Takamine GD20 - Natural Satin Review

Best value (Sound vs dollars)

I have the predecessor to this guitar (The GS330S.) It's basically the same guitar, but without the split saddle. These guitars are quite simply the best value that you can get for the money. I've compared them to other guitars, side by side. Nothing in this price compares to the sound that you can get from this G series guitar. The natural finish allows for a natural, woody… read more sound. The guitar doesn't have scalloped bracing, but it doesn't need it, as there is plenty of bass being produced by this guitar, already. There is a nice balance of highs and lows on these guitar. The cedar top (soft wood) with the natural finish, probably takes a few high harmonics away (maybe not as bright as a spruce top), but the highs are fine on this guitar (listen to the video that is provided by the rep to hear them.) This guitar has a balanced sound. This is one of my favorite guitars. I would not hesitate to recommend this guitar to anyone, especially if they are on a budget. You can spend more money on a guitar, and maybe get a bit better sound than this guitar, but you'll be hard pressed to find a guitar that sounds as good as this one, in this price bracket. One thing that I don't care for on this new design is the split saddle. If you want to put in a piezo pickup, that is a standard design, I don't see how it will work with a split pickup. You probably have to buy a special design one for the split saddle. That makes this guitar slightly less flexible in terms of options. However there are always sound hold pickups. I wouldn't recommend an I-beam style pickup for this guitar as the feedback, and controlling it is an issue (believe me, I've tried it. It sounds good at low amplification, but anything that is a bit louder results in feedback, unless frequencies are notched out.) A piezo pickup would be a good solution, but with the split saddle, well you get the point. I think that a temporary sound hole pickup is a good option. Put it in when you play, take it our when you finish (no need to drill holes in the guitar, that way, either.)

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Awesome tone and big sound!

I got this from Sweetwater with that 55 point check and received it tuned up and ready to go. From the moment I struck the first chord I was hooked! It’s an amazing instrument and it’s build quality is bar none! Thanks Sweetwater for the awesome customer service and attention to detail. I won’t buy anything else except from you guys. You should get ten stars for the amazing… read more customer service and detail you give each instrument and your customers from start to finish, kudos!

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Perfect

After i placed the order, sweetwater has keep me posted all the way from package to shipment and delivery. The guitar come in very good package and I am very satisfied about the purchase.

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Wow! Played several guitars before purchasing this one. The sound is amazing warm and loud, which surprised me with the soft cedar top. the neck is very comfortable also. I would put this guitar up against many high dollar guitars. Don't let the price fool you. Its a great guitar

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Update

In the month that I have owned this guitar I have noticed AN IMPROVEMENT already!!! This baby resonates like nobody's business...The sound is so deep and complex I have to go on record to say that it thus far shows itself to be the best acoustic guitar I have ever owned. I believe the secret is the TIGHT AND STRAIGHT CLOSE GRAINED CEDAR. WOW!!

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