2017 Daisuke Kuriyama "Torres" SP/MP

Daisuke Kuriyama is an up-and-coming, talented young builder based in Japan. He began building guitars while attending Tokyo Zokei University, and after graduating, began working primarily as a repair and guitar salesman in 2003. During this time he continued the pursuit of his craft and in 2010 took on a more serious apprenticeship in Kaoru Ohno’s workshop. Daisuke Kuriyama currently makes only about 6 guitars per year - all in the traditional Spanish method following in the footsteps of his his main role models -Domingo Esteso, Marcelo Barbero and of course Antonio de Torres.

This particular model is itself an hommage to Torres, and features the rosette design as seen on the cover of the Jose Romanillos book on Torres (SE60 from 1884), as well as a beautiful 4-piece maple back and elegant spruce soundboard with a healthy amount of bearclaw throughout. Craftsmanship is precise, the French polishing work is done to a very high standard and the guitar has a lovely, lightweight feel giving it a very quick response to the touch and a beautiful, rich sound - very lyrical with full basses and fat, yet clear trebles. Surprisingly big volume and easy playability make this a very attractive guitar for the young professional, especially for the price.

Orfeo No. 15: The Guitar in Japan