The Pro 5 Series from Takamine is crafted at the Takamine factory in the mountainous region west of Tokyo. Featuring exceptional fit and finish, and their high end CT4-DX preamp, the Spruce/Rosewood P5NC highlights the best qualities of Takamine's "NEX" mini-jumbo shape. 

The Takamine "NEX" shape features the proportions of a Jumbo sized down to the dimensions of a Dreadnaught, but the slimmer waist makes it more comfortable, and also provides better high and detail and less midrange boom. This shape has really grown on us as both comfortable to play, and tonally it's a "Goldilocks" guitar: Not too bright, not too bassy......just right. Strummers will appreciate the ample volume, while pickers will find that the tight waisted top responds easily to touch (see below for Takamine's own words on the NEX shape). And the solid Rosewood back and Rosewood makes the most of the NEX shape, providing low end richness and high end sparkle that leaves no doubt as to why Rosewood is so prized as a tone wood. 

For the high-end Pro 6 Series guitars Takamine has outfitted them with their premium CT4-DX preamp (see photo description). In the late 70's Takamine pioneered effective acoustic electronic systems and has continued to use their electronics exclusively. The CT4-DX features 4-band EQ, dual notch filters with adjustable slope, a built-in tuner with adjustable pitch, and the option of adding a second input source such as a body transducer. With this level of control, the need for a stand-alone acoustic preamp is really not necessary. And in our opinion neither is a second input source. The Takamine "Palathetic" pickup system uses 6 individual piezo sensors which have significantly more sensing capability than the typical piezo strip. In addition the pickup housing is securely connected to the bridge plate and soundboard so that not only is their solid contact with the saddle, but also the soundboard (see photo). Think of it as having the benefits of a dual system but with only one sensing assembly. The net result is strong output, excellent string-to-string detail and none of the crackle and quack associated with Piezo systems. 

The Takamine P5NC melds the best qualities of a Dreadnaught and Concert type guitar into a comfortable shape that is suited to a wide variety of musical genres. If you are looking for a premium acoustic guitar that can handle any assignment, the P5NC is an excellent choice. 

The Takamine P5NC Nex shaped guitar features:

• NEX (mini-jumbo) cutaway body shape
• Solid Spruce top 
• Solid Rosewood back
• Rosewood sides
• Mahogany neck
• 12" radius Rosewood fretboard
• 1.67" nut width, bone nut
• 25.5" scale
• Dot-in-Dot inlays
• Multi-layer body binding
• Split bone saddle for precise intonation
• Rosewood bridge
• Takamine CT4-DX preamp
• Takemine Palathetic pickup system
• Includes Takamine hybrid hard case
• Made in Japan