Jasmine by Takamine S35 acoustic guitar

Body: Dreadnought, Top: Spruce, Sides: Nato, Back: Nato, Fingerboard: Rosewood, Bridge: Rosewood, Tuners: Chrome Plated, Finish: Natural Gloss, Nut Width: 1 11/16", Scale Length: 25 3/8", Spruce Top, Laminated Nato back & sides, Satin Finish for maximizing resonance, Product Dimensions: 42.5 x 19.2 x 7 inches ; 9 pounds ,Weight: 10.7 pounds.

Price & the Value for money
This guitar is an amazing deal for the offer price. Not that there are no better guitars in the market but if you look at the options in this price range, you will find none coming even closer. I mean which guitar in this price range comes even close to offering a solid spruce top, rosewood fingerboard and bridge,Natural Gloss satin finish for the high resonance and the amazing sound quality that S35 has to offer.The sound produced by the guitar is brilliant and warm. The only other option that some how comes close to Takamine S35 is the Silvertone SD50N dreadnought but it comes for almost double the price. Gibson , Martin, Yamaha and other brands have no better offering in this price range.
Craftsmanship
I am sure musicians wouldn't agree more on this one. The craftsmanship of S35 is much better than is expected of a entry level low priced guitar. The attention given to details combines together to render an nice tone and good plucked harmonics, something that determines the ease of playing which is most important for beginners. The fret is laid down with sharp precision as to offer no fret buzz, and clear and crisp sound.
Ease of playing
In terms of playing, the action is pretty comfortable (if not the best ) thereby helping the beginners pick up the instrument faster. Jasmine by Takamine S35 is an easy instrument to play and to keep in tune. The action is pretty O.K and is not at all bad as was suggested by some reviews that I had read for S35. The plucked harmonics is also pretty good, rather it is surprising for a low end guitar. The fretboard is also pretty comfortable making it really easy easy manoeuvrings through it.

Low String response time
Well I shouldn't be complaining about it at this price but you should know this before you possibly buy this guitar.The string response time is a bit on the lower side and could be a small hindrance for the initial learners. But I look at it in this way - picking up on any instrument is just a matter of habit. If you have learn driving on a heavy vehicle, smaller vehicles are all the more easier to handle.

Looks
Personally I feel that the guitar could have been made to look better. It is not the least stylish. However looks should be the last things to be bothered about when starting to play a guitar. Not that looks are not important. When it comes to playing guitar, especially rock, nobody wants to look like a dork but we primarily remember great performers like Steve Vai or Van Halen for their compositions. Style will come later and will come naturally. So even if the looks of S35 is not that great, it should not stop a beginner from choosing it as his first guitar.

In my experience as a guitar teacher, I have seen that many people who start learning on their own quit in a first few months. Why ?
Because lets admit that it is painful in the beginning phases to rub your fingers against the fretboard. Once you pick up a few songs it starts becoming a pleasure. Thus there is no point spending a huge amount of money to buy a guitar and then realize that its not working out for you. When you find yourself picking really well you can then consider buying your best guitar say after an years time.

Best things in life are for Free
If you are keen on picking up guitar really fast, you could possibly invest in a book. Better still, if you have an internet connection, I recommend you to follow the Free guitar lessons from Zentao. I have been teaching guitar for more than a decade and I have seen thousands of teaching methodologies during these years. I can safely vouch that the free lessons are equal to (if not better) than many of the pricey guitar lessons currently available in the market. This Free Guitar course is broken down into 20 lessons that you can learn at your own pace. The teaching methodology is perhaps the best at Zentao and the icing on the cake is that it is absolutely Free . ( You do not even have to sign up !). Click here to take these free guitar lessons.

Another point worth knowing - I bought this guitar around seven months back when the piece was more expensive at that (USD 110 approx). The Jasmine by Takamine S35 Acoustic Guitar has gone further cheap since that time and I am still chapped that I paid a much higher price for mine. You can do better here: Jasmine by Takamine S35 Acoustic Guitar low price deals and save a few dollars towards buying standard picks, guitar straps, additional strings and a must buy cheap gig bag to keep your new guitar safe from scratches.

Happy playing !