Jasmine by Takamine...giggable?

Moe_Zambeek

I've been faffing around lately looking at expensive guitars for live acoustic use. Meanwhile, I have an old beater Jasmine by Takamine in the house that I've had for 20 years that we used to gig with in the 90s. Acoustically it's a bit zingy and bass shy, not hugely loud but pretty acceptable and dead easy to play. It has an onboard piezo but I recall that being really piezo-y. I guess it's laminate all round, MIK in around 94 I think. 

 I'm wondering if this, with a K&K mini and a decent EQ / preamp might not be a decent live option initially, considering it's going to be open mic / amplified acoustic sessions it'll be doing? 

ICBM

I wouldn't use a K&K on one of those - their main characteristic is that they represent the natural sound of the guitar quite well .

If you can't get anything acceptable out of the onboard system, I'd probably put a magnetic soundhole pickup in - either a passive one connected to the onboard preamp (this can work quite well) or an active one bypassing it entirely.

camf

I'm just about to put a lovely Takamine EN 30C from the mid-80s up for sale. If you want to borrow it and give it a spin, you're welcome. Best, Cam

Moe_Zambeek

Thanks Cam - I'm trying to rein in my spending at the moment by using what I have I appreciate the offer though!

Moe_Zambeek

Maybe I should mount the Railhammer chisel humbucker I have in the Jasmine

Strangefan

I have heard a few jasmines, their piezo's do sound bloody awful, nothing like the hama news takamines, have you thought about a rare earth? 

ICBM

Moe_Zambeek said:

Maybe I should mount the Railhammer chisel humbucker I have in the Jasmine

That would probably be an improvement over the stock pickup, at least!

I have a better idea though, I've PM'd you.

Moe_Zambeek

I tried the Jasmine tonight direct to PA and it was barely passable. I'm sure a preamp / DI pedal would help but it'd still be very much polishing a turd  

The 00-16 with the Highlander pickup actually sounded pretty OK - still think a preamp / EQ of sorts would help but it would easily work into a desk with a decent sound man. Even strumming it came over ok. Quite pleased for now.

Singers J45 sounded like a woofy bag of shit so all in it was a mixed bag  

ICBM

You'll probably find the punters thought the Jasmine sounded good, if the Gibson sounded woofy...

Gassage

I bought a Santa Fe on eBay last week for a steal. Superb guitar....utterly superb