Yukinobu Chai Archtop 15.5" Hand Carved Acoustic

1993 Yukinobu Chai 15.5" Archtop

A very nice 15.5” hand-carved archtop from Japanese luthier Yukinobu Chai. Quite a rarity, as Chai is mostly known for making classical guitars after starting as a violin maker. Also of note is its shorter 24.5” scale length.

Specs / Measurements

• 1993
• Spruce / Figured Maple, carved top and back
• Five-piece figured maple neck
• Brazilian rosewood pickguard
• Ebony tailpiece / bridge
• ~1.70” nut
• ~24.5” string length
• ~2.07” string spacing at saddle
• 15.5” lower bout
• Multi ply purflings throughout
• Pearl block inlays on fretboard and bridge wings
• Floating pickup with volume and tone control
• Grover tuners
• Arched top hard case.

Condition / Setup Notes

Excellent(+); Especially considering its many years, it’s in immaculate shape. Minimal discernible wear. Currently set up with string height about 4/64”-3.5/64” with just a touch of relief.

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In addition to being an excellent carved acoustic archtop guitar, it brings together a number of specs that make it fairly unique. It’s lower bout width, at 15.5”, already makes it a bit special, then add to it the 24.5” scale length. It’s also luxuriously outfitted, with a solid Brazilian rosewood pickguard (it’s 0.1” thick), and multi ply bindings all over. Also luxurious are the top and back carves, which are deep and display Chai’s background in violin-making. Just everything you want an acoustic archtop to be.

Thanks for looking, any questions please feel free.