In case you ask me, the Takamine CRN-TS1 wants a extra evocative mannequin title—one thing, something, that captures this acoustic-electric slope-shouldered dreadnought’s mixture of fashion and utility, brawn and sweetness. First, the model: The CRN-TS1 stands out visually by combining acquainted parts in a particular manner. Probably the most hanging instance is the slotted headstock, however there are different extra delicate particulars that improve the instrument’s traditional-but-updated character—from its honey-tinged pure end to the understated appointments of gold, ivoroid, abalone, and pretend tortoiseshell. Add the qualities that Takamine followers anticipate—playability and stage-worthy electronics—and also you virtually have the complete story. Spoiler alert: the “Wait, there’s extra!” is all concerning the unplugged sound. 

Sturdy Building 

The CRN-TS1 is a big instrument designed to ship a full-bodied acoustic sound. Regardless of having loads of quantity, it doesn’t look cumbersome and is a lot snug to carry and play. Handmade on the Takamine Professional Sequence facility in Sakashita, Japan, the guitar is noticeably properly constructed, from good fretwork to tidy bracing and kerfing contained in the field. 

The physique incorporates a strong sapele again, laminated sapele sides, and a strong thermal (i.e., torrefied) spruce soundboard, claimed to lend the tone and response of a classic guitar. It’s at all times onerous to know the way a lot one particular design component influences the sound of an acoustic instrument, so I can’t say for positive that the thermal prime is extra responsive than a non-torrefied prime can be on the identical guitar. However I can report that this Takamine has an enormous, advanced, and vibrant tone filled with shimmering overtones. It’s additionally able to actually spectacular maintain. 

The mahogany neck joins the physique on the Twelfth fret, one other tone-focused design selection. All different issues being equal, a 12-fret design shifts the bridge towards the endpin and away from the soundhole, which is meant to supply a hotter sound than a 14th-fret joint. After all, a Twelfth-fret joint additionally makes the physique extra of an impediment for reaching greater pitches.

The rosewood bridge homes a two-piece saddle made from bone; the decrease 4 strings sit on one part, the highest two on the opposite. Takamine believes its break up design provides higher intonation than normal one-piece compensated acoustic saddles. In case you’re nervous that separating the strings negatively impacts sympathetic resonances, the CRN-TS1 actually doesn’t undergo from any lack of tone manufacturing. In actual fact, the unwound excessive strings sound stronger and clearer than I’d anticipate from a dreadnought, the place higher midrange resonances can smear collectively. 

Prime-Notch Setup and Playablity 

Contemplating that just about any guitar proper out of the delivery container would profit from a correct setup, the motion on the check instrument was distinctive—low however buzz-free. And whereas the CRN-TS1 doesn’t essentially provide quick access above the fifteenth fret, the motion up the neck continues to be silky and true. 

For a dreadnought, the Takamine’s ovangkol fretboard is comparatively quick (24.8-inch scale vs. the 25.4-inch you’d discover on, say, a Martin D-28) and in addition slender on the bone nut (1.67-inch vs. the broader normal of 1.75). The 12-inch fretboard radius is just a little rounder than you’ll discover on conventional flattops, however when you’re used to a 14-inch radius it’ll most likely really feel pure sufficient. 

Taken collectively, these specs will most likely really feel fairly acquainted to electrical gamers who spend extra of their time with narrower nuts and 10- or 12-inch radii. I discover the neck to be snug all-around, a straightforward attain for each chords, fingerstyle arpeggios, and single-note lead traces. 

The neck feels fats and ample, with a rounded C curve. I’ve at all times appreciated chunky necks as a result of they help my lengthy fingers, however I don’t suppose the Takamine’s proportions can be overwhelming for smaller palms. The total, spherical contour encourages hand positions that help my fingers on the fretboard. It’s not a lot about reaching notes and chord shapes extra simply, however about making strong contact while you do. And nothing impacts tone greater than the contact your fingers make with the strings. 

In Motion

I’ve already talked about the Takamine’s lush tone and resonant maintain. These qualities leap out after I play and maintain single notes on the excessive E string, even with a lightweight thumb assault. There’s ample physique to the sound it doesn’t matter what I play. 

Switching to arpeggiated open chords exhibits off the instrument’s steadiness and response to finger assault. When enjoying a descending bass line from an open D, for instance, the bass notes on the A string sound consonant and blend properly with the upper notes within the chord.

This consonance is much more spectacular in the case of close-voiced triads on the inside strings up the neck (e.g., an E chord voiced at frets 7, 6, and 4 on strings 5, 4, and three, respectively). Flatpicked lead traces and melodies showcase the guitar’s potential to mix a heat core tone with an articulate assault. I prefer it greatest for sustained notes and flexible bluesy leads. For quick nation choosing, I normally favor the tighter string resistance of an extended scale. 

If the Takamine handles the delicate and expressive stuff with grace, it actually involves life while you roll up your sleeves and strum massive chords. Assume Americana, nation rock—any style the place you need, say, an open G chord to jangle on the prime and punch onerous on the backside. The tone is massive and muscular, but it surely’s lean muscle, with no tubby undertones to muddy the sound. Because of the fretboard radius, barre chords are particularly simple to play, they usually sound big. With all six strings vibrating clearly, a barred F rings like an open E. 

Good Electronics

Amplified sound has lengthy been synonymous with the Takamine model, and the CRN-TS1 isn’t any exception. Right here, Takamine’s time-tested and proprietary Palathetic undersaddle pickup system, which makes use of particular person piezo parts for every string, feeds a CT-4BII preamp. Controls embody quantity and a three-band EQ with fastened frequencies and 5dB of enhance and reduce for every band. There’s additionally an onboard tuner, with a push button that permits you to change between muted and non-muted operation, and you’ll calibrate the tuner’s reference frequency from 438Hz to 445Hz in 1Hz increments. 

As a result of Takamine says the design is tuned to scale back suggestions, I examined the CRN-TS1 at greater quantity than I usually discover snug. (The tuner’s mute mode got here in useful whereas I used to be adjusting the amp.) If I face the speaker from a few foot away with the amp properly above drum equipment quantity, sympathetic resonances get the D string vibrating. However beneath commonsense situations—e.g., a number of ft away from the amp with my physique blocking the speaker—the sound is simple to manage, even with the bass cranked to 5dB.

Extra necessary, the electronics seize a lot of the guitar’s unplugged character, together with these wealthy overtones. Maybe the break up saddle performs a task, however the higher strings preserve the readability I discussed earlier with out getting spikey in that plugged-in acoustic manner. The upper strings sound full on single notes and mix properly with the decrease strings on chords. 

The EQ is efficient at shaping, not altering, the tone. Boosting the lows and highs relative to the midrange is ideal for strumming solo, although you would possibly reduce the bass in an ensemble. I’ve my very own very scientific metric for undersaddle pickups: quack issue. The upper the quack, the more serious the rating. Even with the amp turned up loud, no geese flew in anticipating to search out mates in my studio. Quack issue: 0.

The Backside Line

From its good-looking seems to be to its player-friendly fretboard, massive sound, and powerful onboard electronics, the Takamine CRN-TS1 appears designed for the stage, particularly one shared with electrical guitars and drums. Reviewed with that in thoughts, it ticks all of the packing containers. Priced on the upper finish of average at round $1,800 with onerous case, it’s inside attain for working musicians and can be a very good choice for touring professionals. 

But, the unamplified sound, with its mixture of readability and harmonic overtones, makes the CRN-TS1 greater than a sublime but dependable software. For an enormous guitar with an enormous sound, the Takamine additionally provides an intimate high quality that rewards an uncluttered method, the place notes are given the time and area to linger.

Specs 

BODY 12-fret slope-shouldered dreadnought; thermal spruce prime; strong sapele again; laminated sapele sides; ebony bridge; bone compensated saddle with 2.086″ string spacing; pure gloss end

NECK 24.8″-scale mahogany; slotted headstock; certain ovangkol fretboard with 12″ radius; 20 frets; 1.67″ bone nut; gold open-gear tuners

OTHER D’Addario EXP16 Phosphor Bronze strings (.012–.053); Takamine Palethetic undersaddle pickup system with CT-4BII preamp; hardshell case; left-handed out there

MADE IN Japan

PRICE $1,849 road

Go to takamine.com or store for this guitar on Reverb.