In Deep with the Thermal Top “TT” Series

Learn more about this breakthrough in tone technology

In Summer 2015, Takamine introduced our Thermal Top (TT) guitar technology. It was so well received by players and the press, we created four new TT models for 2016. Debuted at the NAMM Show last month were the EF740S TT, CP7MO TT, and EF450C TT (in Brown Sunburst and Transparent Black Burst). These new Thermal Top guitars will soon be available at Takamine dealers.

The “TT” stands for “Thermal Top”, a technology in which the spruce guitar tops are baked in an oxygen-free vacuum environment before the guitar is constructed. This process results in the desirable tone that is expected from much older vintage guitars, with quick response, balance, and great projection.

Tom Watters of Takamine explains, “To be able to give an experienced player a brand new guitar that has the depth and boldness of tone that they associate with a vintage guitar is an amazing feat that Takamine has accomplished with grace.”

EF740S TT

The EF740S TT offers an OM shaped cutaway with a twelve fret neck joint. It uses a solid thermal spruce top in Gloss Natural finish, paired with solid mahogany back and sides, and a mahogany neck with ebony fingerboard. The body is bound in tortoise, and features classic abalone dot inlays and 1-ring rosette. It includes Takamine’s acclaimed TLD-2 preamplifier.

CP7MO TT

The CP7MO TT uses a traditional Takamine OM body style, and also makes use of a solid thermal spruce top. Its sides and body are solid ovangkol with a classic grained ivoroid binding, paired to a mahogany neck with an ebony fingerboard. Beautiful abalone accents are used for this guitar’s inlays and rosette, complementing its tortoiseshell pickguard and gold hardware. The CP7MO-TT also includes Takamine’s high-performance TLD-2 line driver preamplifier.

EF450C TT

Takamine’s new EF450C TT is available in Brown Sunburst and Transparent Black Burst finishes. Like the other new models in the “TT” Series, its top is solid thermal spruce, which is paired to solid flamed maple back and sides with white body binding, and a maple neck with ebony fingerboard that has intricate mother-of-pearl “grass flower” inlays, which also extend to the pickguard. This striking guitar also utilizes Takamine's TLD-2 preamp.

The four new TT series models join the EF360 TT and the EF340 TT in Takamine’s Thermal Top series. Try one for yourself at your Takamine dealer!