Tagima

Active

Country: Brazil (BR)
Founded: 1986
HQ: São Bernardo do Campo, São Paulo, Brazil
Employees: ~6-10
Parent: Marutec Music (acquired in 1996)

Indexes

Guitar

Overview

Tagima is a Brazilian guitar manufacturer producing electric, acoustic, classical guitars, bass guitars, and drum kits. It holds the position of Brazil's largest guitar brand with expanding presence in South and Latin America, the U.S., Canada, Japan, Italy, and the Philippines.¹²⁴⁵

History

Tagima was founded in 1986 by Japanese-Brazilian luthier Seizi Tagima in São Bernardo do Campo, São Paulo.⁶ In 1996, Marutec Music acquired the brand, which spurred rapid international growth.¹ The company established U.S. headquarters in Huntington Beach, California in 2017 to serve North American markets.⁴

Product Lines

Product Line	Positioning	Price Range
Electric Guitars	Versatile models for rock and Brazilian music styles	$200 - $1,200
Acoustic Guitars	Steel-string acoustics for folk and popular genres	$150 - $800
Classical Guitars	Nylon-string for traditional and classical playing	$180 - $900
Bass Guitars	Electric basses for various music applications	$250 - $1,000
US Assembled Series	Premium guitars finished in the U.S. with Brazilian design	$800 - $1,800

Manufacturing

Tagima maintains its primary manufacturing facility in São Bernardo do Campo, São Paulo, Brazil.²⁶⁸ Some instruments feature US assembly where unfinished bodies from Brazil are completed in Huntington Beach, California.⁴⁷ Design and production oversight is led by luthier Márcio Zaganin.⁵

Notable Products

TW Series - Iconic electric guitars embodying Brazilian craftsmanship.
Woodstock Series - Versatile electric models popular among Brazilian musicians.
California Series - US-assembled electrics blending Brazilian design with American build.
Acoustic Folk Series - Steel-string acoustics suited for live performance.
Bass TW - Electric bass line trusted by professional players.

Reputation

Tagima is regarded as Brazil's leading guitar brand, praised for quality craftsmanship influenced by Brazilian music traditions and used by artists like Michael Pipoquinha, Nelson Faria, Gilberto Gil, and Marisa Monte.¹⁴ Enthusiasts appreciate its value in mid-range instruments, though it receives less recognition outside Latin America compared to global giants. Criticisms focus on limited international availability and perception as a regional rather than premium worldwide marque.

Sources (8)