Reverb has your back if your item is lost, damaged, or doesn't match its description. Simply report any issues within 7 days and we'll help you get a full refund.Learn More
Several hundred guitars I have sold in the past are presented at Facebook.com/Victors.Guitar.Library.
Aranjuez 720 2012
This guitar being the top-of-the-line model, was hand made in 2012 in cooperation between Ryoji Matsuoka and Masaki Sakurai workshops. Ryoji Matsuoka's workshop made the neck and the body, while Masaki Sakurai made the soundboard and performed final assembly of this terrific instrument. Since the very beginning of Aranjuez brand (1968) the very top model was assembled and finished at Masaru Kohno workshop with the soundboard made by either Kohno himself or one of his associates. After Kohno's passing in 1998, his workshop is run Masaki Sakurai who until today oversees production of Aranjuez guitars (perhaps being current owner of this brand).
After winning the 1st prize at international competition in 1967 in Belgium, international markets were wide open for Masaru Kohno “brand name”. He was smart enough to take full advantage of his fame turning few new ideas into great profits. One of these ideas was to purchase Takamine co, in 1968 and placing his pupil Mass Hirade at its helm. Another idea was a line of very high-grade guitars designed for domestic market, sold at moderate prices, hence affordable to average Japanese citizens. Originally (1968) named Yamato guitars, they became Aranjuez guitars by early 1970s. While most models were entirely made by Takamine workshop, top Aranjuez guitars were assembled at Kohno’s workshop with soundboards also made at Kohno’s workshop. Until 1978 all Aranjuez guitars had Kohno stamp on their labels.
Until 1978 Takamine's own classical guitar models (sold in Japan as Takamine Elite series) were made basing on Ramirez blueprints with Ramirez style headstock, while Aranjuez guitars were made based on Kohno's blueprints with original headstock (used on Takamine guitars until today). Sometime in 1979 Takamine Elite series and Aranjuez guitar line were discontinued, while Takamine guitars were made the same way and with the same looks as earlier Aranjuez guitars.
Aranjuez as the brand was resurrected sometime in late 1990s in cooperation with Ryoji Matsuoka workshop. After Matsuoka's passing in 2014 and closure of his Japanese workshop, Aranjuez guitars are made again in cooperation with Takamine workshop.
Currently Masaki Sakurai is one of very top Japanese luthiers. He has won international competition in 1988 in Paris and after his uncle's death (in 1998) he took over Masaru Kohno workshop, which he runs until today. Masaki still supervises production of Aranjuez guitars, still assembling and making soundboards for top-of-the-line Aranjuez 725 model (hence sold with Sakurai’s personal label inside).
In Japan since September 2023 Aranjuez 725 is priced 275000 yen, which is 4 times higher than Takamine C312S currently sold in USA for $1950
Despite few very small (non-conspicuous) marks on its body, the overall condition of this Aranjuez 720 guitar must be described as “excellent" with very minor signs of actual use. Its very comfortable neck is straight, while frets and fingerboard remain in "near mint" condition.
Just like all Aranjuez guitars ever made, this one offers incredible value for the price paid. It sounds “on pair” with many higher priced guitars made by leading Japanese luthiers, not much different from Masaki Sakurai's own (lowest) model Professional R sold at 125% higher price.
It certainly is a concert level instrument, offering great volume combined with relatively warm lyrical & colorful tonality, with high level of note clarity and separation, high level of transparency, all magnified by impressive sustain. With its current action it plays super easy.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Top: Very High Grade Solid Spruce/lacquer
Back & sides: Solid Indian Rosewood/urethane
Neck: Mahogany
Fingerboard: Ebony
With at the nut: 51 mm
Scale: 650 mm
Current action is set to 3.30 mm under E6 and 2.80 mm under E1 with still extra room on the saddle. This action is way lower than standard for classical guitars, hence means great comfort of playing, but can lead to buzzes if strings are played hard enough. With my playing technique I don't create buzzes. If you do, you will need to invest in higher saddle.
This guitar will be shipped in lightly used hard polyfoam case.
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.
Several hundred guitars I have sold in the past are presented at Facebook.com/Victors.Guitar.Library.
Aranjuez 720 2012
This guitar being the top-of-the-line model, was hand made in 2012 in cooperation between Ryoji Matsuoka and Masaki Sakurai workshops. Ryoji Matsuoka's workshop made the neck and the body, while Masaki Sakurai made the soundboard and performed final assembly of this terrific instrument. Since the very beginning of Aranjuez brand (1968) the very top model was assembled and finished at Masaru Kohno workshop with the soundboard made by either Kohno himself or one of his associates. After Kohno's passing in 1998, his workshop is run Masaki Sakurai who until today oversees production of Aranjuez guitars (perhaps being current owner of this brand).
After winning the 1st prize at international competition in 1967 in Belgium, international markets were wide open for Masaru Kohno “brand name”. He was smart enough to take full advantage of his fame turning few new ideas into great profits. One of these ideas was to purchase Takamine co, in 1968 and placing his pupil Mass Hirade at its helm. Another idea was a line of very high-grade guitars designed for domestic market, sold at moderate prices, hence affordable to average Japanese citizens. Originally (1968) named Yamato guitars, they became Aranjuez guitars by early 1970s. While most models were entirely made by Takamine workshop, top Aranjuez guitars were assembled at Kohno’s workshop with soundboards also made at Kohno’s workshop. Until 1978 all Aranjuez guitars had Kohno stamp on their labels.
Until 1978 Takamine's own classical guitar models (sold in Japan as Takamine Elite series) were made basing on Ramirez blueprints with Ramirez style headstock, while Aranjuez guitars were made based on Kohno's blueprints with original headstock (used on Takamine guitars until today). Sometime in 1979 Takamine Elite series and Aranjuez guitar line were discontinued, while Takamine guitars were made the same way and with the same looks as earlier Aranjuez guitars.
Aranjuez as the brand was resurrected sometime in late 1990s in cooperation with Ryoji Matsuoka workshop. After Matsuoka's passing in 2014 and closure of his Japanese workshop, Aranjuez guitars are made again in cooperation with Takamine workshop.
Currently Masaki Sakurai is one of very top Japanese luthiers. He has won international competition in 1988 in Paris and after his uncle's death (in 1998) he took over Masaru Kohno workshop, which he runs until today. Masaki still supervises production of Aranjuez guitars, still assembling and making soundboards for top-of-the-line Aranjuez 725 model (hence sold with Sakurai’s personal label inside).
In Japan since September 2023 Aranjuez 725 is priced 275000 yen, which is 4 times higher than Takamine C312S currently sold in USA for $1950
Despite few very small (non-conspicuous) marks on its body, the overall condition of this Aranjuez 720 guitar must be described as “excellent" with very minor signs of actual use. Its very comfortable neck is straight, while frets and fingerboard remain in "near mint" condition.
Just like all Aranjuez guitars ever made, this one offers incredible value for the price paid. It sounds “on pair” with many higher priced guitars made by leading Japanese luthiers, not much different from Masaki Sakurai's own (lowest) model Professional R sold at 125% higher price.
It certainly is a concert level instrument, offering great volume combined with relatively warm lyrical & colorful tonality, with high level of note clarity and separation, high level of transparency, all magnified by impressive sustain. With its current action it plays super easy.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Top: Very High Grade Solid Spruce/lacquer
Back & sides: Solid Indian Rosewood/urethane
Neck: Mahogany
Fingerboard: Ebony
With at the nut: 51 mm
Scale: 650 mm
Current action is set to 3.30 mm under E6 and 2.80 mm under E1 with still extra room on the saddle. This action is way lower than standard for classical guitars, hence means great comfort of playing, but can lead to buzzes if strings are played hard enough. With my playing technique I don't create buzzes. If you do, you will need to invest in higher saddle.
This guitar will be shipped in lightly used hard polyfoam case.
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.
