Build and features

Despite its plain black rather than tortie pickguard, the Sitka/rosewood EG360SC is the most cosmetically plush of our quartet. The cross-silked Sitka top carries abalone purfling and rosette; the white-bound fingerboard sports diamond markers also made of abalone, the effect being only slightly marred by some filler here and there.

It’s capped off by white pearloid-buttoned gold tuners and a gloss-laquered finish. The ‘C’-profile neck, slightly shorter in scale than the others, is the deepest on test (24mm towards the heel turn), though this merely provides more of a traditional grip, not a bulky handful. In typical Takamine fashion, string spacing at the nut and at the bridge is on the tight side, though this doesn’t inhibit fingerstyle.

Our sample’s medium-thin fretting is immaculately dressed, making it a fast, slick player.

Next: Takamine EG360SC sounds, pros and cons