A correction is in order: The F-385 (12-string) was produced long before 1999. In fact, I have in my hands an F-385 12-string Takamine built in July 1979 (Serial #79050053. I bought it as a brand new guitar (approx $190) and am still the original owner. The guitar is very light, but projects sound very well, especially in the lower frequencies. I find it very playable to this day. Given good care it remains as playable as when it was new, despite having traveled from as far as from the humid American southeast coast, to the harsh conditions of the Aleutian Islands, and and the U.S. Midwest. In all those years it has needed no service or repair, just normal, basic upkeep.