Willis Music Oxmoor Product Profile
Takamine EG523SC-12 Acoustic/Electric 12 String Guitar
Solid Spruce top, Flamed Maple body, 3 piece Maple neck, TK-40 preamp w/ built-in digital tuner, split saddles, thru-bridge stringing, mini head tuning keys
There is no sound like a 12 string guitar. That said, many players are hesitant to even try one out because they think between tuning and barring strings they’re in for too much of a fight. That is not the case with Takamine’s EG523SC-12. This guitar feels and sounds like a dream, due in great part to Takamine’s ongoing commitment to offering players the absolute best playing instrument available without ordering from a custom shop.
In my opinion the neck of this guitar already sets it above most other 12 strings because it has been carved from three pieces of North American Maple. Mahogany is the prevalent wood used on acoustic guitar necks because of its natural resonance, but as the pressure of 12 strings climbs towards 200lbs Mahogany can flex to the point that your guitar no longer plays in tune. This is addressed by the Maple neck used on this model to great success. Maple is markedly more rigid than Mahogany and therefore maintains correct pitch with the added weight 12 strings places on guitars. Being harder is also beneficial in that the player will hear more sustain off the neck itself when playing. The neck profile is slim and comfortable, especially for someone like myself who usually plays 6 string acoustics. A rosewood fretboard and headstock overlay adds comfort and beauty while the mini machine heads make tuning simple and uncluttered. Many builders use the same size keys on 12 and 6 string instruments which often makes tuning cumbersome and awkward.
Takamine is known as “the choice” for a stage acoustic/electric guitar, but I want to call attention to the stunning unplugged sound the EG523SC-12 has. The solid Spruce top delivers the warm sound associated with the Eagles (also Takamine players), while the Maple body contributes excellent volume and note clarity. Since Maple is nearly reflective, every nuance is heard rather than being absorbed by traditional soft-wood backs. Fans of Stevie Ray Vaughan’s classic Guild acoustic sound will jump for joy about this Takamine because it offers that same sweet tone at almost 1/3 of the price!
Plugged in to an Ultrasonic 50 acoustic amp this guitar went from complete subtlety to full-on locomotive with no problem. The on-board digital tuner is simple to use, and since it’s fully chromatic a player can tune up, down or in a open tuning without having to take off the guitar. Awesome! I had a great deal of control over the tone by using the sliders provided for treble, midrange and bass, but it was the Mid Contour control that really made this guitar sound special. This switch dumps the upper-mid frequencies so the player is left with a sound quite like what’s heard on artist CDs or on the radio. The rich sound this switch provides was a knockout. Also offered on the preamp is an EQ Bypass switch should you want only the straight saddle piezo tone sent to the amp/mixer/recorder you’re plugged in to.
A wonderful playing and sounding guitar that may sway even diehard 6 stringers into a full-time 12.
Reviewed by: Mike McAfee
Contact reviewer at: oxmoorstore@willis-music.com
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About the Contributor:
Manager Mike McAfee is a 13 year plus Willis veteran who has hand picked each employee on his floor because they excel in providing a superior experience to every customer. The confidence, knowledge and courtesy you encounter lives up to an environment tailored for each department of their store. The home-like piano experience alone is worth a visit, and no other store in town carries the stock or selection of Willis’ Oxmoor location. Please accept Mike’s personal invitation to see first hand how hard we’ll work to make sure you’ll always come back home to Willis Music at Oxmoor Center.
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