TAKAMINE GD34CE BLK
Based on the Takamine used by Bruce Springsteen and Bon Jovi, the GD34CE has all of its stablemate’s classic good looks on a budget. But how does it sound?
Takamine acoustics need little introduction from us as their reputation for high-quality, roadwarrior six-strings is well established. After arriving on these shores in the mid- 70s, the brand has gone from strength to strength, appearing on stage in the hands of numerous headlining bands, from the Eagles to Bruce Springsteen and beyond. Price wise, there is a Takamine to suit practically every budget, with models spanning the high-end Pro Series to more wallet-friendly budget instruments. They pretty much cover players’ needs in terms of body shapes, too, and a quick look at the catalogue reveals a vast array of thinlines, dreadnoughts, cutaway nylon-strings… you name it.
The GD34CE BLK decodes as a G30 Series cutaway electro in black and is based on Takamine’s more upmarket model, the EF341SC as used by Jon Bon Jovi and Bruce Springsteen. Basically, we’re looking at a bunch of similar features but at a retail price that sits neatly at the budget end of the price spectrum. In fact, although a new model, we’ve seen it online for around £599. It’s stage-ready, too, having been kitted out with the TP-3G pickup system, which is based on the famous ‘Brownie’ three-slider preamp, the voice of which was much loved by players of 1970s Takamines.
Although we may be used to Takamine acoustics coming from the company’s Japanese workshop facility, the GD34CE hails from China and is, according to the label inside the soundhole, ‘Crafted in China in strict accordance with design specifications by Takamine Japan’.
Fresh out of its gigbag, the high-gloss black finish gives this guitar a very distinguished look and, at first glance, it appears far more upmarket than its price tag might suggest. It’s one of those instruments that has ‘play me’ written all over it and we’re eager to accept the invitation. But first, let’s attend to the specs.
The black finish is totally opaque and so it’s impossible to see wood grain details, but we’re told the guitar’s top is solid spruce and the back and sides are mahogany (presumably laminate). This, of course, is a wood co
