1979 Hakusui Imai C10 Vintage Classical Guitar, Spruce + Rosewood w/ Case

Up for sale, a 1979 Hakusui Imai C10 classical guitar in excellent, 100% original condition, complete with the original hardshell case. An apprentice of Sakazo Nakade, the “father of modern Japanese luthiery,” Hakusui Imai easily ranks among the finest builders in the pantheon of Japanese classical guitar luthiery. Due to his limited output as a true one-man operation and all-too-brief life (Imai tragically passed away in 1997 at the age of 47), relatively few of Imai’s instruments are seen outside of Japan; among Japanese connoisseurs, however, Imai’s finest output is considered to rival the work of titans like Masaru “Ken” Kohno and Nakade himself.

This masterfully crafted C10 very much reflects the Spanish-influenced construction of Nakade, featuring traditional six-fan bracing on the straight-grained spruce top, paired with rosewood back and sides. The Spanish-style construction translates to a Spanish tonal response: this guitar is sonorous and pensive, smooth and immediate in all registers with excellent overall balance and a full-bodied richness that lends each note fantastic weight and gravitas. Weighing 3lbs 13oz, this Hakusui Imai C10 has been professionally setup here at Mike & Mike’s Guitar Bar with normal tension strings and optimal action.

Neck Specs:

• Wood: Mahogany
• Shape: D, measuring .905” 1st fret, .980” 9th fret
• Fretboard: Ebony
• Frets: Slender, no wear
• Scale Length: 660mm
• Nut: 52mm, bone
• Tuners: Engraved strips, pearl buttons

Body Specs:

• Wood: Spruce, rosewood
• Bracing: Spanish-style six-fan
• Bridge: Rosewood, bone saddle
• String Spacing: 55mm (bridge)
• Marquetry: Ornate rosette, multi-ply purfling, rosewood binding
• Label: Dated 1979, signed by Imai

Crack-free and well-kept, cosmetic wear on the gloss cashew lacquer finish is limited to some minor dings on top and a few faint finish scratches on the back. The neck profile is smooth and clean.

The original hardshell case is included.