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Introduction: While wandering around the warehouse contemplating what product to review next, I was miffed by my lack of genius. I went home to further ponder this dilemma. I do my best thinking with a guitar in my hand and began to play my Tacoma DM9. After a few beers, pizza and some conversation, it became obvious that the DM9 was the next product review victim. What follows is a beer and pizza induced review of the fabled Tacoma DM9 acoustic guitar.
Allan Harrison
Hairball Music
Product:
Tacoma DM9 Solid Wood Dreadnought
Suggested Retail with Hardshell Case:
$849.00
Hairball Music Retail:
$636.99
Tacoma DM9 Dreadnought Basic Features-
- Body: Solid sitka spruce top, solid mahogany back and sides.
- Finish: Light satin finish
- Fingerboard: Rosewood.
- Clear satin pickguard
- Bridge: “Tone Shaped” rosewood.
- Nut: 1.75" nut width
- Inlays: Abalone dot inlay
- Binding: Tortoise bound top
- Rosette: Four color wood rosette
- Hardware: Tacoma (Gotoh) sealed tuners.
- Other Features: Low shoulders for comfortable play. Immaculate construction and attention to detail. Voiced Support bracing system. Hardshell case.
- Origin of Manufacture: USA.
From my initial introduction to the Tacoma line of guitars, it has been love at first sight. The Tacoma line offers a great mix of instruments geared towards the professional musician and the weekend warrior. The most striking feature about the Tacoma line is their retail price that is typically one half the price of a comparable USA guitars manufactured by Martin, Taylor, Guild, etc. etc. etc……..
Visually, this is a beautiful guitar with a clean, bright 2-piece matched sitka spruce top with mahogany sides and back. The satin finish adds to the warmth of this instrument and is complimented by the tortoise binding around the body and neck of the guitar. The peghead, with branded logo and chrome tuners add a rustic touch to the instrument. The frets are well fitted and the neck is very comfortable. As for the action direct from the factory, it is set higher than my personal comfort levels. I have questioned Tacoma on this and was informed that the DM9 Luthier believes a better sound is obtained with a slightly raised action. After listening to Tacoma’s explanation, I immediately set the action to my personal tastes utilizing the standard 0.012 gauge Elixir strings. After set-up, the neck was as good as any USA guitar at twice the price.
Now that I have muddled through the esthetics of the DM9, let’s discuss sound quality that can be summed up in one word, RICH. This guitar is very deceptive in that it is extremely light weight which would not be expected to resonate well. Tacoma has overcome this issue that typically plagues light weight guitars with the use of premier woods coupled with their innovative Tacoma Voiced Support bracing system. This guitar resonates well and displays bass response closer to a jumbo rather than a dreadnought body. The warm, rich spectrum of sound is incredibly clean with distinct highs and overtones. The neck intonation is true with amazing harmonics. Due to its light weight stature, this is a guitar that you can feel as well as hear. You can actually feel the resonance as your arm is draped over the lower bout of the guitar. Tacoma has successfully blended a winning recipe of innovation and quality to produce one of the best sounding and playable USA solid wood guitars for under $640.00 (case included). The DM9 has been a great addition to my collection and I highly recommend this guitar to anyone who appreciates a great USA guitar at a mind-boggling price.
And now for the official Lighter Guy rating of the Tacoma DM9 guitar: 9.3 lighters out of a possible 10 lighters. An exceptional value for an exceptional acoustic guitar.
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