Introduction and Overview of Takamine GB7C
On the Zack Track, we never look back; just rock ‘n’ roll with every review we unpack! Today, we have the pleasure of introducing you to the Takamine GB7C Garth Brooks signature model. This masterpiece was crafted through a collaboration between Takamine R&D and the legendary country artist himself, Garth Brooks. With its solid cedar top and solid rosewood back, this guitar offers a silky smooth natural satin finish and a soundhole that mirrors its unique shape.
The GB7C is a versatile instrument that excels in both soft fingerstyle passages and aggressive strumming. Its mahogany neck is joined to the body with a traditional, ultra strong dovetail joint, ensuring stability and durability. The guitar is equipped with Takamine’s CT4B II preamp system, paired with the unique Palathetic™ under-saddle pickup, providing unmatched amplified response. The highly acclaimed CT4B II preamp system features a three-band EQ, volume control, and a built-in tuner for ultimate convenience.
Specifications:
- Top: Solid Cedar
- Back: Solid Rosewood
- Sides: Rosewood
- Neck: Mahogany
- Fingerboard: Rosewood
- Nut Width: 1.578″ (40 mm)
- Electronics: CT-4BII
- Finish: Natural
The Takamine GB7C boasts the classic Dreadnought body shape, which has been popular for over half a century. This body shape delivers a strong low end with plenty of volume, making it suitable for a wide range of musical styles.
Now that we’ve given you a taste of what the Takamine GB7C has to offer, let’s dive deeper into its features, sound quality, playability, and more. Stay tuned for the next sections of the review!
Design And Build Quality
Now, let’s dive into the guts of this beast! Talk about the guitar’s design, body style, and the solid craftsmanship that went into it. What materials are we dealing with? What’s the finish like? And, of course, any cool design features that make it stand out – like a guitar with an attitude! Strum with fun; Zack’s review has begun!
The Takamine GB7C boasts a stunning design that catches the eye from the moment you lay your hands on it. The combination of a solid cedar top and solid rosewood back creates a visually pleasing contrast, while the natural satin finish gives it a smooth and elegant appearance. The attention to detail in the design is evident, with clean lines and a perfect balance of aesthetic appeal and functionality.
Design
The GB7C features the classic Dreadnought body shape, which has stood the test of time as the most popular body shape for acoustic guitars. This body shape not only delivers a strong low end with plenty of volume but also provides a comfortable playing experience. The guitar’s body is constructed with high-quality rosewood sides, enhancing its overall durability and resonance.
One of the standout design features of the GB7C is its unique soundhole, which mirrors the shape of the guitar. This adds a touch of personality to the instrument and sets it apart from other acoustic guitars. The soundhole design not only adds visual interest but also contributes to the guitar’s overall tone and projection.
Build Quality
Takamine is renowned for its exceptional build quality, and the GB7C is no exception. The mahogany neck is joined to the body using a traditional, ultra strong dovetail joint, ensuring optimal stability and durability. This joint allows for a seamless connection between the neck and the body, resulting in improved sustain and resonance.
The craftsmanship of the GB7C is evident in the attention to detail and precision of its construction. The solid cedar top and solid rosewood back are carefully selected for their tonal characteristics and meticulously crafted to maximize sound projection and resonance. This level of craftsmanship ensures that the guitar will not only sound great but also stand the test of time.
Playability
Now that we’ve covered the design and build quality, let’s take a closer look at the playability of the Takamine GB7C. One of the most important factors for any guitarist is how comfortable and responsive a guitar is to play. Fortunately, the GB7C delivers on both fronts.
Pros
- Stunning design with a unique soundhole
- Solid construction and attention to detail
- Comfortable playability
- Versatile use for a wide range of musical styles
- Incredible amplified response with Takamine’s CT4B II preamp system
Cons
- May be on the pricier side for some budget-conscious buyers
- Not as suitable for players looking for a smaller body size
Sound Quality
Rock on, man! Let’s talk sound. How’s this baby sing? The Takamine GB7C Garth Brooks signature model delivers a tonal range that will make any guitarist’s heart sing. Whether you’re playing soft fingerstyle passages or aggressive strumming, this guitar performs exceptionally well in both scenarios.
The combination of a solid cedar top and solid rosewood back produces a rich and balanced tone with excellent projection. The cedar top adds warmth and depth to the sound, while the rosewood back enhances the guitar’s resonance and sustain. The result is a beautiful and well-rounded sound that is pleasing to the ear.
The GB7C is not afraid to turn up the volume. With its Dreadnought body shape, it delivers a strong low end that can shake the walls and plenty of volume to fill any room. Whether you’re performing on stage or jamming with friends, this guitar is sure to make its presence known.
One of the standout features of the GB7C is its versatility. It can handle a wide range of musical styles, from country to rock to folk. Whether you’re strumming chords or picking intricate melodies, this guitar adapts to your playing style with ease.
While the GB7C is a versatile instrument, it does have a tonal quirk worth mentioning. Due to its solid cedar top, it tends to have a slightly warmer and softer tone compared to guitars with a spruce top. This may not be ideal for players looking for a bright and cutting sound, but for those seeking a warm and balanced tone, the GB7C is a perfect fit.
Zack’s Sound Bound: Where the best guitar sounds are found! The Takamine GB7C Garth Brooks signature model offers a rich and balanced tone with excellent projection. Its versatile sound, combined with its ability to shake the walls, makes it a perfect companion for any guitarist looking to make a statement on stage or in the studio.
Features
From chords to boards, Zack’s reviews strike all the right chords! Now, let’s talk about the cool features of the Takamine GB7C Garth Brooks signature model:
- Solid Cedar Top: The GB7C features a solid cedar top finished in a silky smooth natural satin finish. This wood choice adds warmth and depth to the sound, creating a beautiful and well-rounded tone.
- Solid Rosewood Back and Sides: The solid rosewood back enhances the guitar’s resonance and sustain, providing an excellent projection and balanced tone.
- Unique Soundhole Design: This guitar features a unique soundhole that mirrors the shape of the guitar, adding a touch of visual appeal to its overall design.
- Mahogany Neck: The mahogany neck is joined to the body with a traditional and ultra-strong dovetail joint, ensuring stability and durability.
- CT4B II Preamp System: The GB7C comes equipped with Takamine’s CT4B II preamp system, which includes a three-band EQ, volume control, and built-in tuner. This allows for peerless amplified response and easy tuning on the go.
- Dreadnought Body Shape: As the most popular body shape of the past half-century, the dreadnought delivers a strong low end with plenty of volume. This makes the GB7C perfect for players who want to make a statement on stage or in the studio.
With its impressive features and versatile sound, the Takamine GB7C Garth Brooks signature model is a prized possession for any guitarist. It combines exceptional craftsmanship with top-notch materials to deliver a guitar that can handle any musical style with ease. Whether you’re strumming chords or showcasing your skills on the fretboard, this guitar has everything you need to elevate your playing to the next level.
Value for Money
When it comes to evaluating the value for money of the Takamine GB7C Garth Brooks signature model, there are several factors to consider. Firstly, let’s discuss the price tag. This guitar falls into the mid to high-end range, making it an investment for serious musicians. However, with its exceptional craftsmanship and top-notch materials, it undoubtedly justifies its price.
Compared to other guitars in its league, the GB7C stands out with its unique features and the Garth Brooks signature. The combination of a solid cedar top, solid rosewood back and sides, and a mahogany neck makes for a well-rounded and versatile tone that can handle various musical styles. The dreadnought body shape delivers a strong low end and volume, making it suitable for both stage performances and studio recordings.
One of the standout features of the GB7C is the CT4B II preamp system. This system includes a three-band EQ, volume control, and built-in tuner, allowing for seamless amplified response and easy tuning on the go. This feature alone sets it apart from other guitars in its price range and ensures that players get the most out of their performances.
While the Takamine GB7C offers exceptional value for its price, it’s important to note that there may be other guitars from the same manufacturer that could be considered competition. Some players might prefer other models based on personal preferences or specific musical styles. It’s always a good idea to try out multiple guitars and compare them before making a final decision.
Overall, the Takamine GB7C Garth Brooks signature model provides excellent value for money. Its unique features, versatile sound, and top-notch craftsmanship make it a worthwhile investment for serious musicians. Whether you’re a professional guitarist or an avid enthusiast, the GB7C will elevate your playing to the next level and ensure that you’re always on the top block with Zack’s Rock Stock!
Guitars in the same price range
| Features | TAKAMINE GB7C | TAKAMINE CRN-TS1 | TAKAMINE EF341SC |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guitar Review Link | TAKAMINE GB7C | TAKAMINE CRN-TS1 | TAKAMINE EF341SC |
| Est. Guitar Price ($) | 1100 | 1200 | 1200 |
| Body Style | NEX Cutaway | Dreadnought | Dreadnought |
| Top | Solid Cedar | SOLID THERMAL SPRUCE | Solid Cedar |
| Back | Solid Rosewood | SOLID SAPELE | Laminated Maple |
| Sides | Rosewood | SAPELE | Laminated Maple |
| Neck | Mahogany | NaN | Mahogany |
| Fingerboard | Rosewood | NaN | Rosewood |
| Electronics | CT-4BII | CT-4BII | CT4B II |
| Suitable For | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| Price Range | Premium | Premium | Premium |
Conclusion
Time to wrap it up with a power chord! The Takamine GB7C Garth Brooks signature model is undeniably worth the investment for serious musicians. With its exceptional craftsmanship, top-notch materials, and unique features, this guitar delivers excellent value for money.
The combination of a solid cedar top, solid rosewood back and sides, and a mahogany neck creates a well-rounded and versatile tone that can handle various musical styles. Whether you’re rocking out on stage or recording in the studio, the GB7C’s dreadnought body shape provides a strong low end and volume that will make your performances shine.
What truly sets the GB7C apart is the CT4B II preamp system. With its three-band EQ, volume control, and built-in tuner, this guitar ensures seamless amplified response and easy tuning on the go. This feature alone makes it stand out from other guitars in its price range.
While there may be other Takamine models that could be considered competition, the GB7C’s unique features and exceptional sound make it a standout choice. If you’re a serious musician seeking a high-quality guitar with versatility and stage-ready features, the GB7C is the axe for you.
Riding the Zack Track, where guitars get the golden plaque! The Takamine GB7C Garth Brooks signature model is a rockin’ machine that will elevate your playing to the next level. Grab this guitar, channel your inner Garth, and get ready to rock the stage!