Takamine G Series GC3-NAT Classical Guitar: Full Review

Founded in 1959 in Sakashita, Japan, Takamine is a respected guitar manufacturer known for producing high quality acoustic and classical guitars. They are especially recognized for their innovative use of exotic tonewoods and construction techniques that allow them to recreate sought-after vintage guitar sounds in a consistent and affordable way.

Takamine has focused on classical guitar design since 1962 when they introduced models with nylon strings and a wider fingerboard. Their expertise helped popularize nylon-string guitars worldwide beyond their traditional stronghold in Spain. Today Takamine offers a range of classical guitar models that aim to balance traditional aesthetics with modern playability.

The G Series represents Takamine's entry level classical guitar lineup. While more budget-friendly, they still exhibit Takamine's characteristic attention to detail and sound. The GC3-NAT is a G Series model made with a solid cedar top and mahogany back and sides. It aims to deliver an articulate, balanced tone at an accessible price point. This review will examine the materials, sound, playability and hardware of the GC3-NAT to better understand its performance capabilities as an introductory classical guitar.

Overview

The Takamine GC3-NAT is a classical guitar model from Takamine's G Series. It features a nylon string construction with a cedar top, rosewood back and sides, and mahogany neck.

The GC3-NAT has a 25.6" scale length and a 1.96" nut width. It comes equipped with nylon strings sized .028 - .046 gauge. The body shape is a traditional classical guitar design with a depth of 3.75" at the lower bout.

Overall, the GC3-NAT offers a traditional nylon string classical guitar made from solid tonewoods by Takamine's Japanese luthiers. It provides an accessible option for players looking for the warm, rounded sound of a classical guitar.

Classical guitars like the GC3-NAT are known for their warm, rounded tone thanks to their nylon strings and solid wood construction. The cedar top in particular helps produce a sweet, melodic sound. The wider neck and nylon strings make classical guitars comfortable to play for long periods of time.

While the GC3-NAT provides a quality entry-level classical guitar, more advanced players may want to consider upgrading to a model like the Vault EA-20CE AUS-EA20CE-SB-COMBO-DLX. This classical guitar from Vault features higher end tonewoods like solid European spruce and Indian rosewood. It also has an onboard preamp and pickup system for plugging into an amplifier.

The Vault EA-20CE classical guitar has a hand-carved European spruce top, Indian rosewood back and sides, mahogany neck, and ebony fingerboard. The spruce top produces excellent clarity and dynamics while the rosewood back and sides offer complex low end and overtones. The guitar has a traditional fan bracing pattern to optimize resonance.

Other features of the Vault EA-20CE include gold Gotoh tuners, a built-in Fishman Presys blender preamp system, and Savarez Cristal Corum high-tension strings. The guitar comes in a deluxe padded gig bag for protection during transport and storage.

For players seeking more projection, richer tone, and stage-ready amplified capabilities, the Vault EA-20CE AUS-EA20CE-SB-COMBO-DLX represents a great step up from an entry-level model like the Takamine GC3-NAT. While the GC3-NAT is a quality starter classical guitar, the Vault EA-20CE offers the tonewoods, electronics, and playability that intermediate to advanced players will appreciate.

Construction

The Takamine GC3-NAT is constructed with high quality solid spruce for the top and mahogany for the back and sides. This combination produces a nicely balanced tone that offers clarity in the treble register along with fullness in the bass and midrange.

The all-mahogany neck features a comfortable slim profile that makes playing for extended periods an enjoyable experience. It has a 19-fret rosewood fingerboard and matching rosewood headcap and bridge. The build quality on the GC3-NAT is excellent, as can be expected from Takamine's meticulous attention to detail and craftsmanship. The guitar feels very solid and resonant when playing, with no dead spots or unevenness in tone across the fretboard. The fit and finish is flawless, with a glossy and blemish-free natural finish.

The GC3-NAT is an excellent choice for any guitarist looking for a well-built acoustic-electric guitar with great sound and playability. It's suitable for a wide range of musical styles, from strumming chords to fingerstyle playing. The electronics allow easy amplification while retaining the guitar's inherent acoustic tone. Overall, it represents a fantastic value in its price range.

Another high-quality classical guitar to consider is the Martin 11SC13E-01. This model features solid European spruce for the top along with Indian rosewood back and sides. It produces a rich, complex tone with volume and sustain. The neck is also rosewood for smooth playability. Martin is known for their expertise in acoustic instruments, so you can expect superb craftsmanship and attention to detail. The 11SC13E-01 would make an excellent choice for the advancing classical guitarist looking for the next step up in sound and build quality from a top tier manufacturer.

When shopping for a new classical guitar, it's important to consider your budget and playing level. For those on a tighter budget or just starting out, the Takamine GC3-NAT is difficult to beat in terms of quality and value. More advanced players may want to check out premium models like the Martin 11SC13E-01 for the absolute best in tonewoods, construction and attention to detail. Either way, there are quality instruments available at various price points to suit any classical guitarist's needs.

Trying before you buy is always advisable if possible. Individual player preferences in sound, feel and playability will vary. By testing out any guitar personally first, you can determine if it's a good match for your playing style and musical needs before making a final purchasing decision. Reputable music stores will allow you to play an instrument as long as needed to evaluate it properly.

It's also important to pay attention to proper setup on any new classical guitar you may purchase. Factors like string height/relief, intonation and nut/saddle setup will have a significant impact on playability and sound. Consider having a professional luthier or guitar tech do a post-purchase setup to get your new instrument playing and sounding its absolute best if you don't have experience with guitar adjustments yourself.

With some research and careful shopping, you'll be sure to find an excellent classical guitar to match your needs and budget. Models like the Takamine GC3-NAT and Martin 11SC13E-01 represent great options that balance quality materials, construction and sound. With proper setup work, you'll have an instrument that plays comfortably while producing fantastic tone.

Sound

The GC3-NAT was designed with a solid European spruce top paired with sapele back and sides to produce a balanced and articulate tone. The solid spruce top provides brightness and clarity in the high end, while the sapele back and sides add warmth and richness to the midrange and bass frequencies. This combination of tonewoods allows the GC3-NAT to project well while still having a pleasantly rounded tone.

The GC3-NAT has a focused and precise sound, yet maintains enough warmth and character to be musically engaging. The tone is very balanced across the frequency spectrum, so notes ring out clearly without being overly bright or boomy. Classical guitarists will appreciate the dynamic range and responsiveness of this instrument. While it has enough volume to hold its own in an ensemble setting, the GC3-NAT is also an excellent choice for more intimate solo playing.

Overall, Takamine has crafted a great sounding classical guitar with the GC3-NAT. It produces a refined and nuanced tone, allowing for expressive playing across various styles. The spruce and sapele tonewoods give it clarity and articulation without sacrificing richness or sweetness. Musicians looking for an affordable nylon-string guitar with excellent acoustic sound will find a lot to like in the GC3-NAT.

Playability

The Takamine GC3-NAT classical guitar features a cedar top and mahogany back and sides, resulting in a light and responsive instrument that is a joy to play.

The neck has a traditional classical guitar profile that provides comfort and ease of playability. It uses a 25.5" scale length with a 1.96" nut width, allowing comfortable finger spacing for complex chords and arpeggios. The action is set medium-low from the factory, providing very comfortable playability while still allowing clear notes and tone.

The cedar top provides a light bass response, while the mahogany back and sides add warmth and complexity to the midrange. This combination results in an open, balanced tone across the fretboard. Notes ring out with clarity and definition.

The slim neck profile and comfortable string action make this an excellent choice for new classical guitarists, children, or anyone with smaller hands looking for an affordable nylon-string guitar that plays with ease. The tone is balanced and musical, responding well to a sensitive touch.

Hardware

The hardware on the Takamine GC3-NAT is designed for playability and stability. The tuning machines are gold die-cast with pearloid buttons. They hold the strings in tune well and make tuning adjustments smooth and precise.

The nut and saddle are made from natural bone. This is an upgrade from cheaper plastic nuts and saddles, providing better transfer of vibrations. The bone nut is cut for proper string spacing and depth, ensuring low friction and buzz-free performance. The compensated bone saddle provides accurate intonation up the neck.

Overall, the hardware components on this classical guitar enhance the sound, tuning stability, and playability for intermediate to advanced players. While not as ornate as high-end classical guitars, the hardware is very functional and contributes to the quality of this instrument.

Electronics

The Takamine GC3-NAT classical guitar features no onboard electronics, as is typical for classical and nylon string acoustic guitars. It has no built-in pickups or preamps.

The intention with classical guitars is to amplify the natural acoustic sound of the solid wood construction, without adding any colored tone from pickups and preamps. This allows the GC3-NAT to have a pure, resonant, and balanced acoustic tone.

Some players do wish to amplify a classical guitar on occasion, even for subtle volume boost. In these cases, soundhole pickups can be temporarily added to the guitar. However, the Takamine GC3-NAT is designed for unamplified playing, with its tone and volume intended for an acoustic setting.

The lack of electronics helps keep the GC3-NAT affordable as an entry-level classical guitar. The tonal focus is entirely on the traditional nylon strings and all-solid wood body. This gives the GC3-NAT a classic, orthodox classical guitar voice.

Pros

• Rich, balanced tone from solid spruce top and mahogany back & sides provides excellent sound across the frequency range
• Slim neck profile is comfortable and playable, even for small hands
• Built-in electronics allow for amplification while retaining the guitar's true acoustic sound
• High-gloss finish gives a beautiful, polished aesthetic that will stand out on stage
• Lightweight design makes for easy portability and extended playing sessions without fatigue

Cons

• The GC3-NAT has a full-sized body, which may feel too large for smaller players or younger students. The large body can make it cumbersome to hold and play, especially for long practice sessions.

• The action (string height) is quite high even when properly set up. This can cause pain and fatigue in the left hand during longer playing sessions. Lowering the action requires professional adjustment which adds to the cost.

• The tuners feel cheap and can be prone to slipping. Upgrading to higher quality tuners is recommended for better tuning stability and ease of use.

• The included gig bag is thin and offers minimal protection. Upgrading to a hardshell case provides much better protection but adds further to the cost.

• The tone is not as rich, vibrant, and projecting as solid wood classical guitars in this price range. While good for an all-laminate construction, it doesn't have the tonal complexity of solid wood.

Conclusion

The Takamine GC3-NAT proves a classical guitar can deliver a warm, rich sound while still being affordable. It may lack some projection and volume compared to higher-end models, but the all-solid wood construction produces a focused, balanced tone. The playability exceeds expectations at this price range thanks to the comfortable neck and low action.

While not as ornate looking as premium classical guitars, the GC3-NAT still looks sharp with its spruce top and mahogany back and sides. The slim neck and light weight make it ideal for beginners and allow for extended playing sessions without fatigue. The passive electronics give you the option to plug in without altering the guitar's natural acoustic sound.

Overall, the Takamine GC3-NAT punches above its weight given the reasonable price tag under $500. It provides a compelling option for those seeking an entry-level classical guitar with solid woods and quality construction. More advanced players may want to consider upgrading to a model with better projection or richer harmonics, like a handmade classical guitar from a luthier. But for most needs, the GC3-NAT hits a sweet spot for price and performance.