What is the NEX body shape?

The NEX body is an exclusive Takamine design that resembles a smaller-scale jumbo guitar. It is designed to provide a balanced sound and a comfortable, ergonomic feel for the player.

Is the Takamine GN51CE suitable for left-handed players?

Yes, this specific version of the GN51CE is built specifically for left-handed players. It features the appropriate orientation for the nut, bridge, and internal bracing.

What woods are used in the construction of the GN51CE?

The guitar features a solid spruce top and rosewood back and sides. The fretboard is made of bound rosewood, contributing to a rich and clear tonal response.

Does this guitar have an onboard preamp?

Yes, as an electro-acoustic model, it includes Takamine's built-in electronics. These allow the guitar to be plugged into an amplifier or PA system for live performances.

What is the typical price of the Takamine GN51CE?

The guitar is typically priced around £437. This places it in the mid-range category of electro-acoustic instruments.

How does the solid spruce top affect the sound?

A solid spruce top provides better resonance and dynamic range than a laminate top. It generally delivers a crisp, sparkling high-end and improves in tone as the wood ages.

Can I access higher frets easily on this model?

Yes, the GN51CE features a Venetian cutaway. This design allows the player's hand to reach the higher frets on the rosewood fretboard without obstruction.

How does the GN51CE compare to the Little Martin LX1E?

The GN51CE is a full-sized instrument with a solid spruce top and rosewood sides, whereas the LX1E is a 3/4 sized travel guitar. The Takamine offers a bolder, louder sound and more traditional body proportions.

Who is the GN51CE best suited for?

It is ideal for left-handed guitarists who want a versatile, professional-looking instrument for both acoustic practice and amplified live use.

What kind of finish does the GN51CE have?

It features a natural finish that showcases the wood grain of the solid spruce top. This gives the instrument a classic and understated aesthetic.

Is the fretboard bound?

Yes, the rosewood fretboard is bound, which provides a smooth feel along the edges of the neck and enhances the overall visual appeal of the guitar.

How does the NEX body shape compare to a dreadnought?

The NEX shape is more curvaceous and has a narrower waist than a standard dreadnought. This makes it more comfortable to hold while sitting, though it still retains a broad frequency response.

Gear article

Takamine GN51CE NEX Electro Acoustic Left Handed

The Takamine GN51CE NEX is a left-handed electro-acoustic guitar featuring the brand's proprietary NEX body shape and a solid spruce top. Designed to offer a balance between a small-bodied feel and a bold tonal response, it serves as a versatile instrument for performers requiring built-in electronics.

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Background and Design

The GN51CE NEX is part of Takamine's mission to provide ergonomic body shapes that do not compromise on acoustic volume. The NEX body style is a signature Takamine design, often described as a 'scaled-down jumbo'. For left-handed players, this model provides a professional-grade aesthetic and construction that is often difficult to find in specialized orientations. It features a Venetian-style cutaway to allow for easy access to the upper frets during lead passages or complex chord work.

Tonewood Construction

This instrument is constructed using a classic combination of tonewoods designed for clarity and frequency balance. The top is made from solid spruce, which provides a broad dynamic range and a 'sparkling' top end. The back and sides are crafted from rosewood, a dense wood known for its rich harmonic content and even response across the entire frequency spectrum. Together, these woods allow the GN51CE to produce a sound that is both articulate and deep.

Playability and Hardware

One of the standout features of the GN51CE is its focus on smooth playability. The bound rosewood fretboard offers a 'luscious' surface for the fingertips, facilitating seamless transitions across the neck. As an electro-acoustic model, it comes equipped with Takamine’s onboard electronics, allowing for easy amplification for live performance and recording. The natural finish highlights the grain of the spruce and rosewood, maintaining a traditional yet elegant aesthetic.

Acoustic Character

The GN51CE is characterized by what Takamine describes as a 'bold silky voice'. Unlike smaller travel guitars, the NEX shape provides enough internal volume to support a full-bodied sound, yet it avoids the occasional 'muddiness' associated with larger dreadnoughts. This makes it particularly effective for vocal accompaniment, as it provides a clear, even backing that does not compete with the human voice's frequency range.

Comparative Context

Within the market for electro-acoustic guitars, the GN51CE competes with models like the Fender Newporter Player and the Sigma DTC-28HE. While the Fender offers more modern aesthetics and the Sigma leans into traditional dreadnought specs, the Takamine GN51CE is distinguished by its proprietary NEX body shape. For left-handed players specifically, it offers a more robust tonal profile than 3/4 scale alternatives like the Yamaha APXT2 or the Martin LX1E 'Little Martin'.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the NEX body shape?: The NEX body is an exclusive Takamine design that resembles a smaller-scale jumbo guitar. It is designed to provide a balanced sound and a comfortable, ergonomic feel for the player.
Is the Takamine GN51CE suitable for left-handed players?: Yes, this specific version of the GN51CE is built specifically for left-handed players. It features the appropriate orientation for the nut, bridge, and internal bracing.
What woods are used in the construction of the GN51CE?: The guitar features a solid spruce top and rosewood back and sides. The fretboard is made of bound rosewood, contributing to a rich and clear tonal response.
Does this guitar have an onboard preamp?: Yes, as an electro-acoustic model, it includes Takamine's built-in electronics. These allow the guitar to be plugged into an amplifier or PA system for live performances.
What is the typical price of the Takamine GN51CE?: The guitar is typically priced around £437. This places it in the mid-range category of electro-acoustic instruments.
How does the solid spruce top affect the sound?: A solid spruce top provides better resonance and dynamic range than a laminate top. It generally delivers a crisp, sparkling high-end and improves in tone as the wood ages.
Can I access higher frets easily on this model?: Yes, the GN51CE features a Venetian cutaway. This design allows the player's hand to reach the higher frets on the rosewood fretboard without obstruction.
How does the GN51CE compare to the Little Martin LX1E?: The GN51CE is a full-sized instrument with a solid spruce top and rosewood sides, whereas the LX1E is a 3/4 sized travel guitar. The Takamine offers a bolder, louder sound and more traditional body proportions.
Who is the GN51CE best suited for?: It is ideal for left-handed guitarists who want a versatile, professional-looking instrument for both acoustic practice and amplified live use.
What kind of finish does the GN51CE have?: It features a natural finish that showcases the wood grain of the solid spruce top. This gives the instrument a classic and understated aesthetic.
Is the fretboard bound?: Yes, the rosewood fretboard is bound, which provides a smooth feel along the edges of the neck and enhances the overall visual appeal of the guitar.
How does the NEX body shape compare to a dreadnought?: The NEX shape is more curvaceous and has a narrower waist than a standard dreadnought. This makes it more comfortable to hold while sitting, though it still retains a broad frequency response.