{"product_id":"1959-masaru-kono-no-1202-classical-guitar-brazilian-rosewood-japan","title":"1959 Masaru Kono No. 1202 Classical Guitar Brazilian Rosewood Japan","description":"\u003cp class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003eAn exceptionally rare early \u003cstrong\u003eMasaru Kono No. 1202\u003c\/strong\u003e classical guitar built in \u003cstrong\u003e1959\u003c\/strong\u003e. This is a wonderful example from the early years of one of Japan's most respected luthiers, made before Masaru changed the English spelling of his name from \u003cstrong\u003e\"Kono\"\u003c\/strong\u003e to \u003cstrong\u003e\"Kohno.\"\u003c\/strong\u003e Early instruments like this are becoming increasingly difficult to find and are highly sought after by collectors and players alike.\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFeaturing a \u003cstrong\u003esolid spruce top\u003c\/strong\u003e paired with \u003cstrong\u003eBrazilian rosewood back and sides\u003c\/strong\u003e, this guitar delivers the warm, responsive, and articulate tone that helped establish Masaru Kono's reputation. Decades of natural aging have produced a mature voice with excellent clarity, rich overtones, and impressive sustain.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis guitar has just been cleaned, restrung, and professionally set up. It plays beautifully with comfortable action and is ready to be enjoyed immediately.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOverall, the guitar is in very good vintage condition. It shows honest cosmetic wear from more than 65 years of careful use, including scratches, dings, and finish wear throughout the body, all of which are pictured. The frets remain in excellent playing condition with plenty of life left.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere is one small crack on the back that has been professionally repaired by our local luthier, \u003cstrong\u003eCharles Dick\u003c\/strong\u003e. The repair is clean, stable, and does not affect the structural integrity, tone, or playability of the instrument.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe original 1959 interior label is intact, making this a particularly desirable example from the earliest period of Masaru Kono's work. Whether you're a serious classical guitarist, collector of fine Japanese instruments, or simply looking for an outstanding vintage nylon-string guitar, this is a remarkable opportunity to own an important piece of Japanese luthiery.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIncludes the vintage hard case shown in the photos. The case exhibits significant cosmetic wear from age but remains fully functional and provides good protection for the guitar.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlease review all photos carefully, as they are part of the description.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCase: Hard\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eScale Length: 650mm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNut Width: 49.8mm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFret Wear: 9\/10\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAction at 12F (6th): 3.5mm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAction at 12F (1st): 2.5mm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWeight: 1490grams\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOverall Condition: 8\/10\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCool Factor: 11 out of 10\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eUSA Seller, check my feedback to see how I value my customers and see my other listings for more rare Japanese Guitars and other unique gear! I use recycled packaging for reduced environmental impact and ship all items 100% insured against loss or damage.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eInternal Use (Bin) - I1\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Masaru Kono","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54140281651564,"sku":"RON-002","price":3299.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0991\/9378\/2636\/files\/DSC00990_27eb2ca2-4818-45d0-93e7-6b526634eaf7.jpg?v=1785938032","url":"https:\/\/japaneseguitarcompany.com\/products\/1959-masaru-kono-no-1202-classical-guitar-brazilian-rosewood-japan","provider":"Japanese Guitar Company","version":"1.0","type":"link"}