Review : Jasmine S35 by Takamine

Specifications
Body: Dreadnought
Top: Spruce
Sides: Nato
Back: Nato
Fingerboard: Rosewood
Bridge: Rosewood
Tuners: Chrome Plated
Finish: Natural Gloss
Nut Width: 1 11/16"
Scale Length: 25 3/8"
Dimensions: 42.5 x 19.2 x 7 inches
Weight: 10.7 pounds

Pros

Price & the Value for money

This guitar is an amazing deal for the offer price. Not that there are no better guitars in the market but if you look at the options in this price range, you will find none coming even closer. I mean which guitar in this price range comes even close to offering a solid spruce top, rosewood fingerboard and bridge, Natural Gloss satin finish for the high resonance and the amazing sound quality that S35 has to offer. The sound produced by the guitar is brilliant and warm. The only other option that somehow comes close to Takamine S35 is the Silvertone SD50N dreadnought but it comes for almost double the price. Gibson , Martin, Yamaha and other brands have no better offering in this price range.

Craftsmanship

I am sure musicians wouldn't agree more on this one. The craftsmanship of S35 is much better than is expected of an entry level low priced guitar. The attention given to details combines together to render a nice tone and good plucked harmonics, something that determines the ease of playing which is most important for beginners. The fret is laid down with sharp precision as to offer no fret buzz, and clear and crisp sound.

Ease of playing

In terms of playing, the action is pretty comfortable (if not the best) thereby helping the beginners pick up the instrument faster. Jasmine by Takamine S35 is an easy instrument to play and to keep in tune. The action is pretty O.K and is not at all bad as was suggested by some reviews that I had read for S35. The plucked harmonics is also pretty good, rather it is surprising for a low end guitar. The fret board is also pretty comfortable making it really easy manoeuvrings through it.

Cons

Low String response time

Well I shouldn't be complaining about it at this price but you should know this before you possibly buy this guitar.The string response time is a bit on the lower side and could be a small hindrance for the initial learners. But I look at it in this way - picking up on any instrument is just a matter of habit. If you have learn driving on a heavy vehicle, smaller vehicles are all the more easier to handle.

Looks

Personally I feel that the guitar could have been made to look better. It is not the least stylish. However looks should be the last things to be bothered about when starting to play a guitar. Not that looks are not important. When it comes to playing guitar, especially rock, nobody wants to look like a dork but we primarily remember great performers like Steve Vai or Van Halen for their compositions. Style will come later and will come naturally. So even if the looks of S35 is not that great, it should not stop a beginner from choosing it as his first guitar.