MADE BY RYOJI MATSUOKA - ARANJUEZ 706 - BEAUTIFULLY SOUNDING CLASSICAL GUITAR

ARANJUEZ 706

This Aranjuez 706 guitar was by Ryoji Matsuoka workshop sometime in late 2000s. Although it was one of lower end models, it is beautifully sounding instrument, by far exceeding many guitars currently sold in USA for $2000+.

Takamine C132S (currently sold in USA fro $1,099) stands no chance against this Aranjuez 706 guitar.

Aranjuez guitars line was founded by Juan Orozco and Masaru Kohno in early 1970s with a designation mostly for Japanese market. They were initially made by Takamine workshop under Kohno’s supervision. From early 1980s through mid2010s they were made by Ryoji Matsuoka workshop. Now they are made again by Takamine.

Since the origin of this brand the very top models were assembled and finished at Kohno’s workshop. The bodies of those top models were made by Takamine or Matsuoka workshops, while soundboards made by Masaru Kohno himself and in later years by Masaki Sakurai.  

The secret of Aranjuez guitars is that they have always offered exceptional value to the player on a budget. Top Aranjuez models sound better than many other guitars sold by leading Japanese makers at 2 times higher prices. In 1974 the very top model was No7 priced 70 000 yen. It sounded much better than Koho’s model 10 priced 100 000 yen. Only Kohno 15 was of equal grade.  Currently the very top Aranjuez model 725 (still being assembled and finished by Masaki Sakurai) is priced 250 000 yen. It sounds better than many other guitars sold in Japan for 500 000 yen.

This guitar remains in overall excellent condition with very minor signs of use. Besides one, rather minor, abrasion/dent located on the back of its neck, the body of this guitar is free from any conspicuous flaws.

Although perhaps not a concert grade, this guitar sounds beautifully enough to be called great. It offers great volume and response, sweet and worm tonality, with very high level of note clarity and separation. It simply offers much more that one can expect just by looking at its price.

 

Specifications:

Top: High Grade Solid Cedar/lacquer

Back and Sides: Indian Rosewood “double-plates” /lacquer

 

Neck: Mahogany

Fingerboard: Rosewood

Tuning Machines: high grade gold plated

Scale: 650 mm

Nut Width: 52 mm

Nut & Saddle: Bone

Current action is set to standard for classical guitars 4.00 mm under E6 and 3.30 under E1 with still extra room on the saddle.

It will be shipped in lightly used very thick-padded soft case.