This is a very rare guitar indeed! Hand made of all solid woods (spruce / rosewood) by master luthier Kuniharu Nobe in the late 1950’s or early 1960’s. Nobe was the master who taught modern master Kazuo Sato before he left Japan. Sato went on to study under Rubio who selected him from many applicants (although he couldn’t speak English) because of the high level of skill he obtained under Nobe. More information on the builder below.
The model number indicates this was a very expensive guitar, probably priced at 120,000 yen. That’s about 6 months salary for a Japanese college graduate in 1960! Beautifully constructed of fine spruce and solid rosewood back and sides, lattice bracing. Tuners work well, bridge is firmly attached. No loose braces. It plays great and sounds amazing with a tone that only comes from a guitar that is more than half a century old and built by a true master luthier. There are several small dings and some small abrasions around the edges consistent with age. I have tried to capture the worst ones in the pictures. Don’t let this deter you, it’s a wonderful guitar and very rare and collectible! Ships in a nice hard case.
There is a crack between the sound hole and the bridge which is pictured and has been repaired.
Scale Length: 650mm
Nut Width: 48.4mm
Action at 12F (1st): 3mm
Action at 12F (6th): 3mm
Overall Condition: 7/10
Rare Factor: 11 out of 10
USA Seller, check my Feedback and see my other listings for more rare Japanese Guitars!
Founded by Masanori Nobe, the Nobe family has been building guitars since 1945. Masaji was the youngest and most well known, but his oldest brother Kuniharu was also a highly respected luthier and was probably only lesser known because he died much younger and therefore built fewer guitars than his younger brother. Masaji’s son Masafumi continues the family tradition today selling guitars in the range of $5000-$11,500.
Internal Use (Bin) - N3
This is a very rare guitar indeed! Hand made of all solid woods (spruce / rosewood) by master luthier Kuniharu Nobe in the late 1950’s or early 1960’s. Nobe was the master who taught modern master Kazuo Sato before he left Japan. Sato went on to study under Rubio who selected him from many applicants (although he couldn’t speak English) because of the high level of skill he obtained under Nobe. More information on the builder below.
The model number indicates this was a very expensive guitar, probably priced at 120,000 yen. That’s about 6 months salary for a Japanese college graduate in 1960! Beautifully constructed of fine spruce and solid rosewood back and sides, lattice bracing. Tuners work well, bridge is firmly attached. No loose braces. It plays great and sounds amazing with a tone that only comes from a guitar that is more than half a century old and built by a true master luthier. There are several small dings and some small abrasions around the edges consistent with age. I have tried to capture the worst ones in the pictures. Don’t let this deter you, it’s a wonderful guitar and very rare and collectible! Ships in a nice hard case.
There is a crack between the sound hole and the bridge which is pictured and has been repaired.
Scale Length: 650mm
Nut Width: 48.4mm
Action at 12F (1st): 3mm
Action at 12F (6th): 3mm
Overall Condition: 7/10
Rare Factor: 11 out of 10
USA Seller, check my Feedback and see my other listings for more rare Japanese Guitars!
Founded by Masanori Nobe, the Nobe family has been building guitars since 1945. Masaji was the youngest and most well known, but his oldest brother Kuniharu was also a highly respected luthier and was probably only lesser known because he died much younger and therefore built fewer guitars than his younger brother. Masaji’s son Masafumi continues the family tradition today selling guitars in the range of $5000-$11,500.
Internal Use (Bin) - N3
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