Takamine PT-406 Parlour Electric Acoustic 1983
Takamine PT-406, made in Japan 1983, natural gloss. These vintage Tak parlours are beautiful little guitars, they've definitely become a shop favourite. Takamine call this body shape a New Yorker; it's similar to a Martin 00 or a Gibson LG-0, with a pretty compact shape and a 14th fret neck join. This one boasts a glorious top, back and sides all crafted from Hawaiian koa. Koa trees are so rare these days that you have to be a certified indigenous Hawaiian to even get permission to visit the couple of mountain slopes where they still grow. Koa has a pretty distinctive voice: abundant clarity and attack on the high end, with a dry and airy midrange and an understated, fast bass. It's very articulate and sweet, perfect for fingerstyle stuff especially. This one is a pretty early example, and the koa on show is especially tightly grained, highly figured and crazy pretty. The case is nice too, it's a cool bonus. Small but mighty, and big on lovely.
Model: Takamine PT-406
Made: 1983, Sakashita Japan
Serial: 33060408
Finish: natural, gloss poly
Body: Hawaiian koa top, back and sides, parlour size, 356mm across, 104mm deep
Neck: mahogany, rosewood fretboard, 24.8" scale, 12" radius, 43mm nut, 14th fret join, very soft V profile
Weight: 2.060kg
Mods: none
Pickup: CT-4Bii preamp + 'Palathetic' system
Accessories: Takamine hard case
Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has dimples and scuffs on the end, some clouding on the front and back and some dimples around the slots. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, minor dimples and some rub wear on the back only. The back has surface scratches in the middle of the body, bottom shoulder, back edge and in the elbow area, as well as some minor scuffs around the whole body. The sides have dimples in the elbow area and bottom bout. The front has a surface scratch on the bottom shoulder, dimples behind the bridge and elbow area and some play wear around the sound hole.
Overall: very good condition (7/10)
Playing condition notes: Action is low, neck is straight, intonation is good. Setup with 11/52 Moonshiners strings.
Fret Life: 7/10, minor wear only