{"product_id":"mitsuru-tamura-2500-1976-uni-216948","title":"Mitsuru Tamura 2500 1976 Rare Japan Classical","description":"\u003cp\u003eFor sale is a Mitsuru Tamura 2500 1976 Rare Japan Classical in Very Good Condition!\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis extremely rare, Japanese, hand-crafted guitar is exceptional in every way.  Built in 1976 with top quality solid woods and expert craftsmanship, it plays and sounds amazing! Rich tone and plenty of volume make for a room-filling experience. See below for information on the luthier who created this masterpiece.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThere is a crack on both sides of the bridge that can be seen in the above photos. They have been professionally repaired by a local luthier and are 100% structurally sound!\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCase:\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAbout the builder....\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis guitar was made in 1976 by Mitsuru Tamura, a brother of better known in the West, Hiroshi Tamura. Both brothers will forever belong to Japanese Elite of Luthiers.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eJust like many other famous Japanese luthiers of that era, Hiroshi and Mitsuru Tamura have learned their craft during their stay in Spain in late 1950s\/early 1960s. After their return from Spain Tamura brothers were making superb quality flamenco guitars that easily challenged guitars made by the most famous Spanish luthiers. Their flamenco guitars have earned them international recognition and were played by many professional players. Although these are very hard to find, their oldest flamenco guitars were made in 1962. Strangely enough, their oldest classical guitars available on Japanese second hand market were made in 1966.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt is quite possible that, during 1960s, both brothers shared the same workshop located in Kochi, Japan. Although both brothers were equally skilled, it was Hiroshi who has gathered more international and domestic rewards. As the matter of fact, Hiroshi’s rewards outnumbered those collected by Masaru Kohno.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn 1972 Hiroshi was financially rewarded by Japanese Ministry of Technology. Soon after, he moved to another shop, but not far from his brother’s, hired several associates and started to make his P and C models in greater numbers, successfully exporting many them outside Japan. Only the very top models Hiroshi was making by himself.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMitsuru Tamura has continued to work as individual luthier, and with just couple of apprentices, was making about 15-20 guitars a month. As the result Mitsuru’s guitars are harder to find on Japanese second hand market and their often reach higher prices than guitars made by Hiroshi.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSometime in 1976, after his “factory” started to produce great financial losses, Hiroshi had to declare bankruptcy and moved back to smaller workshop, making fewer number of guitar with just couple of helpers.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTamura brothers passed away sometime in mid 1980s. Just like in case of their superb flamenco guitars, their classical guitars are equally regarded in Japan.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis guitar not only rivals Kohno's from that era, but also far more expensive classical guitars made in Spain and everywhere else. It is a rare find and true gem.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt is very important to mention that by the end of 1970s\/early 1980s, due to changes in World’s and Japanese economies, as well as new currency exchange rates, guitars made by Japanese luthiers and Gakkis became more and more expensive to international importers. In those years, only few top luthiers and Gakkis (like Masaru Kohno, Sakazo Nakade and Yamaha Co.) having very strong position on international markets, were able to freely raise the prices for their very top luxurious models. Great majority of other Japanese Top luthiers had to price their guitars far more moderately even though they were of the same quality. Strangely enough, until end of their careers (1985) Hiroshi and Mitsuru Tamura’s top models were priced only 300 000 yen, even though they were of very similar grade to Masaru Kohno’s model Maestro or Sakazo Nakade’s model Master 80 (both priced 800 000 yen).\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eScale Length: 650mm\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eNut Width: 51.8mm\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFrets Remaining: 9\/10\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAction at 12F (6th): 4.5mm\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAction at 12F (1st): 3.5mm\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWeight: 1675grams\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eOverall Condition: 7.9\/10\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eCool Factor: 11 out of 10\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\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\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eInternal Use (Bin) - PA-3\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePA - 216948\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Mitsuru Tamura","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54047243862380,"sku":"UNI-216948","price":2499.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0991\/9378\/2636\/files\/jkhpzrau1iiex8l8mspm.jpg?v=1784429822","url":"https:\/\/japaneseguitarcompany.com\/products\/mitsuru-tamura-2500-1976-uni-216948","provider":"Japanese Guitar Company","version":"1.0","type":"link"}