Takamine GJ72CE-NAT Jumbo Acoustic-Electric Guitar - Natural Reviews

The Takamine GJ72CE-Nat plays incredible! Well worth the price. The sound is just as good or better than a Martin, Taylor or Gibson, but for a lot less money.

Wow if your looking for bright brilliant sound in a jumbo acoustic guitar that sounds like a $5000 - $6000 guitar
This is it !! I was so skeptical but I took a chance and bought it . I'm so glad I did I've played high dollar guitars in the past I have a d 18 Martin and a d 16 Martin the volume on this g series Takamine is amazing

Full, rich tones that you expect from a jumbo but also clean playability and easy finger action. This guitar sounds amazing!

Why spend $1000 more than you need to. This guitar sounds amazing and plays like silk in your hands.

I changed to light gauge strings and it plays just like my 1980's Japanese made Takamine. Very happy with it.

Human part first. Patrick....what a guy. This is my first guitar purchase from Sweetwater and Patrick is the man. He walked me through the purchase and all of the details to perfection. He had the information I needed quickly and efficiently. Patrick also gave me the human touch treatment answering all of my questions and even making suggestions of how/where to ship my purchase. Can't say enough about this young man.

Now...to the guitar. I'll preface my comments with this statement. I'm a Taylor guy through and through. I wanted to get a secondary guitar that I could use when I need to play outside when the need arises. I looked at a couple of other models and settled on the Takamine GJ72CE-NAT Jumbo Acoustic. I was expecting a nice guitar that I wouldn't mind playing in outside Oregon conditions. Now I'm thinking I might need to buy something used on Craigslist to fit that need. What a beautiful guitar! The wood on this guitar is pristine and well figured. The natural finish looks like you could almost reach right into it. The sound...this guitar is a boomer. Huge, clean, crisp sound. Plugged in it has a super sound with all controls set to neutral. My 810 Taylor has a huge sound too but warmer which gives me another sound option. Playability is really smooth and easy straight out of the box. I MAY have a little setup work done but....not much. I'm going to be doing some recording soon and am looking forward to hearing it recorded. Will be playing it live in a couple of weeks or so and anxious to see how that goes too. The built in tuner is a plus and easy to use and read. Tonal controls offer Treble/Mid/Bass and a notch filter that really works well. (Found that out by accident)

I'm still a Taylor guy but, I guess there's room for another guitar that starts with a "T". As to buying a guitar without playing it first, I wouldn't do it with anyone but Sweetwater. Patrick assured me I would be taken care of if I didn't like the guitar. Hey Patrick....I'll Keep it!!

I didn't need another acoustic guitar: I own a Martin, a Gibson, a Taylor and several Guild guitars, none of them was less than a Grand. In fact, they were a lot more expensive and each one has its own personality and tone. I also build acoustic guitars and can appreciate well made instruments. So there was no other reason but greed when I spotted this Takamine jumbo at the Black Friday Sale and i felt like taking a risk on a brand that I'm usually not considering. Bottom line: Hell yes, Sweetwater doesn't sell junk and my new Takamine is proof. My favorite salesman Tom Koch had this beauty in my hands in two days. This one was set up incredibly well, the action is incredible and the whole thing was perfectly in tune! Holy shnikies!
There is not a single flaw on this instrument and it's down outright gorgeous to look at and a joy to play. Since there is also a 12-string available at an incredibly low price, I am mighty tempted. What'sholding me back? I already own an incredibly nice Guild 12-string. Last word about the GJ72CE NAT: Spend the extra cash on a nice Jumbo case from Gator. The guitar fits perfectly in the recommended case and you will protect this gorgeous Jumbo for many years to come. Thanks Takamine, thanksTom Koch, and thanks to all Sweetwater people for making quality instruments available to all of us. If you're still reading after my glowing review, now get yours and have some serious fun making music!!

I have had this guitar for a couple weeks now and at this time, I can not find any fault with this guitar at all..Playability and tone are always my first concern when choosing a new guitar. This one I would rate highly. Looks and the electronics are simply wonderful. I did have to tweek the trus rod a little to get the handling where I like it, fairly close with no string buzz at all. This guitar also has great stage presence and looks like a much more expensive instrument then it is. Fit and finish are simply super. I would rate this guitar up there with a $2000 dollar guitar and I own a $3000 Gibson. custom J-45 flame walnut that doesn't play any better and the tone is slightly better. This Takamine is a keeper and you will be proud to play it out. Sweetwater is a great place to find wonderful guitars and there service is top notch.

For the price this is definitely a great guitar. I put on one gauge heavier strings to give it a bigger sound, and I'm much happier.
Great build, preamp and sound from this guitar.

I'll start with the negative; the action is a little high.
Now for the positive;
I bought this guitar as a matched pair to the Takamine 12-string that i purchased in early 2020. the 12-string quickly became not only my favorite instrument from a healthy collection, it became my wife's favorite as well. She'd wander into the man cave whenever I was playing.
Concurrently, I was struggling with a favorite old 6 string. though it had served me well for 20 years in South Florida, 10 years in New England had cause it to look and act poorly. I couldn't see doing a $300 neck reset.
Replacing my trusty old 6-String with a new Takamine GC72CE was an easy choice given my past experience with the brand.
My new GJ is all i'd hoped with a full, throaty sound, crisp articulation and playability. I will be lowering the bridge somewhat and restringing to my favorite Martin XPs Light but otherwise this guitar was ready to go when it arrived. I love playing it and expect it will provide a platform for my next musical ventures.

This is the second one SW sent me. The first arrived perfect except for the B string sounding like a sitar. I played it for SW over the phone, they agreed with me, and sent another. It arrived perfect but within a couple of months or so, The soundboard raised up 1/8" and the action with it. Also several frets popped up enough to trap the small E string. SW
authorized a local music store to repair it. This was successfully done at less cost than SW would pay, so I'm not complaining a bit about SW at all. They ate $50 for something not their fault. I just hope the soundboard stays put.
I think these problems are somewhat common with guitars built in a dry, climate controlled environment, Then, exposed to more humid ambient air, the spruce soundboard sucks it up and then bulges.
Oh, the review. I think the guitar is outstanding in all respects for the money. And, no matter what, I will keep it forever.
At 78, forever may not be too long.
Aloha

I wondered why Bruce Springsteen used Takamine Guitars in his line up...Like Bruce,I grew up with a 1958 Fender Telecaster...my brother wanted an electric guitar and sustained his school grades at an A average to meet our Father's deal...with us...Dad found a second hand 1958 Fender Telecaster & 10W Champ amplifier from someone in our church....circa 1960...My brother's hands were a bit too small for the Tele...so I inherited it by default...and I had zero interest in it...until I started strumming it out of Curiosity...I was hooked...my brother ended up playing drums and we started our first band in the summer of 1961.."The Surf Kings"... Years later we have landed here and Bruce started his own band and the Takamine is his acoustic guitar of choice and it looks like mine too...It plays better than any Taylor or Martin I've had plus it is a working man's guitar...All work and you don't have to fret over a ding here and there...I'm scoring two of the GJ72CE-NAT-Natural's at this incredible price ...

Acoustically, has a powerful sustained voice, with deep lows and brilliant highs. Thru my Fishman Loudbox Mini and with it's on-board EQ you can shape any sound you want. The sound it produces is simply awesome. The neck is a little fat for my small hands, but I haven't had any trouble adapting. I lowered the strings a little at the nut and after I go to lighter strings I may also lower it a tad at the saddle if I feel I need to, but it was playable as it arrived. Cosmetically, it is just flat beautiful! I chose the darker grain of two that were in stock at my purchase, and the flame maple sides and back are stunning.

I bought this gutar specifically for live performances! The Takimine electronics are "THE" reason for using this axe for playing live!! In 40 + years of playing acoustics live this has the best sound plugged in I've ever played!!