Takamine GB7C Garth Brooks Electro Acoustic

kirstyb

I've recently been offered a Takamine GB7C Garth Brooks Electro Acoustic and I wondered if anyone could give an opinion on these? Also what should I look out for when buying a second hand guitar?
 I'm a beginner looking to upgrade from my cheapo acoustic to something a lot better and would appreciate any advice.
TIA

bluechargeboy

Welcome to the forum!

Takamines are lovely guitars to play. That one has a solid top and back, which is a good thing. It will sound decent acoustically and plugged in. The major downside is the "unique" soundhole. If you like it fair enough, but I imagine it would be a lot harder to sell than a normal soundhole guitar.

Regarding what to look for:

- Non-twisted neck (sight down it from the bridge)
- Body woods not split or cracked
- Bridge has not come away from the body at all
- Top is not significantly bowed upwards (making the action higher)
- Electrics work with no scratchy controls etc.
- I'm sure others will be along with more!

The main thing is to play it if you can and determine if you like the sound and feel; much more important on acoustics than with electrics I would say.

paganskins

Also make sure there's plenty of saddle still proud of the bridge

bluechargeboy said:

The major downside is the "unique" soundhole. If you like it fair enough, but I imagine it would be a lot harder to sell than a normal soundhole guitar.

Indeed

kirstyb

Thank you, really appreciate the tips.

I did wonder about the sound hole, is it the asthetics that people don't like or does it alter the sound quality?

I realise I have to try it and see how it sounds but just interested in people's views. It's still quite pricey for a second hand and I intend to try it and also try some new ones to compare.

paganskins

kirstyb said:

I did wonder about the sound hole, is it the asthetics that people don't like or does it alter the sound quality?

I expect it would affect the sound a bit compared to an identical guitar with a normally proportioned one, it's more of an aesthetic thing.

ICBM

bluechargeboy said:

Regarding what to look for:

- Body woods not split or cracked
- Bridge has not come away from the body at all

Especially if it's anything to do with Garth Brooks…

He's the twat that smashes up good Takamines on stage because "we tried cheaper ones and they didn't splinter as nicely" or some other such moronic justification.

kirstyb

ICBM said:

Especially if it's anything to do with Garth Brooks…

Haha, it's just his name on it, not actually his guitar

bluechargeboy

Oh my god it's true:

proggy

I really cannot stand these idiots who smash guitars up.

Why do they do it?

Sassafras

The Garth Brooks connection would put me off even though it shouldn't.
What a TWAT!
Trying to turn his bland country rock into Rock & Roll.

Lewy

ICBM said:

bluechargeboy said:

Regarding what to look for:

- Body woods not split or cracked
- Bridge has not come away from the body at all

Especially if it's anything to do with Garth Brooks…

He's the twat that smashes up good Takamines on stage because "we tried cheaper ones and they didn't splinter as nicely" or some other such moronic justification.

Saw him interviewed once where he said they were seconds that they smash.Even if they're not, I bet Takamine fall over themselves to get them to him. 

jellyroll

You do know that the guitars are already dead before he smashes them, don't you?

Strangefan

Why do I like that guitar!