Up for sale, a 1986 Masaru Kohno Professional-R classical guitar in exceptional condition and in perfect working order, complete with the original hardshell case. One of the most prominent and influential figures in Japanese guitar manufacturing, Masaru “Ken” Kohno began his tutelage in Madrid in 1959 at the workshop of revered Flamenco and classical luthier Arcangel Fernandez. After returning to Japan to refine his craft, Kohno received first prize at the Liege Concours National de Guitares a few short years later in 1967. The chairman of the adjudicators at that competition was the “Stradivarius of the classical guitar” Ignacio Fleta, who remarked that Kohno’s guitar was “very much like his own.”

The precursor to the modern Professional-J, this handbuilt Kohno features a ladder-braced spruce top, Indian rosewood back and sides, mahogany neck with walnut stringers, and ebony fingerboard. This guitar has fantastic projection and punch, with a taut immediacy to the treble strings in particular, balanced by rumbling, airy lows and a touch of dynamic growl when rolled or strummed hard. This Kohno weighs 3lbs 11oz, professionally setup here at Mike & Mike’s Guitar Bar with normal tension D’Addario strings and ideal action.

Neck Specs:

-Wood: Mahogany
-Shape: D, measuring .875” 1st fret, .960” 9th fret
-Fretboard: Ebony
-Frets: Slender, faint wear beneath strings on frets 1-3
-Scale Length: 652mm
-Nut: 52mm

Body Specs:

-Wood: Spruce, Indian rosewood
-Bracing: Spanish-style ladder
-Bridge: Rosewood, bone saddle
-Marquetry: Matching ornate rosette, tailpiece insert, and top purfling (rosewood binding)
-Serialization: Label is signed by M. Kohno and dated 1986

There is finish overspray across the lower bout of the top, with some discoloration and a few minor stains beneath the overspray. This guitar is crack-free, with cosmetic wear limited to a few scuffs and tiny dings along the strum path and just a handful of faint finish scratches on the body as a whole. The neck profile retains its smooth gloss, with a few shallow marks that are virtually undetectable to the palm while fretting.

The original black tolex hardshell case is included.