System55T (1-way preamp with piezo, 3-band EQ & tuner
If you've read my review of the Yamaha FG730S then I'll be honest, there's not too much new here with this guitar. This review will be short and quick, but still completely accurate and honest. The FGX730SC is very similar to the acoustic version of the same instrument. The only major difference are the included A.R.T. 1-way Pickup System and obviously, the cutaway dreadnought body.
Unplugged, the FGX730SC and the FG730S sound almost identical. Theoretically, you could say that the electronics and cutaway could interfere with the sound somewhat, but you'd have to have an unbelievably keen ear in order to hear much difference at all. One could also make the argument that the cutaway of the FGX730SC allows better playability for those who use the top few frets. The cutaway may also be more appealing for some people like myself, but that's purely a preference.
Altogether, I'd recommend this guitar based on what you're looking for. If you're not even looking for electronics but like the sound of the guitar unplugged, then check out the FG730S for $200 cheaper. Or if you like the sound of the FG730S, but are more into the amplified sound, then by all means the FGX730SC is a great choice.
This is a pretty basic song and it isn't all that difficult, but it sounds great and can be made even better if you add your own vocals. Some of the songs in the new album are great also, so I may post the tabs to a few songs in the future once quality/correct tabs are available.
G C2 G/F# G/B
E----3-----------3-------3-----------3-------|
B----3-----------3-------3-----------3-------|
G----0-----------0-------0-----------0-------|
D----0-----------X-------0-----------0-------|
A----x-----------3-------X-----------2-------|
E----3-----------X-------2-----------0-------|
What day is it? And in what month
Em7 Dsus C2
E---------3-----------3--------3-------3--|
B---------3-----------3--------3-------3--|
G---------0-----------2--------0-------0--|
D---------2-----------0--------0h2-----X--|
A---------2-----------0--------3-------3--|
E---------0-----------2--------0-------X--|
This clock never seemed so alive
*NOTE: For those of you commenting that this tab is incomplete, it repeats for the
verse.
Chorus:
(a lot of tabbers are missing the note between G and C2, but if you use a bass, you can
a missing note)
G Asus C2
E-----------3-------3-------3------------|
B-----------3-------3-------3------------|
G-----------0-------0-------0------------|
D-----------0-------2-------X------------|
A-----------X-------0-------3------------|
E-----------3-------X-------X------------|
Cause it's you and me and all other people
Em7 G Em7 Dsus
E--------3----------3-----3--------3-------|
B--------3----------3-----3--------3-------|
G--------0----------0-----0--------2-------|
D--------2----------0-----2--------0-------|
A--------2----------x-----2--------0-------|
E--------0----------3-----0--------2-------|
With nothing to do, nothing to lose
G Asus C2
E-----------3-------3-------3----------------|
B-----------3-------3-------3----------------|
G-----------0-------0-------0----------------|
D-----------0-------2-------X----------------|
A-----------X-------0-------3----------------|
E-----------3-------X-------0----------------|
Cause it's you and me and all other people
Em7 G Em7 Dsus C2
E--------3------------3------3----------------3----------3------|
B--------3------------3------3----------------3----------3------|
G--------0------------0------0----------------2----------0------|
D--------2------------0------2----------------0----------x------|
A--------2------------x------2----------------0----------3------|
E--------0------------3------0----------------2----------x------|
And I don't know why, I can't keep my eyes off of you.
*NOTE: When you play the chorus for the last time before the bridge, play a G instead of
last C2
Bridge
Bm C G D2 Em7
E----2---------0-------------3-------0------------3-----------|
B----3---------1-------------3-------3------------3-----------|
G----4---------0-------------0-------2------------0-----------|
D----4---------2-------------0-------0------------2-------2---|
A----2---------3-------------x-------0------------2-----0---2-|
E----x---------0-------------3-------0------------0-2-3-------|
Something about you now, I can't quite figure out.
*NOTE: Jason doesn't actually do the Em7 bass riff, the bassist does it, but its fun to
nonetheless. There is a final A bass note at the end of the riff, but it happens at the
time as the Am
Am D2
E----0---------------------0----------------|
B----1---------------------3----------------|
G----2---------------------2----------------|
D----2---------------------0----------------|
A----0---------------------0----------------|
E----0---------------------0----------------|
Everything she does is beautiful
Bm Cm
E----2---------------------3-------|
B----3---------------------4-------|
G----4---------------------5-------|
D----4---------------------5-------|
A----2---------------------3-------|
E----x---------------------x-------|
Everything she does is right.
Jumbo cutaway body with Flame Maple back and sides and a solid Sitka Spruce top.
Body Style
Jumbo
Body Wood
Solid Spruce Top, Flamed Maple Sides, Flamed Maple Back
Bridge
Rosewood
Case
Not Included
Case Type
Jumbo
Controls
tunable notch filter and switchable midrange contour
Fingerboard
Rosewood
Frets
20
Hardware
Chrome
Machine Heads
Chrome Tuners
Machine Heads
Sealed Chrome Tuners
Model
EG523SC
Model Name
EG523SC Acoustic/Electric Guitar
Neck
Mahogany
Other Features
TK4NT Electronics
Pickguard
Tortoise Color Pickguard
Pickguard
Yes
Pickups
Piezo
Pickups
other
Series
G Series
The Takamine EG523SC is a jumbo-sized 6-string guitar with electronics. It features a solid spruce top with flamed maple back and sides and a natural gloss finish. This guitar is also available in a black finish. Takamine's TK40 electronics are included to really bring out its sound. Oh and I'll say it right now; in my opinion, this is the best looking guitar that you will find for under $500. The pearl fret inlays and gorgeous gloss finish really bring out the beauty in this guitar. Here is a perfect example of high quality craftsmanship in a very affordable instrument.
Traditionally, Takamine guitars tend to sound great when plugged in but lose their spark when played unplugged. I can say that this guitar is not exactly an exception to this rule, but it is different from most Takamines. The EG523SC DOES sound great when unplugged, and for $500 it is a sound that is well worth the price. But plugged in, this instrument comes to life all over again. The volume of the guitar isn't as "boomy" as you may be accustomed to from other jumbo sized guitars, but there is still definitely some power behind it. Overall, there is a pretty balanced tone throughout and no tones overpower each other very noticeably. Basically, if you really like guitars that have a deep, rich sound or a brighter tone you should not buy this guitar without playing it first. It's all a matter of preference though.
The body of the guitar is jumbo sized, although it does not feel it. Takamine's jumbo guitars are perfectly shaped in order for comfortable playing. The action of the guitar straight out of the box was nice and low, and played better than most other guitars in shop; even those which had been previously been adjusted professionally. The only complaint that I, and and some others who own this guitar have is that there is some fret buzz around where the neck meets the body. Of course it is a very minor flaw that can be fixed by a guitar luthier.
Overall, the Takamine EG523SC has anything and everything you could ever ask for in a guitar for under $500. While you may do a simple search and find this guitar $600 and up, just search a little bit more and you will find several retailers selling new for $500. The EG523SC is an amazing sounding jumbo acoustic-electric that keeps its tone plugged in or not. It plays comfortably, looks simply stunning, and will have everyone around you thinking you spent more than $1000.
Intro/verse
|-------------------------------------------
|---------------------------3-3-3-3-3-------
|----0-0-0-0-0-0-0----------0-0-2-2-0h2p0-0-
|----5-5-5-5-4-2-0h2p0------0-0-0-0-0-----2-
|----2-2-2-2-2-3-3-----0h2--2-2-x-x-x-----2-
|-0--------------------3----3---2-2-2-----0- x2
|---------------------------------------0-0--0-0-0-0-0-0-0-
|-0-0-0-0-0---0-0-----3-3-3-3-3-3---3/5-0-1--1-1-1-1-1-1-1-
|-4-4-4-4-4h5-4-0h2p0-0-0-0-2-2-2p0-2/4-0-0--0-0-0-0-0-0-0-
|-0-0-0-0-0---0-0-----0-0-0-0-0-0---0-----2--2-2-2-2-2-2-2-
|-2-2-2-2-2---2-2-----2-2-2-x-x-x---------3--3-3-3-3-3-3-3-
|---------------------3-3---2-2-2--------------------------
-----------0---0-0-0-0-0-0-0-|
-----------1/3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-|
---------0-0---0-0-0-0-0-0-0-|
-----0h2---2/4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-|
-0h3-------3/5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-|
---------------------2-2-2-2-|
Chorus
|-----------------------------
|-3----------------------3----
|-0----------------------2----
|-0----------------------0----
|-2----------------------x----
|-3----------------------2----
Stones, taught me to fly
Love, taught me to lie
Life, taught me to die
|--------------0-----------0-------------------------------0--------
|--------------0-----------3-------------------------------3--------
|--------------0-----------0------------------------0--0---0--------
|--------------2-----------2-------------------0h2-----2/4-4--------
|--------------3-----------3-------------0h3-----------3/5-5--------
|---------------------------------------------------------------0---
And it's not hard to fall When you float like a cannonball
The intro to this song by Tesla has a beautiful sound to it. The following tab just includes the intro because once you get past this point, the singing/electric guitar takes over. This is probably a more advanced piece and might be a bit too hard for beginners, but who really knows. I think this is one of the best sounding acoustic tabs I've come across. The tab is found at this link from ultimate-guitar.com, but I've copied it below for ease of viewing. Right below is a video of the song in order to understand the way it's played/sounds like.
Epiphone Masterbilt series guitars are often regarded as the best all-solid wood values in acoustic guitars available today. There are many different models and sizes in the Masterbilt collection, but for the purpose of this article we'll focus on the traditional acoustic dreadnought. The all solid wood construction features a sitka spruce top and a mahogany back, sides and neck with a satin finish. Overall, this instrument looks to be made with the quality materials and attention to detail that many good guitars $800+ include. The diamond fret inlays add a more expensive, luxurious look to the neck along with the Masterbilt logo included on the headstock of the guitar. It is a solid, well build instrument that includes everything it needs to create a sound comparable to guitars double the price.
The combination of the solid sitka spruce and solid mahogany give this guitar a great balanced tone. The lows are rich and full sounding, while high ring out in a bright, crisp fashion. The Masterbilt DR-500M really has a voice of its own, to the point where it feels that the guitar is actually playing for you. Just playing one open chord will showcase the power and volume of this dreadnought. The sound is great for anyone, singer-songwriters or those who just want to play some classic guitar tunes and progressions.
Some who purchase this guitar without playing the exact one that they will be taking home out of the box have complaints about the action, but that can be easily fixed with a quick trip to the shop. If you are like most people and find the action to be set up quite well out of the box, you will be pleased. Usually it will be set up at low to medium, with no buzz and perfect intonation. Another small complaint is that the tuners were not exactly of the best quality. I personally felt that they were fine, but maybe some just didn't try tightening or loosening them up with the simple twist of a screwdriver.
There's no doubt in my mind that anyone on a budget, but looking for a solid wood guitar should first take a look at the Epiphone Masterbilt DR-500M. And if you're not looking for a dreadnought, take a look at some of the other Masterbilt guitars. They are all a great solid wood value for your money, but make sure that you try the guitars before purchase. Everyone has his/her own style, and a sound that may impress myself may disappoint others. Regardless, this is a beautiful instrument that should at least be given a good glance before blowing a huge hole in your wallet on another guitar that may sound just as good.
Walden may or may not be a name you've heard about in the guitar world. They are a relatively new guitar manufacturer and don't have the name recognition of all the other brands such as Yamaha, Taylor, Martin, Larrivee, Ovation, or Takamine. Regardless, Walden guitars of comparable specs to these other manufacturers often sell for less than half the price. Why? Because in this day and age, consumers pay more for the brand name than the product may actually be worth. This isn't a problem with Walden.
The CG570CE is a Grand Auditorium Acoustic-Electric guitar with a cutaway. The solid western red cedar top and mahogany sides covered in a high gloss finish make this instrument appealing even before you play it. Once you play it however, you will fall in love. It seems unreal that a guitar that sounds this great can be found for around $400 or less brand new. The CG570CE is available with either Fishman Aero+ or Classic 4 electronics, but it sounds just as beautiful plugged in or not. It has a balanced yet powerful tone, especially for a slightly smaller body than the traditional dreadnought. On a scale from "Taylor to Martin" I would say this guitar's bright tone is more similar to a Taylor. Whether played by finger picking or strumming, the CG570CE holds up well and sounds amazing.
The Grand Auditorium body style of this guitar also makes it easy and very comfortable to play no matter your size. The deep waist of the Grand Auditorium shape allows it to rest comfortable on your body. The only possible peeve for some with this guitar is that the nut width is 1 11/16". Although I personally had no problem, some passionate finger-stylists with larger hands may feel that the strings are a bit crowded. For strumming and shaping chords however, the width is perfect.
Overall, Walden has really set the bar in terms of price to performance value with the CG570CE Acoustic-Electric. For just $400, you get so much that most guitars upward of $700+ don't even include. And this is still a whole hundred away from the $500 mark. In this range, Walden still offers a few more great buys that are unmatched in terms of their value. Let's just hope that Walden keeps offering such great deals and doesn't turn itself into a manufacturer that sells its brand name rather than their guitars at the right price.
