1978 Morris F-20 - Made in Japan | Vintage OM Body | Good Condition

This Morris F-20, made in Japan in 1978, is a lovely example of the quality Japanese acoustic guitars produced during the golden era of Japanese guitar manufacturing. Built by Iida Gakki MFG. Co., Nagoya, the F-20 offers the craftsmanship, character and mature tone that have made vintage Morris guitars increasingly sought after.

The guitar features a natural-finished spruce top paired with rosewood back and sides, giving it a clear, balanced and resonant voice with good projection. The ebony fingerboard provides a smooth playing surface, while the rosewood bridge complements the traditional construction.

Tonally, this F-20 has a warm and mature vintage character, with a clear top end and a pleasingly full low end. Chords have good separation and definition, while fingerpicking brings out a sweet and articulate response. It has the open, played-in quality that makes these older Japanese acoustics particularly enjoyable.

Playability is very comfortable for a guitar of this age. The current action measures approximately 2.75 mm on the low E and 2.25 mm on the high E at the 12th fret, offering a comfortable balance between easy fretting and good acoustic projection. The neck is stable and the guitar plays very nicely overall.

Cosmetically, the guitar remains in very good overall condition for a 1978 instrument. There are some visible lines/checking in the finish on the soundboard. These have been inspected and are finish/lacquer cracks only – the underlying wood itself is not cracked or structurally damaged. There are also the normal minor marks and signs of use expected from a vintage guitar approaching 50 years old, adding to its authentic vintage character.

🪵 Features

• Model: Morris F-20
• Year: 1978
• Country of manufacture: Japan
• Manufacturer: Iida Gakki MFG. Co., Nagoya
• Body style: Folk / OM
• Top: Spruce
• Back & sides: Rosewood
• Fingerboard: Ebony
• Bridge: Rosewood
• Finish: Natural gloss
• Pickguard: Black
• 12th-fret action: Approx. 2.75 mm low E / 2.25 mm high E

✅ Condition Notes

• Very good overall condition for its age
• Some visible vintage wear and cosmetic marks consistent with a 1978 instrument
• Several areas of finish/lacquer checking on the top
• The visible finish cracks do not extend into the underlying wood
• No structural top crack in the areas shown
• Neck is stable
• Comfortable 2.75 / 2.25 mm action
• Binding, bridge and fingerboard present very well
• Overall a clean and well-preserved example for a Japanese acoustic of this age

🎼 Why buy this guitar?

The Morris F-20 represents exactly what makes vintage Japanese acoustics so appealing: traditional construction, quality materials and a mature sound developed over decades of playing and ageing. The combination of a spruce top, rosewood back and sides and an ebony fingerboard gives this guitar a particularly attractive specification for its class.

At nearly five decades old, it has genuine vintage character without sacrificing playability. The cosmetic finish checking is part of that ageing process and, importantly, does not represent structural cracking of the top. With its comfortable action, stable neck and rich, balanced voice, this is a very enjoyable vintage Japanese acoustic for both regular playing and collecting.

🔑 Hashtags / Keywords

#Morris #MorrisF20 #F20 #MorrisGuitar #VintageMorris #VintageJapaneseGuitar #JapaneseGuitar #MadeInJapan #MIJ #1978Guitar #1970sGuitar #VintageAcoustic #JapaneseAcoustic #IidaGakki #Nagoya #Rosewood #RosewoodBackAndSides #EbonyFingerboard #SpruceTop #VintageGuitar