HIROSHI TAMURA JUPITER - Concert Ramirez Style Classical Guitar Jupiter 1966

HIROSHI TAMURA JUPITER 1966

Sound sample

In the final photo you’ll find my (modest!) rendition of Tárrega’s Lágrima. I recorded it on a Zoom H4n Pro and I would say the sound you'll hear on the recording is indicative of how the guitar sounds played live to the ear.

Info on the guitar

This guitar was made in 1966 by Hiroshi Tamura, one of the best luthiers in Japanese history.

Just like many other famous Japanese luthiers of that era, Hiroshi Tamura learned his craft during his stay in Spain in late 1950s/early 1960s. After his return Tamura, along with his brother, made superb quality classical and flamenco guitars.

It is said that Tamura's guitars sounded better than Jose Ramirez's, although I have never played the latter. Tamara earned the nickname “Tamirez” as a result.

In 1966/67 Hiroshi Tamura was using “heavenly names” for his guitar models: Jupiter (35 000yen), Venus (40 000yen), Sirius/Meteor (50 000 yen), Comet (60 000yen), Polaris/North Pole (80 000yen) and Cross Star/North Star (100 000yen). At that time Hiroshi was as popular as Masaru Kohno and either one of his models was a world class instrument. 

Although it wasn’t the top model in Hiroshi's lineup of that era Jupiter is certainly is a grand concert level instrument that beats many other guitars sold in Japan at the same price. It easily beats many $8000+ "hand made in Spain" guitars sold today on US market.

Although it was made based on Jose Ramirez blueprints this guitar shouldn’t be considered as the copy of Ramirez guitars. The way it sounds qualifies it for a title of "greatly improved Ramirez guitar". It actually sounds better than Paulino Bernabe guitars.  

It produces very characteristic to all Hiroshi Tamura guitars, very Spanish, warm, sweet and ultra-lyrical sound combined with very high level of note clarity and separation, and very impressive sustain.

Condition

Overall the guitar is in excellent condition for its age. It has a few very light scratches on the soundboard, with one string burn below the bridge. The saddle has some pitting to it, and for that reason I've always used string beads. The only other imperfection is a small mark on the edge of the rosewood side. I've pictured all the marks in the photos. There are no dents or cracks and the neck is in near perfect condition. The finish is still in superb condition. When I got the guitar 4 years ago I took it to a luthier, who checked everything out. The neck is straight and the guitar plays beautifully.

Specifications:

Top: High Grade Solid Cedar Top

Back & Sides: Solid Indian Rosewood

Neck: Mahogany

Fingerboard: Ebony

Nut and Saddle: Bone

Nut Width: 52 mm

Scale: 650 mm

The guitar will be shipped in used original hard shell case.