Takamine Santa Fe, natural gloss, made in Japan 1997. This is a really lovely guitar, it's got a lot going for it. Takamine's 'Nex' shape is like a jumbo in proportions, but a little smaller, so it's easy to get your arms around. The solid cedar top and solid mahogany back make for a classy tonewood combo: there's a lovely singing midrange on offer, with crisp detail in treble and an understated, immediate low end. Takamine were the first company to add a pickup/preamp combo to their acoustic offerings, so they've got a great heritage in that area. The preamp allows for plenty of variation in tone and heaps of balance and accuracy through an amp. The pinless bridge and split saddle, turquoise stone inlay and fancy amber tuners are all classy touches, rounding out some immaculate workmanship from Takamine's Japanese workshop. If you're after a well balanced, easy playing acoustic with a great pickup and a classy look, this one will surely deliver.

Model: Takamine Santa Fe ESF-40
Made: Japan, 1997 (serial 97040692)
Finish: natural, gloss poly
Body: 'Nex' scaled down jumbo shape, solid cedar top, solid mahogany back, laminate mahogany sides
Neck: mahogany, rosewood fingerboard, dovetail joint, 25.5" scale, 15" radius
Weight: 2.110kg
Pickup: Takamine Graph-Ex preamp system
Mods: none
Case: wood hard case, great quality and good condition

Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has a couple of marks on the top edge. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, minor dimples on the back only. The back has a few light scuffs around the back edge and middle, no major marks. The sides have a few dimples near the jack and on the top shoulder, no major marks. The front is nice and tidy, just some small dimples behind the bridge and on the bottom corner and light play marks on the guard and shoulders. Overall: excellent condition (9/10).

Playing condition notes: action is moderately, neck is straight, intonation is good, truss rod works. The frets look nice and even and in pretty good shape, 8/10 for fret life left. Wearing fresh 12/54 Moonshiners strings.