Takamine GC1 NAT Classical Guitar: Full Review

to Takamine GC1 NAT Classical Guitar

The Takamine GC1 NAT is a noteworthy nylon-string classical guitar first introduced by the Japanese guitar maker Takamine Gakki in the early 2010s. Takamine is renowned for its finely crafted acoustic and classical guitars, having built a reputation for excellent build quality and resonant tonewoods since its founding in 1959.

The GC1 NAT is an attractively designed instrument that delivers the rich, warm sound that classical guitarists look for. Its solid cedar top provides a sweet, melodic tone while Indian rosewood back and sides offer depth and complexity. This is an excellent choice for beginning to intermediate players looking for an affordable yet high-quality nylon-string guitar for practicing and performing classical repertoire.

Construction

The Takamine GC1 NAT classical guitar features a solid spruce top paired with rosewood back and sides. This combination of tonewoods produces a beautifully balanced sound that works well for both fingerstyle playing and strumming chords.

The spruce top is known for its crisp, clear treble tones and excellent dynamic range. It allows the GC1 NAT to project sound effortlessly while maintaining complexity and nuance. Spruce is a popular choice among classical guitars for its responsiveness and versatility.

The rosewood back and sides offer a warm, rich low end to complement the bright spruce top. Rosewood adds depth and bass resonance, helping fill out the GC1 NAT's overall voice. Its complex overtones Ring out with clarity and character thanks to the clear spruce top.

Overall, the all-solid wood construction of the GC1 NAT classical guitar allows it to produce full, vibrant tones across the frequency spectrum - perfect for everything from delicate playing to vigorous strumming. The combination of spruce and rosewood is a tried and tested formula for great acoustic tone and balance.

When shopping for a quality classical guitar, it's important to consider the tonewoods used. Models like the Takamine GC1 NAT with solid spruce and rosewood construction provide excellent sound at an accessible price point. However, there are other great options too, such as the Cordoba GUCLCOR-05048. This classical guitar features a solid Canadian cedar top with Indian rosewood back and sides for a slightly different tonal flavor.

The cedar top produces a warm, sweet treble sound compared to spruce's brighter tone. It emphasizes the midrange frequencies, providing a rounded, intimate voice perfect for playing Spanish repertoire. Meanwhile, the Indian rosewood contributes deep low-end resonance and sparkling high-end overtones.

Additional features of the Cordoba GUCLCOR-05048 include a hand-carved mahogany neck for stability and playability. It has a 52mm nut width, making it comfortable for most adult hands. The guitar includes Savarez Cristal Corum high-tension strings for excellent response. Finally, it sports a matte finish for an understated, elegant look.

When choosing between all-solid classical guitars like the Takamine GC1 NAT and Cordoba GUCLCOR-05048, consider your tonal preferences. Spruce and rosewood will sound bright and crisp, while cedar and rosewood lean towards a mellow, nuanced voice. Comfort features like nut width also factor into the decision. Testing the instruments in person is ideal if possible.

Both Takamine and Cordoba offer quality classical guitars with traditional tonewood combinations. The GC1 NAT and GUCLCOR-05048 each provide excellent construction and sound at their respective price points. Evaluating your needs for tone, playability and aesthetics will help determine which model suits you best. With a little research, you can find the perfect classical guitar to inspire your musical creativity.

Body Style

The Takamine GC1 NAT features a traditional classical guitar body shape with a solid cedar top and mahogany back and sides. The top has a smooth gloss finish, while the back and sides have a semi-gloss finish.

The slim neck and tight string spacing make this an easy guitar to hold and play. The body is a comfortable size, not too large or small. The sleek natural gloss finish gives it an elegant, refined look.

At just under 3.75 lbs, the GC1 NAT is lightweight enough to hold comfortably when seated without a strap. The smooth edges and contours make this a nice guitar to cradle in your lap.

The solid wood construction gives the GC1 NAT a rich, resonant tone. The cedar top is responsive and articulate, while the mahogany back and sides provide a balanced, well-rounded sound.

Overall, the traditional body style of the GC1 NAT offers comfort, playability, and great acoustic properties. The slim neck and lightweight build make extended playing sessions enjoyable. While visually simple, the gloss finishes and woods create an attractive guitar.

The body style of a classical guitar like the GC1 NAT differs in some key ways from steel-string acoustics. Classical guitars generally have a wider neck, larger body, and nylon strings. This allows for more room between the strings for fingerstyle playing. The cedar and mahogany tonewoods deliver a warm, nuanced classical guitar sound.

In contrast, the Fender 0370121506 has a slimmer neck and smaller body optimized for steel strings. It produces the brighter, louder projection expected from a steel-string acoustic. While the Takamine GC1 NAT adheres more closely to a traditional classical form, the Fender offers an accessible take on the nylon-string guitar.

With its comfortable body style and proportions, the GC1 NAT is a great choice for classical guitarists. It offers the authentic feel and voice discerning players expect. Those seeking an affordable classical model from a reputable brand would do well to try the GC1 NAT.

Neck

The Takamine GC1 NAT classical guitar has a traditional nylon string neck width of 52mm at the nut. This provides a comfortable playing feel for classical guitarists who are accustomed to wider necks compared to steel-string acoustics.

The fretboard is made of rosewood, which is a traditional and high quality material preferred for classical guitars. Rosewood offers a smooth playing feel and rich look. The fretboard has a 400mm radius which allows for comfortable chord shapes and fretting hand technique.

Overall the neck is designed well for classical guitar playing, providing the proper width and premium fretboard wood for comfortable playability. The width gives space for the right hand fingers while the rosewood fretboard enables smooth fingering motions.

Hardware

The Takamine GC1 NAT classical guitar features high-quality hardware to provide stable tuning and a rich resonant tone. The guitar uses a rosewood bridge and a synthetic bone nut and saddle.

The rosewood bridge is a common choice for classical guitars, providing a warm, rounded tone that complements the traditional nylon strings. The bridge transfers the vibration of the strings into the top wood of the guitar for projection. The dense rosewood material gives it durability.

The nut and saddle are made of synthetic bone, which has a similar tonal characteristic to natural bone. The slick texture allows the strings to glide smoothly during tuning adjustments. The nut positions the strings precisely over the fretboard, while the saddle sets the string height for optimal playability.

The tuners on the GC1 NAT are Takamine's own chrome enclosed tuners. They operate smoothly for precise and stable tuning. The chrome covers give them an elegant look befitting a classical guitar. Overall, the high-quality hardware components on this Takamine nylon-string guitar help produce a balanced, resonant tone and smooth playability.

Electronics

The Takamine GC1 NAT classical guitar features quality electronics that provide excellent sound and versatility.

Pickups

The guitar has a Takamine TK-40D preamp system with a built-in tuner and three-band EQ. The preamp utilizes a unique Palathetic pickup that captures the true, natural sound of the guitar. The under-saddle transducer allows each individual string to be sensed for a balanced and articulate tone.

Preamp

The preamp system is designed specifically for nylon-string guitars, providing great sensitivity and dynamic range. It has a three-band EQ with bass, mid, and treble controls so you can shape your tone as needed. The mid-scoop switch cuts midrange for an enhanced low and high end. There is also a mid contour control for even more tonal variety.

Controls

The preamp's easy-to-use chromatic tuner can be engaged with the touch of a button, making tuning quick and convenient. Volume, treble, mid, and bass controls allow for dialing in your optimal sound. There is also a built-in limiter to prevent feedback at higher volumes. The preamp operates on a 9V battery or can be powered with the included AC adapter.

Sound

The GC1 NAT produces a warm, balanced tone that you'd expect from a high-quality classical guitar. The solid cedar top provides excellent resonance and responsiveness, while the mahogany back and sides add depth and character to the sound.

The combination of cedar and mahogany creates a versatile tonal palette ranging from bright and lively trebles to rounded, rich basses. The cedar top brings out those crystalline highs with bell-like clarity. The mahogany back and sides fill out the midrange beautifully, with a touch of earthy sweetness.

This guitar has impressive dynamic range. It can go from hushed, delicate passages to forceful melodic lines without losing its balance and cohesion. Notes ring out with sustain, giving chords a nice bloom. The sound is intimate yet projects well, making this model suitable for both solo practice and ensemble playing.

Overall, the GC1 NAT produces a refined classical guitar sound with excellent tonal balance. The solid wood construction allows the instrument to blossom tonally as it ages. This is a guitar made for nuanced playing across various musical styles.

Playability

The Takamine GC1 NAT classical guitar has excellent playability right out of the box. The action is set up low and smooth, making it very comfortable to fret notes and chords up and down the neck without any buzzing.

The C-shaped neck has a satin finish that feels fast and slick in the hand. This allows for quick runs and lead lines without any sticking or drag. The wider 2" nut also provides ample room for fingerpicking patterns and chord voicings.

Overall, the feel and playability of the GC1 NAT rivals much more expensive classical guitars. It's evident that care was taken during the setup and construction to ensure effortless playability. The action, feel, and comfort will satisfy beginners and professionals alike.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• High quality build and craftsmanship with solid spruce top and mahogany back and sides
• Provides rich, warm tone thanks to solid wood construction
• Clear, balanced tone across all registers
• Comfortable neck and low action make it very playable
• Includes Takamine Palathetic pickup system for natural amplified tone
• Visually attractive with simple but elegant cosmetics

Cons

• Higher cost than entry-level classical guitars
• Electronics can add unnecessary weight compared to acoustic-only classical guitars
• Electronics require a battery and preamp controls
• Lacks the projection of concert-level classical guitars
• Electronics and cutaway can dampen acoustic resonance slightly

Verdict

The Takamine GC1 NAT is an excellent entry-level classical guitar that punches above its weight. Despite the affordable price point, it offers surprising quality with its solid spruce top and mahogany back and sides construction.

The warm, balanced tone makes the GC1 NAT a joy to play. It has a very resonant and projecting sound that belies its price tag. The nylon strings have a smooth feel, and the slim neck profile makes it comfortable for long practice sessions. Intonation is accurate across the fretboard.

Overall, the GC1 NAT is an outstanding value for those looking to buy their first nylon-string guitar, or players on a budget seeking great classical guitar tone without breaking the bank. While it may lack some projection compared to premium classical guitars, the GC1 NAT's sound quality is very impressive considering the affordable price point.

The excellent construction, comfortable playability, and rich classical guitar tone make the Takamine GC1 NAT a recommended choice for any level of player looking for great value for money. It punches well above its weight class.