Guitars & Gear (Updated Jun 18, 2026)

Hiroshi Komori No.20 Spruce/Indian Rosewood Vintage 1980 Japan

Wonderful classical guitar made by elite Japanese luthier Hiroshi Komori, who apprenticed under Masaru Kohno guidance and later opened his own workshop.Model No.20 was a higher-end and quite expensive back to the day, with price tag of 200,000 yen. Made in Japan, year 1980.All solid woods – classical combination Spruce/Indian Rosewood, neck appears to be Spanish cedar, fretboard is ebony. Very high grade woods are used here. Scale is 655 mm, nut width is 52 mm. Bracing design is symmetric 7-fan (Torres style). Lacquer is cashew. Elegant rosette with red outer circle apparently hints at vivid Spanish character this instrument embodies. The head shape “Chess Queen” style is unique to Komori-san. Fantastic condition for a 45 year old guitar – there is general feel of use, small dings and scratches but that’s basically it. No cracks, no repairs. Neck is in perfect condition. Strings are set around standard height, with possibility to lower them a bit, if needed. Overall, it’s a vintage gem which was carefully preserved over the years. Sounds awesome – a powerful mature voice, paired with wonderful balance and clarity. Beautiful instrument that can serve a demanding concert player or become a valuable part of the collection. Comes in vintage hardshell case.

K.Yairi RNY-1001 Vintage Style New Yorker Sunburst 2004 Japan

Lovely New Yorker (00 shape) from Kazuo Yairi. This rare model is called RNY-1001, belongs to higher-end production line and essentially inspired by vintage Martin designs. It is crafted from the best materials and with careful attention to details. Made in Japan, year 2004. Woods are classical combination Spruce/Indian Rosewood, neck is genuine mahogany, fretboard is striped ebony. Scale is 638 mm, nut width is 43 mm. Top is hand-tuned using scalloped X-bracing pattern. Vintage design elements include Kluson-style tuners and long saddle. Despite being 20+ years old, the guitar is in like-new condition, with not a single ding on it. No cracks, no repairs. Geometry is fine, strings are set at comfortable height. Frets show no wear. New set of Elixir 12-54 Bronze is installed. Sounds excellent – woody, open tone, focused and with great dynamics. A perfect fit for blues/folk music, a lovely addition to any collection. Comes in original hardshell case, with the paperwork and spare pickguard.

Yamaha AE-18 (Gibson L-5 Style) 1974 Japan – Flagship Vintage Archtop

Flagship vintage archtop from Yamaha, model AE-18. Made in Japan, year 1974. AE series was Yamaha take on Gibson L-5 design, with AE-18 being highest in the line. Retail price was 180,000 yen – very expensive back to the day. Woods are spruce top paired with maple body, neck is genuine mahogany, fretboard is ebony. Scale is 648 mm, nut width is 42 mm. Electronics are two humbuckers with volume/tone controls and 3-way switch. Top-notch manufacturing quality, which was always the case for high-end Yamaha guitars from that golden era. Everything is original except the potentiometers (were apparently replaced due to age) and the nut (original most likely has cracked at some point). Exceptional condition for a 50+ years old guitar – there is general feel of use, mild hardware deterioration, few negligible dings/scratches and that’s basically it. Sounds fantastic – rich, lush, dynamic and balanced. Neck is super comfortable to play. Perfect for jazz, fusion, blues and soul music, but I could easily imagine it used for modern indie pop/folk applications as well. Comes with original hardshell case, also in excellent condition.

Jose Ramirez 1A Cedar/Indian Rosewood Vintage 1979 Spain

Legendary concert model from famous Madrid maker Jose Ramirez. Model 1A, introduced in 60s, praised by Andres Segovia and many others, have quickly become a standard of classical guitar building and remains such until today. Made in Spain, year 1979. Luthier stamp is 4, which corresponds to Carmelo Llerena. All solid woods – selected Red Cedar top, Indian Rosewood back and sides (of rare, mesmerising wild grain), the sides are doubled with Cypress. Neck is cedar with ebony stripe, fretboard is ebony. Scale is 664 mm, nut width is 54 mm. Bracing design is 6-fan + treble bar. Finish is Ramirez lacquer. Top-notch workmanship quality. Great condition for nearly 50 years old guitar – there is general feel of use, a couple of lacquer cracks on top (one of which can be neatly covered with the armrest if needed) few small dings/scratches and some tiny stains on the fretboard. String height is traditional Ramirez higher basses with standard trebles. New set of Knobloch 400 ADQ strings is installed. Sound is trademark Ramirez tone this model is famous for. Tight and punchy basses, warm, charming mids and clear, singing trebles, along with enormous dynamics, wonderful balance and overall depth (3D sound impression) earned Ramirez 1A the reputation of industry standard. An ultimate choice for a concert player, a valuable addition to every collection. Comes in vintage hardshell case.

Yamaha SA2000S Solid Top (ES-335 Style) Vintage 1980 Japan

Yamaha flagship semi-hollow model SA2000S. Made in Japan, s/n 023164, made in 1980. This model is widely regarded as “ES-335 killer” and for a good reason – it’s just one of the best ES-335 guitars money can buy. Woods are solid spruce top, maple body with massive central block, mahogany neck, ebony fretboard. Electronics are two humbuckers with split-coil option. Scale is 635 mm, nut is 43 mm. Super comfortable neck profile. Finished in gorgeous tobacco sunburst. One tone potentiometer was replaced due to malfunction, everything else seems to be original. Workmanship quality is flawless, as one would expect for high-end Yamaha models. Excellent condition for 45 years old instrument – general feel use, some small dings/scratches here and there, but nothing really worth mentioning. Neck geometry is fine, Frets show no wear. Electronics are fully operational. Strings are set at comfortable height. Sounds fantastic – mature semi-hollow tone, sustain, dynamics, you have it here. Comes in deluxe hardshell case which is a tad larger than guitar dimensions but still suitable enough for storage and transport.

Mayson MS9 Mayfair Spruce/Madagascar Rosewood 2010 China + LR Baggs Anthem

High-end acoustic guitar made by boutique Chinese manufacturer Mayson Guitars. MS9 Mayfair is their top-tier made to the highest standards of modern guitar building. Year 2010. All solid woods – top is AAA European spruce, back and sides are striking Madagascar rosewood with rare yellowish stripe in the middle, neck is genuine mahogany, fretboard is ebony. Scale is 645 mm, nut width is 45 mm. Neck is reinforced with carbon truss rod. Factory-installed LR Baggs Anthem pickup. Overall craftsmanship is impeccable. Excellent, gift-grade condition – just a slight feel of use, neglect-able fret wear and a tiny scratch near the pickguard. Geometry is fine, strings are set at low height without buzzing – very comfortable to play. Sounds fantastic – loud, punchy, yet maintaining focus and clarity, with rich overtones, wonderfully balanced across the whole range. This guitar was primarily designed for modern fingerstyle applications but it could easily serve as a hi-end allrounder instrument for professional stage. Comes in original deluxe Mayson gig bag, with all the documents, LR Baggs adjustment tool and spare tuner hardware.

D’Aquisto New Yorker DQ-NYE-W Archtop 2006 Japan

Gorgeous D’Aquisto archtop, manufactured by official license at Terada factory, famous for hollow-body and semi-hollow guitars (Gretsch, Sadowsky). Made in Japan, year 2006. Selected solid spruce pressed top, back and sides and flame maple, neck is quartersawn 1-piece maple, fingerboard, tailpiece, bridge and pickguard are ebony. Scale is 650 mm, nut width is 43 mm. Shape is classic 17-inch archtop. Electronics are floating humbucker, volume and tone knobs. Tuners are hi-end Gotoh. Beautiful “almond burst” finish and overall art-deco design feel. Top-notch manufacturing quality. Excellent condition for 20 years old guitar – there is general feel of use and few small dings on top, nothing really worth mentioning. No cracks, no repairs. Geometry is fine, frets are original and show no wear. Flatwound strings are installed. Sounds just like what you expect from such a classy instrument – dry, velvety, mature tone, where every note is rounded, defined and cuts through the mix. Wonderful dynamics and balance across the range. The guitar is loud enough even in unamplified state. Perfect choice for jazz, fusion, manouche, but I can easily imagine this guitar used for blues and neo soul applications. Comes in quality hardshell case, also in excellent condition.

K.Yairi JY-45B (Gibson J-45 Type) Cherry Sunburst 2010

One the best J-45 guitars available on market, made by leading manufacturer Kazuo Yairi. Made in Japan, year 2010. Top is selected spruce, body&sides are mahogany, neck is mahogany, fretboard is Indian rosewood. Bone nut and saddle, nut width is 43 mm, scale is 645 mm. Excellent condition – there is slight feel of use, few dings and scratches, but nothing really worth mentioning. Sound-wise, it can stand next to any Gibson J-45 out there. Punchy, woody low-mids, lovely tonal balance, clarity, loudness and dynamics – all is here, only for fraction of the price. A reliable workhorse, perfect companion for stage and studio. Comes with original hardshell case.

Lowden S22 1980 Japan with LR Baggs Anthem

A wonderful acoustic guitar, designed by George Lowden and made at Sada Yairi workshop (Nagoya, Japan) in accordance with strict specifications and quality standards. This is a high end jumbo model S22 from the first production batch, bearing S/N 483 and made in 1980. All solid woods – selected Cedar top, mahogany back and sides, signature Lowden 5-piece mahogany/walnut/maple neck, ebony fretboard. Scale is 650 mm, nut width is 45 mm. Fantastic condition for a 45 year old instrument, with nothing really worth mentioning. Frets show slight wear, neck geometry is fine, strings are set at comfortable height. Bridge connection is reinforced with two screws hidden under the caps – mostly like a fix down the road, to keep the bridge in place. Sounds amazing – mature, beefy and loud, with plenty of Lowden character. DADGAD and open tunings just shine on this guitar. Perfect fit for Irish music, singer-songwriter, acoustic folk and related stuff. LR Baggs Anthem SL pickup is installed, so it’s ready to go onstage out of the box. Comes in a quality semi-hard gig bag (pictured hardshell case is N/A).

Sumio Kurosawa No.20 1982 Japan

An exquisite classical guitar made by one of the best Japanese luthiers Sumio Kurosawa. This high-end model No.20 was made in 1982, at that time Mr.Kurosawa was labelling his guitars “Sumio Madrid”. All solid woods of master-grade quality – selected Spruce top, Indian rosewood back & sides with the tightest grain I’ve ever seen, neck is genuine mahogany with ebony stripe, fretboard is ebony. Bracing pattern is 7-strut fan. Scale is 650 mm, nut width is 52 mm. Finish seems to be complete shellack. Hand-carved headstock and intricate purflings look marvellous in reality. Excellent condition for a 43 year old guitar, with nothing really serious to mention. No cracks, no repairs. Neck geometry is fine, strings are set at comfortable height. New set of D’Addario EJ-45 strings is installed. Sounds fantastic – powerful basses, focused mids and shimmering trebles. A mature, vintage concert tone. Sumio Kurosawa is an unsung hero of Japanese luthier tradition, and this mesmerising instrument just confirms the statement. It can rival anything in 5K EUR price bracket. Comes with vintage semi-hard case.

Larrivee P-09 Artist Series 2006 USA

A wonderful parlour guitar from a top-tier manufacturer Jean Larrivee (Oxnard, California). Model P-09 is at higher-end of Larrivee production list, with MRSP is 3650 USD. Made in USA, year 2006, S/N 90597. All solid woods of very high grade, traditional pairing of Sitka Spruce/Indian Rosewood, neck is 1-piece genuine mahogany, fretboard is ebony. Scale is 610 mm, nut width is 44.5 mm. Mint condition – the guitar was a part of the collection and rarely left the case. Geometry is fine, strings are set at comfortable height. New set of Elixir 12-53 is installed. Sounds very interesting and unusual to those who normally play regular-size guitars – with trademark Larrivee noble tone, the character is somewhat “boxy” in a good way, delivering focused, solid mids and sparkling trebles. Where this guitar really shines is fingerpicking and light strumming with the capo on, especially at higher positions. Comes in original hardshell case and with special hex nut wrench.

Kodama Kanoh No.30 1987 Japan

A wonderful classical guitar made by elite Japanese luthier Kodama Kanoh. This guitar maker is not well known outside Japan but highly regarded domestically as one of top-tier luthiers, with his recent models reaching up to 10000 EUR. This model is a high-end No.30 produced in 1987. All solid woods of highest quality – top is aged Spruce with intricate silk pattern, back&sides are Indian Rosewood, neck is genuine 1-piece mahogany, fretboard is ebony. Scale is 650 mm, nut width is 52 mm. Bracing pattern is 7-strut fan. Very light build makes the guitar extremely resonant. Excellent condition for nearly 40 years old guitar. No cracks, no repairs. Neck geometry is fine, strings are set at standard height with saddle room to make it lower, if necessary. This is easily one of the best sounding Japanese guitars I’ve ever encountered. Its resonant, mature, deep dark tone enchants from the first chords. Powerful basses, well-defined mids and clear, lyrical trebles comes in a perfect balance. Neck is super comfortable to play. Definitely a 5K EUR ballpark concert guitar. Comes in stylish suede hardshell case.

Kazuo Yairi YW-800 Japan 2008

A high-end acoustic guitar from Kazuo Yairi, YW-800 belongs to their successful YW line, which production started back in 70s. This model is based on Martin D-45 design, with flawless Yairi building quality and distinctive sound – thus not being a direct copy of iconic Martin model. Top is high quality spruce, back and sides are double-plate Indian Rosewood, neck is genuine mahogany, fretboard is ebony. Decorations are mother of pearl. Scale is 648 mm, nut width is 43 mm. Finish is gloss lacquer. The guitar is in near-mint condition, with nothing really worth mentioning. A sound-hole Fishman humbucker is installed, so the guitar is ready to hit the stage out of the box. Sounds awesome – this guitar is a powerhouse. A pro level workhorse instrument for studio/stage use. Comes with original hardshell case and papers.

Shunsuke Yokoo Prelude Cedar 2008 Japan

Wonderful classical guitar made by elite Japanese luthier Shunsuke Yokoo – one of Masaru Kohno disciples, who was running his own workshop since mid-70s until his passing in 2024. Model is called Prelude, it’s a higher-end instrument with price tag of 350,000 yen (3500 USD back in 2008).All solid woods – top is selected Cedar, back and sides are Indian Rosewood, neck is mahogany, fretboard is ebony. Top design is 6-strut fan with treble crossbar, scale is 650mm, nut width is 52 mm. Lacquer seems to be complete shellack expect for back of the neck, which has delicate thin matte coating – super comfortable and soft to the touch. Impeccable craftsmanship and attention to details, which is always the case for S.Yokoo guitars. Excellent condition, feels like almost like a new guitar. Sound-wise, this is a concert class guitar with noble, academic sound. Lovely balanced, with thick basses, well defined middles and romantic trebles. Perfect choice for advanced students and serious guitar enthusiasts. Comes with deluxe semi-hard case and manufacturer’s card.

K.Yairi YFA Custom 2019 Japan – Limited Edition

YFA Custom is a Limited Edition which is using high-end specs and is produced in extremely small numbers. Body shape is OM (Orchestra), woods are selected Spruce Top, Indian Rosewood back&sides, neck is genuine mahogany, fretboard is ebony. Scale is 648 mm, nut width is 44.5 mm. Tuners are high-end Gotoh 510. Elegant Florentine cutaway allows easy access to higher frets. Factory installed pickup system LR Baggs Stage Pro Element onboard. Made in Japan, 2019. Excellent condition – there is just a couple tiny dings on top, otherwise pristine. Sounds rich, loud, articulate and wonderfully balanced. A perfect fit for fingerstyle, would do great as an all-rounder as well. Great choice for professional stage, a valuable addition to each collection. Comes with original hardshell case and papers.

Hiroshi Tamura No.30 Cedar/CSA Rosewood 1978 Japan – top class concert guitar for modest price

A vintage classical guitar made by Hiroshi Tamura, one of the most respected Japanese luthiers. This is his top-class model No.30 from 1978, made from best woods and with close attention to details. All solid woods, top is selected mature Cedar, back & sides are mesmerising CSA Rosewood, neck is mahogany with ebony reinforcement, fretboard is ebony. Scale is 660 mm, nut width is 54 mm. Hand-carved headstock decoration looks amazing in real life.Very good condition for almost 50 years instrument – this guitar was not sitting in the case, so there are numerous signs of use, yet nothing really critical. Top-neck joint crack and some loose braces were fixed in Jost von Huene workshop (Dresden, DE). Neck geometry is ok. Strings are little above the standard height. Sounds like cathedral bells – one of the best Japanese guitar I ever encountered. I’d describe the sound as deeply lyrical, with dense basses, soothing trebles, fast dynamic response (Hiroshi Tamura was also famous for his flamenco models) and noble vintage character. Definitely a 5k$+ concert guitar. Comes in hardshell case.

Alvarez Yairi DY-91 Flamed Koa 2003 Japan – an exquisite slope shoulder dreadnought from K.Yairi

High-end line of signature Alvarez Yairi export series. Top is selected solid spruce, back & sides are striking figured koa, neck is genuine mahogany, fretboard is ebony. Scale is 645 mm, nut width is 43 mm. Fretboard and body are intensely decorated with mother-in-pearl inlays, delivering luxurious appearance. Shape is slope shoulder dreadnought. Great condition for a 20+ year old guitar – there is general feel of use, small dings here and there, mild fret wear and that’s it. No cracks, no repairs. Neck geometry is fine, strings are set at comfortable height. Sounds bold, dynamic, “woody”, with focused mid-range (Koa overtones), lovely balanced and musical – K.Yairi at their best. Perfect for folk/country, would do great in other genres as well. Professional-grade instrument for stage and studio use. Comes in original hardshell case and papers. LR Baggs M1 pickup is installed and comes with the guitar.

Takamine ENV360S Nashville Series 2006 Japan

Nashville Series were highest in Takamine lineup, made from best woods and with close attention to details. Year of manufacture 2006. Retail price in US back to the day was exceeding 3000 USD. All solid woods – top is striking Bearclaw Spruce, back&sides and Indian Rosewood, neck is genuine mahogany, fretboard is ebony. Scale is 648 mm, nut width is 45 mm. The guitar is decorated with mother-in-pearl inlay, which deliver luxurious yet stylish feel. Takamine CT4BII pickup is factory-installed. Overall craftsmanship is top notch. Sounds fantastic – my first thought after taking the first chord was “These Nashville Series are seriously underrated”. Powerful basses, focused mids, shimmering trebles, all in perfect balance, filling the room with heavenly sweet acoustic tone. This is a very versatile guitar, equally suitable for fingerstyle, country or pop music. An ultimate choice for stage and studio use. Comes with original TKL molded case and Takamine strap.

Shunpei Nishino No.50 Hauser 2005 Japan – hi end concert classical guitar from elite Japanese luthier

Mr. Shunpei Nishino highest grade model, with retail price 500,000 yen (about 5000 USD back to the day). Best materials, impeccable craftsmanship and close attention to details.Top is master grade spruce, back & sides are strikingly beautiful solid Madagascar Rosewood, woods & finish combination of which resulted in rare cherry red colour. Neck is genuine mahogany, fretboard is ebony. Scale is 650 mm, nut width is 52 mm. Top design is 7-strut fan, very light construction. Fretboard has 20th fret. Tuners are high-end Gotoh. Finish is complete shellack. Sound is mature, powerful and delicate at the same time, wonderfully balanced, with noble academic character. To my knowledge, Nishino main inspiration was Hauser designs, and one can probably hear it here. A high-grade concert guitar suitable for professional needs. Comes in a deluxe semi-hard case (not pictured).

Hideo Ida C-30 Niibori 1981 Japan – High end vintage classical guitar from elite Japanese luthier

A rare find outside Japan, Mr.Ida guitars are highly regarded by professionals and collectors alike. A top-notch model C-30 at the time, it was made in 1981 for Niibori school. Top is selected solid spruce of highest quality, back&sides are solid CSA Rosewood, neck is genuine mahogany with double ebony stripe, fretboard is ebony. Scale is 650 mm, nut width is 52 mm. Decorations include trademark Ida’s “Raging bull” rosette and intricate hand-carved headstock. Bracing pattern is complex, with fan/lattice elements. Excellent condition for a 43 years old guitar – general feel of use, some dings at the top , few scratches at the back and that’s it. Sound-wise, it’s delivers bold, Spanish character mature tone with sweet, romantic mids and well-defined, nuanced trebles. The basses are not “forced” like in many modern concert guitars – they sound organic, yet being strong and punchy. One can definitely hear 50+ years best woods and this unmistakable vintage tone they produce. Comes in a quality hardshell case.

Takamine 40th Anniversary 2002 Japan – high end and super rare model, only 40 were made

A special top notch model, made to celebrate 40th anniversary of famous Japanese manufacturer. Only 40 were made, this one is No.3. Top is highest-grade Sitka Spruce, back and sides are solid Persimmon, according to manufacturer (rare type of tone wood, from ebonies family). Neck is genuine mahogany, fretboard is dark ebony. Scale is 648 mm, nut width is 45 mm. Tuners are high-end open type Gotoh. One of the best acoustic guitars I’ve ever played. Rich, punchy, perfectly balanced and bell-like tone, equal to prized Martin Series (D-42 and higher). Both mellow country strumming and finger-style sound like heaven. Neck is super comfortable to play. Comes in original hardshell case, with the certificate signed by Takamine President, with unique keychain matching this model and instruction manual.

Alvarez Yairi DY-84 WX 2001 Japan – perfect stage-level workhorse from famous Japanese producer

Series 84 was a high profile export Alvarez Yairi line at the time, with original designs and best woods chosen for its production. Model WX is super rare, with the body made from stunning piece of figured walnut. Top is selected solid spruce, neck is genuine mahogany, fretboard is striped ebony. Nut width is 43 mm. Excellent condition for its age – there is general feel of use, some small dings/scratches, but nothing really worth mentioning. Frets show only slight wear and don’t require maintenance. Strings are set at comfortable height with no buzzing. DY84 is a real workhorse (the same model, only with IR back&sides, was my main guitar for 3 years) – its comfortable neck, universal sound character, solid basses, focused trebles and wide dynamics makes the guitar a perfect stage companion. Comes with original hardshell case, guarantee card and tuners fixture.

Breedlove Revival OMR Deluxe 2007 USA – prewar style hi-end acoustic guitar, mint condition

A hi-end OM guitar by Breedlove, a part of their sought-after Revival Series. Made in USA at Breedlove Custom Shop (Bend, OR). I believe year of manufacture is 2007-2008. Retail price for model OMR Deluxe was 4000 USD, according to 2008 price list. All solid woods, top is selected Adirondack (Red) spruce, back and sides are Indian rosewood, neck is genuine mahogany, fretboard is ebony. Scale is 648 mm, nut width is 45 mm. The guitar is very light and comfortable, plays like butter. Strings are set as low as possible without buzzing. This guitar was a part of collection and rarely left the case – there is not a single ding on it. A hi-end pickup LR Baggs Dual Source is installed. Sounds fantastic – pre-war style voiced, loud, punchy, with focused mid-range, showing rich dynamics both for strumming and fingerpicking, responsive to every single nuance of playing. Plug it in and you’re ready to hit any stage, from a local bar to a stadium. A top-notch instrument comparable to Martin OM-28 Authentic, which is almost double the price. Comes in a deluxe original hardshell case.

Asturias EC Pro 1996 Japan – 000-42 style boutique acoustic guitar, unplayed

Wonderful 000-size acoustic guitar made by boutique Japanese manufacturer Asturias. This company is a small number of skilled artisans who produce very limited amount of premium quality classical and acoustic guitars since 1981. This model is called EC Pro and obviously a homage to Eric Clapton’s Martin 000-42 1939 that he used on famous MTV Unplugged show. List price in Japan is about 2500 USD. Top is selected solid spruce, back&sides are solid Indian rosewood, neck is genuine mahogany, fretboard is ebony. Scale is 632.5 mm, nut width is 43 mm. Bone nut and saddle. Tuners are Gotoh 510. Top finish is nitro, back&sides finish is PU. All 42 style features like torch headstock inlay, fretboard inlays, mother-of-pearl bindings are presented here.
The guitar is in unplayed condition and could be labelled mint, if not considerable lacquer deterioration across back&sides surface. It’s purely cosmetic and might be not an issue for many guitar players, so I’d rather offer a discount for this flaw than ordering a re-lacquer at this point. Strings are set a bit higher than usual but could be lowered if necessary. New D’Addario 12-54 Phosphor Bronze set is installed. Sound-wise, this 000 checks all the boxes without copying Martin sound. A decent instrument with its own voice – perfect for home, studio and stage use alike. Comes in deluxe faux-crocodile leather case.

Shunpei Nishino No.50 2008 Japan – high-grade concert guitar, good condition

Mr. Shunpei NIshino, Model No.50, made in 2008. This is probably the highest concert model from this elite luthier, with retail price about 5000 USD back to the day. Top is master grade spruce, back & sides are solid Madagascar Rosewood, woods & finish combination of which resulted in rare cherry red colour. Neck is genuine mahogany, fretboard is ebony. Scale is 650 mm, nut width is 52 mm. Condition could be described as “good” – there are numerous signs of use (please ask for the pictures), but nothing really major to mention. No cracks, no repairs. Geometry is fine, strings are set at comfortable height. Sound is powerful, clear, mature, balanced, with this noble “academic” character. To my knowledge, Nishino main inspiration was Hauser designs, and one can probably hear it here. By all standards it is a high-grade concert guitar suitable for professional needs. Comes in a deluxe semi-hardshell case.

Masaki Sakurai Concert-J 2000 Japan – wonderful concert guitar, easy to play, “like-new” condition

Another wonderful guitar from one of the most sought-after Japanese luthiers Masaki Sakurai (Masaru Kohno workshop). Model is called Concert-J, made in 2000 and signed by the luthier. All solid woods, Spruce/Magadascar Rosewood of exceptional quality, Sakurai lattice bracing, neck is mahogany with trademark doubled ebony stripes, fretboard is ebony. Scale is 650 mm, nut width is 52 mm. Finish is cashew. Fantastic condition for a 24 year old guitar – just a couple negligible imperfections on the back, nothing more to mention. As close to mint as possible, that is something I call “gift-grade” condition. No cracks, no repairs. Strings are set optimally, plays like butter without buzzing. Sound is bold, mature, intense, with deep powerful basses and fast-response, rounded trebles. Definitely a flawless concert instrument, just what you would expect from a famous luthier. Comes in a deluxe semi-hard case.

Sumio Kurosawa Concert 2010 Japan – top grade professional concert instrument, excellent condition

Mr. Sumio Kurosawa, model is called “Concert” and definitely a top notch in Kurosawa lineup. Assumed retail price was within 800,000 -1,000,000 yen range. Top is master grade cedar, back & sides are Madagascar Rosewood with very tight grain pattern . Bracing is classic Spanish 7-strut fan. Neck is genuine mahogany with ebony reinforcement, very comfortable profile. Fretboard is ebony. Headstock is decorated in Hernandez y Aguado style. Scale is 650 mm, nut width is 52 mm. Finish looks like a complete shellac to me. Excellent condition – there are some minor some player marks seen on the top and basically that’s it. No cracks, no major dings, no repairs. Geometry is fine, strings are set at comfortable height. Sounds fantastic – deep and powerful basses, strongly defined mids, sweet trebles, fantastic projection and dynamic. Every note feels like amplified yet it’s all in perfect balance, not being over-darkened or blurred by overtones response. New Knobloch Actives 400 Carbon MHT strings are installed. Comes in a hardshell case.

Rioji Matsuoka No.50 1978 Japan – vintage, very good condition, student/semi-pro level guitar