The core element behind the amplified superiority of Takamine electro-acoustic guitars is our Palathetic™ pickup, a proprietary under-saddle system introduced in 1978 that has remained virtually unchanged thanks to its proven design.
A cross-section of the Takamine Palathetic ™ pickup while mounted. Illustration courtesy of Gerry Haze at Haze Guitars (hazeguitars.com).
Accurate sound, minimal feedback
For musicians who perform live, accurate sound reproduction is everything. When plugged in, a Takamine guitar stays true to its natural acoustic tone, without the harshness or disconnect prevelent in more common systems. Equally important is feedback resistance. Nothing disrupts a set like a howling guitar. The Palathetic™ pickup provides reliable, feedback-resistant performance, giving players the confidence to focus fully on their music.
How does it work?
Unlike standard under-saddle pickups, Takamine’s Palathetic system uses six individually shielded piezo elements, one for each string. These penetrate the bridge plate and soundboard to make direct contact with the saddle, transferring tone straight from string to top. The result is crystal-clear articulation, excellent dynamic range, and impressive volume handling. Whether fingerpicking softly or strumming with power, the sound remains full and responsive. Shielding also reduces unwanted noise, hum, and interference.
Once captured by the Palathetic™ pickup, the signal is routed to one of Takamine’s trusted preamp systems like such as the CTF-2N, CT4B II and CT4-DX, which can also offer a range of additional features like onboard tuners, tube electronics and dual sourcing.
You can find the Palathetic™ pickup in electro-acoustic guitars from our Limited Edition, Signature Series, Legacy Series, Pro Series, and other select models.
