Takamine HistoryGuitars of Legend

Guitars of Legend - Takamine Story

Looking Back Three Decades of Guitar Making

For about three decades, Takamine has created acoustic-electric guitars. Some of them are acclaimed as historical instruments for innovative technology built in them or their aesthetical charm. Yet, more than anything else, it is the excellence in quality that has attracted guitar lovers around the world.


PT-007S Takamine's first acoustic-electric guitar

Takamine's First Acoustic-electric Model
PT-007S
Highly Acclaimed by Ry Cooder


Released in 1979. Takamine's first acoustic-electric model was developed with the help of Ry Cooder. He made tremendous contribution to promoting the Takamine brand in the global music market through his performance.

FP360S A masterpiece loved by West Coast Musicians

A Masterpiece Highlighted
the West Coast Music FP360S


Glenn Frey of Eagles uses this model regularly on his stage. The orthodox dreadnaught body without cutaway is taken over to the 200 series models for the Japanese market. Built with spruce for the top and rosewood for the sides and the back. Featured a 2-band parametric EQ preamp then known as "Accuracousitc preamp".

EF341SC The black body loved by Bruce Springsteen

Bruce Springsteen's Favorite -
The Black Body EF341SC


This model has the top finished in virile black. Autographed by Bruce Springsteen who loves to use this particular model. Built using cedar for the top and maple for the sides and the back. Features a simple 3-band EQ preamp known as "N4B PREAMP". The dreadnaught-body acoustic-electric model with a single cutaway is very popular among other artists including Pete Townshend.

EA360S Unique body

FLYING A – Rare Model with Unique
V-shaped Design EA360S


Very rare model released in early 1980s. The photo shows the special edition with V-shaped head. This "Rock-taste" unique design caught on among the world guitar lovers and became a hot-seller item with sales of more than 800 units.

Takamine 40th Anniversary Model

Takamine 40th Anniversary Model
THE40TH


A gorgeous guitar crafted in commemoration of Takamine's 40th anniversary in 2002. Carefully selected spruce for the top, ziricote for the back and sides, single-piece mahogany for the neck. Also, an anniversary ruby is mounted in a part of Takamine logo.

Gorgeous Inlays Wows Guitar-lovers

Representation of Takamine Craftsmanship
Sad Bird


This model was developed for a high-end guitar shop in Kobe, Japan, as the shop's original model and highly acclaimed by guitar fans at the 2005 Musical Instrument Fair. The pick-guard, fingerboard and head are decorated with gorgeous inlays that can be created only with meticulous attention to the detail.

Crawling Lizard – 1997 Limited Model

1997 Mega Seller – Crawling Lizard
LTD97


A lizard crawls around the sound hole. This daring inlay design and the beauty of its elaborate work fascinated many artists. LTD97 is the first Limited model that has an animal motif.
Features a unique inlay design of a crawling lizard around the sound hole. This inlay art, created by laser processing and hand working, fascinated many artists.

Grand Ole Opry 80th Anniversary Model

Grand Ole Opry 80th Anniversary Model
GOO80TH


Produced in 2006 for the 80th anniversary of Grand Ole Opry, the Country & Western Music Hall-of-Fame. Featuring the anniversary logo of G.O.O. on the head and the logo and "1925-2005" year-mark on the fingerboard. Also notable features include the solid bear-craw spruce top, the inlay designed with abalone, the back made of a solid selected Indian rosewood and the pick guard rimmed with 80 stars.

Nylon Electric Used by Earl Klugh

Nylon-string Acoustic-Electric Guitar
TH-90


This model came with "Hirade" brand, Takamine's nylon-string export brand. Earl Klugh used this model regularly on his stage. Based on classic guitar body, our designer added twists such as oval sound hole and unique-shaped cutaway for improved playability at high positions. The model opened the door for nylon-string to be used within band sound and left its mark on Fusion Sound.


Ad for Takamine's first Limited Edition model released in 1987.
By Kaman Music
1998 Year model featuring the moon on rosette and fingerboard.
By Kaman Music
Ad for 2003 Limited model that features a bald eagle.
By Kaman Music