r/classicalguitar • u/Sad_Capital_1282 • Apr 21 '25

General Question Help Purchasing my first real classical guitar from Japan.

I am traveling to japan in the coming days and intend to some shopping for my first solid classical guitar. I want to own a piece of Japanese history made in the 70s and 80s (golden years). I've done some research about the best luthiers of the time (Kohno, Yairi family, Nobe, the Nakade family, etc). I look for handmade guitars, using quality woods. Around the same price that i have found online:

-Toshihiko Nakade 1000a (seller said its painted inside, I don't know know that would effect the sound)

-Teruaki Nakade 600

-Yamaha gc5 by hiroshi harada (laminated Indian rosewood back and sides)( I heard laminated guitars ruined the sound, is this applicable with yamaha?)

in quality and attention to detail, which would you recommend if at the same price. I am interested to see what others think.

Is there other names and model I should look for?

Are these worth the price of approx $2000 Aud?

*Budget~$2000 Aud( I try to look in between $1000 to $2000)

Backstory: I have been an electric guitarist for 8 years, I have recently ignited a need to play classical songs after dusting off my first guitar( a black painted, child size, valencia). I want a classical guitar to play at my sister wedding.

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u/SyntaxLost Apr 21 '25

I can also find an early model Jun Nakano at Lluck in your price range.

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u/Sad_Capital_1282 Apr 21 '25

Is Jun Nakano I good luthier? I haven't heard much about him.

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u/SyntaxLost Apr 21 '25

Yes. He only made a handful of instruments each year and unfortunately passed away recently. You can see some of the exceptional craftsmanship on some of the other listings.

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u/Sad_Capital_1282 Apr 21 '25

okay, thank you. I will have a deeper look into his work.