A guitar body, with its many curves, accommodates a wide range of frequencies. Different body shapes favor different frequencies giving them a different character, but they all sound like guitars. Dreadnoughts are typically louder, with stronger lows. Smaller bodies, like our NEX, tend to be more balanced.
A thinner body may project less, but sound more pleasing to the player. Play as many sizes as you can with comfort and sound in mind. Your choice is very personal - what sounds and feels best to you.
Here is an overview of the body shapes:
OM:
In the late 1920s the guitar was being incorporated
into many styles of music and the OM or
Orchestra Model shape came into being. This
classic shape, with its strong lower midrange,
is enjoying a resurgence.
Length 19 1/2" (49.5cm)
Depth 4 1/4" (11cm)
Upper bout 11" (28cm)
Lower bout 15 3/8" (39cm)
Jumbo: The biggest body we make, the jumbo excels as
a rhythm guitar. Chords are big and meaty, with
the broad lower bout delivering plenty of volume.
While the overall tone is deep, the balance is
outstanding.
Length 20 7/8" (53cm)
Depth 4 15/16" (12.5cm)
Upper bout 12 9/16" (32cm)
Lower bout 17 1/8" (43.5cm)
Classic: The classic guitar was defined over 150 years
ago and Takamine respects the classic tradition.
In combination with the fan bracing, the body
shape delivers a clear tone and a strong
distinctive voice.
Length 19 5/16" (49cm)
Depth 4" (10cm)
Upper bout 11 7/16" (29cm)
Lower bout 14 9/16" (37cm)
Dreadought: The most popular body shape of the past half
century, the Dreadnought covers a lot of acoustic
guitar bases. With a strong low end and plenty of
volume, its original purpose was to be the driving
force in a bluegrass band.
Length 20 1/16" (51cm)
Depth 4 15/16" (12.5cm)
Upper bout 11 1/8" (30cm)
Lower bout 15 3/4" (40cm)
NEX This original Takamine body is a scaled down
Jumbo at heart. Not as bassy as a Dreadnought,
the NEX has a silky balance to the tone that
provides superb support to vocals. The
singer/songwriter’s favorite.
Length 20 1/16" (51cm)
Depth 4 5/16" (11cm)
Upper bout 11 1/4" (28.5cm)
Lower bout 15 3/4" (40cm)
FXC The FXC is a great acoustic for an electric band.
The smaller and thinner body (there’s even a
thinline version) rejects feedback while providing
a true and warm acoustic tone.
Length 19 1/8" (48.5cm)
Depth 4" (10cm) or 2 1/2" (6.5cm)
Upper bout 11" (28cm)
Lower bout 14 3/4" (37.5cm)
