Takamine G Series Dreadnought | Part 2

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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3

Top, Sides and Back

The top [soundboard] appears to be spruce, stained a translucent shade of green and finished in gloss. A rather attractive feature of this top is the abalone purfling and maple binding. Next, a peek into the soundhole reveals a mildewed rectangular label with "Takamine G Series Dreadnought Guitar" printed in black. Speaking of soundholes, this one is far from plain, as it's decorated with concentric rings of abalone. Last but not least, the spruce top is also home to a rosewood bridge. In the image of the bridge below, the saddle, under-saddle piezo pickup, and bridge pins are missing because they've been removed for servicing.

Translucent Green Spruce Top

Abalone Purfling/Maple Binding

Soundhole Label

Abalone Soundhole Rosette

Rosewood Bridge

In profile view, stand-out features include the quilted maple sides and Venetian cutaway. The upper bout houses a GE-5T Four-Band Preamp, which is powered by a 9V battery. Once the GE-5T is unscrewed, it becomes apparent that the sides of this guitar are actually laminated, with the "quilted maple" being merely a veneer. Further down, the butt end of the guitar houses a chrome endpin jack. The endpin jack is located right where both halves of the sides are joined. You do not see this joint because it's hidden by an abalone "end-graft inlay."

Quilted Maple Sides

Venetian Cutaway

GE-5T Four-Band Preamp

GE-5T Piezo Pickup

The Sides Are Laminated

Endpin Jack/End-Graft Inlay

Now we flip the Takamine over, and admire the absolutely stunning quilted maple back. Based on what is known about the sides, it's safe to assume the same of this "quilted maple." Veneer notwithstanding, one has to admit that the back is even more attractive than the top or sides. Adding to the allure are an abalone backstrip and single-ply maple binding.

Quilted Maple Back

Abalone Backstrip

Maple Back Binding