MADE BY RYOJI MATSUOKA - ARANJUEZ 710 - BEAUTIFULLY SOUNDING CLASSICAL GUITAR

ARANJUEZ 710

This Aranjuez 710 guitar was by Ryoji Matsuoka workshop sometime in late 2000s. It was a midrange model bettered by models 715 and 720. Despite its plain looks it is very nicely sounding instrument, by far exceeding many guitars currently sold in USA for $2500+.

This model 710 was priced 100 000 yen in 2010 while Takamine C132S was priced only 65 000 yen.

It sounds much better than brand new Takamine C132S currently sold in USA for $1949.00USD. 

Aranjuez guitars line was founded by Masaru Kohno in late 1960s with a designation mostly for Japanese market. In late 1960s their initial brand name was Yamato guitars, changed to Aranjuez in early 1970s. Original label design remains unchaged until today. These guitars 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 275 000 yen. It sounds much better than many other guitars sold in Japan for 500 000 yen. 

This guitar remains in mint condition. With its current action it is super easy to play.

Although perhaps not a concert grade, this guitar sounds beautifully enough to be called great instrument. With its relatively light body it offers impressive volume and response, warm and sweet tonality with deep punchy basses, sweet round trebles, yet moderate sustain. It simply offers much more than one can expect just by looking at its price.

Specifications:

Top: High Grade Solid Cedar/lacquer

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

“Laminated” is quite unfortunate term regarding Japanese made guitars. These "laminates" were made from 2 layers of solid wood glued together with natural resins. They were made so well that they performed as good as solid woods while being far less expensive in guitar production and far more resistant to cracking in regular use.

Neck: Mahogany with Rosewood reinforcement

Fingerboard: Rosewood

Tuning Machines: high grade gold-plated

Scale: 650 mm

Nut Width: 51.5 mm

Nut & Saddle: Bone

Bridge: Double hole system

Current action is set to (way below standard for classical guitars) 3.00 mm under E6 and 2.50 under E1 with plenty of extra room on the saddle.

It will be shipped in non-original vintage (Yamaha) hard case in still very good condition.

Important message for Australian buyers:

USPS International Priority Mail packages destined for Australia have quite restricted size (max. length is 42” and max. length + girth is 97”). For these reasons I must use the case that is no longer than 41” and therefore it may be different than the one you see on the pictures. You should ask me for any other details prior to making a purchase.