Takamine guitars have been built since 1959. starting at a small family guitar shop at the foot of Mount Takamine. By 1962 demand had grown significantly and the company took the name of the mountain.
By 1968 the company had 60 employees and added master luthier Mass Hirade to the staff, leading to great improvements in design, production processes and instrument quality. Many of the classical guitar models now took the Hirade name in honour of their designer.
Takamine was one of the earliest companies, along with Ovation, to successfully introduce pickup systems to steel string guitars, and for many years, it was common to see Takamine guitars on the stages of major American Country and acoustic artists. Garth Brooks, John Jorgenson, Kenny Chesney, Glen Frey and Toby Keith all have Takamine signature models.
Hirade guitars are Takamine’s top end classical line, and feature solid tonewoods and hand built construction.
