Takamine or Ibanez acoustic guitar?

Shayanzadeh · 19-07-2009 01:26PM #1

Hi all,

I've been playing guitar for about 3 years now, and I feel like its time to go buy a new acoustic

My current acoustic guitar (my first instrument) is nearly 4 years old, I got it in Waltons for €180 back then, its not great but did the job!
You can see it here:

Now I'm stuck between these two guitars.
I'm willing to spend anything up to €400!!
First thing I cannot decide whether to get a Dreadnought or Jumbo, since I play both with a pick and my fingers.
I play alot of Buckethead's acoustic stuff, as well as Radiohead, Metallica, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, RHCP, and all them Rock/Alternative/Metal kinda stuff...some classics like "Tears in Heaven" and "Heartbeats"...

Second I dunno whether to order online, I went to Waltons and Music Maker hoping to play the guitars and decide, but they didn't have any of them. They have very nice mid-range acoustic but not the ones I'm looking for...

So can you please help me decide which?

And give a reason why!

Takamine (Dreadnought): http://www.thomann.de/ie/takamine_eg340sc.htm

Pros: Solid Spruce Top, Takamine are know for good acoustics!
Cons: Apparently the pre-amp uses too much battery!
Note: If I do get this, should I get the above Mahogany back&sides or Rosewood? like below?

GTA+EG360SC.JPG

Ibanez (Jumbo): http://www.thomann.de/ie/ibanez_ewc30aserlg.htm
EWC30ASE_RLG_12_01%20iso.gif

Pros: Beautiful piece of art! , Better Pre-amp and tuner, XLR output, Comes with strap and gigbag!
Cons: Ibanez+acoustic=???:P, Does ash wood sound nice?
Note: If I do get this, should I get the above which has a smaller body or the one bellow with a larger body?

Sorry for making this sooo long! Im not good at explaining!:eek:
P.s Im very indecisive

Thanks in advance!!

Zangetsu · 19-07-2009 02:51PM

The G series Takamines are great for the money, have one myself. Haven't played the Ibanez.

Your best bet would be to take a trip up to XMusic at the red cow if possible and try absolutely everything in your budget. Your bound to find something you like!

population · 19-07-2009 05:54PM

Get a Garrison

Shayanzadeh · 19-07-2009 07:13PM

Cool, never heard of that place! (Its a new store isn't it?) I checked their site though! Still a shame they don't have the guitars above...so I cant know what they sound like!

Anyway went to Music Maker today, I played this EG5 something Takamine, and then this Tanglewood TW155 ST!!! And I have to say, daaaaaym! I love this Tanglewood, its only €400 compared to the €600 takamine I played there, its also a Jumbo with a very large body! The feel of the finish is soo smooth and natural so is the tone, compared to the takamine it sounded brighter and more Resonant!!! So...I dunno maybe I should get this? It didnt sound so great plugged in though, but I didnt hear the takamine plugged in so i cant really say...i just dunno should i get one ive heard or "better" (or worst) one online!

lukeeman · 19-07-2009 07:37PM

Takamine are the best

Zangetsu · 19-07-2009 07:54PM

Personally I try to play everything in the store within my budget and see which one clicks with me.

I usually buy all my stuff online but I wouldn't take the chance with an acoustic guitar, I find fit and finish can be very different from instrument to instrument.

If you find a nice one in store like the Tanglewood, try a few more and see if you still come back to it, you never know what you might find!

rcaz · 19-07-2009 08:01PM

population wrote: »

Get a Garrison

My mate has a Garrison, possibly the finest guitar I've ever played. Great bang : buck ratio too, IIRC.

Shayanzadeh · 19-07-2009 09:00PM

Zangetsu wrote: »

Personally I try to play everything in the store within my budget and see which one clicks with me.

I usually buy all my stuff online but I wouldn't take the chance with an acoustic guitar, I find fit and finish can be very different from instrument to instrument.

If you find a nice one in store like the Tanglewood, try a few more and see if you still come back to it, you never know what you might find!

I know what you mean, its better to buy one that I played, but Im afraid the one online are better...hah! Well I will try that XMusic place, I live in the northside though! I really like the Tanglewood but I dunno isnt Takamine supposed to be better? And like im paying less for it online but it costs more then the Tanglewood so it should be made of better wood? I think the reason i like the Tanglewood was because of its Super Jumbo shape! Would the wood finish really make the guitar less resonant?

Kenny_D · 20-07-2009 09:52AM

Having played both a few Takamine and Ibanez acoustics I think the Takamine are generally better. Mahogany and rosewood sound very different so just play both woods and decide which sound you prefer

ArthurGuinness · 22-07-2009 10:31PM

I currently have 4 taks and one of my first guitars was the one you have above with the TP4, never had any issue with them using alot of battery a 9v usually lasted a few months even with regular gigging unlike the cooltube which is a bitch on them. As far as the back and sides go it will make sfa of a difference to sound because as far as I can remember they are both laminates but I would go for the rosewood.

Seany · 23-07-2009 11:14AM

Keep an eye on www.adverts.ie as there are often some good deals to be found in there

Red Sleeping Beauty · 23-07-2009 10:04PM

population wrote: »

Get a Garrison

If I'd the cash for an acoustic I'd splash for a Garrison. Fantastic guitars. Shame Gibson took 'em over but I've played a few in Xmusic and they're damn nice.

brownacid · 27-07-2009 03:54PM

You forgot in the cons section of the ibanez that it comes with razor blade frets. I wouldn't get an ibanez acoustic. Takamine are a very good make and almost always sound pretty good for what you pay.

Takamine or Ibanez acoustic guitar?

Comments