RARITY - SABURO NOGAMI NPA-20H - WONDERFUL TORRES STYLE CLASSICAL CONCERT GUITAR

Niibori Guitar NPA-20H 

This guitar was ordered by Nibori Music Academy and made in mid/late 1990s under supervision of legendary Japanese luthier Saburo Nogami. Most likely it was made at his workshop later known as Oshima Village workshop. While the on this guitar doesn't bear Saburo Nogami's stamp, its costruction and looks are typical for his designs. Kazuo Yairi was the only other Japanese manufacturer making similar Torres style guitars. Both luthiers were friends and frequently cooperated on various projects, with Saburo designing and supervising production of several models sold with Kazuo's label.    

Saburo Nogami's long time cooperation with Niibori School of Guitar Ensamble (later renamed to Niibori Music Academy) started in mid1970s.

Saburo Nogami was the first ever apprentice at Masaru Kohno workshop. He joined Kohno in 1959 and left his workshop in early 1970s. Saburo Nogami's level of craftsmanship was at least equal to Kohno's and he became a luthier legend on his own. During his long career besides making regular classical guitars he was also making alto, bass & contrabass guitars, lutes, vihuelas, and many traditional Japanese string instruments. Many of these "exotic" instruments were greatly decorated with carvings and paintings and made as "only one of the kind". Saburo Nogami's guitars and other instruments were and still are highly priced not only in Japan.  

Saburo Nogami however was deeply engaged in making guitars for average "boy and girl". In mid 1970s Saburo supervised production of several guitar models made for Zen-On Music Co, Niibori School of Guitar Ensemble and Nishin Kogyo Co. Great majority of these guitars were made with "laminated" b/s. 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. Since late 1970s through late 1990s Saburo Nogami was also closely cooperating with Kazuo Yairi, supervising production of many Kazuo Yairi's models at Yairi's Gifu factory. Yet again most of these absolutely wonderful instruments were made with "laminated" b/s.

This guitar remains in "excellent for its age" overall condition. Its body bears only few minor cosmetic imperfections, with a small chip on the headstock being 'the most dangerous one". While there is some minor wear on the fingerboard between frets 1-3, the rest of the fingerboard looks "not used at all".    

This guitar being made in Torres style has somewhat smaller & narrower than average body, hence looks "elongated". Despite its smaller size the body of this guitar delivers immense volume combined with truly breathtaking tonality, very clear, glassy, yet very colorful trebles, somewhat metallic basses, all very well separated, and all with very impressive sustain.

Being priced 200 000 yen in 1990s it was quite expensive instrument. The same grade brand new guitars made by Japanese elite luthiers are priced at least $3500.  

Regarding the sound alone, this guitar is very competitive to $5000+ Torres style guitars currently made by leading European or American guitar makers.

Specifications:

Total length: 99.00 cm

Body length: 48.50 cm

Body depth: 92-95 mm

Upper bout width: 265 mm

Lower bout width: 350 mm

Waist width: 235 mm

Top: AAA Grade Solid Spruce/lacquer

Back: Solid Indian Rosewood/lacquer

Sides: Non-solid Indian Rosewood/lacquer

Neck: Mahogany

Fingerboard: Ebony

Scale: 650 mm

Nut width: 50 mm

String spacing at the nut: 41 mm

String spacing at the bridge: 57 mm

Its current action is set to 3.50 mm under E6 and 3.00 mm under E1, with some extra room on the saddle.

This guitar will be shipped in used original hard polyfoam case in still very good condition.  

Returns

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

All you need to do is:

1.    Notify me within 48 hours after receiving the guitar.  

2.    Pack guitar the same way I do it, using the same box and materials and ship it back to me within 24 hours after "return notification". 

Naturally if you expect to receive a full refund, guitar has to be returned in the same condition as I ship it to you.