Takamine GN73CE SB Satin Black electro-acoustic guitar

Takamine GN73CE SB — Retro-Inspired NEX Acoustic-Electric Guitar

Takamine GN73CE SB brings vintage rock-and-roll attitude to a stage-ready NEX cutaway acoustic-electric platform. Its satin black finish, white binding, and matte silver hardware give it a look that feels equally at home on a club stage or in a speakeasy. Beneath the retro exterior, a solid spruce top projects with authority while maple back and sides add brightness and note definition. This model is designed for gigging singer-songwriters, fingerstyle players, and anyone who wants a plugged-in acoustic that cuts through a band mix.

What Sets This Instrument Apart

Few acoustic-electrics in this tier combine a split-saddle compensated bridge with a fully parametric 3-band EQ preamp. The split saddle design gives the B and high E strings a specially compensated break angle, sharpening intonation across the fretboard. The asymmetrical C-shaped neck — slightly thinner on the bass side — rewards players who spend hours on stage without fatigue.

Body Construction — Bold Sound, Comfortable Shape

The NEX body is a scaled-down jumbo that keeps the dreadnought's volume while shedding bulk, making it easier to hold for long sets. A solid spruce top drives projection and dynamic range, while maple back and sides tighten the low end and clarify every note.

• The NEX cutaway body shape provides a full-volume jumbo feel in a more compact frame.
• Top Material: Solid Spruce — lively response with strong projection
• Back & Sides: Maple — bright, focused tone with clear note separation

Neck Profile — Fast Access to the Upper Frets

A slim maple neck with an asymmetrical C profile keeps the thumb position natural, while the Venetian cutaway opens up the high frets for lead lines and percussive fingerstyle. The rosewood fingerboard adds warmth and sustain to balance the bright maple body.

• Neck Material: Maple — stable and bright under the hand
• Fingerboard: Rosewood — balanced tone with lasting sustain
• Nut Width: 42.5 mm — comfortable spacing for strumming and fingerpicking alike

TP-3G Electronics — Stage-Ready Tone Control

The TP-3G preamp is engineered in-house for clean, full-range acoustic amplification. A 3-band EQ with up to ±12 dB of cut or boost per band lets players dial in mid-forward presence for band settings or scooped tones for solo vocal accompaniment. A built-in chromatic tuner keeps setups fast between songs.

• Preamp: TP-3G — in-house electronics with 3-band EQ
• Controls: Volume + 3-band EQ — full tone shaping from the soundhole
• Scale length of 644 mm keeps string tension balanced for both rhythm strumming and lead lines.

Who Should Play It

This is the right choice for gigging singer-songwriters and stage performers who need a plugged-in acoustic that projects, cuts through a mix, and looks the part. Fingerstyle players will appreciate the maple back and sides' note separation, while strummers get the volume and headroom of a solid spruce top in a body that won't fight them on a long set.

Takamine G70 Series — Stage-Tested Acoustic Design

The brand has built its reputation on stage-ready acoustic-electric guitars, and the G70 Series sits at the heart of that lineup. This instrument joined the catalog as part of the brand's 2025 new releases, continuing the G Series tradition of pairing solid-top construction with proprietary electronics. The retro satin black finish marks a fresh aesthetic direction for the series, blending vintage visual cues with the modern playability and amplification that have made this range a working musician's favorite.