Takamine Guitars
Professional acoustic guitars built for the stage.
Takamine has been one of the world’s most respected acoustic guitar makers for over 60 years. Known for their exceptional reliability, clear tone and industry-leading pickup systems, Takamine guitars have become a favourite among professional performers and touring musicians.
At Colemans Music in South Melbourne, we stock a carefully selected range of Takamine acoustic and electro-acoustic guitars, from beginner-friendly models through to premium Japanese-built instruments.
Whether you're a singer-songwriter, performing musician or simply looking for a dependable acoustic guitar, Takamine instruments are designed to deliver consistent tone and performance night after night.
The Takamine Story
Takamine began in 1959 as a small guitar workshop at the base of Mount Takamine in Sakashita, Japan. The company quickly developed a reputation for precise craftsmanship and forward-thinking design.
During the 1970s and 1980s, Takamine became one of the first guitar manufacturers to develop professional onboard pickup systems, allowing acoustic guitars to perform reliably on stage.
This innovation changed live acoustic performance forever. Instead of relying on microphones, musicians could now plug directly into amplifiers or PA systems while maintaining natural acoustic tone.
Today, Takamine continues to combine traditional guitar building with practical stage-ready design, making their instruments a trusted choice for working musicians around the world.
Why Musicians Choose Takamine
Takamine guitars have built their reputation on consistency, reliability and strong live performance.
Key features often include:
• excellent plugged-in acoustic tone
• reliable onboard electronics and preamps
• comfortable neck profiles
• durable construction for touring musicians
• consistent quality across the entire range
Because of these strengths, Takamine guitars are especially popular with singer-songwriters and gigging performers.
Famous Takamine Players
Takamine guitars have been used by many legendary artists across different genres.
Notable players include:
• Bruce Springsteen
• Jon Bon Jovi
• Garth Brooks
• Glenn Frey (Eagles)
• Toby Keith
These artists helped cement Takamine’s reputation as one of the best live acoustic guitars available.
Popular Takamine Series
Takamine produces a wide range of acoustic guitars suited to different players and budgets.
Takamine G Series
The G Series offers excellent value acoustic guitars designed for beginners and intermediate players. These models deliver the tone and reliability Takamine is known for while remaining accessible to newer players.
Many G Series models include Takamine electronics, making them great choices for players who want to perform live.
Takamine Pro Series
The Pro Series represents Takamine’s premium Japanese-built instruments.
These guitars feature:
• professional-grade tonewoods
• refined craftsmanship
• advanced Takamine preamp systems
• exceptional stage-ready tone
Pro Series models are widely used by professional performers and recording musicians.
Takamine Acoustic-Electric Guitars
One of Takamine’s greatest strengths is their acoustic-electric guitar design.
Many models feature Takamine’s proprietary pickup systems and preamps, which are designed to produce a natural acoustic sound when plugged into a PA system or amplifier.
For gigging musicians, this makes Takamine guitars some of the most reliable stage-ready acoustic guitars available.
Takamine Guitars – Frequently Asked Questions
Are Takamine guitars good for live performance?
Yes. Takamine guitars have long been known as some of the best acoustic-electric guitars for live performance.
Takamine was one of the first companies to develop reliable onboard pickup systems for acoustic guitars, allowing players to plug directly into amplifiers or PA systems while maintaining a natural acoustic tone.
Because of this, Takamine guitars have been widely used by touring musicians and singer-songwriters who need consistent performance on stage.
Where are Takamine guitars made?
Takamine guitars are made in Japan and overseas depending on the series.
• Pro Series guitars are built in Japan and represent Takamine’s highest level of craftsmanship.
• G Series guitars are produced overseas to offer excellent value while maintaining Takamine’s design standards.
Both series are designed to deliver the tone, playability and reliability Takamine is known for.
Are Takamine guitars good for beginners?
Yes. Many players start with a Takamine G Series guitar, which offers excellent value, comfortable neck profiles and reliable electronics for those who want to play live.
These guitars are ideal for:
• beginner acoustic players
• singer-songwriters
• students learning guitar
• players who want an acoustic-electric guitar for performance
What makes Takamine different from other acoustic guitars?
One of Takamine’s biggest strengths is their acoustic pickup and preamp systems.
Takamine guitars are designed to sound natural both acoustically and when plugged in. Their onboard electronics have been refined over decades and are widely trusted by performing musicians.
This makes Takamine guitars especially popular with players who perform regularly.
What body styles do Takamine guitars come in?
Takamine guitars are available in several popular acoustic body styles.
Common shapes include:
• Dreadnought – powerful projection and strong bass response
• Auditorium / OM – balanced tone and comfortable size
• Cutaway acoustic-electric models – easier access to higher frets
• Nylon-string models – warm tone suited to classical or fingerstyle playing
Each body style offers slightly different tonal characteristics depending on your playing style.
Are Takamine guitars good for singer-songwriters?
Yes. Takamine guitars are widely used by singer-songwriters and acoustic performers because they offer:
• balanced tone for vocals and guitar
• reliable onboard electronics
• comfortable necks for long playing sessions
• dependable stage performance
Many professional acoustic performers rely on Takamine guitars for both studio work and live shows.
Takamine Guitars in South Melbourne
At Colemans Music we focus on acoustic guitars that offer strong tone, dependable electronics and great playability.
If you're choosing your first acoustic-electric guitar or upgrading to a professional stage instrument, Takamine guitars are well worth exploring.
Looking to buy a Takamine guitar? It’s available now at Coleman's Music in South Melbourne or online with fast shipping Australia-wide. We're a proudly independent, family owned Australian music store that knows gear and backs it with great service.
