Morris F-18 – Natural, Lawsuit Era, 1977

Morris F-18 is a Japanese Folk-style acoustic guitar manufactured in 1977 at the Moridaira Gakki factory. In terms of dimensions and body shape, the instrument relates to American 000 / Auditorium designs. This model features a fully acoustic construction without an electronic circuit. The guitar underwent a full luthier service in our workshop, including fingerboard leveling, refretting with new Medium Jumbo frets, and the installation of new bone elements.

Technical specification

• Manufacturer: Morris
• Model: F-18
• Year of production: 1977
• Body: Spruce (Top), Rosewood (Back and sides)
• Neck: Mahogany
• Fingerboard: Rosewood
• Frets: Medium Jumbo (Condition: 100% – new)
• Pickups: None
• Electronics: None
• Visual condition: 8 out of 10
• Finish: Natural

Body and construction The Folk-style body is built with a spruce top and rosewood back and sides. The instrument is finished in a Natural lacquer that leaves the wood grain structure visible. The smaller dimensions and body depth compared to Dreadnought guitars make playing in a seated position more comfortable. The lacquer surface was polished and protected with wax.

Neck and ergonomics The mahogany neck features a Soft "V" profile. The rosewood fingerboard underwent a leveling process (flattening of the wood surface). It was fitted with brand new Medium Jumbo frets. As part of workshop modifications, the nut, bridge saddle, and bridge pins were replaced with elements carved from natural bone.

Sound The combination of a spruce top, rosewood body, and smaller dimensions translates to specific acoustic characteristics.

• Characteristics: A balanced frequency response with a clear, pronounced mid-range and a reduced amount of low frequencies compared to larger acoustic bodies.
• Dynamics: The guitar offers a fast attack. The use of bone saddles and pins measurably improves the transfer of string vibrations to the body.

Additional information

The F series in the Morris catalog referred to the shape and proportions of classic Auditorium / 000 size guitars.

The guitar was manufactured in the Japanese Moridaira Gakki factory in 1977.

The performed luthier service included: fingerboard leveling, refretting (Medium Jumbo), manual carving and installation of bone saddles and pins, lacquer polishing, and intonation and string action setup.

A trace of an old sticker is visible on the headstock, resulting from the difference in oxidation and aging of the lacquer under the sticker compared to the rest of the headstock surface.

Hardware

• Bridge: Rosewood – equipped with a new, hand-carved natural bone saddle and new bone pins.
• Tuners: Closed-gear mechanisms in a 3+3 layout with a chrome finish. Following inspection, they operate stably and hold tuning.

Instrument condition

• Technical condition: 10 out of 10 – the guitar is fully functional mechanically, with new frets and a properly working truss rod.
• Visual condition: 8 out of 10 – the instrument shows signs of use appropriate for its vintage. Minor scratches, small dings, and a clear sticker trace on the headstock are visible.
• Setup and Modifications: Works included fingerboard leveling, refretting, installation of bone saddles and pins, wood and lacquer conditioning, and low string action setup.

Why choose this instrument

• Folk Shape: The smaller body provides higher playing comfort in a seated position compared to standard Dreadnought/Jumbo designs.
• New Medium Jumbo frets: The instrument has new frets installed, eliminating the need for additional luthier costs.
• Bone modifications: Natural bone on the saddles and pins is a more durable material than factory plastic, positively affecting tuning stability.
• Soft V profile: The specific shape of the back of the neck provides stable support for the thumb, useful for playing chords.