Takamine was originally founded in Japan during the early 1960s and is named from the mountain near their factory in Sakashita, Japan. Mass Hirade, who has a line of classical guitars named after him in Takamine's line, came to work for Takamine in the late 1960s, and it was at this time when Takamine began to take off. Originally, Takamine built guitars for Martin's Sigma series through the Coast distributors. Kaman Music Corporation bought Coast in the mid-1970s, which forced Martin to contract their Sigma guitars to another company. At the same time Kaman/Ovation encouraged Takamine to start building guitars under their own trademark. Soon thereafter, Kaman started importing Takamine-branded guitars into the U.S. (Takamine was also distributed in many other countries). Most early models were copies of popular American designs - especially several Martin models. Not only are many of these guitars similar in design, but the logo was a near match other than the name. In the late 1970s, Takamine, along with many other Japanese manufacturers, were sued by a few American guitar builders, including Martin, for trademark infringement. Takamine agreed to stop using Martin's logo on their guitars and came up with their own. Guitars from this era are known to most guitar collectors as the pre-lawsuit era, and many of these instruments have become extremely collectible today.
Takamine continues to produce a wide variety of acoustic instruments ranging from entry-level guitars to highly ornate and limited edition models. While most guitars were produced in Japan, Takamine has shifted some production to Korea and China in the 2000s. Also, Takamine briefly entered the electric market with a few models in the 1980s. Takamine is still part of Kaman Music and is viewed as a traditional alternative to Ovation's bowl-back guitars. In late 2007, the Fender Musical Instrument Corporation (FMIC) bought Kaman Music, which included the Takamine brand. For more information, visit Takamine's website or contact them directly.
Instruments currently manufactured in Japan, China, and Korea since the early 1960s. Distributed by ESP Guitars in North Hollywood, CA.

TAKAMINE Acoustic Guitars Models

TAKAMINE GD-10 Image

TAKAMINE GD-10

- dreadnought-style body, spruce top, mahogany back and sides, round soundhole, mahogany neck, 14/20-fret rosewood fingerboard with pearloid dot inlays, three-per-side chrome tuners, rosewood bridge, black pickguard, available in Satin Natu...

TAKAMINE P1D Image

TAKAMINE P1D

- dreadnought-style body, solid cedar top, sapele back and sides, round soundhole with concentric rings rosette, mahogany neck, 14/20-fret rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlays, three-per-side chrome tuners, rosewood bridge with split...

TAKAMINE AN10S Image

TAKAMINE AN10S

- dreadnought body style, solid cedar top, solid mahogany back and sides, rosewood fingerboard, available in Satin Natural, disc. 2005.

TAKAMINE 1996 LIMITED EDITION  Image

TAKAMINE 1996 LIMITED EDITION

- single cutaway NEX body, solid spruce top, rosewood back and sides, round soundhole with abalone/paduk/maple rosette, rosewood fingerboard with deco design inlays, three-per-side tuners, rosewood bridge, Accuracoustic electronics, chrome...

TAKAMINE H-5 Image

TAKAMINE H-5

- classical style, solid cedar top, round soundhole, five-stripe wood bound body, wooden rosette, rosewood back/sides, mahogany neck, 12/19-fret ebony fingerboard, 3-per-side gold tuners with pearl buttons, ebony bridge, available in Natura...

TAKAMINE E-30 Image

TAKAMINE E-30

- single cutaway classical-style body, spruce top, rosewood back and sides, front and back body binding, oval soundhole with decorative rosette, mahogany neck, 12/20-fret (extends into soundhole) rosewood fingerboard with no inlays, slotted...

TAKAMINE G-10 Image

TAKAMINE G-10

- dreadnought style, cedar top, round soundhole, bound body, multi-stripe purfling/rosette, mahogany back/sides/neck, 14/20-fret rosewood fingerboard, rosewood bridge with white black dot pins, 3-per-side gold tuners, available in Natural f...

TAKAMINE PSF-15C Image

TAKAMINE PSF-15C

- dreadnought style, single rounded cutaway, solid cedar top, round soundhole, 3-stripe bound body/black crow rosette, rosewood sides, bookmatched rosewood back, mahogany neck, 21-fret rosewood fingerboard with turquoise dot inlay, turquois...

TAKAMINE G-501S Image

TAKAMINE G-501S

- OM style body, solid spruce top, Bolivian rosewood back and sides, rosewood fingerboard, available in Gloss Natural finish, disc. 2009.

TAKAMINE EF-325SRC Image

TAKAMINE EF-325SRC

- dreadnought style, single rounded cutaway, solid spruce top, round soundhole, black pickguard, 5-stripe bound body/rosette, bubinga back/sides, mahogany neck, 14/20-fret bound rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlay, rosewood bridge wit...

TAKAMINE (T)B-10 Image

TAKAMINE (T)B-10

- 34 in. scale, single cutaway all maple body, spruce top, f-holes, striped ebony fretless fingerboard, DSP preamp system, 2 per side tuners, available in Red Stain finish, current mfg.

TAKAMINE FLYING V ACOUSTIC/FLYING A Image

TAKAMINE FLYING V ACOUSTIC/FLYING A

- Flying V-style acoustic body, spruce top, rosewood back and sides, non-circular soundhole, body binding, mahogany neck, 14/20-fret rosewood fingerboard with dot inlays, three-per-side chrome tuners, rosewood bridge, on-board electronics,...

TAKAMINE G-406S Image

TAKAMINE G-406S

- New Yorker-style body, solid spruce top, three-piece rosewood/quilted maple back, rosewood sides, round soundhole with abalone ring rosette, cream binding, abalone purfling, mahogany neck, 14/20-fret rosewood fingerboard with pearl diamon...

TAKAMINE EF-36 Image

TAKAMINE EF-36

- dreadnought body style with single cutaway, solid spruce top, solid rosewood back and sides, round soundhole with snowflake rosette, 14/20-fret ebony fingerboard with dot inlays, three-per-side open gear gold tuners, ebony bridge, tortois...

TAKAMINE GARTH BROOKS GB-7C Image

TAKAMINE GARTH BROOKS GB-7C

- single cutaway dreadnought body, solid cedar top, rosewood back and sides, guitar-shaped soundhole that extends to fingerboard, concentric rings rosette, rosewood fingerboard, three-per-side tuners, rosewood bridge, CT-4B electronics, gol...

TAKAMINE G-320 Image

TAKAMINE G-320

- dreadnought style, spruce top, mahogany back and sides, rosewood fingerboard, chrome hardware, available in Natural finish, mfg. 2005 only.

TAKAMINE EG-10C Image

TAKAMINE EG-10C

- similar to G-10, except has single round cutaway, crystal bridge pickups, 4-band EQ, available in Natural finish, mfg. 1994-2003.

TAKAMINE N-10 Image

TAKAMINE N-10

- dreadnought style, solid cedar top, round soundhole, 3-stripe bound body, 5-stripe rosette, mahogany back/sides/neck, 14/20-fret rosewood fingerboard, rosewood strings through bridge, 3-per-side gold tuners w/ amber buttons, available in...

TAKAMINE 1997 LIMITED EDITION  Image

TAKAMINE 1997 LIMITED EDITION

- single cutaway NEX body, solid spruce top, koa back and sides, round soundhole with gecko rosette, rosewood fingerboard with gecko inlays, three-per-side tuners, rosewood bridge, Accuracoustic electronics, chrome hardware, Natural finish,...

TAKAMINE HE-5C Image

TAKAMINE HE-5C

- similar to H-5 model, except has classical body with cutaway and electronics, available in Natural finish, mfg. 2000-04.

TAKAMINE C-128 Image

TAKAMINE C-128

- classical style, spruce top, round soundhole, 5-stripe bound body, wooden rosette, rosewood back/sides, mahogany neck, 12/19-fret rosewood fingerboard, rosewood bridge, 3-per-side gold tuners with nylon buttons, available in Natural finis...

TAKAMINE F-340 Image

TAKAMINE F-340

- dreadnought style, spruce top, round soundhole, black pickguard, 3-stripe bound body and rosette, mahogany back/sides/neck, 14/20-fret rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlay, rosewood bridge with black white dot pins, 3-per-side chrome...

TAKAMINE EG512C Image

TAKAMINE EG512C

- jumbo style single cutaway body, spruce top, rosewood/mahogany/maple/flamed maple back and sides, rosewood fingerboard, TK4NT electronics, available in Black or Natural finish, disc. 2010.

TAKAMINE EG416S Image

TAKAMINE EG416S

- New Yorker-style body, solid spruce top, three-piece rosewood/quilted maple back and sides, round soundhole with abalone rosette, multi-ply body binding, mahogany neck, 14/20-fret rosewood fingerboard with dot inlays, rosewood headstock o...

TAKAMINE GLENN FREY EF360GF Image

TAKAMINE GLENN FREY EF360GF

- dreadnought-style body, solid spruce top, solid rosewood back, rosewood sides, round soundhole with multi-ring rosette, white body binding with multi-ply top inlay, mahogany neck, 14/20-fret bound rosewood fingerboard with MOP dot inlays,...

TAKAMINE GRAND OLE OPRY 80TH ANNIVERSARY Image

TAKAMINE GRAND OLE OPRY 80TH ANNIVERSARY

- single cutaway dreadnought-style body, Master Grade solid Sitka spruce top, Finest Grade Indian rosewood back and sides, round soundhole with an abalone ring rosette, top and back binding, abalone top inlay, 14/20-fret bound ebony fingerb...

TAKAMINE EF-37 Image

TAKAMINE EF-37

- dreadnought body style with single cutaway, solid spruce top, solid figured koa back and sides, round soundhole with snowflake rosette, 14/20-fret ebony fingerboard with dot inlays, three-per-side open gear gold tuners, ebony bridge, tort...

TAKAMINE GD-10CE Image

TAKAMINE GD-10CE

- similar to the GD-10, except has a single cutaway and TP-E electronics, available in Satin Natural finish, mfg. summer 2013-present.

TAKAMINE G501BF Butterfly Image

TAKAMINE G501BF Butterfly

- similar to the G501S, except has a laminated spruce top, mahogany back and sides and a butterfly motif design along the lower treble bout, mfg. 2007-08.

TAKAMINE P1DC Image

TAKAMINE P1DC

- similar to the P1D, except has a single cutaway, available in Gloss Natural finish, mfg. 2013-present.

TAKAMINE GD-20 Image

TAKAMINE GD-20

- dreadnought-style body, solid cedar top, mahogany back and sides, round soundhole, mahogany neck, 14/20-fret rosewood fingerboard with pearloid dot inlays, three-per-side chrome tuners, rosewood bridge, no pickguard, available in Satin Na...

TAKAMINE P1JC Image

TAKAMINE P1JC

- jumbo single cutaway body, solid cedar top, sapele back and sides, round soundhole with concentric rings rosette, mahogany neck, 14/20-fret rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlays, three-per-side chrome tuners, rosewood bridge with spl...

TAKAMINE PSF-35C Image

TAKAMINE PSF-35C

- folk style, single rounded cutaway, solid cedar top, round soundhole, 3-stripe bound body/black crow rosette, rosewood back/sides, mahogany neck, 21-fret rosewood fingerboard with turquoise dot inlay, turquoise eagle inlay at 12th fret, o...

TAKAMINE G-330 Image

TAKAMINE G-330

- dreadnought style, spruce top, mahogany back and sides, round soundhole, three-stripe bound body and rosette, mahogany neck, 14/20-fret rosewood fingerboard with white dot inlays, three-per-side chrome tuners, rosewood bridge with white p...

TAKAMINE EF-340SC Image

TAKAMINE EF-340SC

- dreadnought body with cutaway, spruce top, mahogany back and sides, rosewood fingerboard, three-per-side tuners, piezo pickups, Graph EX preamp, 3-band EQ, Exciter control, volume, battery check, available in Natural or Sunburst (mfg. 200...

TAKAMINE EF340SBG Image

TAKAMINE EF340SBG

- dreadnought style, solid spruce top, solid mahogany back and sides, round soundhole with concentric rings rosette, 14/20-fret ebony fingerboard with pearl dot inlays, three-per-side open gear antique nickel tuners, rosewood bridge, tortoi...

TAKAMINE 1998 LIMITED EDITION  Image

TAKAMINE 1998 LIMITED EDITION

- single cutaway NEX body, solid spruce top, Rio Grande Palisando back and sides, round soundhole with sun and moon abalone/pearl/rare woods rosette, rosewood fingerboard with abalone inlays, three-per-side tuners, rosewood bridge...

TAKAMINE TH-5 Image

TAKAMINE TH-5

- similar to H-5 model, except has CTP-1 Cool Tube electronics, available in Natural finish, mfg. 2004-2012.

TAKAMINE G MINI Image

TAKAMINE G MINI

- mini-style body, solid cedar top, mahogany back and sides, round soundhole with single ring rosette, single-ply binding, mahogany neck, 14/19-fret rosewood fingerboard with dot inlays, rosewood headstock overlay, three-per-side chrome tun...

TAKAMINE EGB2S Image

TAKAMINE EGB2S

- jumbo style single cutaway body, solid spruce top, mahogany back and sides, round soundhole, abalone rosette, rosewood fingerboard, TP4T preamp, available in Gloss Black or Gloss Natural finish, mfg. 2010-13.

TAKAMINE JOHN JORGENSON JJ-325SRC  Image

TAKAMINE JOHN JORGENSON JJ-325SRC

- dreadnought body with cutaway, solid spruce top, abalone rosette, bubinga back and sides, rosewood fingerboard with abalone inlays, three-per-side tuners, rosewood bridge, white pickguard, DSP preamp system or CT4B preamp, gold hardware,...

TAKAMINE GS-430S Image

TAKAMINE GS-430S

- grand auditorium NEX-style body, solid cedar top, mahogany back and sides, round soundhole with concentric rings, rosewood fingerboard with no inlays, three-per-side chrome tuners, available in Satin Natural finish, mfg. 2008-2012.

TAKAMINE PSF-48C/DSF-48C Image

TAKAMINE PSF-48C/DSF-48C

- single cutaway NEX-style body, solid spruce top, rosewood back and sides, round soundhole, wood inlay rosette, multi-bound body, mahogany neck, 21-fret ebony fingerboard with green abalone eagle inlay, rosewood headstock overlay with abal...