Takamine C-132S Very Good, Hard, $695.00
Mass Hirade, the founder of Takamine Guitars, was an outstanding designer of classical guitars, and Takamine's top of the line Hirade classicals list for up to $4000 and beyond. The craftsmanship and attention to detail seen in the Hirade and other top Takamine models is evident in the durability and wonderful sound of this outstanding classical guitar. The serial number (77030211) testifies that it was made on March 2, 1977, and was the eleventh guitar produced that day; the resonance is therefore no surprise after almost four decades of seasoning.
The C-132S has a classical structure in its bracing with a solid cedar top and solid rosewood back and sides, resulting in a clear, bright sound in the upper registers without the loss of any resonance in the lower notes. The body is fully bound in alternating five stripes, and the rosette is inlaid in contrasting fine woods. The mahogany neck supports a 12/19-fret rosewood fingerboard, and the classical bridge is also rosewood. The classical slotted headstock is set off with gold tuners, completing the picture of a quality instrument.
Structurally, this guitar is in excellent condition, with no neck or bridge issues. Cosmetically, there is a professionally repaired crack below the bridge, but otherwise it is near perfect. There are almost no dings, bruises, or scratches in the gorgeous finish, and of course you will not be paying the $1200 or more you would have to pay for a new instrument of anywhere near this quality, and you won't have to play it for twenty years to season it yourself.
The case is a deluxe tweed hard shell case, also in very good condition. The arched-top exterior looks fine, the plush interior is spotless and of course fits the guitar like the proverbial glove, the leather handle is a nice touch, and the latches and hinges are all fully functional. It is an excellent complement to this vintage instrument, and of course offers outstanding protection.
Buyer pays a flat rate of $55 for insurance and shipping to the lower 48 states; shipping costs elsewhere will be negotiated as necessary. Payment by Paypal is preferred; cashiers and personal checks are acceptable, but checks must clear before the guitar will be shipped.
I have made every effort to describe and illustrate this vintage guitar and its case with scrupulous accuracy. Please check out the pictures and ask any questions you might have before offering to buy it. Its return will not be accepted unless it can be shown that it was egregiously misrepresented in this listing.
Thank you for your interest in this fine instrument.
Payments by Paypal, cashier’s checks, money orders, or personal checks are acceptable, but all payments must clear my bank before the guitar will be shipped. I will CONSIDER reasonable offers, even including installment payments and trade-ins, but generally since I already attempt to price my guitars very competitively, unusual deals must be unusually sweet.
From henceforth [that's how retired English teachers talk], insurance and shipping to the lower 48 states is $55 due to constantly rising shipping costs unless a specific listing says otherwise; shipping costs elsewhere will be negotiated as necessary. I have sold guitars to Russia, Japan, Australia, and over 50 other countries, as well as almost every state in the USA. Since some of my guitars travel thousands of miles, I take care to use lots of packing materials, protect the neck inside the case, and of course de-tune the strings.
I make every effort to describe and illustrate each guitar and case with scrupulous accuracy. However, many of my instruments are well-played vintage items which are many years old, and I am not a luthier. One should assume that any guitar will require some set-up to satisfy your personal requirements, and that not every flaw or ding will be seen/recognized/described in the listing. Thus the return of an instrument will not be accepted unless it can be shown that it was egregiously misrepresented in this listing. Please read the listing carefully, check out the pictures, and ask any questions you might have before offering to buy.