Takamine EG523SC12 12-String Acoustic-Electric Guitar 

Comments about Takamine EG523SC12 12-String Acoustic-Electric Guitar:

A great sounding 12-string. The display on the tuner is somewhat difficult to read. The neck needed to be adjusted when I received it, but with the included allen wrench, it was easy.

Comments about Takamine EG523SC12 12-String Acoustic-Electric Guitar:

This was my first 12-string guitar and it is beautiful. It sounds great plugged in and it's very sturdy. I don't use it all the time but when I do, the rich, warm tone continues to amaze me and others.

Comments about Takamine EG523SC12 12-String Acoustic-Electric Guitar:

Very comfortable natural feeling guitar. Easy to play. Great action. Great sound. One the best 12 strings I have come across with a very reasonable price tag on top of the great quality.

Comments about Takamine EG523SC12 12-String Acoustic-Electric Guitar:

I went into Alto Music back in May since I finally decided to achieve my dream of buying a 12 string. I went to the store looking for the Takamine EG345SC-12 and since they did not have it, I picked this beauty up. The one I picked was a poorly repaired used model but they had a brand new one as well and they both sounded phenomenal! June came along and I finally bought a brand new one and never looked back once. The looks were enough to win over anyone. The flamed maple is the color of cream and the spruce top is equally gorgeous. The inlays are nicely done. The neck is wider than I am used to but it's not uncomfortable and you get used to it. When plugged it into my Vox AC30VR, you can get a good acoustic sound and when you put the guitar EQ's treble up, I got the classic Beatles Rickenbacker sound! I can also dial in the guitar sound I've always wanted. Unplugged, it sounds and plays like a dream. My other guitars have collected dust since I bought Blondie (yes, I named it Blondie). In conclusion, I would say that this is the guitar for a musician who wants a super high quality instrument for a reasonable price. It sounded WAY better than the tinny-sounding Taylor I tried (Absolutely no bass or mid. Sounded like nails on a chalkboard. Love their 6 strings though!) I actually found out from the store that Takamine is having trouble meeting the staggering demand for this exquisite instrument. So hurry before they run out again!

Comments about Takamine EG523SC12 12-String Acoustic-Electric Guitar:

I've had this guitar for a few years now. I've used it at probably 200 gigs since I bought it. I purchased the black one. While the black is gorgeous, it shows every smudge, so you need to keep a rag handy. Also, Takamine really should've made a better looking pick guard for the black model. The sound of this guitar unplugged is pretty good, but it really comes to life when plugged in. The guitar has great electronics. I have noticed that the G strings are a bit lower volume than the rest of the strings. As if the electronics or the sensor under the G strings are not up to the same standard as the rest. I'm the only one who's noticed. The other thing about it is that the neck is pretty wide. I own a few 12s. A Ric 360 and an Ibanez Performance. Both of these have skinnler necks that I prefer. With the Takamine, if I'm playing for a while, my hand actually does start to hurt a bit. Having said that, it's WELL worth the money. You could get a Taylor by donating one of your kids, but for those of us out there that are working musicians (not rich), this is a great guitar.

Comments about Takamine EG523SC12 12-String Acoustic-Electric Guitar:

Features: This Takamine guitar for the price has a lot of quality features, a solid spruce top and flame maple sides, pre-amp with a ton of features, and nice abalone inlays. I was surprised at how accurate the on-board tuner is. For the price of this guitar this has a lot of very nice features.

Quality: The quality of this guitar seems to be higher end, especially for the price. I have the black model and the finish is clean and beautiful. I wasn't sure if I would like the black due to it's propensity to show fingerprints, yet even with that it is very well done. The trim around the outside of the guitar adds a subtle beauty. My only complaint with the quality of the guitar is cosmetic and I'm the only one it bothers so far that I have talked to. The inlays around the sound hole are abalone surrounded by a white ring, and that outside ring is half-covered by the pick guard. Poor attention to detail in my opinion, but a small gripe. Value: From my comparisons the value of this guitar is very high. Lots of features for the dollars.

Overall: I am an intermediate player, a hobbyist. When I decided to get a 12 string guitar, I tried Taylor, Martin, Breedlove, Seagull, Fender, and this Takamine. For me, by far, the Taylor and the Takamine was the easiest to play, and though the Taylor projected a little better, the ease of play and the price led this Takamine to be a no brainer. I have been very happy with this decision. I have had this guitar for about a month now. The Takamine stays in tune very well, plays easy, and sounds great, especially plugged in to my amp. The electronics seem to be high quality. I am really happy with this purchase, and the guitar is beautiful.

Comments about Takamine EG523SC12 12-String Acoustic-Electric Guitar:

I am an intermediate player, a hobbyist. When I decided to get a 12 string guitar, I tried Taylor, Martin, Breedlove, Seagull, Fender, and this Takamine. For me, by far, the Taylor and the Takamine was the easiest to play, and though the Taylor projected a little better, the ease of play and the price led this Takamine to be a no brainer. I have been very happy with this decision.

I have had this guitar for about a month now. The Takamine stays in tune very well, plays easy, and sounds great, especially plugged in to my amp. The electronics seem to be high quality. I am really happy with this purchase, and the guitar is beautiful.
This Takamine guitar for the price has a lot of quality features, a solid spruce top and flame maple sides, pre-amp with a ton of features, and nice abalone inlays. I was surprised at how accurate the on-board tuner is. For the price of this guitar this has a lot of very nice features.
The quality of this guitar seems to be higher end, especially for the price. I have the black model and the finish is clean and beautiful. I wasn't sure if I would like the black due to it's propensity to show fingerprints, yet even with that it is very well done. The trim around the outside of the guitar adds a subtle beauty. My only complaint with the quality of the guitar is cosmetic and I'm the only one it bothers so far that I have talked to. The inlays around the sound hole are abalone surrounded by a white ring, and that outside ring is half-covered by the pick guard. Poor attention to detail in my opinion, but a small gripe.
From my comparisons the value of this guitar is very high. Lots of features for the dollars.

Comments about Takamine EG523SC12 12-String Acoustic-Electric Guitar:

fix the production errors and it's an easy 8 maybe 8.5
if you can get a price match like I did, 9 maybe 9.5
After a short time with the first guitar ordered I can say the finish was nearly flawless, the look and feel was brilliant, weight and balance outstanding, the sound was just what I ordered.

The problems were an improperly set up nut, the tuner stays on unless you hold it down for 5-6 seconds and it's a bit hard to see, the frets were cut a bit long and bulged the neck binding in places and I had to clamp the pickguard down to have it stick again.

Overall, I scored a huge price match on this...so for under $600 this guitar is un.be.lievable; however, for the usual price, absolutely not. I only say that because I've seen $200 Ibanez and Epiphone guitars without these production errors. Jim at KMC music told me to take a chance on this one over the Gseries 12 from china because this Korean model is better but not as good as their Japanese version like my Sante Fe. Yes, the Sante Fe is worth over a $1000 and this one is worth less, but the Korean plant still needs work.

With a discount and these minor problems addressed (which I'm hoping with be the case with the replacement) I anticipate giving this a 9 star. It truly is a fantastic guitar provided you get a nut action adjustment which is of course not a big deal. You should get it set up anyway.
read the above paragraph
I paid less than advertised so I give it 9, but most of you will pay the regular price so that's why it's a 7. it would be an 8 if you monitor the production issues

Comments about Takamine EG523SC12 12-String Acoustic-Electric Guitar:

The workmanship that went into this guitar is amazing. I've had Martins and Taylor's that did not have this much detail in them and paid twice as much. It holds tune very well and sounds full and rich pluged in or just sitting around strumming. As with any 12 string, it takes a little time for your hand to get used to the neck, about 3 minutes, I really enjoy playing it.


Dennis
Cincinnati, Oh

Comments about Takamine EG523SC12 12-String Acoustic-Electric Guitar:

Very happy with purchase.
It has probably more features than I will use because I like it "straight up".
Well put together with a sweet sound.
Caught it on sale but would have paid more.