What can you say about vintage (circa 1979) Japanese made Ibanez 350 classical guitar? I bought one recently but struggling to find anything about them.
They are not consistant to evaluate - but there are some excellent ones from that period. Unfortunately Ibanez documentation favours their electric models.
I was able to grab a Dorado CG that belts out a deep voice and the sustain is longer than a Monday. I recently bought a Delta CG and can not find any info on it. It’s very obviously made in the 60-70s but out of Korea. Any oddities you’ve stumbled upon that just blew your pants off when played?
Kent was a furniture maker, some of their models sound like it too. LOL I do have one nice Kent though, so they did make a few that weren't over-built. I own two 1970 Yairi classical models, I like the H Yairi more than I do the K Yairi but most prefer the K. The H has very light Japanese style bracing and sounds more traditional Japanese to my ear. Yamaki and Yazuma are both good makers, their higher end models are worth looking out for as are some of the older Takamine's, I own a Morris classical that's very nice looking but over-built. The Hohner G series from Japan is ok if you can find the higher end models, if you can find the ARBOR series they are VERY FINE guitars. Aria made several models from beginner to high end, most of them are fairly decent for each price range. My nicest Japanese classical is a 1985 Shiro made by Aria it has the modern parallel bracing system designed by Masaki Sakurai, that he won his gold cup with in 1988 and the headstock design he still uses today. It's very lightly braced on the bass side for a cello like bass sound, it's traditional Japanese in sound, which if very warm, mellow and yet Loud. Another thing to keep in mind is that most models in the 70's and earlier were priced in yen and the model number was the amount of yen they cost. Also most of the Japanese Acoustic guitars, even some of the highest end models have a "laminate" back that will appear to be solid due to how they are constructed. They would glue together two thin pieces cut from the same piece of wood, so that the inside and outside match, it's not what people think of today's as laminated although there are some high end Taylor guitars that use the same process.
@@FlowforthInstruments Thanks I'm a retired guitar shop owner and still buy and sell for fun, as well as collect. I also sold on-line, tons and tons of "used" and 2nds. If you remember a time when banner adds would clog the top of the buy it now section on E-bay, that was me. LOL Tip for you and your followers Sometimes you can get lucky and find the H or S Yairi models labeled as "Wilson" guitars. They will be signed usually, if not then it's probably not their work or even from their shop. The labels look almost identical to some of the Yairi labels. There are other Wilson guitars as well, most of them aren't worth messing. The H is for Hiroshi, he's a nephew. I would Imagine if you buy an early Sadao there is a chance either H or K could have worked on it. Good luck with your channel, thanks for sharing. I like seeing all kinds of guitars, especially the Japanese stuff or anything good that doesn't break the bank. I don't think anyone needs to spend a ton of money to have a few nice guitars that they enjoy or one good one to start out with either.
I picked up a short-scale 'made in Japan' classical with no trussrod and no inside label ...for $50 and will resell it after a cleanup of frets and fretboard and body. No damage other than a small section of binding detached.t
Thanks for the info - I have my 1st Yamaha G55-1 from the mid 70s my parents bought me. Do you know if this era were typically laminate tops? Made in Taiwan. Plays well - excellent shade. I put new Schaller Hauser Tuners on it recently (saved the originals).
I've set up a few Conn classicals and a couple of them were excellent. As far as value goes it's a sort of case by case thing. They aren't known but if you were to advertise it as a solid top Japanese made guitar you might get $2-300 for it.
I had a Franciscan similar to yours. It was a beautiful guitar, I wish I still had it. I've also heard of Kent recently. Someone is selling one in my area. Interesting. .
I collect Japanese Dreadnought guitars mostly higher end. I once had an S.Yairi small body new Yorker style guitar that took gut strings. That was a very impressive guitar. Matsuoka made some impressive classical as well as Tama too.....oh and the all solid Ibanez classical guitars, but there very hard to come across.
I have a couple of Kazuo Yairis that I treasure - but have yet to work on a Sada Yairi guitar. I've heard that they are not as good - but it's probably a case by case basis.
Any information on Montano acoustic guitars? Theres one for sale in my area and I am interested but can't find any info on them? Best I can tell its from 1965 ish . . . only mark i see is the sticker inside that says "Monano Guitar - Made in japan" with a model No. A-19? last digit is faded.
Yes, Montanos are Japanese and getting quite rare. Not to be confused with the Montana guitars you see in every pawn shop. The are probably on a par with Nippon Gakki Yamahas from the same period. Some of them are nice players - some of them not so much. If you can play it first that might give you a good indication. I've found a few gems in Japanese guitars from that era - but a few dogs also.
My dad has a Japanese Orpheus that his parents bought him used in Oxnard California back in like 1971 when he was 13. It's a junior size but that thing has the best sound of any six string I've ever heard. It just has such an amazing rich, baritone sound that puts full size guitars to shame. It looks like the face might be red cedar, the sides look like mahogany and the neck and back look like ebony, with a rosewood fretboard. Unfortunately one of the tuners broke on it and it's an odd size so it's hard to find a replacement. My dad learned to play on it, played all sorts of classic rock, folk songs, and even Metallica (black album) on it.. and tried to teach my sister and myself, but chords and me just don't get along well. I'm on the autism spectrum (recently discovered) so sitting and doing the same thing over and over and over for hours trying to make it perfect is torture to me.. whereas I retuned it to my ear and messed around and made it sound amazing doing a bluesy thing.. at 12 years old.. I myself play a 5 string metal bass now, no chords to annoy me :P
Yes, some of those orpheus guitars are fantastic. I bet the top is cedar. You will probably have to replace all the tuners with something similar - it will be impossible to find a match. I'm sure it makes a great blues box... that's sort of what they were made for. Cheers for watching.
@@FlowforthInstruments he supposedly found a set on ebay that should fit, and the whole rack that bolts on will go... it's just a matter of getting the funds at this point as none of us are working and his retirement from the US Air Force doesn't give us much to live on, let alone extra to spend on other things. He's also got an Ibanez acoustic/electric 6 string and that thing is far too bright for my tastes, as well as a Fender 12 string.. I swear (from what I can remember, it's been YEARS since he's played it) the 12 string has a deeper tone than his Ibanez.. I don't know what they make their 6 strings out of but they are really high pitched.
@@FlowforthInstruments I don't know how thick it is, it is painted black though. I will say my 5 string bass is an Ibanez as well and is supposedly made out of (spelling?) mbinga for the body with a maple neck and rosewood fretboard and it's a LOT higher pitched than you'd think a 5 string would be. A Fender Jazz bass or Warwick are FAR deeper sounding... but then they also weren't $350 either. Other than a Peavey my bass was the cheapest my local guitar center had when I bought it back in '07.. Unfortunately I rarely play as I bought the cheapest amp I could buy too, a Peavey Max 110, and it just can't handle that 5 string at the volume I need with my hearing issues... and I can't afford to pay attention let alone buy a new amp. I've changed strings on it and picked up a little bit of bottom end, but the G is still extremely high pitched.. I think it's pickups. Plus those D'Addario strings are hell on the fingers. The windings on them are so hard and have such a large valley between them that if you slide on them at all, you are going to get a huge blister... but I bought them because they were the largest gauge spiral winds I could find and I hoped that'd mean a deeper sound. Should've probably just bought a set of Warwick black labels.
@@FlowforthInstruments this is it. www.guitarcenter.com/Ibanez/V70CE-Acoustic-Electric-Guitar-Black-1274115042831.gc?cntry=us&source=4WWRWXGP&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIoYW4htbz3gIVkxx9Ch17Hwm3EAYYASABEgJBkfD_BwE
Would you happen to have an Idea what the value may be on a Vintage Japan Franciscan Acoustic Classical Guitar Model No 07 appreciate your response and time. thank you.
I just acquired a Japanese classical guitar, it looks like its solid rosewood back and sides with a spruce top and I am fairly certain it's from the 60s or 70s, but the label is in Japanese, would you know how I would go about finding more info, or if you might know more about it?
If you can translate the label you might be able to find some info online. Ofter there are forum entries you can find on certain guitars - and I think there are a couple of forums for Japanese collectors. Other than that it's expensive books on the subject....
@@FlowforthInstruments Thanks for your response! I was able to translate the label, and it translates to 'Hand goods performance Kazuo Hashiki" I have the name Kazuo Hashimoto, could it be the same maker and a bad translation, or is it most likely another maker?
@@FlowforthInstruments Ha ,ha yes sir & I did find (online) a rosette that looks close , On a Esteves #8 & talked to their office in Valencia & they said check with the Ramirez Family for the head looks like theirs ,. Now that was close to find these 2 Rossettes with the same flower. I thoughthat it might be a lower version on their #8 , def Having fun looking at all these rossettes online , thanks for the help Amigo !
Nice review. I’ve had a Japanese Conn C11 since the early 1990s. My cousin gave it to me and I’m just now learning to play it. It’s from 1976 I think. Seems like a nice instrument although I haven’t played enough other guitars to know if it’s any good.
I hear you on the Kent I have one and it is not that great, I will look out for the model you have sure looks better than mine, For some reason I thought the Kent was branded for Canada but I must be wrong. I like the Suzuki's both brands I have a Kiso ( 70's) that is a mock of a Martin 000 pretty powerful sound and a smaller Suzuki Violin Co. #6 ( 60's) similar to the Yamaha Dynamic pre FG models. It is sweet but I would love to get my hands on a Yamaha Dynamic but they seem to be hard to come by. I also have a Raven made for Canada It is pretty nice also and a thin sided like a flamenco Winston it has a higher nut and saddle built for slide ( 60's). Have others also but these were very very reasonably priced all between 35 and 100 Can. So take 30% off for USA .Trouble is many out there need a reset. Looking at a Classical now for sale it is a 60's Ibanez. I have no idea if they are any good but looks like rosewood back and sides solid spruce top. That is how I found you. Thanks
I found a Japan G60A and a Taiwan G225 and much prefer the G225. Sounds better and the tuners on the G60A are so sticky even after 3 thorough cleanings that I am ready to sell it off. Sound is not as good and the tuners are mediocre at best.
![Guitar Teacher REACTS: Tommy Emmanuel "Classical Gas" [Mason Williams]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/GwyXNZZei6E/mqdefault.jpg)
I own my dad's old Franciscan Model No. 70. I learned how to play on it and it's so fun and easy to play! Thanks for posting
Yes, some of those old Franciscans aren't bad at all. I had a classical that had a nice resonant top on it. Thanks for watching.
I have 1 Nagoya Suzuki's 700 and a Kiso Suzuki .32 , and a HKISO SUZUKI 883 Rosewood, they all sound super!!
There are some really nice Suzuki guitars out there.
What can you say about vintage (circa 1979) Japanese made Ibanez 350 classical guitar? I bought one recently but struggling to find anything about them.
They are not consistant to evaluate - but there are some excellent ones from that period. Unfortunately Ibanez documentation favours their electric models.
one of the Tele's I have is from Indonesia and it's an amazing just how well it was built. those are nice sounding guitars you have.
Yes, some good stuff coming out of Indonesia these days too. I see you've taken up the Ukulele mate. Time to learn some chords eh?
I was able to grab a Dorado CG that belts out a deep voice and the sustain is longer than a Monday.
I recently bought a Delta CG and can not find any info on it. It’s very obviously made in the 60-70s but out of Korea.
Any oddities you’ve stumbled upon that just blew your pants off when played?
Yes, I've had a number of Japanese lesser known brands that were good, including a Delta. I don't think I've had a Dorado - maybe a Lotus.
I recently purchased a Concord KNC 10 Clasical. Cannot find anything about it on line. Made in Japan.
I haven't seen one of those yet!
Kent was a furniture maker, some of their models sound like it too. LOL I do have one nice Kent though, so they did make a few that weren't over-built. I own two 1970 Yairi classical models, I like the H Yairi more than I do the K Yairi but most prefer the K. The H has very light Japanese style bracing and sounds more traditional Japanese to my ear. Yamaki and Yazuma are both good makers, their higher end models are worth looking out for as are some of the older Takamine's, I own a Morris classical that's very nice looking but over-built. The Hohner G series from Japan is ok if you can find the higher end models, if you can find the ARBOR series they are VERY FINE guitars.
Aria made several models from beginner to high end, most of them are fairly decent for each price range. My nicest Japanese classical is a 1985 Shiro made by Aria it has the modern parallel bracing system designed by Masaki Sakurai, that he won his gold cup with in 1988 and the headstock design he still uses today. It's very lightly braced on the bass side for a cello like bass sound, it's traditional Japanese in sound, which if very warm, mellow and yet Loud.
Another thing to keep in mind is that most models in the 70's and earlier were priced in yen and the model number was the amount of yen they cost. Also most of the Japanese Acoustic guitars, even some of the highest end models have a "laminate" back that will appear to be solid due to how they are constructed. They would glue together two thin pieces cut from the same piece of wood, so that the inside and outside match, it's not what people think of today's as laminated although there are some high end Taylor guitars that use the same process.
Great information. I've only played K Yairi... and have yet to try an S Yairi.
@@FlowforthInstruments Thanks
I'm a retired guitar shop owner and still buy and sell for fun, as well as collect. I also sold on-line, tons and tons of "used" and 2nds. If you remember a time when banner adds would clog the top of the buy it now section on E-bay, that was me. LOL
Tip for you and your followers
Sometimes you can get lucky and find the H or S Yairi models labeled as "Wilson" guitars. They will be signed usually, if not then it's probably not their work or even from their shop. The labels look almost identical to some of the Yairi labels. There are other Wilson guitars as well, most of them aren't worth messing.
The H is for Hiroshi, he's a nephew. I would Imagine if you buy an early Sadao there is a chance either H or K could have worked on it.
Good luck with your channel, thanks for sharing. I like seeing all kinds of guitars, especially the Japanese stuff or anything good that doesn't break the bank. I don't think anyone needs to spend a ton of money to have a few nice guitars that they enjoy or one good one to start out with either.
I picked up a short-scale 'made in Japan' classical with no trussrod and no inside label ...for $50 and will resell it after a cleanup of frets and fretboard and body. No damage other than a small section of binding detached.t
Sounds cool Doug!
Thanks for the info - I have my 1st Yamaha G55-1 from the mid 70s my parents bought me. Do you know if this era were typically laminate tops? Made in Taiwan. Plays well - excellent shade. I put new Schaller Hauser Tuners on it recently (saved the originals).
They were typically laminate but still decent guitars.
I have a Conn C33 model. I bought it around 1986 used. I’d be interested to know its value. I know it has a solid top.
I've set up a few Conn classicals and a couple of them were excellent. As far as value goes it's a sort of case by case thing. They aren't known but if you were to advertise it as a solid top Japanese made guitar you might get $2-300 for it.
I had a Franciscan similar to yours. It was a beautiful guitar, I wish I still had it. I've also heard of Kent recently. Someone is selling one in my area. Interesting. .
Yes, I've worked on both and some can be quite decent.
I collect Japanese Dreadnought guitars mostly higher end. I once had an S.Yairi small body new Yorker style guitar that took gut strings. That was a very impressive guitar. Matsuoka made some impressive classical as well as Tama too.....oh and the all solid Ibanez classical guitars, but there very hard to come across.
I have a couple of Kazuo Yairis that I treasure - but have yet to work on a Sada Yairi guitar. I've heard that they are not as good - but it's probably a case by case basis.
@@FlowforthInstruments How about Yamaki dreadnoughts?
@@osamabinladen824 I'll look out for one
Any information on Montano acoustic guitars? Theres one for sale in my area and I am interested but can't find any info on them? Best I can tell its from 1965 ish . . . only mark i see is the sticker inside that says "Monano Guitar - Made in japan" with a model No. A-19? last digit is faded.
Yes, Montanos are Japanese and getting quite rare. Not to be confused with the Montana guitars you see in every pawn shop. The are probably on a par with Nippon Gakki Yamahas from the same period. Some of them are nice players - some of them not so much. If you can play it first that might give you a good indication. I've found a few gems in Japanese guitars from that era - but a few dogs also.
Thanks for the insight. Guess its worth taking the drive to go see it. All the best in the new year!
My dad has a Japanese Orpheus that his parents bought him used in Oxnard California back in like 1971 when he was 13. It's a junior size but that thing has the best sound of any six string I've ever heard. It just has such an amazing rich, baritone sound that puts full size guitars to shame. It looks like the face might be red cedar, the sides look like mahogany and the neck and back look like ebony, with a rosewood fretboard. Unfortunately one of the tuners broke on it and it's an odd size so it's hard to find a replacement. My dad learned to play on it, played all sorts of classic rock, folk songs, and even Metallica (black album) on it.. and tried to teach my sister and myself, but chords and me just don't get along well. I'm on the autism spectrum (recently discovered) so sitting and doing the same thing over and over and over for hours trying to make it perfect is torture to me.. whereas I retuned it to my ear and messed around and made it sound amazing doing a bluesy thing.. at 12 years old.. I myself play a 5 string metal bass now, no chords to annoy me :P
Yes, some of those orpheus guitars are fantastic. I bet the top is cedar. You will probably have to replace all the tuners with something similar - it will be impossible to find a match. I'm sure it makes a great blues box... that's sort of what they were made for. Cheers for watching.
@@FlowforthInstruments he supposedly found a set on ebay that should fit, and the whole rack that bolts on will go... it's just a matter of getting the funds at this point as none of us are working and his retirement from the US Air Force doesn't give us much to live on, let alone extra to spend on other things. He's also got an Ibanez acoustic/electric 6 string and that thing is far too bright for my tastes, as well as a Fender 12 string.. I swear (from what I can remember, it's been YEARS since he's played it) the 12 string has a deeper tone than his Ibanez.. I don't know what they make their 6 strings out of but they are really high pitched.
@@jaratt85 I'll bet those Ibanez guitars are ply top and heavily lacquered to sound that thin.
@@FlowforthInstruments I don't know how thick it is, it is painted black though. I will say my 5 string bass is an Ibanez as well and is supposedly made out of (spelling?) mbinga for the body with a maple neck and rosewood fretboard and it's a LOT higher pitched than you'd think a 5 string would be. A Fender Jazz bass or Warwick are FAR deeper sounding... but then they also weren't $350 either. Other than a Peavey my bass was the cheapest my local guitar center had when I bought it back in '07.. Unfortunately I rarely play as I bought the cheapest amp I could buy too, a Peavey Max 110, and it just can't handle that 5 string at the volume I need with my hearing issues... and I can't afford to pay attention let alone buy a new amp. I've changed strings on it and picked up a little bit of bottom end, but the G is still extremely high pitched.. I think it's pickups. Plus those D'Addario strings are hell on the fingers. The windings on them are so hard and have such a large valley between them that if you slide on them at all, you are going to get a huge blister... but I bought them because they were the largest gauge spiral winds I could find and I hoped that'd mean a deeper sound. Should've probably just bought a set of Warwick black labels.
@@FlowforthInstruments this is it. www.guitarcenter.com/Ibanez/V70CE-Acoustic-Electric-Guitar-Black-1274115042831.gc?cntry=us&source=4WWRWXGP&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIoYW4htbz3gIVkxx9Ch17Hwm3EAYYASABEgJBkfD_BwE
I have Bruno Ventura 1588 in 70's sound pretty bright and loud. in great condition . i am looking to find a new ơner for it.
Nice - I'm sure you'll find a taker if you list it on Reverb or eBay.
Anyone hear of Kyowa classical guitars? I see some electric guitars from the 60's but little else. The decal is glued onto the headstock.
Never seen one - so they must be quite rare.
Would you happen to have an Idea what the value may be on a Vintage Japan Franciscan Acoustic Classical Guitar Model No 07 appreciate your response and time. thank you.
I've sold 2-3 of those and even with a good set up they only go for $80-120. Thanks for watching.
@@FlowforthInstruments Thank you appreciate the response and information
I just acquired a Japanese classical guitar, it looks like its solid rosewood back and sides with a spruce top and I am fairly certain it's from the 60s or 70s, but the label is in Japanese, would you know how I would go about finding more info, or if you might know more about it?
If you can translate the label you might be able to find some info online. Ofter there are forum entries you can find on certain guitars - and I think there are a couple of forums for Japanese collectors. Other than that it's expensive books on the subject....
@@FlowforthInstruments Thanks for your response! I was able to translate the label, and it translates to 'Hand goods performance Kazuo Hashiki" I have the name Kazuo Hashimoto, could it be the same maker and a bad translation, or is it most likely another maker?
@@JBHoughtaling jedistar.com/kazuo-hashimoto/
reverb.com/item/1272116-made-in-1974-by-kazuo-hashimoto-model-c30-fantastic-vintage-japanese-made-classical-guitar
@@FlowforthInstruments oh wow, Thank you so much
I'm about to buy Morris 1975, any thoughts about it?
Check it out thoroughly and be prepared to do some set up. They can be great - or they can be a bust.
Nice axe , I have a classical axe with no logo for it must have fallen off , I wonder if its Japanese ? do you guys know anyways to ID this axe ?
It's a difficult process - internet research is your best bet.
@@FlowforthInstruments Ha ,ha yes sir & I did find (online) a rosette that looks close , On a Esteves #8 & talked to their office in Valencia & they said check with the Ramirez Family for the head looks like theirs ,. Now that was close to find these 2 Rossettes with the same flower. I thoughthat it might be a lower version on their #8 , def Having fun looking at all these rossettes online , thanks for the help Amigo !
@@OUTDOORSWITHDOMINGO Good detective work!
Ever heard of De Gama?
Heard of - but not come across yet.
Nice review. I’ve had a Japanese Conn C11 since the early 1990s. My cousin gave it to me and I’m just now learning to play it. It’s from 1976 I think. Seems like a nice instrument although I haven’t played enough other guitars to know if it’s any good.
Yes, I set up an old Conn a couple of years back. It was fairly decent if I remember. Thanks for watching.
Conn c-10, 1972, cant trace it lol no records but its legit and sounds amazing
I've had a couple of Conns now and they were both really nice.
I have a 72' Conn C-10. My Dad bought it new in high school. They're not worth much bit it's clean, solid and sounds great!
I hear you on the Kent I have one and it is not that great, I will look out for the model you have sure looks better than mine, For some reason I thought the Kent was branded for Canada but I must be wrong. I like the Suzuki's both brands I have a Kiso ( 70's) that is a mock of a Martin 000 pretty powerful sound and a smaller Suzuki Violin Co. #6 ( 60's) similar to the Yamaha Dynamic pre FG models. It is sweet but I would love to get my hands on a Yamaha Dynamic but they seem to be hard to come by. I also have a Raven made for Canada It is pretty nice also and a thin sided like a flamenco Winston it has a higher nut and saddle built for slide ( 60's). Have others also but these were very very reasonably priced all between 35 and 100 Can. So take 30% off for USA .Trouble is many out there need a reset.
Looking at a Classical now for sale it is a 60's Ibanez. I have no idea if they are any good but looks like rosewood back and sides solid spruce top. That is how I found you. Thanks
Great comment, thanks!
I have shunpei nishino type 30 1999 its nice but I know nothing about this guitar value , I bought 1000 US D
I can't say that I do - I've yet to come across one.
Tune the guitar before making video.
I did - and explained that the strings are still stretching!
I found a Japan G60A and a Taiwan G225 and much prefer the G225. Sounds better and the tuners on the G60A are so sticky even after 3 thorough cleanings that I am ready to sell it off. Sound is not as good and the tuners are mediocre at best.
Good info... keep looking for those treasures.
@@FlowforthInstruments Suzuki Violin Co. Made the best Classical I have ever played.
@@sarahgracebrooks2629 Yes, there are some good Suzuki instruments out there.