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musical instrument details
MADE IN 1967 YAMAHA GRAND CONCERT GC3 CLASSICAL GUITAR IN EXCELLENT CONDITION
Estimated price for orientation: 1 200 $
Category: Yamaha Grand Concert Gc3 Classic
Class:
Description Brand: Yamaha Country/Region of Manufacture: Japan
Please read my 3 days return policy at the bottom of the page.If you'd like to see pictures of over 500 classical & flamenco guitars that I've sold in the past, please visit "Victor's Guitar Gallery" on FacebookCost of shipping to Australia via USPS International Priority Mail is $150, but packages can't be taller than 42 inches and their overall size is very restricted. Most guitar cases are simply too large to meet this requirement. If package is taller than 42 inches and exceeds IPM size restrictions, it has to be shipped via USPS Global Express Guaranteed at the cost of $350. If you want to pay less for shipping, you have to accept my choice of the case I will ship the guitar in. Yamaha GC3 1967 This guitar was made in 1967 by Yamaha Corporation. It was made by one of their best luthiers ever, Hiroshi Harada.Hiroshi Harada, along with Hideyuki Ezaki and Toshio Kato, in mid 1960s was delegated by Yamaha corp. to learn the art of guitar making directly from Spanish luthiers. These 3 luthiers were trained by highly regarded at that time Spanish luthier Eduardo Ferrer. Between years 1964-1967 Eudaro Ferrer frequently travelled to Japan just for this reason. As the result of this cooperation Yamaha was able to revolutionize it's classical guitar line and soon establish itself as one of the best guitar making company in the world. Guitar factory (Gakki) as company name can be quite misleading for many unaware guitar enthusiasts. These Japanese workshops were no different from any other luthier’s workshops. The difference was that instead of being led by one Master Luthier (owner) they employed a team of equally skilled luthiers, working together and supporting each other in order to produce a “perfect” product. These luthiers (often times not known by their individual name), represented their company (the label), were totally loyal to the bosses (owners) and had to put their egos aside. Only the best of the best were allowed to put their signatures on the labels.Thanks to Eduardo Ferrer and his great students (Hiroshi Harada, Toshihiro Kato & Hideyuki Ezaki) in 1967 Yamaha Corp. introduced their new guitar lineup. Their concert models were: GC3(Spruce/Indian Rosewood), GC5(Spruce/Brazilian Rosewood), GC7(Spruce/Brazilian Rosewood), GC10(Spruce/Brazilian Rosewood). At the same time Yamaha introduced 3 superb flamenco models: GC5F, GC7F and GC10F. These guitars opened international markets for Yamaha corp. guitars. They were of absolutely highest imaginable grade of craftsmanship & materials and were also very expensive, not only to Japanese players. Yamaha's classical guitar lineup was dramatically changed by the end of 1970. One reason was that at that time these "spanish blueprint" Yamaha guitars were already played and highly valued by many great professional guitar players around the world. Second reason was very rapid devaluation of Japanese currency. Another reason was that Masaru Kohno and other Japanese elite luthiers were selling very similar quality guitars at much higher prices. So it was the time for Yamaha to start making decent profits from making their wonderful guitars. Starting by the end of 1970 Yamaha had new classical guitar lineup. Models GC3D, GC5, GC7, GC10 were all made with solid Indian Rosewood b/s. Models GC12 and GC15 were made with solid Brazilian Rosewood b/s. Yamaha's guitar linep was being "upgraded" quite frequently over the years. SO IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND THAT LOW MODEL NUMBER ON THE LABEL DOESN'T MEAN LOW GRADE OF THE GUITAR. In early 1980s YAMAHA's top model made with solid Indian Rosewood b/s was GC 30. This guitar is absolutely no match for YAMAHA GC3 made in late 1960s.Model GC3 was priced 30 000. Yearly salary of Japanese college graduate in 1967 was 25 200 yen, in 1968 - 29 300 yen, in 1969 - 34 600 yen and in 1970 - 39 200 yen. Exactly the same grade guitar would be labelled as GC5 in 1970, as GC8 by 1972, as GC10 by 1974 and as GC15 by 1976.In 1967 Japanese made guitars of similar grade were offered for sale in USA for at least $800. The purchase power of $1000 in 1967 equals to a purchase power of $5000 today.This guitar remains in perfect structural and "excellent for its age" cosmetic condition. Finished with very thin coat of lacquer, back, sides & neck don't have any scratches or dents. All you can find on the back plate is wrinkle/unopen ridge in the finish, that on the pictures may appear as crack, while in fact doesn't even penetrate the finish. The sounboard, finished (50 years ago) with ultra light layer of shellac or similar by nature cashew lacquer, shows several hair like wrinkles, few minor dents near the bottom and several microscopic finger nail marks below string E1. In regular light most of the cosmetic issues are hardly visible and the angle you look at them matters a lot. Ebony fingerboard and frets remain in truly remarkable state. Original tuners work perfectly.This guitar plays easy and sounds fantastic. It is light and very responsive. It produces beautiful clean treble notes and deep resonant bass notes at pretty high volume. Real Honey !!! SPECIFICATIONS: GC3 Year(s) Sold: 1967-70 Top: Solid Yezo Spruce Shellac or cashew lacquer Back / Sides: Solid Indian Rosewood Lacquer Neck: Honduras Mahogany Fingerboard: Ebony Bridge: Jacaranda Color(s): Natural String Length: 662mm Notes: Hand Crafted
Its action is set to 3.50 mm under E6 and 3.00 mm under E1. This guitar will be shipped in used Hard Shell Case in very good condition. Real Value of Japanese Vintage GuitarsThe key to understand value of vintage Japanese guitars is to acknowledge galloping devaluation of Japanese yen in 1960s & 1970s. This devaluation was somewhat slower in 1980s. The best measure of this devaluation is Starting Yearly Salary of Japanese College Graduate (SYSJCG).SYSJCG in 1965 was 19 600 yen, in 1969 – 34 600 yen, in 1970 39 200 yen, in 1972 – 62 300 yen, in 1975 79 200 yen, in 1977 121 200 and in 1980 - 163 000 yen. During 1960s and most of 1970s model numbers of Japanese guitars were strictly interconnected with their prices in Japanese yen. In late 1970s and during following decades model numbers were no longer strictly associated with their prices. Many Japanese guitar makers introduced model names instead of model numbers. Others were still using model numbers with addition of letter abbreviations or other symbols. The best and only logical approach while evaluating real value (real grade) of vintage Japanese guitar is to compare its price in Japanese yen with SYSJCG during the year guitar was made. Any guitar priced 100 000 in 1970 (labelled usually as No10) would be priced 200 000 yen in 1975 (relabeled to No20 or 2000), 300 000 yen in 1977 (labelled as No3, No30 or 3000). Starting in 1977 Masaru Kohno introduced his model No50 priced at 500 000 (skipping theoretical model 40). Soon other famous Japanese luthiers did the same. By 1983 Kohno started using model names instead numbers and was raising their prices as he was pleased. Naturally soon other Master luthiers did the same. Knowing all of that, you can bet on that Masaru Kohno No50 made in 1982 is practically the same quality as Kohno No15 made in 1972, or Kohno no20 made in 1975 or Kohno No30 made in 1977. I know it for a fact.The lowest grade models currently made by Matsuoka workshop are M75 and MH75. They are commonly considered as “beginner guitars”. Matsuoka model M30 made in 1973 is simply far, far better instrument. It is naturally better than model M50 made in 1977, model 80 made in 1982 or model M100 made in 1990. At present, the highest grade Matsuoka models are M300 and MH300. They absolutely stand no chance in competition with model M150 made in 1975… or model M200 made in 1977.It is very important to mention that if modern era luthiers are using 40 years old woods to make a classical guitar, its price is at least $8000.ReturnsIf you are not happy with your purchase you may return the guitar for a refund of a purchase price of a guitar. The cost of shipping both ways will not be refunded.All you need to do is:1. Notify me within 48 hours days after delivery2. Pack guitar the same way I do it, using the same box and materials3. Ship it back to me no later than 72 hours after delivery. Another words I expect this “trail” period to occur within +/- 3 days. Naturally if you expect to receive a full refund, guitar has to be returned in the same condition as I ship it to you. Victor
Description
| Brand: | Yamaha | Country/Region of Manufacture: | Japan |
Please read my 3 days return policy at the bottom of the page.If you'd like to see pictures of over 500 classical & flamenco guitars that I've sold in the past, please visit "Victor's Guitar Gallery" on FacebookCost of shipping to Australia via USPS International Priority Mail is $150, but packages can't be taller than 42 inches and their overall size is very restricted. Most guitar cases are simply too large to meet this requirement. If package is taller than 42 inches and exceeds IPM size restrictions, it has to be shipped via USPS Global Express Guaranteed at the cost of $350. If you want to pay less for shipping, you have to accept my choice of the case I will ship the guitar in. Yamaha GC3 1967 This guitar was made in 1967 by Yamaha Corporation. It was made by one of their best luthiers ever, Hiroshi Harada.Hiroshi Harada, along with Hideyuki Ezaki and Toshio Kato, in mid 1960s was delegated by Yamaha corp. to learn the art of guitar making directly from Spanish luthiers. These 3 luthiers were trained by highly regarded at that time Spanish luthier Eduardo Ferrer. Between years 1964-1967 Eudaro Ferrer frequently travelled to Japan just for this reason. As the result of this cooperation Yamaha was able to revolutionize it's classical guitar line and soon establish itself as one of the best guitar making company in the world. Guitar factory (Gakki) as company name can be quite misleading for many unaware guitar enthusiasts. These Japanese workshops were no different from any other luthier’s workshops. The difference was that instead of being led by one Master Luthier (owner) they employed a team of equally skilled luthiers, working together and supporting each other in order to produce a “perfect” product. These luthiers (often times not known by their individual name), represented their company (the label), were totally loyal to the bosses (owners) and had to put their egos aside. Only the best of the best were allowed to put their signatures on the labels.Thanks to Eduardo Ferrer and his great students (Hiroshi Harada, Toshihiro Kato & Hideyuki Ezaki) in 1967 Yamaha Corp. introduced their new guitar lineup. Their concert models were: GC3(Spruce/Indian Rosewood), GC5(Spruce/Brazilian Rosewood), GC7(Spruce/Brazilian Rosewood), GC10(Spruce/Brazilian Rosewood). At the same time Yamaha introduced 3 superb flamenco models: GC5F, GC7F and GC10F. These guitars opened international markets for Yamaha corp. guitars. They were of absolutely highest imaginable grade of craftsmanship & materials and were also very expensive, not only to Japanese players. Yamaha's classical guitar lineup was dramatically changed by the end of 1970. One reason was that at that time these "spanish blueprint" Yamaha guitars were already played and highly valued by many great professional guitar players around the world. Second reason was very rapid devaluation of Japanese currency. Another reason was that Masaru Kohno and other Japanese elite luthiers were selling very similar quality guitars at much higher prices. So it was the time for Yamaha to start making decent profits from making their wonderful guitars. Starting by the end of 1970 Yamaha had new classical guitar lineup. Models GC3D, GC5, GC7, GC10 were all made with solid Indian Rosewood b/s. Models GC12 and GC15 were made with solid Brazilian Rosewood b/s. Yamaha's guitar linep was being "upgraded" quite frequently over the years. SO IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND THAT LOW MODEL NUMBER ON THE LABEL DOESN'T MEAN LOW GRADE OF THE GUITAR. In early 1980s YAMAHA's top model made with solid Indian Rosewood b/s was GC 30. This guitar is absolutely no match for YAMAHA GC3 made in late 1960s.Model GC3 was priced 30 000. Yearly salary of Japanese college graduate in 1967 was 25 200 yen, in 1968 - 29 300 yen, in 1969 - 34 600 yen and in 1970 - 39 200 yen. Exactly the same grade guitar would be labelled as GC5 in 1970, as GC8 by 1972, as GC10 by 1974 and as GC15 by 1976.In 1967 Japanese made guitars of similar grade were offered for sale in USA for at least $800. The purchase power of $1000 in 1967 equals to a purchase power of $5000 today.This guitar remains in perfect structural and "excellent for its age" cosmetic condition. Finished with very thin coat of lacquer, back, sides & neck don't have any scratches or dents. All you can find on the back plate is wrinkle/unopen ridge in the finish, that on the pictures may appear as crack, while in fact doesn't even penetrate the finish. The sounboard, finished (50 years ago) with ultra light layer of shellac or similar by nature cashew lacquer, shows several hair like wrinkles, few minor dents near the bottom and several microscopic finger nail marks below string E1. In regular light most of the cosmetic issues are hardly visible and the angle you look at them matters a lot. Ebony fingerboard and frets remain in truly remarkable state. Original tuners work perfectly.This guitar plays easy and sounds fantastic. It is light and very responsive. It produces beautiful clean treble notes and deep resonant bass notes at pretty high volume. Real Honey !!!
Its action is set to 3.50 mm under E6 and 3.00 mm under E1. This guitar will be shipped in used Hard Shell Case in very good condition. Real Value of Japanese Vintage GuitarsThe key to understand value of vintage Japanese guitars is to acknowledge galloping devaluation of Japanese yen in 1960s & 1970s. This devaluation was somewhat slower in 1980s. The best measure of this devaluation is Starting Yearly Salary of Japanese College Graduate (SYSJCG).SYSJCG in 1965 was 19 600 yen, in 1969 – 34 600 yen, in 1970 39 200 yen, in 1972 – 62 300 yen, in 1975 79 200 yen, in 1977 121 200 and in 1980 - 163 000 yen. During 1960s and most of 1970s model numbers of Japanese guitars were strictly interconnected with their prices in Japanese yen. In late 1970s and during following decades model numbers were no longer strictly associated with their prices. Many Japanese guitar makers introduced model names instead of model numbers. Others were still using model numbers with addition of letter abbreviations or other symbols. The best and only logical approach while evaluating real value (real grade) of vintage Japanese guitar is to compare its price in Japanese yen with SYSJCG during the year guitar was made. Any guitar priced 100 000 in 1970 (labelled usually as No10) would be priced 200 000 yen in 1975 (relabeled to No20 or 2000), 300 000 yen in 1977 (labelled as No3, No30 or 3000). Starting in 1977 Masaru Kohno introduced his model No50 priced at 500 000 (skipping theoretical model 40). Soon other famous Japanese luthiers did the same. By 1983 Kohno started using model names instead numbers and was raising their prices as he was pleased. Naturally soon other Master luthiers did the same. Knowing all of that, you can bet on that Masaru Kohno No50 made in 1982 is practically the same quality as Kohno No15 made in 1972, or Kohno no20 made in 1975 or Kohno No30 made in 1977. I know it for a fact.The lowest grade models currently made by Matsuoka workshop are M75 and MH75. They are commonly considered as “beginner guitars”. Matsuoka model M30 made in 1973 is simply far, far better instrument. It is naturally better than model M50 made in 1977, model 80 made in 1982 or model M100 made in 1990. At present, the highest grade Matsuoka models are M300 and MH300. They absolutely stand no chance in competition with model M150 made in 1975… or model M200 made in 1977.It is very important to mention that if modern era luthiers are using 40 years old woods to make a classical guitar, its price is at least $8000.ReturnsIf you are not happy with your purchase you may return the guitar for a refund of a purchase price of a guitar. The cost of shipping both ways will not be refunded.All you need to do is:1. Notify me within 48 hours days after delivery2. Pack guitar the same way I do it, using the same box and materials3. Ship it back to me no later than 72 hours after delivery. Another words I expect this “trail” period to occur within +/- 3 days. Naturally if you expect to receive a full refund, guitar has to be returned in the same condition as I ship it to you. Victor
| SPECIFICATIONS: | GC3 | |
| Year(s) Sold: | 1967-70 | |
| Top: | Solid Yezo Spruce | Shellac or cashew lacquer |
| Back / Sides: | Solid Indian Rosewood | Lacquer |
| Neck: | Honduras Mahogany | |
| Fingerboard: | Ebony | |
| Bridge: | Jacaranda | |
| Color(s): | Natural | |
| String Length: | 662mm | |
| Notes: | Hand Crafted |