While many of you are aware that Takamine builds a new Limited Edition acoustic each year, you might be surprised that this is actually the 14th year the company has undertaken such an ambitious project. And arguably, this may indeed be their finest work to date. Previous Limited Edition models have gone on to become true collector's items, as much for their beauty and design as for their playability and outstanding tone, not to mention the fact that very few of these guitars are built each year, making them highly prized among those who appreciate the craftsmanship that goes into building such an exquisite guitar.

For the Year 2000, Takamine went all out. I've seen this guitar and played it and let me say that no picture can possibly do it justice, nor will my words be adequate to describe what it's like to hold one in your hands. Never before has any manufacturer designed an instrument where the peghead, fretboard and rosette were all one integral piece of art. Nor has any manufacturer put together so many materials to create such a stunning design: From choice woods like black jacaranda, padauk, maple and walnut, to polished brass, aluminum and even acrylic mirror.

A single, continuous stellar cascade illuminates the entire neck of the guitar. This richly inlaid design delicately weaves itself from the top of the headstock, down the full length of the fingerboard and ultimately ends up spilling its stars into the rosette, where a stunning acrylic mirror comet streaks across the night sky of January 1, 2000. If you look closely, you'll see that the constellations of Orion the Hunter and the Big Dipper (part of the constellation Ursa Major, the Great Bear) are actually positioned exactly as they were in the southwestern and northeastern skies respectively at midnight on the dawning of the brand new century. Tastefully selected woods actually form olive branches at the base of the rosette which are a traditional sign of peace around the world.

As great as this all might sound, you cannot begin to imagine what all these hand selected materials look like up on stage. The acrylic mirror stars and comet literally appear as if they are illuminated by a laser when seen under the bright stage lights, creating an effect that's visually compelling (to put it mildly). Trust me - nobody seeing you play this guitar on stage will forget the experience for quite a while.

Still, as gorgeous as this instrument is, it had better play well and sound fantastic. And it does! The traditional Takamine mini-jumbo sized NEX cutaway body shape has now been used for 11 years, and its combination of comfort, balance and playability are as good as it gets. A bone saddle and bone nut guarantee warmth and clarity with just the right amount of attack and sustain.

Destined to be a Classic, the Takamine Limited Edition 2000 celebrates the dawn of our new century as an instrument of unparalleled artistry and workmanship. With a top made of choice solid Spruce with X-bracing, a fine Mahogany neck and Rosewood back, sides and fingerboard, this is an instrument of uncompromising quality.

As if all that weren't enough, the Limited Edition 2000 features Takamine's finest electronics, the Graph-EX preamp with bass, mid and treble controls plus an onboard exciter. Did I say exciter? You bet, but this isn't one of those pedestrian exciters that atificially add highs (and to my ears sound like fingernails on a blackboard). For this guitar, Takamine employs an exciter that actually adds clarity and glossy harmonics while taming the sharp edge that many preamps deliver when plugged in (if you've ever played a guitar with inferior electronics, you know exactly what I mean). It's a smooth, natural acoustic sound that floats right through your mix with well-defined bass and mids and those sweet highs you crave.

Another cool feature is that the entire preamp is interchangeable! That's right: If Takamine unveils a newer, better sounding set of electronics somewhere down the road, you simply pop out the existing preamp and drop in the new one. It's that simple. So simple, in fact, that you wonder why other manufacturers didn't think of it before now - though you can bet they'll start adding that feature to their high end models soon.

As for playability, well, I have to say that the neck feels darn near perfect, with just enough chunkiness so you can really grab hold of those big chords, but also with just a hint of that slinkiness that we electric guitar players like in our acoustics. In short, it's a terrific compromise that will have you playing long into the night without the typical, painful hand and finger fatigue that you suffer with a guitar that sports a poorly-designed neck.

Finally, a smooth gloss polyurethane coating is applied giving it a finish that perfectly complements all the other elements. For my taste, a gloss finish is perfect. I know that satin finishes are getting popular because they don't show those unsightly fingerprints. But a guitar with this much gloss and sparkle just screams out for a slick gloss finish, and I'm glad they did it here.

Hey, don't just take my word on this. You really owe it to yourself to check out this magnificent instrument. If you've dreamed of playing a guitar that just feels right in your hands - one that is as gorgeous as it is great-sounding, this is the one. And considering just how limited the Limited Edition 2000 is, you'd best call right now. Believe me, your Sales Engineer will tell you exactly how much magic is in this guitar. What's more, he or she will also be happy to give you your special Sweetwater pricing on what is a once-in-a-lifetime investment. So call now.