Takamine GD11MCE – Is It Good? [GUITAR REVIEW]

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Takamine GD11MCE review

If you’re wondering if Takamine GD11MCE is a good acoustic guitar or not, don’t worry – you’ve come to the right place! In today’s article, I’m going to take a very close look on that acoustic-electric model. It’s a really popular guitar, but is it actually good?

The truth is that Takamine GD11MCE offers a really high quality. It’s a perfect guitar for both beginner and more advanced guitarists. What’s more, it works particularly well during live gigs. And it’s actually not that expensive!

Let’s dive deeper with research to find out what exactly makes this acoustic guitar so good and popular. Firstly, we’ll have a look at the specs and the main advantages of that model. Of course, you’ll also be able to hear how it sounds. Hopefully, this guide will help you figure out if the GD11MCE model is a right fit for you!

Specs & Pricing

takamine gd11ce review

Takamine GD11MCE-NS is a dreadnought acoustic-electric guitar which is made entirely of mahogany wood. This particular model offers an absolutely amazing quality and in my opinion, this is one of the best guitars of this type available at this price level.

The guitar features a solid mahogany top with mahogany back and sides. On top of that, there’s also a comfortable mahogany neck with a smooth rosewood fingerboard, which is very easy to play.

What’s important, the manufacturer decided to equip this model with Takamine TP-4T preamp which allows you to use that guitar on stage. This high quality preamp features a 3-band EQ and a built-in tuner, so that’s a huge advantage for all the gigging musicians.

It is also worth mentioning that the GD11MCE-NS also has a cutaway, which allows you to easily access all of the highest frets.

The guitar looks absolutely beautiful from the outside and it certainly feels and sounds like a much more expensive guitar. I have no hesitation in recommending this model to all guitarists who are searching for the best value for the money.

Here’s a quick sound demo – feel free to check it out.

Who Is It For?

Takamine GD11MCE is an excellent choice for all-level guitarists. Whether you’re a complete amateur or a more intermediate guitar player, you will definitely enjoy jamming on that acoustic-electric model.

It is also worth mentioning that this is a really versatile guitar, which means that it can be used for a different styles of playing. It’s perfect for loud and intense strumming, but it can also be efficiently used for subtle fingerstyle playing as well.

What’s important, the GD11MCE model is also really affordable, so it’s suitable for all people who don’t want to spend thousands of dollars on a new guitar.

Overall, I’m positive that the vast majority of guitar players will appreciate the high quality of this Takamine guitar. Considering its price, it’s definitely one of the best mid-range acoustic-electric guitars made by this brand.

Disadvantages Of Takamine GD11MCE

Out of my experience, Takamine guitars rarely feature any major flaws. This Japanese manufacturers really cares about the quality control. I used a lot of guitars made by this brand and all of them were made with a thorough precision.

This is not a high-end acoustic-electric guitar, so you can’t expect it to be the best instrument in the world. But the truth is that it is really difficult to find any big disadvantages of the GD11MCE model. Especially when you think about its low price!

The main flaw that occurs in all guitars at this price level is a problem with the string action. It’s possible that your Takamine GD11MCE model will require a bit of adjusting in order to make it more playable.

Nevertheless, this is not a big issue. You can easily set it up by yourself or if you don’t feel comfortable enough to do it, you can always take your guitar to a local luthier.

Overall, Takamine GD11MCE offers a great value for the money. So honestly, there’s nothing to complain about, even if you experience some initial problems with the setup.

Here’s an another sound demo.

Are There Any Alternatives?

If you don’t like the look or the sound of Takamine GD11MCE-NS, there’s still a few cool and inexpensive guitars out there. Still, it all depends on your personal preferences. Here’s a few models that you can also check out.

Firstly, I highly encourage you to check out the Epiphone DR-100. This is a perfect and cheap entry-level acoustic guitar. Although it’s not an acoustic-electric model like Takamine GD11MCE, it’s definitely worth the money.

Alternatively, you can also check out the Gretsch G9520E Gin Rickey. This is a parlor-style guitar which is perfect for all fans of folk and country music. The manufacturer equipped this model with a really cool pickup, which makes it sound similarly to an electric guitar. That’s pretty cool, right?

I also encourage you to check out the famous Martin DX Johnny Cash Signature Guitar. This is a pretty expensive guitar, but it’s perfect for all fans of Johnny Cash. In addition, it has an absolutely killer look!

Overall, the market is full of great acoustic guitars. But to be honest, Takamine GD11MCE is one of the best acoustic-electric guitars available on the market right now. It will be really tough to beat that, especially at this price level. That’s why I highly encourage you to consider adding it to your collection!

FAQ

Where are Takamine guitars made?

Takamine guitars are mainly made in Japan, although some of their affordable models are currently manufactured in China and Indonesia. The GD11MCE-NS model comes from east Asia.

Do Takamine guitars hold their value?

Takamine guitars tend to hold their value pretty well. Their guitars are not ideal for investing, but you can be sure that your Takamine guitar won’t dramatically lose its value after a few months of using it.

Are Takamine guitars good for beginners?

Yes, Takamine guitars are perfect for beginners! Quite a lot of them are also really affordable, so they’re also suitable for players on a tight budget.

Where can I find out more about Takamine guitars?

If you want to read more about Takamine guitars, make sure to check out their official website.

Summary

As you can see, Takamine GD11MCE is a truly amazing acoustic-electric guitar. Considering the relatively low cost and a really high quality, this is definitely one of the best acoustic guitars available on the market at this price level.

I have no hesitation in recommending this Takamine guitar to all guitarists who are searching for a great sounding and reliable acoustic-electric guitar.

What do you think about the GD11MCE model? Would you add it to your own guitar collection? Leave a comment down below and let me know what you think, I’m really interested to hear your thoughts!

Thanks for checking out today’s article, hopefully it was helpful. If you enjoyed this review, you may also like:


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Comments

One response to “Takamine GD11MCE – Is It Good? [GUITAR REVIEW]”

  1. The Fatguy Avatar

    Excellent write up and read Dave. I agree that the GD11s are excellent guitars. Small edit. Currently the G series are no longer made in Indonesia but solely in China.