NAMM 2010 Takamine news
By MNJ
| Posted in Music Technology
Namm 2010 is about to see the launch of seven new Takamine models; four electro-acoustics, an electro-acoustic bass, a classical electro-acoustic and a straight acoustic dreadnought. Takamine always brings out new models at this time of year, always offering something a little bit different, and always with small improvements to construction and electrics that aim to give the player a better guitar for the money.
There are two Pro Series models, the EF340 SCGN and the EF440 SCGN, both with solid cedar tops, mahogany back and sides and with the CT4B preamp on board. Though both guitars are cutaways, the EF340 is a full dreadnought size while the EF440 is a slimmer waisted FXC or ‘finger-style’ shape, according to the Takamine body style chart. The CT-4B preamp has a 3-band graphic with an extremely stable and accurate chromatic tuner which will deal with non-standard and open tunings. Cedar topped guitars have a balanced, mellow tone and a certain sweetness in the midrange, ideal for fingerpicking and the player with a light touch.
The EG450SMC-SB is a G-Series Auditorium electro, featuring Takamine’s NEX cutaway styling, flamed maple back and sides and a solid spruce top. The maple neck is capped with a rosewood board and it comes equipped with the TP-4T pickup and pramp and a three tone sunburst gloss finish. The TP-4T features a slider-based 3-band EQ – bass, middle and treble – gain control and chromatic tuner. Guitars contructed with maple back and sides generally have bright, clear trebles, suited for recording purposes.
Next up is the only non electro guitar, the G511SS. This is a no-frills affordable dreadnought, featuring a cedar top, sapele back and sides and a natural satin finish. To keep the price down, there are no abalone inlays or pickguard but you still get the scalloped X bracing and a herringbone rosette. This would make a great first guitar for the student taking their first step into the acoustic 6 string world.
Takamine has always produced a decent classical electro model and this year the TF740FS takes the stage. This is a slot-headstock, orchestra model cutaway with a solid spruce top and mahogany back and sides. The onboard pre amp is the Cool Tube CTP-2 which features a 12AU7 preamp tube. It runs at just three volts and the tube warms to about two degrees above ambient temperature, which poses no danger to the tonewoods, and produces a very warm tone indeed – perfect for a nylon strung instrument which will probably be played solo a good deal of the time.
Finally the latest in a long line of successful Takamine electro-acoustic basses are the gloss black finish EGB2S-BK and natural finish EGB2S-N, a 4-string cutaway bass with a solid spruce top, mahogany back and sides and the TP4T pickup and preamp. This is an extremely affordable, and good looking instrument. The TP-4T preamp features a 3-band graphic EQ and built in chromatic tuner. An acoustic bass needs to sound good unplugged and the generous body proportions of the EGB2S ensure a good deal of warmth at the bottom end which is perfect for an acoustic jam or just as an alternative in the studio to the electric bass.
Tags: acoustic bass, dreadnought, ef340, ef440, eg450, egb2s, electro acoustic, electro classical, g511, takamine, tf740fs