Gearank High Notes
- 2021.08: Equal Highest Rated Acoustic Guitar from $300 to $500
Tied With:- Yamaha FG830
Gearank Recommendation
The Takamine GD20-NS first appeared on our recommended list for Acoustic Guitars in the $200 to $300 price category from January 2018 until September 2020.
Then after a price increase it had high enough ratings to go on Acoustic Guitars in the $300 to $500 price category in August 2021 where it remained until September 2020 when it was out-ranked by other guitars.
| Website | Source | *Rating Value |
| Acoustic Guitar Magazine | Editor | 90/100 |
Overview
The Takamine GD20 is a dreadnought acoustic with a bit of a twist, using a solid cedar top in place of the usual solid spruce.
Cedar is more commonly used in nylon string guitars, and is known for producing warmer tones. The use of Cedar on a Takaminne dreadnought results in a more balanced overall tone with some emphasis on mids.
Note that the downside of cedar is that it may not have the same projection as spruce, but its distinct tone will be a good compliment in duo guitar setups where the other guitarist already has a spruce top acoustic.
The GD20 also features Takamine’s proprietary split-saddle, which as the name suggests, splits the saddle in two pieces to better position the strings for improved intonation.
Features:
- Body Shape: Dreadnought
- Top: Solid Cedar
- Back and Sides: Laminated Mahogany
- Finish: Natural
- Bridge: Ovangkol
- Neck: Mahogany
- Neck Profile: Slim
- Fingerboard: Ovangkol
- Fingerboard Radius: 12”
- Number of Frets: 20
- Frets to Body: 14
- Scale Length: 25.3”
- Nut Width: 1.685″
Demo
About the Author
Alexander Briones
I have been writing about and researching music gear for many years, all while serving as a music director at my local church. I engage in guitar playing and singer-songwriter stints, in addition to mentoring young musicians and teaching guitar and bass.
