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Cervantes classical guitar clase 800 - Luthier made japan 1980, Ramirez 1a clone
Estimated price for orientation: 950 $
Category: Classical Guitars
Class:
Description Condition: Used: An item that has been used previously. The item may have some signs of cosmetic wear, but is fully operational and functions as intended. This item may be a floor model or store return that has been used. See the seller’s listing for full details and description of any imperfections. See all condition definitions- opens in a new window or tab ... Read moreabout the condition Brand: Cervantes Body Type: Classical
This is a vintage classical guitar made by or under the supervision of the Japanese Luthier H.Yamaguchi in 1980. I consider the guitar a concert class instrument with high volume, dynamic range, balance, nice trebles with great workmanship. The guitar is very easy to play and I set the action at 3.4mm on the 6th string at the 12th fret. The guitar is in as excellent condition. I could only minor signs of wear which is unusual for a 37 year old instrument. There are spots cloudless in the finish but are difficult to photograph or see. The guitar is lighter than most classical guitars and very responsive.The Cervantes label is owned by the same company that owns Asturias. It is a very small artisan workshop lead by Hiroshi Yamaguchi. There is not much information about Yamaguchi but having several can draw some conclusions based on its superb sound and construction. The great luthier Matano (stopped building in the early 80’s) started the Asturias company which still exists today creating high end guitars. This guitar is almost identical a Matano labeled guitars with models Clase from 500 to 1000 made from the 70’s to the 80’s. Both Matano and Yamaguchi work together at some point. The bracing and foot are also the same. I read that Cervantes label was made to give the guitar a Spanish sounding name. I speculate the Yamaguchi was trained by Matano and was the master luthier for the Cervantes labeled guitars. The sound of this guitar is equal to Matano clase guitars. This is quite an accomplishment since the Spanish trained Matano made guitars that many consider the equal to Ramirez 1a (he was known for this fact). The big difference between the Ramirez 1A and this guitar is the neck design. The Ramirez 1a are somewhat notorious for high actions and difficult playability. Matano’s design has a different neck joint and don’t suffer from the age related neck problems like the Ramirez. The neck profile is also thinner that the Ramirez. The scale length of this guitar is 660mm like the Ramirez 1a. Unfortunately because of the design issues with the famous Ramirez people mistakenly associate the 660mm scale with worse playability. In actuality the neck design has more to do with playability than scale length. Player perception is also a big factor. I have many players come to my place convinced that they can’t play a 660 scale so I play a little trick. I will say, ok I will show you what I have in a 650 and hand them a Matano, or Yamaguchi or Kohno 660mm and they remark how easy it is to play. I break the news to them later. The 660mm will give you more volume that the same guitar with a 650.I am a luthier and this guitar is almost new condition. The strings were ok so I didn’t change them. They feel like median tension and this guitar would likely love high tension strings. Scale: 660 mmNut: 52mmAction 12th Fret: 3.4 mm 6th string Top: CedarBack: Rosewood double PlateSides: Rosewood double PlateNeck: Straight. No bowing and the neck has not taken a set.Bracing: Ramirez style.
Description
| Condition: | Used: An item that has been used previously. The item may have some signs of cosmetic wear, but is fully operational and functions as intended. This item may be a floor model or store return that has been used. See the seller’s listing for full details and description of any imperfections. See all condition definitions- opens in a new window or tab ... Read moreabout the condition | Brand: | Cervantes |
| Body Type: | Classical |
This is a vintage classical guitar made by or under the supervision of the Japanese Luthier H.Yamaguchi in 1980. I consider the guitar a concert class instrument with high volume, dynamic range, balance, nice trebles with great workmanship. The guitar is very easy to play and I set the action at 3.4mm on the 6th string at the 12th fret. The guitar is in as excellent condition. I could only minor signs of wear which is unusual for a 37 year old instrument. There are spots cloudless in the finish but are difficult to photograph or see. The guitar is lighter than most classical guitars and very responsive.The Cervantes label is owned by the same company that owns Asturias. It is a very small artisan workshop lead by Hiroshi Yamaguchi. There is not much information about Yamaguchi but having several can draw some conclusions based on its superb sound and construction. The great luthier Matano (stopped building in the early 80’s) started the Asturias company which still exists today creating high end guitars. This guitar is almost identical a Matano labeled guitars with models Clase from 500 to 1000 made from the 70’s to the 80’s. Both Matano and Yamaguchi work together at some point. The bracing and foot are also the same. I read that Cervantes label was made to give the guitar a Spanish sounding name. I speculate the Yamaguchi was trained by Matano and was the master luthier for the Cervantes labeled guitars. The sound of this guitar is equal to Matano clase guitars. This is quite an accomplishment since the Spanish trained Matano made guitars that many consider the equal to Ramirez 1a (he was known for this fact). The big difference between the Ramirez 1A and this guitar is the neck design. The Ramirez 1a are somewhat notorious for high actions and difficult playability. Matano’s design has a different neck joint and don’t suffer from the age related neck problems like the Ramirez. The neck profile is also thinner that the Ramirez. The scale length of this guitar is 660mm like the Ramirez 1a. Unfortunately because of the design issues with the famous Ramirez people mistakenly associate the 660mm scale with worse playability. In actuality the neck design has more to do with playability than scale length. Player perception is also a big factor. I have many players come to my place convinced that they can’t play a 660 scale so I play a little trick. I will say, ok I will show you what I have in a 650 and hand them a Matano, or Yamaguchi or Kohno 660mm and they remark how easy it is to play. I break the news to them later. The 660mm will give you more volume that the same guitar with a 650.I am a luthier and this guitar is almost new condition. The strings were ok so I didn’t change them. They feel like median tension and this guitar would likely love high tension strings. Scale: 660 mmNut: 52mmAction 12th Fret: 3.4 mm 6th string Top: CedarBack: Rosewood double PlateSides: Rosewood double PlateNeck: Straight. No bowing and the neck has not taken a set.Bracing: Ramirez style.