BARGAIN - YAMAHA GC5 1970 - WORLD FINEST CLASS CLASSICAL CONCERT GUITAR - SPRUCE/BRAZILIAN ROSEWOOD

YOU ARE LOOKING AT A WORLD CLASS INSTRUMENT PRICED AT THE BARGAIN LEVEL. CURRENTLY MADE IN JAPAN BRAND NEW GUITARS OF THIS CLASS MADE WITH FIGURED OLD GROWTH BRAZILIAN ROSEWOOD ARE PRICED MINIMUM $18000USD. DISCONTINUED IN 2025 YAMAHA GC70 WAS PRICED AT THAT LEVEL.

Yamaha GC5 1970 s.n. 8446  

In the spring of 2025 Yamaha discontinued manufacture of models GC82 and GC82C (made with Madagascar Rosewood b/s and priced $9,999), GC70 and GC70C (made with Brazilian Rosewood b/s and priced $18000). Yamaha will likely introduce a new lineup of higher priced models. Since the fall of 2024 other prominent Japanese makers have increased the prices of their top models by at least 25%.  

This Yamaha guitar was made in 1970 by Toshihiro Kato, the best luthier Yamaha Corporation ever had. He was one of the best luthiers Japan ever had. If Kato had his own workshop, he could easily outcompete Masaru Kohno or Sakazo Nakade (top elite Japanese luthiers of that era). Thanks to his incredible talents Yamaha's Grand Concert guitars were so highly prized by many international players that Yamaha Co. could price them at the same level as Kohno was pricing his instruments. In fact, Yamaha guitars were often of much higher grade than similarly priced Kohno models.    

The guitar you are looking at was one of the “original” Yamaha Grand Concert models released in 1967 under Eduardo Ferrer’s supervision. These models were GC3, (solid Spruce/ solid Indian Rosewood) GC5, GC7 and GC10 (all made with solid Brazilian Rosewood b/s). Back then these guitars were totally underpriced if compared with guitars made by most prominent Japanese luthiers of that era (Sakazo & Rokutaro Nakade, Masaru Kohno, Mitsuru and Hiroshi Tamura, and few others). In the late 1960s none of these elite luthiers would sell a guitar with solid BR b/s for less than 100 000 yen (e.g. Kohno 10 or Hiroshi Tamura P100). In 1969 their very top models were priced 150 000 yen (e.g. Masaru Kohno 15 or Hiroshi Tamura P150).

In 1967, Yamaha bosses, being fully aware of these prices and true value of their own guitars, had a very simple plan: attract potential buyers with lower prices and ASAP correct these prices. In just a couple of years Yamaha GC guitars were highly regarded by players around the world. Even though in most cases Japanese model numbers were correlated with their prices in Japanese yen, there have been exceptions to these rules.

Although originally priced 50 000yen Yamaha GC5 by 1970 was priced 70 000 yen, Yamaha GC7 90 000 yen, while Yamaha GC10 was priced 120 000 yen. By late 1970 Masaru Kohno top models (both with solid BR b/s) were re-labelled to No20 (priced 200 000 yen) and No15 (priced 150 000 yen).

The truth is that Yamaha GC10 1970 was better sounding than Kohno 20 1970.

Early 1971 was the time for Yamaha to re-do their lineup. The prices for their models made with solid BR b/s nearly doubled (GC5 became GC12D, GC7 became GC15D, GC10 became GC20D).

In 1973 Masaru Kohno added model 30 to his lineup pricing it 300 000 yen. By early 1974 Yamaha re-done their lineup yet again. In 1974 Yamaha models made with solid BR b/s were: GC20M and GC20S (both priced 200 000 yen) GC30A and GC30B (both priced 300 000 yen). In later years Yamaha’s lineup changed at least a few more times. Until the early 2025 their only models made with BR b/s GC70, GC70C and GC71 were priced $18000.

THE TRUTH IS THAT THIS VINTAGE INSTRUMENT SOUNDS MUCH BETTER THAN YAMAHAS GC70 SOLD IN RECENT DECADES.  

I hope that you are now getting closer to the real value of this Yamaha GC5 1970. If you are still not sure, then asking your local luthier for the estimate of any guitar made with solid BR b/s from woods seasoned for at least 50 years, would certainly help. 

Among all Japanese made vintage guitars Yamahas are simply the most Spanish sounding.

This truly magnificent guitar offers exceptional volume and response combined with very romantic tonality. Its trebles are super sweet, round, yet very crisp. Basses are deep and full of overtones, yet relatively clean. All notes are well balanced, note clarity and separation fantastic, sustain amazing.

This guitar remains in “excellent for its age” structural and cosmetic condition. While its top bears few very minor scratches and dents, all other areas are free of any conspicuous cosmetic issues. Finishes don’t show any serious signs of aging. Very importantly its neck is straight, while fingerboard and frets remain in excellent condition. 

IF YOU HAD MY EXPERIENCE WITH CLASICAL GUITARS, YOU WOULD KNOW HOW DIFFICULT IT IS TO FIND A 55 YEAR OLD GUITAR IN SIMILAR CONDITION. YOU WOULD ALSO KNOW THAT AMERICAN LUTHIERS TAKE AT LEAST $20000USD FOR A SIMILAR CLASS INSTRUMENTS. IT WOULD BE OBVIOUS TO YOU THAT THE OBJECTIVE VALUE OF THIS INSTRUMENT WILL ONLY GROW WITH TIME.

SPECIFICATIONS:

Year(s) Sold: 1967-1970

Top: Solid Yezo Spruce/7 braces fan/shellac

Back & sides: Solid Brazilian Rosewood/urethane

Neck: Honduras Mahogany

Fingerboard: Ebony

String Length: 662mm

Nut width: 52 mm

The action is set to 4.50 mm under E6 and 4.00 mm under E1 with extra room on the saddle, enough to lower this action to 4.00 mm E6 and 3.5 mm E1.

The guitar will be shipped in a used non-original hard shell case in very good condition.

THE ONLY PURPOSE OF THIS CASE IS TO PROTECT THE GUITAR DURING SHIPMENT. I WILL NOT PROVIDE ITS DETAILED DESCRIPTION OR MAKE ADDITIONAL PICTURES, NOR I WILL ACCEPT ANY COMPLAINTS. IF YOU DON’T LIKE THIS CASE YOU WILL NEED TO BUY A DIFFERENT ONE.     

WHEN YOU BUY ANY GUITAR, YOU MUST ANTICIPATE TAKING IT TO YOUR LOCAL GUITAR SHOP FOR FINAL ADJUSTMENTS CALLED “SETUP”. DEPENIDNG ON YOUR PLAYING TECHNIQUE, THIS SETUP ON USED GUITARS MAY INCLUDE NEW CUSTOM-MADE NUT AND SADDLE. IF YOU HEAR STRING BUZZ IT DOESN’T MEAN THAT GUITAR IS DEFECTIVE. IF YOU PLAY HARD ENOUGH ALL BASS STRINGS WILL BUZZ OVER THE FRETS, UNLESS THEY ARE SUSPENDED VERY FAR FROM THE FINGERBOARD. UNLESS YOU PLAY QUITE GENTLY, YOU CAN’T HAVE LOW ACTION AND NO BUZZES. KEEP IN MIND THAT CELLO-LIKE BASSES ON HIGH GRADE CLASSICAL GUITARS HAVE THEIR NATURAL “BUZZ”. 

History of modern era Yamaha Guitars.

During late1960s/early 1970s Japanese guitar makers were still trying hard to win as many international customers as possible. These were they years of significant international recognition of their, soon very highly regarded products. Yamaha was unquestioned leader among Japanese guitar exporters. Their guitars offered the highest possible level of craftsmanship with great deal of attention to even the tiniest details.

Yamaha started their fight for international clients in 1967 with new lineup of classical Grand Concert guitars made according to Spanish blueprints. They were: GC3 (solid Spruce top/ solid Indian Rosewood b/s) GC5, GC7 and GC10 (all 3 models with solid Spruce tops and solid Brazilian Rosewood b/s).

In 1968 Yamaha also introduced their lineup of great Grand Concert flamenco guitars. They were GC5F, GC7F and GC10F. The master luthier responsible for production of these guitars was Toshihiro Kato. He was helped by Hiroshi Harada, who was making classical models GC3 and GC5. Both these luthiers were trained by Eduardo Ferrer, a Spanish luthier from Granada, Spain who being invited (and appropriately rewarded) by Yamaha co., travelled to Japan during years 1964-1967.

It is very important to explain that 1960s and 1970s were years of very rapid devaluation of Japanese yen (hence rapid inflation of prices for all products). Because during those years practically all guitar models had some numbers closely related to their prices in yen, these models were quite frequently upgraded (relabeled) to higher numbers reflecting their higher prices.

For that reason, mentioned above Yamaha’s classical GC guitars lineup, was changed in 1971. New (1971-1973) lineup included models GC3D, GC6D, GC8D, GC10D (all 4 models made with solid Spruce tops & solid Indian Rosewood b/s) GC12D, GC15D and GC20D (all 3 models with solid Spruce tops & solid Brazilian Rosewood b/s). It is worth to mention that until 1974 all Yamaha classical GC models were made exclusively with Spruce tops.        

In 1974 Yamaha’s classical GC guitar lineup was changed yet again. In that year, for the first time in its history, Yamaha decided to make classical guitars with cedar tops. This newly introduced GC classical guitar lineup included models: GC5M(S), GC7M(S), GC10M(S), GC15M(S), (all with Indian Rosewood b/s), GC20M(S), GC30A, GC30B (all with Brazilian Rosewood b/s). M=spruce. S=cedar, A=spruce, B=cedar

Yamaha GC10M was priced 100 000 yen in 1974, when starting yearly salary of Japanese college graduate was around 75 000 yen. Masaru Kohno 10 was priced the same 100 000 yen. Yamaha Co. didn't compete with Kohno by lowering prices of their guitars. Yamaha GC guitars simply offered more for the same price. You will never find Kohno 10 from that era that would sound even close to this Yamaha GC10M.

In 1974 Kohno top models were 15, 20 and 30 (all with Brazilian Rosewood b/s). Model 30 was priced 300 000 yen just like Yamaha GC30A(B). In 1977 Kohno changed his lineup adding models 40 and 50 (both with improved looks but sounding no different than his earlier model 30) and changing specifications of model 15 from Brazilian Rosewood b/s to Indian Rosewood b/s. Yamaha's kept their lineup unchanged until 1979. To keep their prices at the same level, Yamaha GC guitars made in 1979 were made with somewhat lower grade woods, different finishes and less impressive ornamental extras if compared with those made in 1974. Production of GCM and GCS models ended by the end of 1979. Between years 1980-1985, Yamaha's lineup was being changed at least few times.

In 1985 top models made at Yamaha's Hamamatsu workshop were GC70& GC60 (both with the same specifications as GC30A from 1979), GC40 (with the same specifications as GC20M from 1979).

Correct evaluation of a real grade of vintage Yamaha guitars can't be done just by looking at their model numbers. Yamaha GC10 from 1980 is simply no match to GC10M from 1975. Yamaha GC10D from 1973 is of equal grade with GC15M from 1975. Yamaha GC10 from 1970 is of equal grade with Yamaha GC20D from 1973 and GC40 from 1985.

Real Value of Japanese Vintage Guitars

The key to understand value of vintage Japanese guitars is to acknowledge galloping price inflation throughout the late 1960s and 1970s with its peak of 25% in 1974.

During 1960s and most of 1970s model numbers of Japanese guitars were strictly connected with their prices in Japanese yen.

The same class guitar sold in 1970 for 100 000 yen (labelled as model 10), would be sold for 150 000 yen in 1972 (labelled as model 15), 200 000 yen in 1974 (labelled as model 20) and 300 000 yen in 1978 (labelled as model 30). Therefore, you shouldn’t be surprised that two Yamaha GC10 guitars made 10 years apart are two instruments of totally different class. The same rule applies to all guitar models made by all other Japanese makers.

Japanese inflation slowed down in the 1980s. By the early 1980s and during following decades model numbers were no longer strictly associated with their prices. Some Japanese guitar makers introduced model names instead of model numbers. For several economic reasons, since 1980s Japanese made guitars were becoming more and more expensive, while their exports slowing down. Today (2025) Japanese high end classical guitar models are priced at $20000USD level.