❌SOLD❌ Kohno Model 20 Classical Guitar Spruce and Brazilian Rosewood, 1975

The Kohno Model 20 was one of several professional grade classical guitars built by the late Masaru Kohno, survived by his nephew Masaki Sakurai, who runs the Kohno / Sakurai shop in Tokyo, Japan.

Masaru Kohno was born during 1926 in Mito City, and graduated from Tokyo College of Arts and Crafts in 1948. Having developed a strong interest in guitar construction, in 1960 he travelled to Spain and apprenticed at the workshop of Arcángel Fernández for six months. The Spanish and Japanese languages are not really closely related, so communication had its challenges and Kohno developed keen observation skills to learn as much as he could. On his return to his shop in Tokyo, he was quickly recognised as a talented luthier and his skills grew. Mr. Kohno passed away in 1998 and his shop is now run by his nephew Masaki Sakurai.

Here we are looking at a Kohno Model 20 or No.20, built largely in the traditional Spanish method though the Japanese and German interpretations of this often involve a tenor or dovetail neck joint with a faux-slipper foot heel. The top is German Spruce paired with Brazilian Rosewood for the sides, back, head plate and bridge. The neck is Cedro or Spanish Cedar, with an Ebony fingerboard and a pair of Ebony stiffeners. Back bracing and body blocks are Mahogany and the top bracing is German Spruce. The finish is original, with clear evidence that the guitar has been played as intended. There is a small repaired crack in the top next to the treble fingerboard tag that is only visual. The finish has a number of small dings and dents on the top and back, in particular tap marks from fingertips. Fret wear is light – it’s a lot harder to wear through fretwire with nylon strings than steel!

This guitar has been restrung and set up at The Twelfth Fret and a molded hard shell case is included.