I would summarize the 3 points to 'get' about this one :
- Korean build... beautifully done fretboard edges and NO fret ends felt at all ! Gorgeous rosewood appearing fretboard and nice medium jumbo frets with NO WEAR and clean ! Under $200 ?? Pay Attention !
- Slightly 'thinner' body (depth) so it feels a bit smaller than a dreadnought and is very natural in the hands. Takamine knows about comfort ! Neck profile is full depth and has heft to it... like any Quality A/E from Takamine. I had a top-notch Japan built cutaway dread with full electronics and I NEVER saw or felt a 2nd rate Takamine... !
- Electronics are COMPLETE ! Tuner, notch filter, 3 balance controls for bass, middle, treble ranges... and more ! Takamine from Korea is high grade electronics and no arguments there !
I learned how to adjust the 3 main setup areas from Richmond VA pros who pal around with Lindy Fralin. This guitar is well set up ! Nothing to do to make it play at its easiest and no rattles.
A few very minor scratches on the rear and front as expected, but NO CHIPS or dents at all over the neck and headstock. VERY nice shape all over with only the finest little marks, but no scrapes or dents or broken anything. And a black, well-made guitar with top grade smooth tuners (marked Takamine on each) and good looking binding is an eye catcher.
Fellows... women like good looking guitars. Tip: learn to play and sing ' Gypsy Woman ' by Brian Hyland...
Open-mic on stage and especially for those romantic ballads ... you are set with this one. A very versatile guitar all around ... and affordable and well-cared-for as well as very well-made! Plain gig bag is brand new !
This one never even had a second strap button on it (the rear jack plug doubles as 1 strap point). I'd be willing to bet this was never even on a stage before (and not banged up!). Grab Takamine Korea (!) quality, details, electronics sound, feel for modest cost and the looks are top notch.
Add $10 to shipping if you are WEST of the Mississippi River to cover my costs.
String tension will be let off, well packed and I like the .011-.052 d'Addarios in 80/20 and you may prefer .012-.054 regular lights. Don't rule out .010-.047 strings for acoustic.... airy and jangly ! Inquiries will get the serial number to date it, but I don't post it publicly.
