Takamine EF508KC NEX All Koa Acoustic-Electric Guitar  

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  • MSRP:
    $1,929.00
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  • New Price:
    $139900
  • 1 Used From $1,119.20

Order Now! Expected to ship 05-29-2012

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Takamine

The all-koa grand auditorium is for players that demand superb playability, high sound pressure levels, and stunning good looks.

The all-koa grand auditorium sized Takamine EF508KC acoustic-electric is the guitar for players that demand superb playability, natural acoustic tone at high sound pressure levels and stunning good looks in a roadworthy performance guitar. Crafted with a beautiful figured koa top, back, and sides, its cutaway body style provides greater fretboard access. Aesthetic touches include gold tuners, abalone snowflake fingerboard inlays, and a natural gloss finish

Beneath the impressive figured koa is a world-class acoustic-electric guitar that will handle any application whether in a full band setting or in solo performance. The Takamine Palethetic pickup and the warm-sounding CT4B preamp is designed for ease of use and purity of tone. The CT4B consists of 3 bands of graphic EQ tone control, a volume control slider and a built-in chromatic tuner. This is a great instrument for nonstandard and open tunings.

Features

  • Body Shape: NEX Cutaway
  • Top: Figured Koa
  • Back: Figured Koa
  • Sides: Figured Koa
  • Fingerboard: Rosewood
  • Inlays: Abalone Snowflake
  • Rosette: Abalone
  • Tuners: Gold
  • Finish: Gloss natural
  • Electronics: CT4B preamp with built-in tuner

An explosion of tropical koa wood that really delivers the sonic goods. Order today.

Write a Review Overall Rating Customer Reviews 16 See all 16 customer reviews...

It's ok, but there are better Koa guitars out there!!

| Review By: Carl Rossetti | 4 months, 2 weeks ago

2 people out of 4 found this review helpful

Features:

When I received this guitar in the mail the buckle on the case was broken. The guitar looked fine and was easy to play. When I played along side my Taylor I could hear the difference. There was no resonance in the guitar. If you are going to plug in it, I think you will be fine. You get what you pay for and for the price its ok. I returned it because I think there are better sounding Koa guitars out there. This one said made in China on the case. I will keep looking...

Quality:

For the price the quality is ok

Value:

I think its a little pricey for what you get.

Overall:

What I like about this guitar is that the neck is nice and thin. Easy to play. The workmanship on the case could be improved. The onboard tuner works fine

Do you own the product?:
Yes
Have you used the product?:
Yes
Musical Experience:
40 yrs
Style of music you play:
contemporary
Where you live:
Hawaii

Did you find this review helpful? yes no1105996

Update on this beautiful guitar

| Review By: BigStan | 5 months, 2 weeks ago

1 people out of 1 found this review helpful

Features:

I upped the rating as this guitar is so beautiful and the sound is very good.

Quality:

The guitar once again is a 10.  The case has a few minor flaws and it is a 9.

Value:

I raised the value to a 10 as the laminated koa looks gorgeous and is a frugal way to get the koa look.  Sound is surprisingly good and loud enough in the middle and upper register.  Bass is adequate in sound.  The case is beautiful with a brown leather look with black plush lining.  Takamine in gold lettering on the cover is a nice touch.  Electronics are very good and the tuner mutes when plugged in to your amp.

Overall:

Overall this is a fantastic sounding guitar and a very good case.  As for keeping this guitar in proper humidity it is still important even though it has laminated top, sides and back.  The braces in the guitar still will require humidity.  I repeat my opinion that you will never have to worry about the top cracking due to temperature and humidity.  However proper humidity is still important especially in locations with very cold winters.

Do you own the product?:
Yes
Have you used the product?:
Yes
Musical Experience:
performed once now a hobbyist
Style of music you play:
folk, oldies, a bit of blues
Where you live:
Chicago-area

Did you find this review helpful? yes no1100235

Art K

| Review By: Art | 5 months, 2 weeks ago

0 people out of 1 found this review helpful

Features:

Great sound even without being plugged in

Quality:

Beautiful KOA all over Great bookmatch

Value:

Envied by all my Hawaiian buddies who don't already have one

Overall:

Get one. You'll love it

Do you own the product?:
Yes
Have you used the product?:
Yes
Musical Experience:
semi pro
Style of music you play:
ALL
Where you live:
California and Hawaii

Did you find this review helpful? yes no1100425

A gorgeous looking guitar

| Review By: BigStan | 6 months, 3 weeks ago

2 people out of 2 found this review helpful

Features:

Laminated KOA top, sides, and back.  Preamp has a mutable tuner. Hard case is now the GC500 that includes an attachable shoulder strap.  Case is dark brown and has Takamine in gold lettering on the cover.

Quality:

I dropped the guitar down to a 9 because the case's vinyl covering has a few bubbles.  Case quality could be a little bit better.  The guitar is a 10.  Finish is excellent and the build is perfect.

Value:

This guitar is a bit high priced for using laminated wood on all sides.  But the guitar is so beautiful it almost makes up for this.

Overall:

This guitar sounds good unplugged.  Plugged in the preamp is a bit bright and the guitar can sound a bit harsh.  A tube amp would probably help soften the sound.  The koa laminate is simply gorgeous and the guitar is well built.  While this guitar will probably never open up and get louder unplugged with age I think this guitar would be a great travel guitar.  I think the laminate would handle temperature change very well.  You shouldn't have to worry about the wood drying out as much.  The top should never crack like a solid top might.  My guitar when unpacked had the tuner still on.  The Takamine inspector at KMC in California probably forgot to turn it off.  I wonder if Takamine would send me free 9-volt battey?   As for the action on this guitar, it is set a bit too high on the upper frets.  I will take the guitar to a luthier for a set-up.

Do you own the product?:
Yes
Have you used the product?:
Yes
Musical Experience:
Hobbyist
Style of music you play:
Folk and some classic pop
Where you live:
Chicago-area

Did you find this review helpful? yes no1097692

Nice...but

| Review By: Al DeMatteo | 1 year, 3 months ago

0 people out of 0 found this review helpful

Features:
Quality:
Value:
Overall:
I purchased this E-Series Takamine because I was impressed by Takamine's acoustic-electric selection. This Koa is NOT a solid top, back or sides. It is "figured" Koa. The overall sound and tone is still very good, but it is not nearly as playable nor does it sound anywhere near as good as my Taylor 315-CE or Martin D-15. The looks are stunning, but again, it's not a Martin or Taylor!
Do you own the product?:
Yes
Have you used the product?:
No
Musical Experience:
Hobbyist and recording
Style of music you play:
Blues, rock and roll and R&B
Where you live:
North Carolina

Did you find this review helpful? yes no816710

See all 16 customer reviews...
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