Made in 1977 by Ryoji Matsuoka- model M30 - High Grade Classical Guitar In Excellent Condition

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Beginning January 2017, all species of rosewood belonging to genus Dahlbergia spp. are added to CITES Appendix II. This means that any guitar that has any part made from one of these rosewoods can’t be shipped internationally without CITES export permit. CITES import permit is required only with regard to guitars which have at least one part made from Brazilian "Rio" Rosewood Dahlbergia nigra.

  R.Matsuoka M30 in near mint condition

All Matsuoka models starting from M70 (MH70) to M180(MH180) are currently made in China.

Model M30 from 1977 is of equal quality to currently made model M150 (also made in China).

This guitar was handmade and signed by Master Luthier Ryoji Matsuoka. Serial number suggests that this guitar was made in 1976 or 1977. It has survived almost 40 years in near mint condition. It has only 2 very small dents on its top and some fine signs of “regular ware”.

Its price in 1977 was 30 000 yen.

Real Value of Japanese Vintage Guitars

The key to understand value of vintage Japanese guitars is to acknowledge galloping devaluation of Japanese yen in 1960s & 1970s. This devaluation was somewhat slower in 1980s. The best measure of this devaluation is Starting Yearly Salary of Japanese College Graduate (SYSJCG).

SYSJCG in in 1965 was 19 600 yen, in 1969 – 34 600 yen, in 1970 39 200 yen, in 1972 – 62 300 yen, in 1975 79 200 yen, in 1977 121 200 yen and in 1980 - 163 000 yen.

During 1960s and most of 1970s model numbers of Japanese guitars were strictly interconnected with their prices in Japanese yen. In late 1970s and during following decades model numbers were no longer strictly associated with their prices. Many Japanese guitar makers introduced model names instead of model numbers. Others were still using model numbers with addition of letter abbreviations or other symbols.  

The best and only logical approach while evaluating real value (real grade) of vintage Japanese guitar is to compare its price in Japanese yen with SYSJCG during the year guitar was made.

Any guitar priced 100 000 in 1970 (labelled usually as No10) would be priced 200 000 yen in 1975 (relabeled to No20 or 2000), 300 000 yen in 1977 (labelled as No3, No30 or 3000). Starting in 1977 Masaru Kohno introduced his model No50 priced at 500 000 (skipping theoretical model 40). Soon other famous Japanese luthiers did the same. By 1983 Kohno started using model names instead numbers and was raising their prices as he was pleased. Naturally soon other Master luthiers did the same.

Knowing all of that, you can bet on that Masaru Kohno No50 made in 1982 is practically the same quality as Kohno No15 made in 1972, or Kohno no20 made in 1975 or Kohno No30 made in 1977. I know it for a fact.

The lowest grade models currently made by Matsuoka workshop are M75 and MH75. They are commonly considered as “beginner guitars”. Matsuoka model M30 made in 1973 is simply far, far better instrument. It is naturally better than model M50 made in 1977, model 80 made in 1982 or model M100 made in 1990. At present, the highest grade Matsuoka models are M300 and MH300. They absolutely stand no chance in competition with model M150 made in 1975… or model M200 made in 1977.

It is very important to mention that if modern era luthiers are using 40 years old woods to make a classical guitar, its price is at least $8000.

The guitar has very unique & sweet sound, with clear trebles and deep basses, with great sustain and very good volume.

It is definitely comparable with many guitar models available on US market in price range $2000 - $3000.

Description

* Ryoji Matsuoka M30

* For serious musicians and collectors

* Immaculate sound

* Solid Spruce Top with quite original bracing (When looking at guitar standing upright, there are 2 horizontal main thick braces above the sound hole and below the sound hole. Below the latter one there is another one horizontal medium size brace, next is horizontal bridge supporting strip and finally diagonal thinner brace close to the very bottom. These horizontal braces are crossed by 6 vertical and parallel thinner braces extending all the way to the bottom)

* Indian Rosewood Doubleplate Back and Sides

Calling this construction "laminates" would actually be very incorrect and quite misleading. This genuine Japanese invention has really nothing in common with modern era cheap particle-board laminates. This construction is nothing but 2 solid wood plates glued together, hence in fact nothing but reinforced solid woods. Such plates perform no different from solid woods, while don't crack as easily, are much easier to work with, and allow for much lower prices of these instruments. Such guitars have always been and still are a true blessing for all guitar enthusiasts with limited funds.

* Mahogany neck

* Dark Indian Rosewood fretboard

* Fine wood mosaic inlay around sound hole

* Hand Polished Nickel Silver Frets

* Rosewood Bridge

* Slotted Ramirez Style Headstock

* Bone nut and saddles

* Nut width: 52mm

* Scale:650 mm

* String spacing at the saddle: 57 mm

* Gold hardware

New strings (D’Addario ProArte EJ45 Normal tension)have been installed and its action has been adjusted to 4.00 mm under E6 and 3.5 mm under E1. This action can’t be lowered further without sanding the bridge.

This is a standard action for a classically trained player. It will not be comfortable for a player who after several years of playing steel string guitars is trying to learn classical guitar.

This guitar will be shipped in used case of minimal value. You don’t pay for the case. You only pay for the guitar. Please consider this case as a free bonus and don’t expect too much. I will not accept any complaints regarding the condition of the case.

Message to Australian buyers !!!!!

In order to ship a package with guitar to Australia at affordable rate +/- $100 (USPS International Priority Mail), height of such package can’t exceed 42” and its girth+ length can’t exceed 97”. Therefore I will pack the guitar into a case that is short enough to meet this requirement.

Returns

If you are not happy with your purchase you may return the guitar for a full refund less any shipping charges.

All you need to do is to:

1.    Notify me within 2 days after delivery

2.    Pack guitar the same way I do it, using the same box and materials

3.    Ship it back to me no later than on 3rd day after delivery

Another words I expect this “trail” period to occur within +/- 3 days. Naturally if you expect to receive a full refund, guitar has to be returned in the same condition as I ship it to you.

Victor