I had been renting a nylon string to learn for a couple years, and bought a terrible SG copy (truly, you young guitar players don’t know how good you have it for cheap good beginner electrics) but now it was time for a good acoustic. I knew nothing of Martin, knew nothing about the legal issues around the Japanese copies (my local shop I took lessons at had an Aria copy of a Rickenbacker 4001), and this played nice. It went with me everywhere I moved for decades. Sounded superb, stayed in tune- just an excellent guitar. I moved out of the country a few years ago and not everything could go with me, so I sold it for about $400. While I loved it, I learned to let go of a lot of possessions without sadness and just think of it fondly. I came back to the states and got another acoustic- a Yamaha- and while it’s not the same, it’s a very good instrument.
I have two of those 70s Takamines. They don't sound exactly like Martins, but they do sound very good, and look very much the part. I have a 12 string D style and a OOO that I use in Nashville tuning. The "S" models, like yours, have a solid top with laminate back/sides. Most are all laminate bodies. The prices are in flux.
Probably also worth noting that Martin eventually had Takamine build guitars for them under the Sigma brand. So, if you find a 80s/90s Sigma, they are really great bang-for-the-buck guitars too. Martin sold the Sigma brand though, so newer Sigmas are nothing to do with Martin and made in China.
Bro seriously as a guitar player myself, I have been really enjoying all of your content. I love how you go deeper into the sound structure of what you are playing and show the differences that we as guitar players hear. That old Takamine sounds amazing. Personally I really enjoy Ovations for my acoustics and a good 700-800 Ovation Mid to Deep Body can compare quit well against a 1500 Martin. Any ways thanks for the all the info and details you put into your videos. It really does help.
Rhett, I’m a huge fan of these vintage Takamine guitars. My first guitar was a new 1977 F360s, like yours but with no electronics. This is a copy of the D-28, although the bound neck is more in line with a D-35. I just bought a F340s today, so seeing your video just now is a happy coincidence. I’m wondering if the F340 you compared yours too at the store was a solid or laminated top. That could account for flatter sound. Those guitars came in two variations with the “s” signifying a solid top. Enjoy. Great guitar.
I have an all mahogany one of these. Had so many people tell me it was worthless but it’s one of my favorites for sure. Also have an Alvarez from the same era and it also rips.
As someone who doesn’t have a lot of money to throw around, I appreciate these videos covering hidden guitar gems
Yes - me too. More of these types of videos pls, Rhett! Especially for those of us still learning/trying to progress, but needing to do so on a tight budget.
my gf has a 70's Japanese Martin clone from S. Yairi (I think the name of the luthier?). incredible guitar and I think they go for under 1k on reverb
also grab'em quick while they're around since these videos will raise the prices of these hidden gems. Alternative are Korean ones, but those are little bit more of a mixed bag here and there.
Except for the bad monkey phenomenon
you'd have to get REALLY lucky to find a 70s Takamine for $400 just kickin around somewhere.
More from the dog please. Love the way he just sits and watches you play.
The best guitarists have dogs or in Georgia “dawgs”.
A pure “His Master’s Voice” worship pose. Whenever I pick up a guitar to sofa noodle, my pooch gives me ‘the finger’ look and pointedly leaves the room ...
Penny is a great studio dog
:)
Thats really nice. My dog would start to back off and leave the room when she sees me taking my guitar out and turning my amp on 😂
In 1982, when I was 15, my parents bought me my first guitar, a used 1975 lawsuit Takamine. A lot of guitars have come and gone over the past 41 years, but I still have that Takamine. It has aged wonderfully. It sounds better now than it ever has.
That’s awesome!
picked mine up in the early 80s as well its been awesome guitar
Had my acoustic Suzuki 3 piece back since 1979 (first guitar). I still think it has the best action of any acoustic guitar I have ever played and I’ve played plenty.
The reason that one sounds so good is it's an EF-360S. The "S" was for a solid spruce top, with laminated back and sides. The "E" indicates the electronics. So that aged spruce is (mostly) what you're hearing, and you got the exact model people seek out. The difference to a D-28 is obviously solid back and sides, which makes quite a difference as well. Nice find!
looks like they go for $500-850 online. That's a little much really, you can start getting used Larivees and other really great guitars at that price point.
I have a ef360s, best guitar I’ve ever had- and I’ve had martins, guilds, epiphone
I had the good fortune of seeing Eagles play live many times since the early 70s when they toured with their highly collectible Martin guitars. On the Hotel California tour, they brought Takamines and left the Martins safely at home. As Rhett stated, from a distance they look like Martins. As a certifiable gear-head I have always taken binoculars to shows and I noticed at that show - those aren't Martins! A little known fact, the acoustic intro we hear on Hotel California is a Takamine. Here's a quote from Don Felder: "The acoustic guitar in the intro is a Takamine 12-string with a DeArmond pickup. We miked the acoustic and put that in the center of the mix. Then we took the pickup’s output and ran it though an Echoplex and a Leslie. We miked that in stereo so it has this left-to-right kind of swirling, ethereal characteristic.
Glenn Frey had a signature Takamine EF-360S.
You forgot to end the quote. Lol. I don’t know why I notice things like that. I just do.
This can be a little deceiving as the larger Japanese makers have their own, high end 'custom shops' where they build guitars that are the match of anything available, and that is reflected in the cost.
So, Don Felder's 12 string Takamine could be a guitar made with the finest tonewoods, by an expert Craftsman, much different from the old 12 string Takamine that you can pick up cheaply from a guitar store.
I have several Japanese made acoustics from the 70’s that are Martin lookalikes and surprisingly so sweet sounding & easy playing.
A couple I’ve had since the seventies…one’s a Gould another’s a Kasuga, a couple 1970 Epiphone’s that in 1970 were made in Japan instead of kalamazoo, Michigan that I purchased for next to nothing. The Japanese really knew how to make great guitars, still do!
Sadly, mine disappeared in 2017. Beautiful tone and voice. It was a gift in 1974, used, from my brother in law, meant to bring me back to life. It worked. I fell in love with it, returned to playing, recording and touring.
They’re good, solid instruments.
I inherited a F 360S from my mother in law. She’s still with us, but possession is 9/10s of the law. Lol. I believe she bought it new in 76.
As a long time owner of a lawsuit era F360S, it's nice to see these guitars getting their due.
They are fantastic value for the money!
When my Dad passed back in April, he left me a Martin and an Arbor Acoustic from 1978 Based on a D-35. Same deal. Has the Martin style stamp on the brace inside the sound hole. Sounds and records fantastic. Like a Vintage Martin. Maybe not a Pre-war but a Martin from the 70’s.
I tend to like the build quality and sound of Japanese guitars. One of my guitars is a 1989 Takamine 6-string and was looking at a new Takamine 12-string. I saw your video with you holding the lawsuit 12-string and decided that I needed to check it out. I headed off to Music-Go-Round, played the guitar and wow, what a sound. So much better sounding than the new model. I bought it, took it home and proceeded to go over it. I did a bit of work to it cleaning things up and I replaced the worn bridge saddle. I also installed a LR Baggs Anthem since I find Takamine electrics too brittle sounding. It now looks, plays and sounds fantastic! Thanks Rhett for pointing me in that direction. I'm a happy boy!
These are great! I'm lucky to have my dad's 1976 Takamine F385 12 string that he bought new in 1977. Records like a champ, and sounds better then any of the Martins I've played.
I bought the F385 12 in 75… it’s my guitar I use to play on Sunday Church services to date.
My uncle got a “Lawsuit Tak”, in the late 70’s & that axe had such a smooth & gentle sound but had really good volume as well. Your spot on when speaking about the Tak’s! Great video!!
Had a lawsuit era 12-string that sounded phenomenal. These are fantastic finds!
LORD but I miss my Tak 12
Which model?
Welcome to the lawsuit guitar club, Rhett. I bought my 1981 Takamine F360s about 9 years ago for $320, and I love it. I also tune it to D standard.
Takamine have been a very popular acoustic here in the UK since at least the 80s. Ive worked with quite a few singers who've sworn by them.
My mom gave me her Takamine D-28 copy when I was still my teens -- the 1980s. Fast forward to 2015 or so, when I had been playing with younger guys in The Big Idea: they see my "old Martin knockoff" and I heard for the first time "Lawsuit Takamine."
It now stays in the home studio. At some point it became priceless to me, anyway. Takamine & Co. F-360S, July 1977.
I now have a "Mystery Martin" (copy with no information, no numbers, to be found on it anywhere, no name on the headstock ...) that I use to play out and about that also sounds.. amazing. But that's a different story, eh?
I had a 1973 F-360 (a D-28 clone but with a laminated spruce top and rosewood fingerboard and bridge instead of ebony) that served me well through my college days in the early-mid 1990s but I took poor care of it. I put it in storage but neglected to loosed the strings and the glue holding the neck block in place softened, causing the block to slip and the neck angle to degrade. The binding bridge and binding came loose as well. I paid to have it repaired but it still didn't last longer than a few more years and it inspired me to take up luthiery as a hobby. I read about Martin construction techniques and attempted to apply the same neck reset process but found out quickly that the similarity to an actual Martin D-28 is simply cosmetic. For starters, I discovered that the neck joint is not a dovetail neck joint - or even a mortise/tenon; it is a but joint held in place by five wooden dowels. I also had access to a Martin store display top and intended to replace the bellied laminate top with a solid spruce one. When I routed off the old top and compared it with the Martin top I discovered that the Takamine braces were much thicker and not scalloped. In addition, the bridge plate (which on a Martin is typically maple) was actually an oversized piece of spruce - which is a soft wood and was likely the reason why the top bellied so much. I still have the guitar but it's in three pieces. I've since built a couple of guitars but never repaired one. I'm wavering if I should take the chance with it.
PS: eventually I replaced it with a real but low end Martin D-16GT but that guitar is a mahogany/sitka dreadnought with a satin finish on the back and sides and faux ebony bridge and fingerboard. I was able to play them side by side before the Tak met its demise and even the newer guitar sounded much better to my ear.
Great video! Fun to see young fellows like yourself discovering Japanese made '70's acoustics. People tend to forget that the Japan was loaded with master craftsmen in the post war years while they were rebuilding their economy.
It's my firm belief that they are what made the difference in the instruments they built.
I have a solid spruce top Fender F-35 made in Japan in 1975. Call it my Martin w/ a wee self-esteem problem. Doesn't really project but has such sweet tone and volume for practicing and jamming at home. Spent $150 on it a few years ago. Added a bone saddle and pegs, but I had to pull the top down a little before that, with simple humidifying, and a weird interior holder/brace rig with brass pins I bought online that held the bridge down flatter for a while.
Definitely. I recently picked up an early 70s yamaki d28 replica that is just phenomenal in every aspect. Beautiful sound and very playable. All for a fraction of the price of a same era d28.
I have one from ‘78. It’s my go-to acoustic. I also have an early 80’s Japanese electric that just kills called an Aria Pro 2 cs-400. Currently my go to electric.
I met David Crosby in 1991 backstage at a CSNY show in Saskatoon, SK Canada Joni Mitchell"s hometown. I told David I loved his vintage Martin's and their tone. I mention I just bought a used 70's lawsuit Takamine copy of one of his. He said those early Takamines were very good guitars with a few he played sounding as good as some of his old Martins.
It was a super cool night. CSN gave their band the night off after Joni's parents, during dinner at there place, said they loved it when they played their early songs just 3 piece acoustically. They were promoting a new album but changed the set list and their set up for Joni's parents. It was the only time on that whole tour they did that.
Martins of my younger days (I’m really old) varied in quality, expensive were almost perfect, affordable often needed attention to be what a Martin should be. The buyer of an affordable Martin may not have been experienced enough to make the needed adjustments. I guess the affordable, quality Japanese guitars where a product of the need to compete with those more expensive Martins.
Had a 1979 just like it ! Lawsuit era ! Built like a D-28 and had the original tak electronics and still worked ! Found it in a small shop!
Coolest part was the original owner owned a guitar shop but had died of cancer ! His daughter wasn’t able to keep any of his guitars and I was able to return it to her as a gift ! Awesome sounding guitar too!
Good on ya’ ! 🙏
Nice find Rhett and your dog just loves the sound as well 🐶
I love old Japanese guitars. I have way more cheap guitars around the studio than I do expensive ones, the mic doesn't care what something costs.
I've had an EF-340 of the same era for many years and absolutely love it! My Dad bought it for me used in the late 80's. The EQ on the pick up can be pretty bright, so when I play plugged in I keep it down all the way, but other than that it plays super easy and sounds full and balanced both plugged in and acoustically. Just got it re-fretted a few years ago and even though the re-fret cost more than the guitar is worth, I couldn't be happier with it. Great guitar and tons of sentimental value for me.
I recently bought a Yamaha red label acoustic and it sounds phenomenal. I have a Martin 000-15S and a Gibson J35 as well. All great guitars but sound totally different to each other. I can see why people can spend crazy money on acoustic guitars - but as your video shows, there are still great deals to be had which get you sounding like a record, and well-loved acoustics always get better with age.
Even the Chinese made ones are incredible.
Their 12 strings made in mid 70’s were extremely playable (not the norm back then) and great sounding!
You always give out very good vibe ...always inspiring lots of respect and love to you❤️🔥
The Takamine has a gorgeous sound.... reminds me of a lot of great 70s records by artists like Bread. Definitely a keeper!
I got one, back in the 90’s, that I wish I’d taken better care of.
In the shop, they had the higher quality ones, that were $1200-$1500, and then the $600-$750 ones, that just had a cheaper pickup, and usually the frets weren’t rounded off well, etc.
I played every guitar, until I found one of the less expensive ones, that had the same action as the more expensive ones.
It’s a dark guitar, though plugged into an amp, it’s bright, and has worked well for playing lead.
I have one of these, '78 F-360S-L (but was converted to right handed), it was my first guitar, I was 16, took it to every party, bon fire, etc., beat the heck out of it basically, lots of dents and dings, lots of temps and humidity swings. I'll be 43 next month, still have her, still play her, and she still sounds fantastic. Great guitar!
Also have a '99 Bourgeois Slope D. Almost afraid to play that thing, its *way* nicer than anything I should own, and worth more than anything I own other than my house lol
I have an EF-349 from 1982, in pristine condition, and it is a phenomenal guitar.
I’m a big fan of MusicGoRound in Duluth. I’ve bought and sold there. Good guys. Reasonable prices.
That's my guitar! My Dad gave it to me for Christmas in 1980 and it was my first "real" guitar. I've had it and loved playing it ever since.
Old Takamine’s just entered the Bad Monkey pool
I bought a 1976 F360S about 20 yrs ago. Needed some work but sounded great. My sister was dating a guy named Chris Camp at the time- great Luthier. He reworked the fretboard, replaced the tuners and installed a Martin pickup. The sound it projects is incredible.
I was gifted a "lawsuit" Takamine 12 string several years ago in mint condition. It has always sounded amazing and I'm glad to see this era of Taks getting recognized. I'll have to look for a 6 string before the prices go up.
I own a Takamine F360S that I purchased NOS in 1981. The S stands for solid top. I have played it in Bluegrass circles where it has been mistaken for a D28 Martin. I have stopped pointing out that it is not a Martin. One guy actually got pissed at me for bringing that POS into a bluegrass circle. "Thirty seconds ago you thought it was a great old Martin." It will belong to my son someday.
The old Yamaha acoustics from that era also sound and play great. Same with Martin's sigma line.
I love the sound of that Takamine. It is support for what I have been trying to tell folks for years, "It is not the name on the guitar that matters most, it is how she sings to you when you touch her."
That Takamartin sounds amazing, imo even better than the expensive one
I bought a lawsuit Tak 360s in 1976. I was a college student and couldn't afford a d28 Martin. The music store told me that the Tak was a better value. The top is solid spruce, back and sides are laminate but it still plays and sounds amazing. It's my campfire guitar. Never had to adjust the truss rod, neck is straight as an arrow.
That was great Rhett, really enjoyed! Have a wonderful week my friend!🎷🎷
I have one of these myself my dad bought and gave to me and have always loved the tone of it and it has only gotten better with time and I prefer the thinner neck. Thanks for you're content!!
10:05 I love that you have your dog (name?) so attentively sitting and watching you play. My two are my biggest fans and never cover their ears even when I miss a note.
Great video as always Rhett.
Thank you!
Rhett unknowingly playing "how to make gravy" by Paul Kelly made me laugh, what a tune
Yep, until he stuffed it up.😂
I have a 70s Alvarez lawsuit era triple 000 and man that guitar has all the vibe I could ever want in an acoustic
I have a 1976 FY40 & 1974 DY 57 beautiful guitars, 000-18 & D18 type guitars both are mahogany /cedar. The A Y in the arrow shape is a really cool logo. I can't really say if the FY 40 sounds like a martin but the 57 does.
I bought my Takamine 12 string new 48 years ago. Have absolutely LOVED it since day one! Phenomenal tone and voice. Throughout the years have had several offers. No way would I ever consider parting with it.
If 70s is vintage, then I'm prehistoric
good for you, glad you got a DEAL. AN OLD FRIEND OF MINE HAS ONE, HE BOUGHT NEW BACK IN THE MID 70'S AND i REMEMBER IT, AS BEING A GOOD ONE TOO AS WELL. MY HUNCH IS THAT IT MAY NEED STRINGS However= I bet it is in great shape, my hopes and not prayers but i do hope to see and play her again one day. Mike in phoenix, Az. stay safe and healthy...............
Probably a little less obscure to most players but for those that aren't aware many yamaha acoustics from that era are unbelievable for the money. I think its a combination of old wood and great craftsmanship.
I found an old Yamaha on CL last winter by a guy clearing out his garage. Very clean condition, lovely warm sound. You literally would not believe how little he wanted for it. He just wanted to clear space and send it to a good home. I did not really know what it was "worth" on the used guitar market, but it didn't matter. I just figured it should make a decent beach guitar for the price. He was happy and it came home with me. It is better than I deserve.
My parents bought me a Yamaha Country Jumbo CJ818 in 1979 as an 18th birthday present.
I had it professionally re-fretted 2 years ago. It is now 44 years old sounds amazing and plays beautifully. It is, and always will be, my go to guitar. I had an LR Baggs M1 pickup fitted but it doesn't capture the nuances of the brightness of the sound, the high freq harmonics for example.
So I bought myself a Yamaha A3R three weeks ago because of the pick up system (with on-board Mic modelling and resonant feedback damping) and because it has a cut away for high neck "noodling" - but if that pickup system was available as a separate, after market accessory, I would have just put it onto the 818 because, sonically, I haven't heard anything sound sweeter (to my ears).
Conclusion? The A3R is an amazing guitar and sounds just amazing through an amplifier.
But my old Yamaha is firm proof that old guitars from the 70s, if they've been reasonably well looked after, can be hidden gems.
I was doing setups and minor repairs for guitars coming into a local pawn shop when I landed a beautiful 1988 Takamine NP-15C in almost perfect condition. I spent a lot of time with it, and promptly put it on layaway. For $500 I couldn't wait to get it home. Beautiful maple binding, cedar top with solid rosewood back and sides. The preamp sounds great, and it proudly hangs next to my 2001 Martin SWDGT where it deserves to be. Tweed HS case was included. Winner!
The old Takemine guitars can be very, very good. I've had three old one's through my workshop. The preamps usually need new capacitors and pots which is a proper pain and doesn't result in a decent sound (well not yet anyway!). I tend to fit a jack socket preamp without any controls so that the guitar looks original. Enjoy this gem Rhett. Also worth looking at old Yamahas...
i still have my first Takamine, the shop gave it to me free when my parents bought a fancy piano. it's mahogany back and sides + spruce top. After 18 years or so it's gotten so much better. I currently have it in Nashville tuning but in open D it's glorious.
The Bourgeois sounds better for me, but definitely not ten times better! That Takamine was a steal of a deal, congrats!
I play my 68 Yahama FG180 Red Label every day. The resonance and projection of this cheap little guitar is just amazing. Bought it used 5 years ago for 250 dollars and I havent put it down since.
I bought a 1971 Yamaha FG180 Red Label from my next door neighbor in the spring of 1972. He used to run out of money at the end of the school year and have to start selling stuff. Paid $120, as I recall. The Yamaha was purported to be a poor man's Martin in those days and many people played them. That laminate guitar had a great sound. I had some work done on it and bought a nice case before I gave it to my nephew a couple of years ago.
I have one from 1982 that is still a lawsuit era. I have frequently had people tell me how great that Martin d-28 sounds. I've gotten away from it for several years, but use it as my knockaround guitar. Sounds and plays great!
Era... you really don't want a guitar that is a lawsuit error.
Ive had an EF360S since 1986 and it is outright the best performance guitar Ive ever had. She a bit beat up but you've just given me the inspiration to take it in for a fret job and set up. They are now known as the Glenn Frey special and of course cost a lot more.
Another guitar that you don't hear about to much are "red" label Yamahas from the same era. They may not sound like a Martin, but are still killer guitars. (6 & 12 string)
I had one of the "original" FG180s (1971, new) and it was a phenomenal guitar. Not quite the D-18 that a lot of people compare it to, but neither did it cost that... And I would bet it was tougher... but it was very solid and did yeoman duty for me for a couple decades. I have these Takamines, which I reported here on, and Martin now, but still miss that Red Label as it was my first good acoustic guitar. In recent years Yamaha resurrected the Red Label line as a commemorative, including the FG180. Little did I know! Well, I sorta did...
@@springertube Yamaha went for the school market early on and built solid simple guitars for that market. Not necessarily great sounding but it got them lots of contracts.
@@springertubeI have the new version of the old red labels FSX5 and it really nice
@@tenniswilliam I've heard great things about that!
I have an Ibanez acoustic Artwood AW-50 all wood that was made in Japan in 1981. It has a solid spruce top and solid rosewood back and sides. It is a copy of a Martin D-28 and sounds amazing. I bought it in Houston brand new in 1983 or so for $150 or something. Absolutely beautiful guitar.
Gotta love the aura that vintage instruments give off. They truly are a beautiful and reliable breed.
This video reminded me of my first guitar, a late 60s Aria Martin clone with a bolt on neck that was unreasonably decent for a cheap guitar. And even now, 40 years later, I can still remember the way that thing smelled when you took it out of the case. :D
there is nothing more heart warming then watching that dog sit and watch you play peacefully
I must admit that the Takamine sounds like Melissa off of the Allman Bros album. The sound is full even and well balanced sound.
I am impressed and I think you hit a home run on the choice you made Rhett! Well Done. Find a Fishman that will fit and your set.
I own 2, a 1984 F-340s and a 1977 F-360s. Both solid tops, both factory left handed. If I sold off all of my acoustics, these are the two I’d keep. No question.
Rhett, you've just discovered one of the Holy Grails of guitar values. Great guitars.. I've played Takamine "lawsuits" (from my understanding they were cease and desist threats, not full on lawsuits, but the moniker stuck) for 45 years, including the model you bought, but without the "E" part (electronics). They had different trims on the same (numbered) models over an eight or ten year period, at one point that (F360) being a dead-on "D-28" like mine was, then they added the neck binding for a half-way-to-35 look. A 370 model added (typically) fancier figured wood and headstock binding, accidentally or not creating a guitar Martin never really had in their regular line up, but still with this horizontal logo scheme. I lost my 360S and it's virtual D12-28 twin 12 string, the 400s, in a church/pastor's office burglary the night before I was about to play at a friend's wedding- as I found out 90 minutes before ceremony...rushing home to get my trusty Red Label Yamaha FG180 which saved the day!
The 375S, one of my current two, went full on 35 with the 3 piece back and added nicer-yet figured Brazilian/jacaranda, albeit laminate (as all these are, thus the lower price point). I think they may have variously then added a "non 35" bound headstock and (also non 35) diamond valute on the neck/headstock backside. The F375 effectively is the top of the line, as a 4-something 41/45 clone-- complete with a large vertical logo--is scarce and comparatively unobtanium having been made in very low numbers. The other one you tried looked perhaps like their "18" variant, 340, my other one, which of the dreadnaughts is perhaps the most common out there. Critical to me is having the "S" suffix (340S etc), which signifies solid top, and those run a bit of a premium over the "non S"-- or let's say the latter should generally not be priced like the "S." The mahogany b&s 340S makes for a great gigging / road guitar. That one you tried, especially if an "S," may indeed have just needed some major TLC, string change, nut and everything. By the way, try setting yours up with D'Addario "light mediums," AKA "bluegrass" as some call them. They keep the mediums' bass wound guages and lighten the trebles down a modest notch for greater lead playability. Your and Rick's string guage test notwithstanding, IMO these dreadnaughts truly do exhibit "better" tone and volume with a bit heavier (than light) strings, IMO, in the Tak's case helping the Martin illusion further along. Highly subjective I realize depending on what you're trying to do. That said, my 375S simply did not play as well as I wanted with straight mediums that my 28 (and 340S) seems fine with, and I found that the light mediums solved that playability issue. All guitars are different however, and yours may do fine with straight lights. A particular guitar's overall goodness can oftentimes belie the string gauge--or at least make lighter/heavier guage less important.
My F-375S is my daily and, along with my 340S, travel/gigging guitar(s) as you're alluding to, saving my still like new '99 D-28 from getting bashed around. I love my 28--not quite "vintage" yet, but the 375 with that Brazilian (again albeit laminate) and close to 50 year aged top resonates it out of the room. Aging is part of it, but it's not just that. my first (new then stolen) ones had that quality right out of the box! It's a canon. Yours looks to desperately need a fretboard and bridge moisturizing. These pieces being rosewood will never be as dark and rich as the Martin's ebony, but I've never seen any as light and dry as yours. Also, while the electronics were "ok" in their day, in fact one of the few on board units (watch Stephen Stills in concert--as CSN--playing Treetop Flyer and others on his 370S or 375S),...but use the fact yours doesn't work along with your low purchase price and mount a much better LR Baggs in the same location (not as ideal as in the valley between bouts but better than nothing).
Be not dissuaded by the laminate back and sides. Takamine, like Alvarez Yairi (of the famous Kazuo Yairi, RIP, which is a notch up in price and quality from these but "even more" will have you saying 'bargain Martin') ...makes/made them well and resonant.
When Martin forced Takamine to change their logo, effective early '80s here in the US, they went overboard, IMO, to their now familiar and drastically different headstock shape and oversized script logo, and in the process lost some of their mojo, again IMO, however otherwise excellent they may be... and Garth Brooks and just about every country act (and the Eagles)--can you say perhaps artist subsidy?-- notwithstanding. As trite as it may sound, I've always gotten a kick out of people coming up to me and saying "your Martin sounds great" and then, after a thank-you, I let them in on the little secret!
EDIT: don't get me wrong, these are not, typically, "vintage Martins" or good examples of recent decades' manufacture (I'm talking Martin's long standing "Standard line of D18-45)--missing the ebony pieces for one thing--so I would set those expectations aside,...But individual ones can do a very close mimic, and they all are very good and for all intents and purposes indistinguishable in a live setting, note Stephen Still's usage...or do great at recording also as Rhett alluded to. Quality strings of the right gauge (to you) and a good set-up are everything on these, not that they are not on others... But these truly can shine with just a little bit of investment, or just be great daily at home or road guitars as is.
I bought one in the late 70's and still use it to this day. If the logo on the headstock said Martin, no one could tell that it's not. The electronics don't work but, when I play out, I put in a sound hole pickup and it sounds great. A great guitar! The dog is having a tough time figuring out which guitar is better...
What a great find! That takamine you picked did sound better than the other one. Such a great dry vintage sound 👍
The attack on the treble strings on the Takamine is a great compliment to the power in the bass strings.
I have a high end Takamine guitar and the quality and sound is incredible. I also have a friend that owns an older Takamine that I worked on. It needed some TLC, humidified, setup and it sounds good. They are well made and the craftsmanship is excellent. Not to be confused with the Chinese offerings flooding the market.
Martin authorized the building of these guitars and entry level instruments. Even gave them the build specs and tools.
Takamine is the go to for Bon Jovi.
Springsteen too.
@@TR4Ajim So right.
Great endorsement. Because he is so known for his acoustic playing.
@@pawlowski6132 yup that’s correct.
@@pawlowski6132Yeah, when I think of great acoustic guitarists, Jon Bon Jovi is the FIRST name that comes to mind. Oh, and Justin Bieber.
I've just bought an early secondhand Guild GAD-50E dreadnought built in China for $672. It has solid Indian rosewood back and sides, a solid spruce top, one-piece mahogany neck, Grover Rotomatic tuners, ebony bridge pins, wooden body binding and a Fishman under saddle pickup.
It's beautifully made, and has a shell case.
I've owned Martins, USA-built Guilds and Gibsons. This Guild is right up there with the best - a great flatpicker's guitar. Good volume balance across the strings, a pleasing sweet tone, and plenty of punch. Unbeatable value.
My father bought me an F400 12 string for my 21st birthday 40 years ago and boy did I love that guitar. I lost sight of her and it stayed in a case for many years until recently. I realised my chubby middle-aged fingers were less dexterous than before. So she is now a 6-string and I could not believe how beautiful she sounds configured this way. My go-to Acoustic. Thanks, Dad, and thank you Takamine.
I have a 76 (I believe) 12 string lawsuit. They're the real deal. Loved Melissa by the way!
Wondered what that Ol' Chestnut was ~ Thanks!
I own a 1977 Takamine F400 12 string. $100 pawn shop find 8 years ago. Restored it myself with a conversion to bolt-on neck reset, refret, Groverr mini lockers and new saddle/nut. Plus misc. brace repairs. Neck is doweled on, you have to saw it off, drill the block and put anchors in the heel. Brutal but it works.
Mine looks like the one you have around 4 min in. but no pup built in. Mine was rode hard and put up wet a few times....
I own five 12 strings, including a D12-28 Martin on which the F400 is based. As well as a Cole-Clark Fat Lady II 12 string and others.
I play the Takamine 90% of the time. Played her out Monday and she is going out again tonight. I get a lot of positive comments from other players regarding her sound. But I took the time on the new saddle for perfect intonation.
She is worth every minute I spent restoring her.
Happy you got turned on to these great Japanese guitars.
My Dad has a Takamine just like that which he purchased while in the Navy during Vietnam. It needs a neck reset and the fretboard has some wear, but it is a great guitar with a cool history. The 70's Epiphones made by Matsumoku in Japan are also great guitars that won't break the bank.
I bought a Takamine 12 string in Ventura at JB Penny, original receipt with SN noted in the early 70s, played drop D finger picking and open G tuning at Cold Spring Tavern in SB and it was stolen in Portland a few years later. I even let people play it at Cold Spring since I enjoyed hearing it so much! Johnny Paycheck's guitarist corrected my playing of Jorma's Embryonic Journey and Water Song while at Cold Spring one day. Wasn't too swift on remembering names at that time. Bought another 12 string Takamine later in the 90s for $100 that had been tuned to E and had a warped neck. Loosened the strings for a year and the neck behaved itself when tuned to D.
My wife was a notorious garage sale hunter. About 7 years ago she dragged home a "Sigma" 0028 style. Sigma was Martin's low price line. It was in excellent condition and sounded great. Inside on the back strap was stamped CFMartin Nazareth PA and a serial number. Other than "Sigma" in a Martin like script on the headstock, that is the only lettering on the guitar. Everyone that has looked at it, including me, thinks solid 'rosewood/Adirondack spruce. My wife, being the aggressive negotiator of garage sale things, talked them down from $50 to $30! LOL It sounds/plays great!! 8) --gary
I got to thinking and that's not the only one she dragged home for me. I was at our camp and she called and described a Fender bass at a yard sale. I explained what to look for and said don't give more than $500. She knew a little what to look for herself also. I got home 3 days later, she bought a Fender "fretless" P-bass, sunburst. On the back of the head was a "custom shop" decal! It sounds/looks and plays beautiful! She paid $200 for it, including the case. Of course we kept it and I still use it when I need a bass. I've started looking closer at the sales. 8)
Found one today. Bought it. Amazing Brazilian Rosewood. 2-3 frets a little worn, but wow. Thanks for making me aware of these rare beauties.
Wonderful thanks for all the amazing strumming
that's a really good point about not being afraid to ding old guitars... i have an old 70s MIJ acoustic, it's not in awful condition, but it definitely wasn't taken great care of, so i'm very relaxed. on the other hand my 2022 taylor AD17...
My parents bought me my first acoustic guitar, a new Suzuki Three-S F-120 that was built in Nagoya, Japan in 1981. It’s a Martin D-28 copy from the tail-end of the lawsuit era. Fantastic build quality and really good tone. The guitar has been well-loved and well cared-for over the past 4 decades. In return, it seems to sound better every year. When I was a kid, I added a strap button and installed a Shadow sound hole pickup for gigs. Nowadays it also sports a nice bone nut, bone saddle and Schaller open-back tuners. The guitar has collected its fair share of small character marks (like me) but is a very resonant and rock-solid player. It’ll stay with me until I leave it to one of my sons.
I have a 1970's F340 6 string acoustic lawsuit model. I have owned it for 40 years. One of my first guitars and knew nothing about setup, fret maintenance anything. Had one of those cardboard cases and carried it around on my motorcycle and played it in the mountains, lake and dessert. About 4 years ago, put it in the shop for new tuners, nut and frets. To this day the guitar stays in tune and sounds fantastic.
If you ever want to be blown away, try finding or purchasing a Nippon Gakki - Red Label YAMAHA from the late 60’s and early 70’s. I purchased an original 1969 FG-150 for $200 over 10 years ago and this guitar is the one every producer, singer-songwriter, and friend envy when they try it. The mojo, the character, the sound, the feel… it’s amazing! It’s been in countless of records and singles here in Puerto Rico.
My wife had one from the 80's (83 or 85). It was what Gretsch would call "Walnut" all over. It was wonderful. I gave it to her nephew after she passed away. It played and sounded wonderful. BTW it had a truss rod.
Man just the wood on that takamine has gotta be worth 3x what you paid. It's stunningly beautiful.
Never owned one but have been impressed every time I've played a Takamine.
Shhhhhh! You're not supposed to tell anyone! I've had one since 1994. It's fabulous.
I love how your dog is mesmerized by you playing guitar!
My dad has one, it tells a special story. It’s special to us. We got in a fight some time ago, half an hour later we both sat down in the living room, he picked up his lawsuit guitar i picked up my eastman. The fight was immediately over…
I bought a 1978 Takamine 12-string new. Best acoustic I've ever owned, and I played it on just about every recording session I ever did. It had amazing action and rang like a bell. About 30 years later, my wife and I held a large gathering at our home. During dinner a guest's daughter's junkie boyfriend snuck into my music studio and made off with it. By the time we realized my prized guitar was missing, it was too late. He was long gone - as was my Takamine acoustic-12 and a Washburn Def Leopard union jack electric-6.
I've played Japanese-made Takamine guitars for 34 years (among others brands) and their fit and finish is second to none. IMO, they are the best gigging acoustics out there. They were lauded for their pick-up systems in the 70s and they have continually made improvements to the onboard preamp systems (cool tubes, added, etc.). I currently have 4 in my collection, two of which have seen thousands of road hours over the years. They definitely fit nicely into a certain "role".
My dad handed me down this same guitar - I’ve always loved it. Needs some love now, I feel bad for neglecting it. Thanks for teaching me a little more about it
Thank You so much for sharing Rhett! Yes both the Takamine and the Gibson sounded really good different, but for the price the Takamine wins for sure. Love your dog he or she is a good listener that really enjoys your playing like we do. Thanks again.
the electronics in these guitars are really where they shine. musicians like neil young and jerry garcia were using takamines in the 80’s because they were delivering the best sound through their patented pickup technology. Will be awesome once you get those electronics working
In 1978 or 79, I was a budding player and cashed a savings bond my dad bought when I was born and used it towards a Takamine F340S. I had been renting a nylon string to learn for a couple years, and bought a terrible SG copy (truly, you young guitar players don’t know how good you have it for cheap good beginner electrics) but now it was time for a good acoustic. I knew nothing of Martin, knew nothing about the legal issues around the Japanese copies (my local shop I took lessons at had an Aria copy of a Rickenbacker 4001), and this played nice. It went with me everywhere I moved for decades. Sounded superb, stayed in tune- just an excellent guitar. I moved out of the country a few years ago and not everything could go with me, so I sold it for about $400. While I loved it, I learned to let go of a lot of possessions without sadness and just think of it fondly. I came back to the states and got another acoustic- a Yamaha- and while it’s not the same, it’s a very good instrument.
I have two of those 70s Takamines. They don't sound exactly like Martins, but they do sound very good, and look very much the part. I have a 12 string D style and a OOO that I use in Nashville tuning. The "S" models, like yours, have a solid top with laminate back/sides. Most are all laminate bodies. The prices are in flux.
Probably also worth noting that Martin eventually had Takamine build guitars for them under the Sigma brand. So, if you find a 80s/90s Sigma, they are really great bang-for-the-buck guitars too. Martin sold the Sigma brand though, so newer Sigmas are nothing to do with Martin and made in China.
Bro seriously as a guitar player myself, I have been really enjoying all of your content. I love how you go deeper into the sound structure of what you are playing and show the differences that we as guitar players hear. That old Takamine sounds amazing. Personally I really enjoy Ovations for my acoustics and a good 700-800 Ovation Mid to Deep Body can compare quit well against a 1500 Martin. Any ways thanks for the all the info and details you put into your videos. It really does help.
So crazy, I just picked up a 1977 blonde for $375 this week, and it's the best acoustic I have ever played. True story.
Rhett, I’m a huge fan of these vintage Takamine guitars. My first guitar was a new 1977 F360s, like yours but with no electronics. This is a copy of the D-28, although the bound neck is more in line with a D-35. I just bought a F340s today, so seeing your video just now is a happy coincidence. I’m wondering if the F340 you compared yours too at the store was a solid or laminated top. That could account for flatter sound. Those guitars came in two variations with the “s” signifying a solid top. Enjoy. Great guitar.
Thanks Rhett for stopping by Music Go Round Atlanta!
I have an all mahogany one of these. Had so many people tell me it was worthless but it’s one of my favorites for sure. Also have an Alvarez from the same era and it also rips.