1987 Masaru Kohno "Professional-J" (w/pickup) SP/CSAR

This 1987 Masaru Kohno “Professional-J” is a classical guitar with a spruce top and CSA rosewood back and sides, made in Tokyo, Japan – fitted with an LR Baggs “Element” pickup for the gigging guitarist.

The “Professional-J”

The “Professional-J” is the version of Kohno’s “Professional” model with back and sides of jacarandá – rosewood from Central and South America; the named models replaced his old model numbers in the early 1980s. This is the classic sound of Kohno’s guitars from these years – clear, woody, with a touch of darkness unusual for spruce. The neck is a little narrower than normal, which makes it very easy to play, especially for crossover players used to steel-string or electric guitar necks.

Pickup and Tap Plate

It has been fitted with a tap plate and an LR Baggs “Element” pickup. The only external sign of the pickup is the 1/4-inch endpin jack, which can also be used to attach a strap – an ideal instrument for the gigging guitarist who needs a concert-level guitar that can be plugged in for any musical setting.

Condition and Label

It has a couple of very minor repairs to cracks that occurred during shipping; otherwise it is solid and concert ready. The label, faint but legible, reads Model “Professional-J”, 1987.

The Guitar in Japan

Orfeo’s issue No. 15, “The Guitar in Japan”, is available to read online, and in print as part of “Orfeo Magazine, 11-15”.

Orfeo No. 15: The Guitar in Japan

Orfeo Magazine, 11-15 (print edition)

Masaru Kohno (1926–1998)

Not only the most important luthier to emerge from Japan, Masaru Kohno is also one of the best worldwide. He was born in 1926 in Mito City, Japan, and in 1948 he graduated from the Tokyo College of Arts and Crafts with a degree in woodcraft. It was during this time that he became interested in guitar construction, and in 1960 he traveled to Spain to learn the craft.

Six Months with Arcángel Fernández

Kohno apprenticed for six months at the workshop of Arcángel Fernández in Madrid, and although neither could speak a word of the other’s language, they managed to communicate. Kohno’s apprenticeship consisted mostly of sitting in the back of the shop and quietly – but attentively – observing the master Fernández at work. Upon his return to Tokyo he established his own workshop and quickly gained recognition among Japanese guitarists.

Gold Medal in Belgium, 1967

His international debut came in 1967, when he was awarded the Gold Medal at an international guitar-building competition in Belgium. On the judges’ panel were, among others, Ignacio Fleta, Robert Bouchet, Joaquín Rodrigo and Alirio Díaz. Since then, many players of world renown have used Kohno guitars; among them are Julian Bream, Oscar Ghiglia and Sharon Isbin, to name a few. After Kohno’s death in 1998 his nephew Masaki Sakurai carried on the workshop as Sakurai-Kohno, and today his grandson So Kimishima continues the tradition – read more on our page Kohno, Sakurai & Kimishima.