Takamine gear is used by Noel Gallagher, Joe Walsh, Tim Henson, Gary Moore, and John Mayer.
Takamine is a prominent Japanese guitar manufacturer established in 1959 in Nakatsugawa, Gifu, Japan. Originally a family-run shop, it evolved into a major brand of steel-string acoustic guitars worldwide, adopting the name “Takamine Gakki Ltd.” in 1962. In 1978, Takamine was a pioneer in the introduction of acoustic-electric models, creating innovative preamplifier-equalizer designs, notably the Palathetic pickup, which became a standard in their instruments. Under the leadership of master luthier Mass Hirade, who became president in 1975, Takamine expanded its market presence globally. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, the company gained recognition for its collaborations with notable artists and introduced various signature models and series, including the G-Series for more affordable options.