This bold all-sapele NEX sized Takamine is great for roots music, fingerstyle, and blues. The broad, warm tone of the instrument matches the low gloss natural satin finish, adding a great old-school look and feel. This original Takamine body is a scaled-down Jumbo at heart. The NEX has a silky balance to the tone that supports vocals beautifully.

TOP:  Sapele

BACK:  Sapele

SIDES:  Sapele

NECK:  Mahogany

FINGERBOARD:  Laurel

FINISH:  Natural Satin

Key Features:

✅ Body Shape: NEX (Smaller Grand Auditorium) – Versatile for fingerstyle and strumming.
✅ Top: Sapele – Delivers warm mids and crisp highs (unlike laminated tops in this price range).
✅ Back & Sides: Sapele Laminate – Enhances durability while maintaining decent resonance.
✅ Neck: Nato (Mahogany-like) – Smooth, comfortable C-shape profile.
✅ Fretboard & Bridge: Rosewood – Improves sustain and playability.
✅ Matte Finish – Sleek, non-reflective look; reduces finger squeak.
✅ Tuners: Die-Cast Chrome – Reliable tuning stability.

✔ Warm, Balanced Tone – Sapele offers a woody, slightly darker sound vs. spruce.
✔ Comfortable Neck – Ideal for beginners and smaller hands.
✔ Good Projection – The NEX body shape provides clarity without being boomy.

✔ Solid Top for the Price – Rare in budget guitars (better resonance over time).

✔ Lightweight & Comfortable – Matte finish feels great, easy to hold.
✔ Takamine Reputation – Known for reliable entry-level guitars.

• Beginners wanting a step-up guitar with a solid top.

• Singer-Songwriters needing a warm, articulate tone.

• Travel/Recording Use – Compact NEX body fits small spaces.

Final Verdict:

The Takamine GN11M is a fantastic budget acoustic with a sapele top, offering warmer tones than spruce competitors. Perfect for beginners and casual players who want quality without electronics.

Best for: Practice, recording, and unplugged sessions.