{"product_id":"matsunaga-no-30-handmade-kohno-class-grand-concert-classical-guitar-1979-amazing-rare","title":"Matsunaga No 30 Handmade Kohno Class Grand Concert Classical Guitar 1979","description":"\u003cp\u003eAn ultra rare Jin-Ichiro Matsunaga No 30 Handmade Concert Classical Guitar.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA true gem for a professional musician or collector.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe guitar is in excellent showroom condition which is hard to believe considering it's 45 years old. The craftsmanship and attention to detail here are absolutely top notch as well as the tonewoods used to build this guitar.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJin-Ichiro Matsunaga began his luthier career in the late 1960s. He was based in Amagasaki City, Okayama Prefecture. For whatever reason this talented luthier wasn't as famous as his counterparts but his work is truly remarkable. Matsunaga guitars are very highly regarded in Japan but virtually unknown in Europe and the US. Jin-Ichiro produced only a handful of guitars a year. Hence the rarity. This particular model was the top of the line. The 30 in the model name means it was priced at 300,000 yen back then. Same as the top of the line Yamaha GC-30A\/B. The GC-30A was priced at $3440 in 1974. Adjusted to inflation the equivalent amount today is approximately $18,500\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn terms of tone this guitar will easily put to shame most top of the line modern builds. The basses are rich, powerfull and transparent at the same time. The midrange and trebles are punchy with lots of beautiful harmonics. Very well balanced tone across the entire frequency range. It's a pure joy to play this guitar. \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e Condition \u003c\/strong\u003e \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDespite being over 45 years old, the guitar remains in excellent condition. The top has two small, barely noticeable dings. The back and sides look clean with only a couple of light superficial scratches, nothing deep through the finish. The speckles that you see on the back and sides is not damage, it's the texture of Brazilian rosewood. The neck and headstock are very clean, no visible fret wear.\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 Spruce\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e Back \/ Sides \u003c\/strong\u003e \u003c\/b\u003e High Grade \u003cb\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e \u003c\/strong\u003e \u003c\/b\u003e Solid \u003cb\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e \u003c\/strong\u003e \u003c\/b\u003e Brazilian Rosewood\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e Finish \u003c\/strong\u003e \u003c\/b\u003e Shellac\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 Ebony\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 2.75 mm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e Action at 12 fret (6th): \u003c\/strong\u003e \u003c\/b\u003e 3.25 mm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e Comes with original hard case \u003c\/strong\u003e \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHistory of Japanese Classical Guitar Making \u003c\/strong\u003e \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrom the late 1960s Japanese luthiers produced guitars of exceptional quality. These skilled craftsmen typically ran small shops, employing a handful of master builders who were often trained in Spain or under Spanish master builders in Japan. During this period, bans on certain types of wood were not yet in place, allowing luthiers to source high-quality wood for their creations. Although these guitars are considered a bargain in today's market, finding top-quality Japanese classical guitars from this era can be challenging, and restrictions on exporting certain types of wood make them even more difficult to obtain. Similar guitars built with comparable materials today would cost significantly more due to the scarcity or complete bans on certain types of wood. Most of those talented luthiers from the 70s and 80s are now retired or have passed away. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Matsunaga","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44614819446877,"sku":null,"price":3275.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0739\/6111\/1645\/files\/idklkr90fqpsuhjwdtke.jpg?v=1783953270","url":"https:\/\/guitareum.com\/products\/matsunaga-no-30-handmade-kohno-class-grand-concert-classical-guitar-1979-amazing-rare","provider":"Guitareum","version":"1.0","type":"link"}