Takamine EF341SC

94 Guitarist Summer 2010
TAKAMINE EF440SCGN, ETN10-C, EF341SC & TF740FS
£762, £1,021, £1,021 & £1,679
ELECTRO-ACOUSTICS
ETN10-C
Takamine’s Advanced Natural
series has, for some time, been
the ‘bread and butter’ of the
range, providing the foundation
upon which other series are
built. Central to that range is
the ETN10-C, which was
launched in September 2009. In
an effort to update the series,
the ETN10-C features some
design changes when compared
to previous models. These
include stylish, small dot
fretboard markers where
previously there were none,
a striking ovangkol and
rosewood soundhole rosette
and chrome-plated hardware
instead of the previous gold.
In many ways, the ETN10-C
is the archetypal modern
cutaway electro dreadnought –
an uncomplicated, well-made
model with capable electrics
and bags of boom onboard.
Tonewoods used include a
deceivingly blonde, book-
matched cedar top, sapele back
and sides and a rosewood
fingerboard. The hefty
rosewood bridge (measuring
7mm at its thickest point)
features a through-string
arrangement where the bridge
pins are rendered unnecessary,
facilitating straightforward
string changing – even onstage
mid-gig if required. As with the
high-end model on review here,
the ETN10-C features a split,
two-piece saddle that’s
designed to achieve near-
perfect intonation.
The ETN10-C’s external
finish is excellent, though the
inside gives evidence of a couple
of minor lapses in quality
control. We notice that the
inner paper label is beginning
to peel and there are traces of
smeared glue. This won’t
bother some, but it’s a shame
because in so many other
respects Takamine’s finish and
presentation is flawless.
The recent upgrades have
undoubtedly turned the
ETN10-C into a more desirable,
contemporary guitar that will
have broad appeal.
EF341SC
The EF341SC comes from the
Keystone series. If you get the
feeling that you’ve seen this
The rivals
ETN10C & EF341SC
Lakewood’s D14 CP (£1,280)
is a beautifully made cutaway
dread built with an AAA
European spruce top,
mahogany back and sides
and maple binding. For those
wanting to keep the budget
sub-£1,000, the Freshman
FA400DCES (£999) is a
highly impressive electro
featuring a AAA Engelmann
spruce top, Indian rosewood
back and sides, Canadian
maple binding and the
stunning Schertler Bluestick
onboard electronic wizardry.
The pin-free bridge design makes string changes a doddle, but traditionalists argue that a pinned bridge sounds better
GIT332.rev_takamine 94 7/15/10 3:44:15 PM