For 2025 Takamine have released a bunch of very interesting models for their made-in-China G-series guitars. I went down to Davis Guitar, my local Takamine dealer, and tried out some of them. Here are my first impressions:

GN73CE SB

The things that immediately jump out to you about this NEX model are the block inlays (previously only available on the Toby Keith Signature model) and the satin black (SB) finish. This is not quite the same as the satin finish found on the pro series 3 and the old natural series: it has more texture to it, being paint rather than a clear finish. The guitar also has a very unusually-shaped pickguard, and matt-finished, gunmetal grey mini tuners. The wood combination is solid spruce over laminate maple back and sides.
Likes: Killer looks, and the low action from the factory! Takamine seem to be paying more attention to the factory setup on the G-series this year, and are making an effort to use a lower set of saddles on the non-Dreadnought guitars. The sound is exactly what you would expect from Spruce/Maple – bright and articulate with a focused low end and well-controlled overtones. A perfect band guitar that would also work fine on its own.
Dislikes: The tuners were hard to turn and the small size made them difficult for me to get a grip on. They do look cool, but could prove to be frustrating at the gig.
This guitar is also available in a VERY handsome all-white version, the GN37CE PW. That model has a different set of tuners, which are full-sized and look like they may be easier to use.

GF49CE CB

Ok, I love FXC-sized guitars! One of my all-time favourites from Takamine is the EF261SAN. There is something about the small body that works really well when amplified – these guitars sound massive plugged in, similar to the New-Yorkers, but without the parlor guitar looks. This model has screaming red binding everywhere and a rocking Cosmic Black SPARKLE finish! The sparkle is quite well-controlled and does not come across as gaudy or blingy, although I’m sure it would look awesome under stage lights.
Likes: The small body, the black mini-tuners that compliment both the look and size of the guitar, the plugged in sound.
Dislikes: This is an all-laminate guitar: Spruce top, Sapele back and sides – no solid wood at all, and the acoustic sound reflects that: it has very little depth to it, and this probably will not improve with time, unlike a guitar with a solid top. So this guitar is probably best for those who will play it plugged in most of the time. An ideal stage guitar for the front-man in a pop or rock band. The Laurel fingerboard also looks rather low-rent compared to the rosewood on the other models.

GY21E SM

Another model with absolutely classic looks, this one has the Satin Molasses (SM) color over a solid Spruce top with laminate Sapele back and sides. In person this finish is a really dark brown, and I suspect the grain would only be visible under strong lighting. Still, it stands out like nobody’s business, especially with the cream purfling on the body and the simple black and white rosette.
Likes: Solid headstock – I personally do not like slotted headstocks on steel-string guitars, and I’m glad that Takamine went with a standard headstock and full-sized tuners on this model. They are also using the more streamlined shape usually reserved for the Japanese-made models.
Dislikes: Nothing really on this model! Everything works together so well as a package, and the guitar sounds great, both acoustically and plugged in. The action is really low from the factory, which might be a factor for you if you are a hard-hitter.
I also played the Dreadnought guitar with this colour and wood combination, the GD21CE SM.

One final notable mention is the relatively new TP-3G preamp:

This preamp has been around for a couple of years now, and these 2025 models are all equipped with it. It is obviously the G-series version of the pro-series CT4-BII preamp, which I love for its simplicity and clarity. Same here – there is no doubting what your EQ settings are, and the chromatic tuner is responsive and very easy to read, with two red arrows that change to green when you are in tune. Also, this preamp gets a a proper pull-out battery tray, rather than the small and very easy to lose battery compartment cover. Small but important details!

To sum up, I really like these new 2025 models. They sound good, and the fit and finish is excellent – I did not find a single sharp fret end, misaligned tuner or badly cut nut in all of the guitars I tried. I would have no hesitation recommending any of these guitars to a beginner or intermediate player, or to any player for that matter. I must confess, the plugged in sound of these models is getting rather close to the Japanese guitars! The Palathetic pickup still has an edge: it has better string to string balance and a more robust sound, especially in the low midrange, but we are talking marginal gains here. Well done Takamine, may these guitars bring many more new players to the brand.