Takamine started in 1959 as a small family-run guitar workshop at the foot of Mount Takamine in Sakashita, Japan, and took the mountain's name in 1962. The company went on to become known for amplified acoustics, developing its Palathetic under-saddle pickup in 1978 and introducing its first acoustic-electric model in 1979. This FD35DS is a cutaway dreadnought, the body shape Takamine describes as delivering a strong low end with plenty of volume, here with a spruce top, flamed maple back and sides, a maple neck and a rosewood fretboard and bridge. The cutaway makes the upper frets easy to reach, and the onboard AD-1 pickup means it's ready for the stage. It suits a player who wants a sturdy, good-playing cutaway acoustic-electric and doesn't mind a guitar with some history. We couldn't confirm the year of manufacture, so we haven't guessed at it.
This one plays great. The setup is just fine and it's playing at spec, and we found no real issues with the guitar itself. It's solid as a rock with many years of life ahead. It does carry plenty of bumps and bruises, especially along the bottom edge. There's also an extra hole in the body where a different output jack used to be. The pickup works, but only somewhat, and we want to be plain about why. The battery cover is missing, and that cover is the piece that completes the circuit with the batteries. A piece of metal is taped in its place to connect them. It's working right now, but it certainly won't hold forever, so the buyer will need to find or fashion a battery door for consistent use. We've priced the guitar accordingly.
- Make: Takamine
- Model: FD35DS
- Year: Not confirmed
- Body: Cutaway dreadnought
- Top: Spruce
- Back and Sides: Flamed maple
- Neck: Maple
- Fretboard: Rosewood
- Bridge: Rosewood
- Finish: Sunburst
- Electronics: Onboard AD-1 pickup
- Condition: Very Good
- Includes: Takamine hard case
- Known Issues: Many bumps and bruises, especially on the bottom edge. Extra hole in the body from a former output jack. Battery cover missing, with a piece of metal taped on to complete the battery circuit. The pickup works only somewhat and the temporary fix will not last, so the buyer will need to find or make a battery door for consistent use.
Ships carefully packed and insured for full value. International buyers are welcome — please contact us for a shipping quote before purchasing.
About Mill River Music
Mill River Music is an independent, human-powered music shop located in downtown Northampton, MA, run by a team of players, enthusiasts, and certified repair technicians. Every piece of used gear we sell is personally inspected, tested, and set up before it ships — we don't list it until we'd be happy to play it ourselves.
As Martin and Taylor certified techs, we hold our guitar work to a high standard, and we're committed to full transparency about the condition of everything we sell. No surprises.
When you buy from Mill River, you're supporting an independent local business that genuinely cares — about gear, about players, and about doing things right. We're here every step of the way. Reach out anytime.
