Jasmine S35
My Review of The Jasmine S35 Acoustic Guitar
By: John Sizemore
I would have to say one of the most common questions I get is “what guitar should I buy as a beginner?”. There are so many choices and this is a really difficult question since it really boils down to how much you want to spend? Since a staggering 80% of people who try to play guitar quit within the first 3 months… I wouldn’t invest too much unless you plan on selling your guitar? This is where it becomes difficult. I mean, you don’t want to spend too much. But, you also don’t want a piece of junk that’s going to go out of tune all the time. You’ll end up quitting for sure then.
The top selling beginner guitar happens to be the Jasmine S35 by Takamine. So, I thought it only to be appropriate that I play this guitar and give you my thoughts.
“What The Heck Do These Mean?
Features
- Laminate Spruce top
- Nato back and sides
- Full body binding
- Chrome tuners
- Satin finish
Laminate Spruce Top
“So you know… This is predominately where the guitar gets its sound”
There are two different types of processed woods that are typically installed as the top (where the sound hole is) of the acoustic guitar. So you know… This predominately where the guitar gets its sound and it’s crucial on an acoustic guitar. The two different processes are a solid wood piece and what they call a laminate wood piece. A solid is exactly what it states… A solid piece of wood (most common are spruce and cedar) cut to the exact thickness. A laminate is a very thin piece of desired wood cut and then cheaper woods plied together to the desired thickness to make the top.
In years past laminates were basically horrible and just made the guitar sound dead. However, manufacturers have perfected this process and these laminate top guitars today sound great.
What Others Are Saying….
“Takamine’s model designation for this is ‘S35′. In my estimation, the ‘S’ must stand for ‘solid’, ‘smooth’, ‘superb’, ‘special’ or just plain ‘sweet’.
“
Rating:
“This is a nice beginner’s guitar. The action is kind of high, so you will earn your calluses quickly”
Rating:
“I have been using this guitar for about a year have posted pics also on amazon. I got it from geartree for 99.99 and I am glad that the guitar was so nice”
Rating:4.5 out of 5 Stars Based on 197 reviews
Read More Reviews
Now, don’t get me wrong. A solid top is always better since the guitar tends to sound better and better over time with a solid. But, for the beginner on a budget a laminate is just fine.
The Jasmine S35 comes with a spruce laminate top.
Nato Back & Sides
“This keeps the cost down and provides a good strength tone wood for the beginner guitar”
Nato is basically the cheapest wood they use when constructing a decent guitar. Anything cheaper and the guitar would basically be junk. However, nato has worked quite well and their even starting to manufacturer nato guitar necks. This keeps the cost down and provides a good strength tone wood for the beginner guitar.
The Jasmine S35 comes with nato back & sides.
Full Body Binding
“Binding really doesn’t affect the sound that much of the guitar”
When you piece a guitar together there has to be some type of binding on all the edges. There are as many types of binding as there is guitar. Binding really doesn’t affect the sound that much of the guitar. However, it does affect the overall durability and construction of the guitar. Some of the higher end guitars use wood binding. But, most use some type of plastic binding.
The Jasmine S35 complete guitar is bound with plastic binding. The construction of the guitar is well made. Exactly what you’d expect from Takamine. Very impressive for such inexpensive guitar.
“So Here’s My Overall Thoughts Of The Jasmine S35″
Sound | Rating: 
Really?! Not what I was expecting from a guitar in this price range. I mean, I’ve played guitars at a much higher cost in the $300 range that don’t sound this good. The quality of sound on this guitar is great for the price. No wonder there are so many good reviews. It has very smooth overtones and a very balanced sound between the highs and lows. This is going to be my next purchase for a good camp guitar. You just plain won’t get sound like this from any other guitar in the price range.
Action | Rating: 
I’d have to say this is the only downfall of the guitar. I know I’m being a little picky… But, I have to if you want an honest review. I guess this is the action you would expect from a guitar in this price range. You will be sure to get a workout if you play up the neck. Actually, it’s perfect for a beginner to gain strength. This may be the downfall of this guitar? But, I certainly wouldn’t let it influence my purchase at this price. No way! So, the overall action on this guitar would be average.
Reliability | Rating:
Excellent! This is a very well made guitar for the price. I was a little shocked after playing it and looking at the tag. I’ve read up quite a bit on this guitar since there are so many reviews. People have enjoyed this guitar for many years with very little complaint. Of course this is what you’d expect from such a high quality instrument as Takamine.
Impression | Rating:
Taking into consideration the price my overall impression I’d give 5 stars. You are not going to find a better instrument in this price range. Plus, they’ve been making these Jasmine guitars for years and they’ve stood the test of time.
I only saw a couple reviews that were bad. Mostly people just complaining that it wasn’t what they expected from all the good reviews. Pay good mind folks! This is a beginner guitar and if you’re expecting anymore? You would be best to look at models in the $300 to $400 range if you’re looking for all around quality.
Find The Best Price On The Jasmine S35 Here!
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