GEAR REVIEW
TAKAMINE THINLINE TSP178ACKN SEMI-HOLLOW ACOUSTIC-ELECTRIC KOA | Bruce Adolph
Public Disclosure – Two things you need to This series of guitars is made in Japan by
know about me (the reviewer). Takamine’s most seasoned builders. Let that
sink in for a minute. That says something.
First of all, over a 10-year span in the 1980’s, I
sold more Takamine guitars when I was in retail Why do I think it is the best stage guitar out
than any other brand of guitar. there? Four big reasons…
1.
The Thinline’s streamlined body is super
Second, I think this new Thinline arch top and light-weight. No strain on your back for
back, all Hawaiian Koa wood body, acoustic- long worship sets.
electric guitar is the most comfortable stage
2.
guitar ever!
It is comfortable to get your right arm
around it. Men and women of smaller
stature will have no problem reaching
There you go. Now that that information is out around this thin body. Fatigue level is very
there for public consumption, let’s take a look low.
at this remarkable new addition to the Takamine
3.
line of guitars.
The new CT -3N Palathetic pre-amp
system with built-in Tuner and Notch
filter sounds robust and very much like
A little history first. The Takamine company an acoustic guitar when played through
was founded in May 1962. The name comes the P.A. system. I scrolled through each
from Mount Takamine located in Gifu, Japan. setting of the Notch filter and found it
In 1978 they were one of the first companies very useful for getting the sound you want
to introduce acoustic-electric models. Yes, in a specific room/hall and eliminating
Takamine has helped pioneered the design of unwanted feedback at higher volumes.
the preamplifier-equalizer component. They Let’s discuss that last point about
have always had electronics that were a cut sounding like a regular size acoustic-
above the others, which adds to their being electric. The FOH engineer where I test
good for the church platform status. drove the guitar through the sound system
Also note that it is my belief that starting in his church mentioned that the Thinline
in the 70’s Takamine wasn’t consumed sounded better than the worship leader’s
with just copying American designed regular full body acoustic-electric guitar.
and built guitars, but they were focused True story. (I hope that worship leader
on making guitars that would compete
with and beat out those same
doesn’t read this review :)
4.
companies in quality of sound and
The playability and looks of this guitar
just meld into each other. Takamine has
craftsmanship.
always had great fretwork and the slender
C shaped mahogany neck with an ebony
This Thinline TSP178ACK N
fretboard is the best of both worlds.
sports their best new CT-3N
electronics
This Add to this the abalone rosette and fingerboard
makes total sense. If you have inlays, bone nut and bridge, Gotoh gold tuners
a thinner body you will want and the gloss polyurethane finish over my
your best foot forward in the favorite wood in the world – Hawaiian Koa
electronics department to add that wood – and you have one drop dead gorgeous
rich full acoustic sound back into the guitar! Just take a good look at the stunning
stage guitar.
122
package.
November 2019
Koa wood. Wowzers!
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