1989 Masaru Kohno "Professional-J" SP/CSAR

Masaru Kohno (1926-1998) is arguably Japan’s most important luthier, and of course one of the most played, concertized and recorded of the 20th century. Top players of Kohno guitars include Julian Bream, Oscar Ghiglia, Sharon Isbin and Shinichi Fukuda, among others. Although Kohno began building guitars in 1948, it wasn’t until returning back to Japan in 1960, after a 6-month trip to Spain (where he apprenticed with Arcangel Fernandez) that he established his successful workshop. His international debut came in 1967, when he was awarded a Gold Medal at the “Concours International de Quatuor a Cordes et Rencontres Musicales Internationales de Liege” in Belgium (of interest, Daniel Friederich was another of the top winners at this competition).

This guitar has the classic Kohno sound - clear, woody, and even a bit dark for a spruce. Condition is excellent with no cracks or repairs, only some normal, respectable playing wear. The guitar is in concert-ready condition with comfortable set up and easy playability. It has been fitted with electronics (with quarter inch endpin) and tap plate, and would be an ideal instrument for the working guitarist needing a concert level instrument that has the flexibility to be played acoustically or amplified.

Orfeo No. 15: The Guitar in Japan