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1980 Masaru Kohno Masterpiece Classical Guitar No 20 in Excellent Plus condition
Estimated price for orientation: 2 990 $
Category: Classical Guitars
Class:
Description
1980 Masaru Kohno Masterpiece Classical Guitar #20Note: this guitar will not be relisted if the auction ends without a buyer. Introduction Masaru Kohno is widely considered as one of the greatest luthiers in the history of classical guitar. In 1967, he won the First Prize for guitar making at the Liege Concours National de Guitares. The jury included Ignacio Fleta (chairman), Robert Bouchet, Joaquin Rodrigo, Alirio Diaz and other dignitaries. The list of 31 contestants included great French luthier Daniel Frederich, who won the Silver medal, behind Kohno. In 1959 Kohno spent 6 months in the Madrid shop of Arcangel Fernandez. It is a less known fact, but in 1960 Kohno went to Spain again – to study with Ignacio Fleta in Barcelona. The story goes that when Fleta examined an unsigned Kohno guitar at the 1967 competition, he said that it was pretty much like his own. Many of the world’s famous players have used Kohno guitars in concerts and recordings. The long list includes Julian Bream, Oscar Ghiglia, Sharon Isbin, Vladimir Mikulka, John Mills and many others. Description This Kohno #20 is a true concert-level guitar. It possesses power, projection, sustain and richness of tone that historically placed Kohno guitars in line with the best concert classical guitars. The basses remind me of a cello, and the trebles have violin-like quality. However, when you play the 3-octave scales, the sound of this guitar is very even in all registers – from top to bottom. The condition of this 1980 guitar can be characterized as excellent, even by a relatively new guitar standard. I think it is 9 out of 10. Structurally, it is 100%; I have not found any cracks, dents, etc. From the arm length it looks near mint, and its golden spruce top is simply gorgeous. Upon close inspection at certain angles, you can see finish checking and nail marks, but they only add to the charm of the guitar. I spent 45 minutes trying to capture those marks with no result -- my camera could not capture them. The guitar has moderate action and plays very comfortably for my taste. At the 12th fret it measured a bit lower than 4 mm on the low E side and a bit lower than 3.5 mm on the high E side. The action cannot be further lowered by lowering the saddle (the last picture shows the saddle height over the front lip of the bridge). I lowered it all the way and then put a very thin shim to keep the 1st string from touching the bridge. The guitar plays very comfortably for my taste. To further lower the action, a luthier could deepen the bridge slot and slightly lower the front lip. My luthier quoted this as a +/-$120 job. Contact me and I will refund this amount to the buy-it-now winner. With the refund, the actual price you pay for this guitar is $2870. The guitar is priced competitively. However, I will review reasonable offers.I would also recommend the fretboard and fret dressing, but it not necessary -- the fretboard plays well as is. The specs for this guitar are as follows: · Top: 1/4 sawn, master-grade spruce. · Back and sides: beautiful master-grade Indian rosewood. · Fingerboard: top grade ebony. · Bridge: Brazilian rosewood. · Scale length: 660 mm (26”). · Nut width: 52 mm (2.05”). · Archtop hardshell case in good condition. I offer free insured shipping via FedEx ground for a winning bidder anywhere in the US lower 48. Buyers can also pick up the item from me. Payments shall be received within 3 days after closing. Call me at 1-917-992-5383 for more information. If you want to check the guitar in person, visit me and, if desired, bring your high-end guitar for comparison.
Description
1980 Masaru Kohno Masterpiece Classical Guitar #20Note: this guitar will not be relisted if the auction ends without a buyer. Introduction Masaru Kohno is widely considered as one of the greatest luthiers in the history of classical guitar. In 1967, he won the First Prize for guitar making at the Liege Concours National de Guitares. The jury included Ignacio Fleta (chairman), Robert Bouchet, Joaquin Rodrigo, Alirio Diaz and other dignitaries. The list of 31 contestants included great French luthier Daniel Frederich, who won the Silver medal, behind Kohno. In 1959 Kohno spent 6 months in the Madrid shop of Arcangel Fernandez. It is a less known fact, but in 1960 Kohno went to Spain again – to study with Ignacio Fleta in Barcelona. The story goes that when Fleta examined an unsigned Kohno guitar at the 1967 competition, he said that it was pretty much like his own. Many of the world’s famous players have used Kohno guitars in concerts and recordings. The long list includes Julian Bream, Oscar Ghiglia, Sharon Isbin, Vladimir Mikulka, John Mills and many others. Description This Kohno #20 is a true concert-level guitar. It possesses power, projection, sustain and richness of tone that historically placed Kohno guitars in line with the best concert classical guitars. The basses remind me of a cello, and the trebles have violin-like quality. However, when you play the 3-octave scales, the sound of this guitar is very even in all registers – from top to bottom. The condition of this 1980 guitar can be characterized as excellent, even by a relatively new guitar standard. I think it is 9 out of 10. Structurally, it is 100%; I have not found any cracks, dents, etc. From the arm length it looks near mint, and its golden spruce top is simply gorgeous. Upon close inspection at certain angles, you can see finish checking and nail marks, but they only add to the charm of the guitar. I spent 45 minutes trying to capture those marks with no result -- my camera could not capture them. The guitar has moderate action and plays very comfortably for my taste. At the 12th fret it measured a bit lower than 4 mm on the low E side and a bit lower than 3.5 mm on the high E side. The action cannot be further lowered by lowering the saddle (the last picture shows the saddle height over the front lip of the bridge). I lowered it all the way and then put a very thin shim to keep the 1st string from touching the bridge. The guitar plays very comfortably for my taste. To further lower the action, a luthier could deepen the bridge slot and slightly lower the front lip. My luthier quoted this as a +/-$120 job. Contact me and I will refund this amount to the buy-it-now winner. With the refund, the actual price you pay for this guitar is $2870. The guitar is priced competitively. However, I will review reasonable offers.I would also recommend the fretboard and fret dressing, but it not necessary -- the fretboard plays well as is. The specs for this guitar are as follows: · Top: 1/4 sawn, master-grade spruce. · Back and sides: beautiful master-grade Indian rosewood. · Fingerboard: top grade ebony. · Bridge: Brazilian rosewood. · Scale length: 660 mm (26”). · Nut width: 52 mm (2.05”). · Archtop hardshell case in good condition. I offer free insured shipping via FedEx ground for a winning bidder anywhere in the US lower 48. Buyers can also pick up the item from me. Payments shall be received within 3 days after closing. Call me at 1-917-992-5383 for more information. If you want to check the guitar in person, visit me and, if desired, bring your high-end guitar for comparison.