{"product_id":"asturias-ast-60-handmade-classical-guitar-japan-1986","title":"Asturias AST-60 Handmade Classical Guitar Japan 1986","description":"\u003cp\u003eA beautiful \u003cb\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e Asturias AST-60 \u003c\/strong\u003e \u003c\/b\u003e Classical Guitar hand-built in Masaru Matano's workshop in 1986\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMore info on Matano guitars below the Specs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe guitar is a concert class instrument with excellent volume and sustain, wide dynamic range, well balanced trebles and basses.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e Condition \u003c\/strong\u003e \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe condition of this guitar is unbelievable considering it's 39 years old. \u003cbr\u003eIt's in great condition considering the age with very few minor signs of use that can only be seen up close.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe guitar has been kept in a room with humidity set to 45% at 25 degrees (75F). \u003cbr\u003eThe neck is straight, action is medium low, comfortable to play.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecs. \u003c\/strong\u003e \u003c\/b\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e Top: \u003c\/strong\u003e \u003c\/b\u003e High Grade \u003cb\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e \u003c\/strong\u003e \u003c\/b\u003e Solid Red Cedar\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e Bracing: \u003c\/strong\u003e \u003c\/b\u003e Fan\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e Back \/ Sides: \u003c\/strong\u003e \u003c\/b\u003e Indian Rosewood\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e Finish: \u003c\/strong\u003e \u003c\/b\u003e Polyurethane\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e Neck: \u003c\/strong\u003e \u003c\/b\u003e Mahogany, Natural Bone Nut\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e Fingerboard: \u003c\/strong\u003e \u003c\/b\u003e Rosewood\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e Bridge: \u003c\/strong\u003e \u003c\/b\u003e Rosewood, Natural Bone Saddle\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e String Length: \u003c\/strong\u003e \u003c\/b\u003e 650 mm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e Nut width: \u003c\/strong\u003e \u003c\/b\u003e 52 \u003cb\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e \u003c\/strong\u003e \u003c\/b\u003e mm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e Action at 12 fret (1st): \u003c\/strong\u003e \u003c\/b\u003e 3.25 mm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e Action at 12 fret (6th): \u003c\/strong\u003e \u003c\/b\u003e 3.5 mm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e Ships in original hard case \u003c\/strong\u003e \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Asturias Story and Japanese Luthier tradition. \u003c\/strong\u003e \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAsturias guitars have gained widespread acclaim internationally for their exceptional tone and quality of craftsmanship. Produced at the same small workshop in Kurume, Japan, the team comprises approximately 10 highly skilled craftsmen, each capable of independently crafting a guitar. Since 1981, the workshop has been under the leadership of master luthier Wataru Tsuiji.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Kurume workshop's guitar-making journey began in 1962 as Meiko Gakki co., under the ownership of the legendary Japanese luthier Masaru Matano, known as \"the genius of sound.\" Matano earned this title before 1962 by enhancing the sound of numerous old violins, including renowned Stradivarius violins.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInitially, Meiko Gakki workshop focused on crafting classical guitars in limited numbers with a strong emphasis on quality. These guitars were initially sold under the Meiko Gakki label and signed by Matano. Around 1968, the labels were changed to \"Masaru Matano Constructor de Guitarras,\" and by 1974-1975, another series of guitars with unique design labels was introduced, indicating production in Fukuoka, Japan.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBeyond this, during the same period of 1974-1975, Matano, along with a group of associates, produced La Esperanza guitars under the label \"Ongaku Geijutsusha Co.\" Unlike Matano's guitars, La Esperanza guitars predominantly featured Spruce tops and Ramirez-style headstocks. While most of Matano's label guitars were not signed, many La Esperanza guitars had labels signed by their actual makers. The production of La Esperanza guitars continued until 1982, though in limited quantities.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMatano, like many luthiers, always worked with a team of highly skilled associates. Tatsuo Tanaka, his associate in the late 1960s, was the only one allowed to put his name on Meiko Gakki labels. The names of other associates, including Hiroumi Yamaguchi and Eichi Kodaira, remain unconfirmed, but they later joined the \"New\" Asturias team in 1980. In 1980, Rokkomann Co took over Matano's Kurume workshop, marking the birth of the \"New\" Asturias workshop. The details of this transition and Matano's disappearance in 1981 remain unclear.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSince 1981, Wataru Tsuji has led the Asturias workshop. In the same year, the \"New\" Asturias workshop implemented a serial number system on labels. The design, created in the mid-1970s, remained unchanged and was used on some of Matano's guitars.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNotably, associated luthiers such as Hiromi Yamaguchi, who established the \"Cervantes\" Concierto Guitarras brand in the early 1970s, and Eichi Kodaira, responsible for making AST models within the \"New\" Asturias team, played crucial roles. The narrative also highlights the continued success of Kodaira's workshop, operating with only three employees.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGuitars crafted by these Asturias-associated luthiers are highly regarded by international players for their quality, often considered the best in the mid-price range for classical concert guitars. It's essential to note that the pricing of guitars made by these artisans has consistently been moderate compared to similar-grade guitars by Masaru Kohno and other Japanese elite luthiers. Until 1980, Matano's top model, the Classe 1000, was priced at 100,000 yen, competing favorably with Masaru Kohno #20 from the same year. Until 1982, top Cervantes, La Esperanza, and Ecole models were also priced at 100,000 yen.\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Asturias","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44614659014749,"sku":null,"price":975.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0739\/6111\/1645\/files\/l2xf5gqc8ffreh4ntlo7.jpg?v=1783950365","url":"https:\/\/guitareum.com\/products\/asturias-ast-60-handmade-classical-guitar-japan-1986","provider":"Guitareum","version":"1.0","type":"link"}