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Takamine GC3CE
Takamine GC2CE
VS
Playability
70
Sound
81
Build
72
Value
79
Score
74
FIND IT ON:
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Playability
70
Sound
79
Build
67
Value
82
Score
72
FIND IT ON:
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Takamine GC3CE vs GC2CE

Reasons to Get
Takamine GC3CE over GC2CE

Top Wood
Solid vs Laminated
Helps with richer tones and louder volume

Reasons to Get
Takamine GC2CE over GC3CE

Release Year
2022 vs 2017
From a more recent year
Value Score
82 vs 79
Better price/quality relationship

Other Key Differences
Takamine GC3CE vs GC2CE

Back Material
Mahogany vs Sapele
Different Back Material
Sides Material
Mahogany vs Sapele
Different Sides Material
Body Wood
Cedar vs Spruce
Different Body Wood

Shared Features
Takamine GC3CE vs GC2CE

Saddle Material
Synthetic Bone
Same Saddle Material
Bridge Material
Fixed
Same Bridge Material
Neck Wood
Mahogany
Same Neck Wood
Fretboard Wood
Laurel
Same Fretboard Wood
Headstock
3-3
Same Headstock
Nut Material
Synthetic Bone
Same Nut Material
Strings
6
Same playing style
Body Type
Hollowbody
Warm tone, lighter and acoustic sound
Switch Positions
0
Same pickups versatility
Volume Knobs
0
Same volume control
Tone Knobs
0
Same tone control
Number of Frets
19
Same maximum octave
Nut Width
2'' (50.8mm)
Same string separation at the nut
Paint Finish
Poly
Resistant paint that ages well
Bridge
Fixed
Good sustain and needs no set-up
Scale Length
25.6'' (650.2mm)
Same string tension and fret separation
Fretboard Radius
Flat
Same fretboard comfortability
Neck Profile Type
Asymmetrical
Adapts to the natural shape of your hand
Type of Frets
Medium
You'll feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings

Common Strengths

  • High-Quality Nut
  • Top Pickup Brand
  • Expensive Wood

Common Weaknesses

  • Solid Side Wood
  • Solid Back Wood
  • Pickup Alter Switch/Knob
  • Locking Tuners
  • High-Quality Frets
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • From a High-Quality-Standards Country
  • Luminescent Sidedots
  • Strap Lock
  • 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • Active/Passive Preamp

Table of Contents

Price History Comparison

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Which One is Better Overall?

After going through our comparison algorithm, the results show that the Takamine GC3CE is probably the better product overall with its final score of 74 compared to the Takamine GC2CE's 72 score, although not by a lot.

The Takamine GC3CE wins when it comes to sound, build quality. On the other hand, the Takamine GC2CE has the upper hand when it comes to value for the money.

If you got small hands, none of these instruments will make a big difference when it comes to comfortability.

Which One is Better for Beginners?

Both meet 5 out of our 8 criteria items for beginner friendliness. This takes into account the type of frets, scale length, nut width, bridge type, fretboard radius, and neck profile to determine the easiest combination for new players. If you're looking for your first guitar to learn how to play, you can't go wrong with either of them.

New Player Friendliness

Takamine GC3CE
  • Comfortable shape
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Tall frets
  • Comfortable neck
  • Soft Strings
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Narrow nut
  • Short scale
  • Locking tuners

New Player Friendliness

Takamine GC2CE
  • Comfortable shape
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Tall frets
  • Comfortable neck
  • Soft Strings
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Narrow nut
  • Short scale
  • Locking tuners

Nevertheless, when it comes to choosing an instrument, you should pick the one more compatible with your personal style. Still, below we'll try you to give you our results as objectively as it's possible to help you decide.

Takamine GC3CE Overview

  • From Takamine's 2017 G series
  • Made in China
  • 6 strings
  • 25.6"'' scale
  • Flat Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Cedar top
  • Mahogany back
  • Mahogany sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Laurel fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: TP-4T (Preamp/Active)
  • Fixed bridge
  • Acoustic Asymmetrical C Set neck
  • 19 Medium frets
  • Takamine Chrome tuners
  • Weight between 4.1lbs (1.9kgs) and 4.15lbs (1.9kgs)
  • Compare Specs >

Takamine GC2CE Overview

  • From Takamine's 2022 G series
  • Made in China
  • 6 strings
  • 25.6"'' scale
  • Flat Fretboard Radius
  • Spruce top
  • Sapele back
  • Sapele sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Laurel fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: TP-4T (Preamp/Active)
  • Fixed bridge
  • Acoustic Asymmetrical C Set neck
  • 19 Medium frets
  • Takamine Chrome tuners
  • Compare Specs >

Sound Quality Comparison

The most important thing that will determine the tone of an acoustic guitar is the wood. Let's take a look at the differences between both .

Woods Used in Both

Mahogany wood pattern used for guitar building
Mahogany
Laurel wood pattern used for guitar building
Laurel

Mahogany is a fairly rare wood nowadays. It's used mostly for bodies due to its relatively lightweight. Gibson popularized it with their Les Paul guitars during their golden years, so this wood has a lot of good reputation behind it. The most expensive type comes from South America and it's still used by Gibson even today. Find out more about Mahogany.

There are many types of Laurel, but East Indian is the most common for guitar building. Its color can vary from dark to light brown with black lines. Many people find its tonality similar to Rosewood, which favors the warmer frequencies. Find out more about Laurel.

Woods Used in the Takamine GC3CE

Cedar wood pattern used for guitar building
Cedar

This is a softwood that is commonly used for acoustic guitars. It's known for its warm tone with strong overtones. However, there are many species so the tone and look can vary a lot.

Woods Used in the Takamine GC2CE

Spruce wood pattern used for guitar building
Spruce
Sapele wood pattern used for guitar building
Sapele

Spruce has a light color with tight grain patterns. It's very stiff but relatively light. It's known for producing a well-rounded tone with a broad dynamic range. Find out more about Spruce.

It's similar to Mahogany in both color and tone. It can produce warm tones, and it's known for its beautiful figured grain patterns. Find out more about Sapele.

Winner: Tie.

Electronics

Both come with electronics that allow you connect them to an amplifier or interface for recording.

Winner:Tie.

Final Sound Quality Scores

Takamine GC3CE
Sustain 80
Versatility 75
Tuning Stability 70
Sound 81
Takamine GC2CE
Sustain 70
Versatility 75
Tuning Stability 70
Sound 79

Build Quality Comparison

When it comes to build quality, we like to take into account everything used to build the instrument. This includes materials, hardware and the quality control expected depending on the country where it was built. Let's see how the Takamine GC3CE compares to the Takamine GC2CE.

Country of Origin

The manufacturing country can tell a lot about the build quality of an instrument. Both in this comparison where made in China.

China has a bad reputation when it comes to building quality. However, times have changed and now respectable brands use China's cheap labor to build good instruments for a lower price. Don't discount a guitar only because it was built in China, but also expect more quality from countries like Korea.

Winner: Tie

Nut Material

If you want your guitar to stay in tune and sound good, you need a well cut nut. Nut quality can be inconsistent even when comparing two copies of the same model. The best way to make sure you're nut will be well done is by getting a nut made by an expert company like TUSQ or Micarta.

In this case, both have Synthetic Bone nuts. Bone is the best natural material for guitar nuts. However, its tonal properties can be inconsistent. That's the problem that synthetic bone fixes. This is much better than using a plastic nut because the nut is more slippery—which helps with tuning stability—, and it gives your open strings rich harmonics.

Fret Material

Most fret wire is made of nickel silver. This material eventually wears down after a lot of use and most instruments end up needing a complete fret replacement. However, some expensive models come with stainless steel frets. This is what you should aim for if you can afford it.

Unfortunately, none of them come with stainless steel frets.

Winner: Tie.

Tuners

Both come with regular tuners. Both come with Takamine Chrome.

Winner: Tie.

Here is the list of features that were considered when choosing the winner in the Features subcategory:

Strengths & Weaknesses
Takamine GC3CE
  • Expensive Wood
  • Synthetic Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Electronics
  • Synthetic Bone Saddle
  • Solid Top Wood
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in China
  • Laminated Side Wood
  • Laminated Back Wood
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock
Strengths & Weaknesses
Takamine GC2CE
  • Expensive Wood
  • Synthetic Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Electronics
  • Synthetic Bone Saddle
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in China
  • Laminated Top Wood
  • Laminated Side Wood
  • Laminated Back Wood
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

Final Build Quality Scores

Takamine GC3CE
Quality of materials 71
Features 85
Quality Control 60
Build Quality 72
Takamine GC2CE
Quality of materials 61
Features 85
Quality Control 55
Build Quality 67

Playability Comparison

Let's now compare their playability. Bear in mind that the instrument will feel different depending on your hand size and play style. That's why you should always test before buying. But if you can't or want a second opinion on it, we can still take a look at each of the important measurements of the instrument for you. This way, we can predict how easy a guitar might be to play, or how different it will feel compared to the other.

Remember that, even though the difference might seem small, every inch counts when it comes to feeling of the instrument in your hands. Any variation can completely change how comfortable a guitar feels in your hands.

Nut Width

Takamine GC3CE Nut Width
Both Guitars Have The Same Nut Width

The nut width will affect the separation between strings at the nut. In this comparison, both have a nut width of 50.8mm (2'').

This is considered a wide width for a 6-string guitar. It gives your fingers the extra space you need to play without muting accidentally, but this also makes bar chords harder to perform, especially if you have small hands.

Scale Length

Takamine GC3CE and Takamine GC2CE's Scale Length
Both have the same scale length

The scale length is one of the things that influences playability the most. This is the distance between the nut and the bridge and will affect everything from low action allowance, difficulty to perform bends, fret separation, and even tone.

In this case, both have a scale length of 25.6".

It's very similar to a typical long 25.5" guitar scale, but with an extra inch probably to compensate the saddle position in acoustic guitars. It should be pretty much the same as a 25.5" scale guitar.

It will allow you to strum hard without hearing so much fret buzz, even with lower tunings.

Lastly, remember that you can also affect the tension of the strings by changing your string gauge. You can use a thicker gauge for more tension and a lighter one for less tension.

Neck Profile

Takamine GC3CE Neck Profile
Both guitars have the same neck profile

No single neck shape is better than others. However, most people tend to prefer a thinner necks because it doesn't get in their way when playing fast and most hand sizes can adapt to it pretty well. However, some people still prefer thicker necks for a better grip, especially if they have big hands.

Both the Takamine GC3CE and the Takamine GC2CE have a Asymmetrical-shaped neck. Even though this neck shape looks like a poorly-made job, it's, in fact, the neck that most naturally adapts to the arc of your hand when grabbing a guitar neck. You'll notice that the lower part of your palm makes a more pronounced, deeper curve while the upper part makes a more subtle arch. This is the shape that adapts the best to that natural arch your hand makes while playing.

Fretboard Radius

Takamine GC3CE Fingerboard Radius
Both Guitars Have The Same Fretboard Radius

Most guitar fretboards are not flat; they usually have a curve or arc across their width. A curved fretboard will make it easier to perform chords without muting strings, while a flatter one will make it easier to play single notes, which is good for bending and soloing in general. The best fretboards have a compound radius that varies across the fingerboard, but they're not common since they take a lot more work to build.

Both the Takamine GC3CE and the Takamine GC2CE have the same fretboard radius of Flat. This is common mostly in classical guitars since the strings are soft and have lower tension, so there's no need for a radius. Also, it's perfect for fingerstyle and more technical play.

Hand Size Comfortability

Everyone has a different hand size, and that's why it's recommended to try a guitar before buying, even if others tell you that it's comfortable to play. However, we can know whether a guitar favors small or large hands just by knowing its exact measurements.

After taking into account the scale length, nut width, neck profile and fretboard radius, we can conclude that both in this comparison are balanced for most hand sizes.

Takamine GC3CE:
Big Hands
Small Hands
Takamine GC2CE:
Big Hands
Small Hands

Fret Size

Takamine GC3CE and Takamine GC2CE Frets Size
Both have a similar Medium fret size

Both have a Medium fret size. If you like feeling the fretboard when you play, but also appreciate some easiness to press down the frets, this size offers a good balance for that.

Final Playability Scores

Takamine GC3CE
Bending & Vibrato Ease 75
Chord Playability 75
Solo Playability 60
Playability 70
Takamine GC2CE
Bending & Vibrato Ease 75
Chord Playability 75
Solo Playability 60
Playability 70

Specs Side-by-Side

Takamine GC3CE vs GC2CE
General Takamine GC3CE GC2CE
Brand: Takamine Takamine
Year: 2017 2022
Strings: 6 6
Made in: China China
Series: G G
Colors: Natural Black
Left-Handed Version: No No
Body
Type: Hollowbody Hollowbody
Body Material: Solid Cedar Spruce
Sides Material: Mahogany Sapele
Back Material: Mahogany Sapele
Bridge: Fixed Fixed
Neck
Neck Joint: Set Set
Tuners: Takamine Chrome Takamine Chrome
Fretboard: Laurel Laurel
Neck Material: Mahogany Mahogany
Decoration:
Scale Size: 25.6" 25.6"
Shape: Acoustic Asymmetrical C Acoustic Asymmetrical C
Frets: 19 Medium Nickel Silver 19 Medium Nickel Silver
Fretboard Radius: Flat Flat
Nut: Synthetic Bone Synthetic Bone
Nut Width: 50.8mm (2'') 50.8mm (2'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickup: TP-4T (Preamp / Active) TP-4T (Preamp / Active)