The number of affordable acoustic guitars has skyrocketed in recent years, and the options include guitars from well-known instrument manufacturers and new companies that gain traction in the market. The Jasmine S33 vs S35 review finds that both guitars offer surprising value and high-quality sound at an eminently affordable price, which makes them suitable for beginners learning how to play and for taking on tour. They’re also great for simply playing informally or practicing your guitar skills.
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It’s important to understand a few things before buying a guitar. Finding the right guitar for your needs can be challenging, so this review is designed to help you choose the right guitar for your needs. You’ll want to consider what the guitar is made of, its playability ranking and the type of sound it generates.
The brand “Jasmine Guitars” is often accompanied by the term “by Takamine,” which was the original Japanese manufacturer, but the brand changed hands over 10 years ago, and the company is currently owned by the KMC Music Company of Bloomfield, Connecticut. That might make a difference to musicians who prefer American manufacturers.
The Jasmine S33 Acoustic Guitar
The Jasmine S33 has a dreadnought design, which is more substantial and somewhat heavier than other guitar styles, but that’s what makes it a fully acoustic guitar. You get a strong tone in a guitar featuring natural colors of the wood and stainless steel strings. The guitar features dovetail neck construction, a belly-shaped rosewood bridge and the standard Takamine contour.
Features of the Jasmine S33 by Takamine
The guitar is affordable for any budget, and the guitar comes with a hardshell case for added protection while traveling. The non-cutaway construction supports a richer sound, especially in the lower registers. Adding or reducing mass in the bracing and the materials used have a significant effect on any guitar’s sound because of basic physics.
The back and sides of the guitar are made of lacewood, and the top is made of spruce, a common choice for affordable guitars. The fingerboard is made of rosewood, which makes sound richer, and is seldom used on entry-level guitars. The guitar also has dot inlays as a playing guide for the 20 frets. Other important features include:
- Hollow body construction for better sound generation
- Six strings
- Glossy finish
- Hardshell case
- Hardware chrome feature
Pros and Cons of the Jasmine S33
The pros of the Jasmine S33 acoustic guitar include:
- Affordability
- Easy to play
- Great sound for an entry-level guitar
- Guide inlays for helping newbies to learn to play
The cons of the guitar include:
- Not designed for professional gigs
- A bit heavy for younger players
- Stand-alone guitar doesn’t have electrical connections
The Jasmine S35 Acoustic Guitar
The Jasmine S35 guitar delivers a big sound for a minimal cost and has special features that are usually offered only by higher priced instruments. The guitar is a great choice for beginners, serious hobbyists or use as a backup or practice guitar. The acoustic guitar has a dreadnought-sized body that provides bold sound and great projection.
Features of the Jasmine S35 by Takamine
The natural sound makes this guitar a top choice of bluegrass, folk and acoustic guitar country musicians because of the full sound. The top of the guitar is crafted from select spruce. Although the body is not composed of a single piece of wood, the guitar’s sound comes off as balanced and warm, and the sound has good resonance and sustain features. There are actually advantages to making the guitar top from two pieces of wood that include a lower cost while the difference in tone won’t be noticed by any novice listeners, except top musicians.
The sides and back of the S35 are made from agathis wood, which is similar to basswood and pine. Often called Kauri pine, the Southeast Asian wood delivers a great tone, durability and stability. The cost of the wood also brings down the price because the wood grows plentifully in Asia. The bright tone adds something extra to your playing that helps to develop a signature sound. The guitar is protected by a satin finish.
The bracing features a signature Advanced-X Bracing that provides great strength and stability. The neck is composed of nato wood, which has similar sound properties to mahogany. The plentiful and inexpensive wood delivers a great tone at a lower cost, and slim neck profile enhances playability for experienced musicians.
The fretboard is made of rosewood, which is used on many of the more expensive guitars. The wood resists wear and damage, and makes the guitar easier to play without the stickiness that some fretboards generate.
The tuners on the S35 are chrome, and this enhances the tuning fidelity of less experienced musicians. You can keep your guitar in tune easily, and the synthetic bone used for the saddles and nut adds an extra layer of stability. Synthetic bone is often indistinguishable from real bone, but it costs less and is more durable.
Pros and Cons of the Jasmine S35
The pros of the Jasmine S35 acoustic guitar include:
- Deep, rich sound
- Affordability
- Balanced highs and lows
- High playability
- Comfortable playing
- Great tones for the modest price
- Works best as a practice guitar for experienced musicians
The cons of the S35 guitar include:
- Strings that generate issues for some musicians, which is easily corrected by replacing the strings
- Requires regular adjustments
- Run-of-the-mill appearance
- Fret buzzing that occurs on the 12th fret
Side-by-side Comparison of the Jasmine S33 Vs S35
The Jasmine S33 isn’t really designed for professional musicians because it’s an entry-level guitar for learning how to play. The inlays on the fretboard help to guide new players, and the guitar has high playability. This guitar is recommended for the following situations:
- New or inexperienced players
- Use as a practice guitar
- Use as an emergency backup
- Informal playing in social settings
The Jasmine 35 has a richer tone due to the rosewood and other features. You’ll be astonished at the superior sound, balanced tone — from bass to treble. The Jasmine S35 is recommended for the following situations:
- Slightly experienced players
- Those who want better quality than an entry-level guitar
- Blues, country and folk music performances
- Backup or practice guitar
- Those on a strict budget
- Band performances
- Musical accompaniment in live theater
When looking to buy your first guitar, it’s important to choose a playable instrument that delivers strong natural sound. The size, shape and design of both the S33 and the S35 make them an excellent choice, and the price reinforces the choice. Although the guitars don’t use the most expensive materials, the woods are serviceable, durable and capable of generating great sound. These guitars are great for learning how to play, making your performance on the road or playing informally.