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Second Guitar
I am looking at getting a second guitar a Takamine EF455S does anyone know anything about this guitar? I do not want to make a error
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16 Replies
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Hey @Big_Red45 Buying a guitar is like buying a new pair of shoes. They look nice and all but they have to fit comfortably. A guitar is pretty close to the same thing. Best advice I can give you is to visit your local guitar store’s and try some out. Also, read the review on line about them too. Just my 2 cents. 🧐🧙♂️😎
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I have played this guitar and it felt real nice. It is hard to find out anything on this model of guitar
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“Know anything” is pretty general @Big_Red45. From “it’s a wooden box with 6 strings on up”. Mostly I know it’s a discontinued (30 years ago – thus the issue with getting information) Dread model from Takamine (generally a pretty reliable, decent sounding acoustic) with a solid Spruce top, Rosewood back and sides with “abalone” inlays in the fingerboard per Takamine. Also found a site that says it’s a Mahogany neck, Rosewood fingerboard, non cutaway, no electronics model made between 1979 and 1989. Apparently Dylan used one on his European tour in the early 1980s.
Here’s a whole thread of info (relevant and otherwise): https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=329915
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This reply was modified 4 years, 10 months ago by SoCal_Ian.
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Thanks for the info, went on the link and got some info but the links they provide do not work now. I guess I will just spend the big bucks and buy it.
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Sounds like you liked it when you played it. That is a huge plus. I don’t know about these specifically. I have had one of their Jasmine models and found it just right for the money. Do you have any specific concerns? One of my big concerns early on was figuring out if I was paying the right price (for example).
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Looking forward to ngd pictures 😉 you know we all want to see it
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Not sure how to post Pic’s of the new addition
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This reply was modified 4 years, 10 months ago by
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My two new additions for my collection, can anyone tell me anymore info on these guitars?
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Hi @Big_Red45 , happy NGD👍🎂👍 Those both look like very nice hi end model guitars. Like @jumpinjeff , I came into possession of a Jasmine model from Takamine that I still have. When I researched the manufacturer, I found that Takamine was a top quality acoustic guitar manufacturer from Shakashita, Japan, and considered by many to be one of the best in Asia.🤩
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thanks, the 12 string is a F456S made in 1977, the the 6 string is a EF455S made in 1979
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Ok, I guess I should have read the rest of the thread. I can’t delete my previous comment, so I will simply make an additional comment to try and pull my foot out of my mouth @Big_Red45 .
I had made a mistake and thought you typed “EF 4555” instead of “EF 455S”. But even after I changed the 3rd “5” to a capitol “S”, I still couldn’t find any info. However, there they are in the pic, so that just goes to show what I know.
Obviously, they are full size Dreadnaughts and they are high-end guitars. Being Takamines, you don’t have to worry about quality or price. The market won’t allow them to be sold for what old Martins or Gibsons go for. And these guitars are every bit as good (and possible better 😮). They are simply beautiful. Congratulations.
MG 😀
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So, let’s start with the name “Takamine”, @Big_Red45 . There are quite a few factors that come into play when buying a guitar. @Marty69 alluded to that when he compared buying a guitar to buying shoes. It’s pretty personal. However, there is one factor can be immediately checked off when buying from certain companies… quality. You won’t find a better built guitar than a Takamine. Generally, to get a guitar of equal quality you would have to spend a lot more money than what a Takamine cost. In other words, you can’t go wrong buying a Takamine… assuming you know what you want in a guitar and this guitar fits. I own a Tak, so I can attest to this.
Second, if you have played the guitar, then you already know that you like this particular model and it fits.
But here’s the odd part. I can’t find a model EF 4555 anywhere, even on Takamine’s website. The have a family of guitars that are designated EF 450. Here is a blub about the “parent” model:
<header>EF450DLX</header>
The guitars created in Takamine Specialty Shop are very limited production models showing design elements that appear nowhere else in the Takamine line. Every so often we get the opportunity to acquire some exquisite examples of rare and valuable tone woods. These timbers are so unique they deserve an extraordinary guitar to show off their natural brilliance. The EF450DLX NEX brings your stage presence to a whole new level. From the intricately inlaid pick guard and fretboard to the stunning solid flame maple back and sides, every element of this guitar was chosen to catch the eye and the ear. The combination of solid sitka spruce over solid flame maple back and sides creates a harmonic richness and amazing level of sustain to the voice of this guitar. Gloss natural finish and deluxe gold hardware put the finishing touch on this visually striking instrument. Includes Takamine’s Palathetic™ pickup, known in the industry as one of the most accurate and natural sounding acoustic/electric pickups. Takamine’s TLD Line Driver provides the player with an active output.
I have to ask if you have the model number correct. If so, I am really confused as Takamine’s website is extremely well designed and I can find any custom guitar they ever built. So, if you are sure that you have the model number correct, I would be worried about the “real” story behind this particular guitar.
The other side of the coin is, if anyone was trying to make a “fake” Takamine, they’d be very careful to use a model number that existed in the Takamine line. So again, I’m confused. The first thing you need to do is check and see if you have the model number correct.
If this is a genuine Takamine and you like it, I’d have to say jump on it. Their electronics are second to none and better than most. If fact, I would not swear that anyone makes pickups and preamps that can equal Takamine’s.
I hope this helps you make a good decision. Please let us know what you find out and what you decide to do. I would be interested in the rest of the stroy.
MG 😀
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Thanks, the EF455S is original I have checked the stamped model number in the inside body of the guitar plus i have checked the serial number. It has the early Tak electronics and they mounted the batter inside the body of the guitar, the only way to change the batter is by taking off the strings. It is is Brazilian rose wood back and sides with spruce top. I have heard that this is a very rare guitar and not easy to find.
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Hello @Big_Red45 , I made another comment above after I had read the rest of the thread. Yes, both of these guitars that you show in the picture are real Takamines. In fact, not simply “real” Taks, but exceptional Taks. Just looking at them it is obvious they are very high end. But the “holy grail” of Takamines? And very hard to find? All I got to say is Congratulations. I’m glad you snagged them. They sure are beautiful. And Takamine makes magnificent gutiars. If this is the best they make, then you have a couple of guitars that will rival any custom, hand-built guitar available anywhere from anyone. Awesome. 😍
MG 😀
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Thanks Mike, the holy grail of Takamine and it is what others have written I have no clue to be honest where they fit in the tak line up to make any comment. . Yes they are fine pieces and they play really well and sound is great I am glad to have found them.
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There was one sold on Reverb a number of years ago and had a short write up about it, mine by the serial number is actually at 1980.
1982 Takamine EF-455S. Dubbed “The Holy Grail” of Takamine flatop acoustics, the EF-455S is spares no expense in detail and craftmanship. Adored head to heel in hand inlayed Abalone, including the entire ebony fingerboard ‘Tree of Life’ inlay. It sports a solid spruce top, and Brazillian rosewood back and sides. The model famously used by Bob Dylan in 1981. Some holes from previous strap pins. Tuners non-original.
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