![]() ![]() The F-363 is a F-360 with an altered headstock and a mustache bridge, changes in the appearance from the D-28 look-alike. Martin pulled out of the deal and left Coast/Takamine with a line of guitars. Coast was already selling Ludwig drums and other horns so there wasn't the need. ![]() When the line was ready to be marketed, Martin demanded that Coast Wholesale Music, the company I worked for, also sell Rogers drums, horns, and etc. The F-340 is a copy of the Martin D-18, the F-360 is a copy of the Martin D-28, the F-375 is a copy of the Martin D-35 and so forth. The CF Martin Company in Nazareth, PA, had commissioned the Takamine Company to develop a line of guitars that could be sold as an underneath line to the Martin guitar that were becoming very pricy. The very minimal cosmetic wear which is present on the instrument includes a few marks from light strumming in the pick path and a few scratches in the clear coat on the back, as well as one short scratch through the finish near the center seam on the back.I was a Takamine wholesale salesman from 1980 to 1985 when the Takamine F-363 came about. Visible through the soundhole, a build date of February 8th, 1977 is stamped on the X brace, and the "Made in Japan" text, serial number, and model stamp are present inside the body and on the heel block. On the body, the rosewood bridge sits flush with the top, and the top is notably flat, with only a bit of light, expected pull behind the bridge typical of any vintage acoustic guitar. The nut is just shy of 1 7/8" in width and the headstock retains the original open back tuners that still turn smoothly. The frets show virtually no wear and play cleanly in all registers with no buzzing or dead spots. The mahogany neck has a medium C shaped profile with a 25.4" scale length and 14 frets clear of the body. Professionally dialed in here at Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar, this Takamine has fresh strings and is ready to be played. While most Takamine 12 string examples from this era have twisted necks, trashed tops, or lifting bridges, this F-385 is the most well preserved and playable we've ever seen and a great tool for stage and studio use with a thick, bold, shimmering tone that rings out clearly in every registers. What makes this particular F-385 so unique is that the neck is very, very straight, the action is low, the saddle has ample room for future adjustment, and the top shows no warping or bowing from 40 years of 12 string tension. A particularly well-kept example of this "lawsuit" Takamine model, the guitar clearly apes its USA-made Martin cousin (no relation) right down to the styling of the logo. Up for sale, a 1977 Takamine F-385 12 string acoustic guitar in remarkable, near mint condition and in perfect working order. ![]()
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