Top Tak Tours for ‘26
In news that should surprise no one, 2026 will be another big year for Takamine Guitars on tour. Here are a few of the larger outings and what Tak models will be on hand - starting with two major tours we didn’t see coming.
Announced last week, Bruce Springsteen and E Street Band will embark on his Land of Hope and Dreams American Tour beginning March 31st in Minneapolis. Originally slated to take 2026 off after wrapping up a two-year world tour, Bruce’s surprise change of plans was welcome news to band, crew and fans alike. At some point during each show Bruce’s longtime tech, Kevin Buell will deliver Bruce’s favorite P6N or EF381SC 12-string. Tour dates here.
Jon Bon Jovi's voice was wrecked, totaled to be precise. Four decades of full throttle output had rendered one of his vocal cords atrophied and Jon with little or no control of his instrument. With his touring career headed for an unplanned, unwelcome end, the R&R Hall of Famer from Sayreville, NJ decided to put up a fight. Two years, one rare throat surgery and a Rocky-worthy comeback later, Bon Jovi has launched his Forever Tour that features 9 sold-out shows at NYC’s Madison Square Garden followed by 3 equally packed nights at London’s Wimbley Stadium. During rehearsals, Jon’s tech, Daniel ONiel was open to trying Takamine’s new, vintage, brownie inspired, CTF-2N FET circuit preamp in Jon’s cherished 32-year-old EF341SC. Soon thereafter, ONiel reported having dialed-in Jon’s best Tak-tone yet. Welcome back Jon. Tour dates here.
It’s been 2 years since Lainey Wilson invited multi-instrumentalist and longtime Tak player, Sav Madigan of The Accidentals to join her band. Covering mainly acoustic guitar and backing vocals, Sav’s P3NY, slot -head New Yorker has been her favorite of late. Lainey herself employs a wide assortment of acoustic makes and models, one of which is her 31-year-old cedar topped, satin finish ETN10C, first cousin to the modern day P3DC. Keep an eye out this spring for the upcoming Netflix documentary, Lainey Wilson: Keeping Country Cool, where we can expect some Sav / Tak screen time. Tour dates here.
Grammy nominated singer, songwriter and Eric Church bandmate, Jeff Hyde has written country hits for a long line of A-list country artists including Alan Jackson, George Strait, Bobby Bare, Luke Bryan, including Eric Church's chart-topping single, Springsteen. Forever in search of the acoustic-electric holy grail, Jeff caught wind of the CTF-2N preamp and longtime tech, Michael Smith was soon dropping into Jeff’s trusty EF360S (now EF360GF). The fact that the CTF2N is now in all of Jeff’s Taks tells you all you need to know about how that experiment turned out. Jeff Hyde is currently touring US Arenas with Eric Church well into summer and Tak as his stage acoustic of choice. Tour dates here.
Kenny Chesney's Sphere debut in Vegas last summer was such a hot ticket that he’s coming back for 11 more shows June 19th – July 11th. The first country act to play the immersive venue, Kenny employs the venue’s 580,000 sf of LED displays to mind-blowing effect and the true acoustic tone of Kenny’s custom EF317S and signature model KC70 through the Sphere’s Immersive Sound System is equally impressive. Kenny’s longtime tech, Jimmy (Catfish) Wingate will once again be managing Tak-world. Tour dates here.
The Eagles are also back at the Sphere this summer for their 50th show (and counting). Don Henley and Deacon Frey remain partial to their TF77PT and known to play them side-by-side. Don’s EF261SAN is also likely to make an appearance as are any number of Deacon’s father’s Taks, including Glenn’s #1 EF360S that his signature model EF360GF was cloned from. Joe Walsh still loves his P6JC12 and newcomer Chris Holt his LTD2023 (featuring the CTF-2N preamp). In other Eagles news, their Greatest Hits 1971-1975 album recently became the first album ever to receive quadruple diamond certification from the RIAA marking 40 million units sold in the US. Tour dates here.
And old friend Blake Shelton is back at the Colosseum at Ceasars Palace for his 3rd residency. His circa 2005, TAN15C has yet to be dethroned as acoustic of choice and favorite tech, Jason Herndon will be there to pamper the 21-year-old Tak. Tour dates here.