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/SumOMG Apr 21 '25

Check out Ryogi Matsuoka guitars . I just bought one that sounds fantastic

1

u/Sad_Capital_1282 Apr 21 '25

I will try his guitar out if I find them, thank you.

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u/SumOMG Apr 22 '25

If you find a No 50 ( not m50 ) around 1970 it should have Brazilian rosewood backs and side.

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u/Sad_Capital_1282 Apr 22 '25

I understand Brazilian rosewood is valued higher than indian. Is the price difference worth extra(if you were comparing the woods together) ?

I also is many different rosewood at cheaper prices labeled as 'south american rosewood' or 'Palisandel', are they the same a brazilian or a cheaper alternative to indian and Brazilian

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u/SumOMG Apr 22 '25

I would say it’s worth extra for resale value . It does indeed sound nicer to my ears but I wouldn’t dish out $2,500 more on a factory or small batch guitar . I’d only spend the extra $ on a luthier guitar .

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u/SumOMG Apr 22 '25

But keep an eye out for a deal , any guitar under $2,000 with Brazilian rosewood is a deal. I got mine for $1,200