2003 Sakurai-Kohno "Maestro" SP/CSAR (ex John Dearman)

Designed by Japan's most recognized luthier, Masaru Kohno, this instrument is a first-rate concert guitar, and after Kohno's passing in 1998, continued to be made by Kohno's nephew Masaki Sakurai. For many years this has been the top model of this workshop's output and features their best materials, inlay work and craftsmanship. Sakurai-Kohno guitars have been played over the years by Oscar Ghiglia, Eduardo Fernandez, Shinichi Fukuda and even Sharon Isbin and Julian Bream, among others.

This particular guitar has had only one owner to date: Grammy award-winning member of the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet, John Dearman. See below for his reflections on this very instrument.

The rosewood sides and back on this instrument are stunning and the spruce top is perfectly quarter sawn with plenty of silk. Playability is excellent. Tone is lovely with very, very good volume. We would recommend this guitar to anyone including a performing musician or recording artist. There is virtually no playing wear on this guitar, for being over 20 years old, it is in pristine condition.

Orfeo No. 15: The Guitar in Japan

We started touring regularly in Japan beginning in the mid-90s. It was a real golden age for guitar recitals there, all of the top guitar players were going there to play in the fabulous concert halls. And the fans were just about the most enthusiastic we ever encountered. There were sometimes 100s of people waiting for autographs after the concerts.

Around 2001-2 we had a concert in Tokyo after which we met Masaki Sakurai, the nephew and principal successor of Masaru Kohno, Japan’s pre-eminent guitar maker. Sakurai-san was extremely kind, a gentle soul. He was a fan of the quartet and asked if he could build 4 guitars for us and Scott and I took him up on the offer. The guitars were delivered in 2003, and Scott and I decided that we would each take a box, unopened, and that way there would be no “discussion” about who got which guitar! 

I’ve really loved this guitar as it’s unlike anything else I’ve ever owned - such pure and focused sound, ample power - you can really drive the string - perfect balance, and excellent playability. Much like I imagine it would be like to have had an exceptional traditional guitar, maybe even something approaching that of a Bouchet. I was raised on Spanish and American guitars so for me it was that “other” kind of sound.

- John Dearman, November 2025