Takamine No 30 Handcrafted in Japan in 1983
Absolutely the best value for money.
Yamaha's of the same class and quality are $1200 +.
Condition
The cosmetic condition of this guitar is unbelievable considering it's 40+ years old.
It's in excellent showroom condition, with just a few minor signs of use that can only be seen up close.
The white strips that you see on some photos are just reflections.
The guitar has been kept in a room with humidity set to 45% at 75F (25 Celsius).
The action is medium low, comfortable to play.
The guitar has a very rich and balanced tone with lots of nuances. There's ample amount of brightness and warmth in the low end. It has impressive volume and sustain.
Specs.
Top: Solid Cedar
Back and Sides: Indian Rosewood
Finish: Urethane
Neck: Mahogany
Fingerboard: Ebony
Bridge: Rosewood, Natural Bone Saddle
Scale Length: 650 mm
Nut width: 52 mm
String Width: 43.5 mm
Body Width: 96 mm (3 3/4)
Action at 12 fret (1st): 3.5 mm
Action at 12 fret (6th): 3.75 mm
Comes with a hard case
History of Japanese Classical Guitar Making
From 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.
