A very nice Takamine No 8 Handcrafted in Japan in 1993
Absolutely the best value for money you can get.
Yamaha's of the same class and quality are US$1500+
It has very impressive volume and sustain. The tone is balances, rich with nuances and pleasing to the ear.
The guitar has been kept in a room with humidity set to 45% at 25 degrees (75F).
The action is medium low, comfortable to play.
Condition
The guitar is in excellent condition despite being 33 years old. There are signs of use such as scuffs and small dings here and there but nothing major. (Please check the pictures) The neck has a barely noticeable forward bow which is considered normal and does not affect playing. There is no visible fret wear.
Specs.
Top: Solid Red Cedar
Back and Sides: Indian Rosewood Double plate
Finish: Polyurethane
Neck: Mahogany
Fingerboard: Ebony
Bridge: Rosewood, Natural Bone Saddle
Scale Length: 650 mm
Nut width: 51 mm
String Spacing: 8,5 mm
Action at 12 fret (1st): 3.5 mm
Action at 12 fret (6th): 3.6 mm
Comes with a quality hard case.
Founded in 1959 at the foot of Mount Takamine in Sakashita, Japan, Takamine Guitars evolved from a small family workshop into a globally recognized brand. They revolutionized the acoustic-electric market in 1978 by introducing the revolutionary Palathetic under-saddle pickup and built a lasting legacy of stage-ready, feedback-resistant instruments.
Some history on Vintage Japanese Classical Guitars.
From the late 1960s Japanese luthiers produced guitars of exceptional quality. These skilled craftsmen typically ran small shops, employing a handful of master builders who were often trained in Spain or under Spanish master builders in Japan. During this period, bans on certain types of wood were not yet in place, allowing luthiers to source high-quality wood for their creations. Although these guitars are considered a bargain in today's market, finding top-quality Japanese classical guitars from this era can be challenging, and restrictions on exporting certain types of wood make them even more difficult to obtain. Similar guitars built with comparable materials today would cost significantly more due to the scarcity or complete bans on certain types of wood. Most of those talented luthiers from the 70s and 80s are now retired or have passed away.
