Daion The ‘78 Century “The Year Series” 1980 with original case

The Daion Corporation started not as a maker of musical instruments but as a distribution company in the 1960's for Yamaki brand acoustic guitars within Japan.

These guitars were built in the Dyna Gakki factory, located in the Nagano area of Japan. Its roots as a stand alone guitar brand starts with Yamaki. Yamaki manufactured its own brand of guitars, as well as models for JooDee, Canyon, Kizan, Tomson, Marchis, Washburn (early wing series), Daion, and possibly others.

This Daion model “The ‘78 Century” has a a back and sides made out of Ovangkol, which is an African relative of rosewood. It shares many of the rosewood’s tonal properties, Its sound goes between the Indian Rosewood’s warmth and depth, and the maple’s treble or highs, including a wide spectrum from lows and highs. Differences include a slightly fuller midrange and a bright treble response resembling that of koa. Paired with a Spruce top that has been hand stained to an antique mahogany finish makes for a perfect tonal combination.

There is a replacement inlay on the lower bout (as seen in the picture) that was done by a luthier. The frets show some wear but it plays without any problems and one of the tuner gear casings is missing. Other wise it’s in good condition and plays and sounds fantastic.

Specs

Model: Dreadnought

Top: Spruce top( hand stained antique mahogany finish)

Back and sides: Ovangkol

Neck: Nato

Fretboard: Rosewood

Bridge: Rosewood

Rosewood headpiece overlay with handcarved logo

Plain two lines brown soundhole purfling

Brown celluloid bound headpiece, fretboard and body

Hardcase: Daion