Yukinobu Chai No.15 1979 – Japanese Handmade Classical Guitar in Excellent Condition (Spruce / Rosewood)

Yukinobu Chai No.15 1979 – Japanese Handmade Classical Guitar in Excellent Condition (Spruce / Rosewood)

Beautiful Bearclaw Spruce top with gorgeous rosewood back and sides handmade by one of Japan's most highly regarded luthiers.

Has a charming tone with clear, colourful trebles (Personally I think Yukinobu Chai guitars have the prettiest trebles out of all the Japanese luthiers I’ve tried), the basses are warm and rounded giving it an overall slightly treble-forward sound.  

The soundboard is vibrant and open with excellent volume and dynamic range and also has a lovely aroma.

SPECIFICATIONS:

Top: Solid Bearclaw Spruce

Back: Solid Rosewood

Sides: Solid Rosewood

Neck: Mahogany

Fingerboard: Ebony

Scale: 650mm

Nut width: 50mm

CONDITION:

In excellent condition for its age there are no splits or cracks, the neck is thin and straight, the action is low and the frets are in great condition which make the guitar very easy and enjoyable to play. There is also some saddle left if you wish to take the action down further.

Cosmetically only fine dings and scratches and other imperfections that are common on a guitar of this age.

A picture is worth a thousand words so please see all pics for best understanding of condition.

Please contact me if you would like larger versions of the images, close-ups or shots of the guitar taken from different angles.

ACTION:

1st string @ 12th fret: ~3.0mm

6th string @ 12th fret: ~3.5mm

SADDLE REMANING:

1st string side: ~1.5mm

6th string side: ~2.0mm

ORIGINAL VALUE:

Yukinobu Chai like many Japanese luthiers derived the model numbers from the price of the guitar. (E.g No.7 = 70,000 yen) This particular model, No.15 cost 150,000 yen in 1979.

AUDITIONS:

If you are interested and are able to make it to Camberwell VIC are welcome to come and try out the guitar, please message me to arrange a date and time.

POSTAGE / PICK UP:

Guitar will be posted with a hard case that will protect the guitar during transit. Please note that depending on your location I may need to ship the guitar in a hard case that is different than the one pictured to ensure the parcel is within the courier's sizing guidelines. Parcel will be shipped with tracking and insurance for the full value of the item.

Guitar can also be picked up in person from Camberwell VIC.

International buyers please contact me for shipping costs and also please note that import duties, taxes and charges are not included in the item price or shipping cost, these charges are the buyer's responsibility. Please check with your country's customs office to determine what additional costs and procedures are required to import the guitar before purchasing.

ABOUT YUKINOBU CHAI:

Yukinobu Chai originally began making violins in the 1950's and later expanded into guitar making in the 60's after it became popular in Japan to play the classical guitar. The sudden popularity of the classical guitar was influenced by the famous movie "Jeux interdits".

Chai was never taught how to make a violin nor guitar, instead he taught himself via books and studying the instruments themselves, Chai also utilised some techniques used for piano making. These unorthodox methods is what gives Chai's guitars their unique tone which Chai described as a "Rich spreading sound".  

His guitars were used by famous guitarists such as George Benson and Gontiti's Masahiko 'Gonzalez' Mikami. Yukinobu Chai Passed away in 2011, with the family business now being run by his son Yukihiro. He is considered one of the greatest ever Japanese luthiers alongside Masaru Kohno, Sakazo Nakade, Saburo Nogami, The Tamura brothers and others.