Takamine EC132C Classical Cutaway Acoustic-Electric Guitar (with Case)
The Takamine EC132C offers great classical tone. With the CT4B preamp, the EC132C also sounds great amplified.
Overall User Ratings (based on 33 ratings)
Submitted February 22, 2010 by a customer from hotmail.com
""If you are looking for inspiration, looking to do something different, this is the guitar to take you there""
This review has been selected by our experts as particularly helpful.
As stated if it was lost, or something I would buy it again, The thing I like the least is probably the tuners, I do not know if you can do better using nylon strings, but again I found the DAdarrio exp a huge improvement. Yes, the product has created great growth in my playing, in taking me to levels I never thought I would reach! My fave thing about it again is the sound, sound, sound!
Sound
When I bought this guitar , 11 years ago I played it next to other guitars that were more exspensive, the tone in this one, was the selling point,the rosewood, is the sweetest sound, I play with a jazz style, also alot of fingerstyle,the action is excellent, I have used it in recording, with excellent results, I have used it for solo work, small auditoriums, and large ones, the sound, the electronics, all is superb, my only recommendation is to use good strings, such as DAddario, EXP. I play this through a Polytone amp, you do not need any effects, it is as pure as can be, all other guitars get traded every few years, except this one.
Features
No accessories, the electronics give you plenty of choices, included is a built-in tuner, which you need with a classical, changes in air temp, causes the strings to go sharp, if it is hot, or flat if it is cold. Buying the dAddario exp, strings greatly improves the retuning, they are nylon strings. The cedar top, and rosewood sides are what give this guitar the excellent tonal qualities,the tone I do not believe can be beat. If I had an accident with it, I would buy another one.
Ease of Use
I have never had trouble with achieving the sound I was looking for, the guitar is very playable, it is a classical, so it has a wider neck, but I go from a arched top to this all of the time. The manual is clear, it is basically about the electronics, which are great, I get about 4-6 hours out of the batteries.
Quality
Yes, the guitar is made well, the finish is perfect, no blemishes, the product is reliable, I can always depend on it, and since I found better strings, it stays in tune better, not as sensitive to cold/hot air, I also have done outdoor sets with it, I have traveled with it, it comes with a hard shell case, but I do not use it, because of weight, I use a Gator polyfoam gigbag, it is easier, since I always have at least 2 guitars, etc. I did add another strap button on it, I do not have any complaints, I think it will last forever. The first 2 years after purchasing it, I had to have frequent neck adjustments, then once it set, it has only been reset once since then.
Value
Absolutely, I think it is worth more, when I compare it to other guitars I have bought for the same price.
Manufacturer Support
I have not needed to contact the company about anything, the only thing was I just stated, I needed a few neck adjustments the first 2 years and only one since. I have not done any upgrades except adding a strap button.
The Wow Factor
For me , it is the sound, sound, and it has a beautiful cutaway, great finish, again, it is the sweet, sweet sound!
Musical Background:
active musician
Musical Style:
jazz, contemporary worship
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Submitted May 25, 2004 by a customer from nycap.rr.com
"The best I've heard to date."
I would be foolish to ever part with the instrument.
Sound
I play this in a local music store, and was really excited by what I heard. I compared the sound to a beautiful piano. I played more expensive guitars while I was there... Nothing matched the sound of this guitar.
Features
I was suprised to discover the on-board tuner. Really nice extra. Although I would have still gotten it without this feature.
Quality
After I bought the guitar, I began looking for reviews on specifications and the like. The internet discribed the top, simply as 'spruce'. So I thought maybe it wasn't a solid top. It wasn't until I read this review, many months latter, that I find it is a solid top. I always wanted a solid top.
Manufacturer Support
NA
The Wow Factor
high romance
Musical Style:
everything from folk to hip hop.
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Submitted November 2, 2005 by a customer from yahoo.com
"Classical/Fingerpicker/Owner of 2"
This guitar has helped me go from beginner to advanced classical/fingerpicker in two years.
Sound
Outstanding claasical guitar sound. Outstanding on ballads and when you want your notes to touch the listener's heart.
Features
The built in tuner makes alternate tunings easy and fast. The cutout makes those high frets reachable.
Quality
My home EC132SC is on a stand next to my baby grand piano. Not only does it play great, it looks great.
Value
Be patient and shop around. I'm okay with paying a little more so's I can play it in the local stores versus an internet purchase. $750-1000 is a fair price. If money's tight, go internet from an established web-store.
Manufacturer Support
Every local store was sold out (they were on sale for about $750 w/o case). Had to ship my second one in from out-of-state. No service needed, so no complaints.
The Wow Factor
I said "I want it" twice. One for home, one for lunch-time practice in my office.
Musical Background:
Serious Hobbyist
Musical Style:
classical, pop, folk, christmas, a few hymns
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Submitted May 7, 2004 by a customer from hotmail.com
"Perfect guitar for jazz or classical music."
Sound
Clean and clear when played loud. Hushed when played softly. My preferred guitar for jazzy licks. Great sustain. Very good acoustic flavors, great plugged in with a little reverb!
Features
Beautiful workmanship. High quality rosewood back and sides are perfectly bookmatched. The C4TB Pre-amp with tuner is intuitively simple to use, and effective in shaping the sound just right. The marquettery soundhole design is nice, but I prefer abalone.
Quality
This Takamine looks, feels, and sounds like a guitar that costs twice its price. No complaints.
Value
Great value. I sold a more expensive guitar to get this one. I am very satisfied!
Manufacturer Support
None needed.
Musical Style:
Jazzy Pop Contemporary Christian
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Submitted March 23, 2012 by Ramon Roman in Thorndale, PA
"A great guitar at a great price"
My Classical guitar maestro and I went out to find a really good guitar for me. I had an aging Yamaha classical guitar which as opposed to conventional wisdom, its sound didn't improve with age but got more and more flat. After visiting many places, we found the Takamine EC132SC and it was love at first sight because the finish, the grain of the wood I mean everything looked beautiful and professionally built. The icing of the cake was its sound. I played some romantic classical pieces and its mellow, subtle tonal palette came out beautifully and with projection. Played some Flamenco and it delivered the "rasgueados" equally well. So this guitar can be as sweet as a little girl and bold and powerful like a raging bull which surprised me because of its cutaway body style. The action was a bit high for my taste and I didn't like the fact that it came with plastic nut and saddle. So I made myself a new nut and saddle out of bone and setup the action the way I like it. Oh wow!, the sound improved so much that it required just a little tweaking of its CT-4B preamp. Overall this is a great guitar that is worth its price. I use it everyday and don't regret buying it.
Musical Background:
I've been playing guitar since I was 11yrs old. I direct and play in a choir and a conjunto
Musical Style:
Classical, Latin, Latin jazz and Gospel
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Submitted June 30, 2004
"Best-in-class!"
See no reason to upgrade unless Takamine built a flashier anniversary model with the same spec's.
Sound
Great range from the lows to the highs
Features
Neat pre-amp, built-in tuner should be offered by every manufacturer.
Quality
Perfect.
Value
Worth every penny. Compares to $1000+ guitars I played.
Manufacturer Support
None needed.
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