Takamine Limited Edition Series 2022 "60th Anniversary" AC/EL Guitar with Hardcase

Takamine LTD2022 60th Anniversary Model - 350 Pieces Limited Production World Wide.

A Message from President Hayami Tahte (Takamine Gakki Co.,ltd.)
In the year 2022, the 60th anniversary of Takamine Guitars, the unpredictable and deadly COVID-19 pandemic still casts its shadow of anxiety and separation. Yet we look with optimism to our future. Everyone in Takamine is deeply grateful to the many guitar fans worldwide who have continued to purchase Takamine guitars. We believe you understand that in spite of current logistical challenges, your new Takamine guitar reflects the exacting standards and superior hand-crafted quality to which we are dedicated.

Looking back through the 60 years of Takamine history, we are reminded of the greatly expanded world of the acoustic guitar in performance art. A development in which we are proud to have played a key role. It is this idea of musical communication and our deep appreciation for the power of the acoustic guitar that has driven our developments and contributions in the field of acoustic guitar design and amplification.

It is in this spirit that we present this special, celebratory model as testament to the heartfelt respect for the instrument that Takamine has poured into our creations from the beginning. We sincerely wish to continue this journey with you for at least 60 more years.

Journey to the Beginning of Acoustic-Electric
Before 1978, the year Takamine first commercialized the acoustic-electric guitar, the most common method of amplifying an acoustic guitar was by way of an open microphone. This system greatly compromised on-stage performances and many popular American musicians of the era whose music relied heavily on acoustic guitar were feeling the stress. Yet the idea of any modification to the guitar's body, such as drilling the hole to install an endpin jack, was unacceptable to many. Yet, when a relatively new acoustic guitar company introduced an innovative, bridge-mounted pickup system with brown colored control panel that allowed true acoustic tone to be amplified throughout stadium-sized venues, the solution was largely accepted.

At a time when the standard design for acoustic guitars involved spruce tops combined with rosewood or mahogany, the early Takamine acoustic-electric guitar lineup included unique creations such as an all Hawaiian Koa model and a classical guitar-shaped steel-string. It is in honor of these now validated features and characteristics from Takamine's early days, that we have designed and hand-crafted the LTD2022.

It is our wish that the story of Takamine's remarkable journey, from our inspired beginnings to present-day, be seen, felt and heard when experiencing this very special instrument.

Body Shape
Aside from being among the first Takamine models to feature the new Palathetic Pickup system, the circa 1969 PT-05E also gained attention for its creative combination of classical body shape and steel strings. This breakthrough model also triggered the initial widespread distribution of Takamine guitars in Japan. The LTD2022 model brings a graceful cutaway to the silhouette and distinctive concept of Takamine's ground-breaking PT-05E.

Bracing
The back and sides of the LTD2022 are made of the finest Hawaiian Koa, carefully selected by its beautiful figured grain, and employs a solid Sitka spruce top of matching color tone. The top-graded spruce top and specially shaped tone bar bracings are specifically designed to express the focused, dynamic nuances desired from a smaller body guitar.

Painting & Filler
The painting process begins with the application of a filler that simultaneously fills in the wood conduits and colors the wood. Hawaiian Koa is a rare wood that comes in a wide variety of grain patterns and colors, so careful attention to the detail is essential in this process in order to achieve the perfect color tone for the top, back, and sides. By adjusting the shade and consistency of the filler, the eyes and hands of an experienced craftsman is able to achieve desirable grain pattern and color uniformity of the natural wood according to their immediate inspirations and highly skilled sensibilities.

Position Mark
To celebrate THE 60TH anniversary of the diamond wedding, a diamond image position-marker sits on the 12th fret. This is precisely cut by laser cutting machine inspired by the design of the traditional diamond "excellent cut". These small facets of select acrylic materials of various reflective qualities are precisely cut by laser and carefully crafted by hand.

Body Trim
To befit Limited Edition status, the body of both models are trimmed with gorgeous abalone inlay. The worthy and gorgeous abalone trim inlay applied to the top board of the LTD2022 has accentuated the feeling and texture of the spruce top board which is painted in matching the color tone of Hawaiian Koa on the Back & Sides.

The "Brownie" CTF-2N Preamp System
"Brownie" is the affectionate nickname guitarists worldwide gave long ago to the very first series of FET (field effect transistor) preamps designed by Takamine engineers to complement their revolutionary Palathetic bridge-mounted pickup. It was the warm and natural saturation effect of the FET preamp, resembling that of a vacuum tube that first attracted the support of American artists such as Ry Cooder, David Lindley, the Eagles, James Taylor, Jackson Brown, Bruce Springsteen and many others. It was this initial acceptance by so many high profile artists that effectively put Takamine on the map as a world-class acoustic guitar brand to be reckoned with. And so it remains to this day.

For THE 60TH anniversary, we designed the CTF-2N FET pre-amp which retains the taste of the original "brownie" but updated with new features such as a notch filter and chromatic tuner.

Semi-Hard Case
The SH-300A semi-hard case is made of special Styrofoam that conforms to the body form with fully protective dunnage inner construction, making it strong and lightweight. It can be carried on your back as well as in your hands, making it highly portable.