MADE IN 1970 ULTRA RARE MASARU MATANO C.400 EXCEPTIONAL CLASSICAL CONCERT GUITAR

Brand: Aria
;Country/Region of Manufacture: Japan

MADE IN 1970 ULTRA RARE MASARU MATANO C.400 EXCEPTIONAL CLASSICAL CONCERT GUITAR

Please read my 7 days return policy at the bottom of the page.

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If you are thinking about a purchase of a used vintage guitar you need to accept the fact that such guitars may have cosmetic flaws solely associated with their age, but not related to any particular damage. For example their finishes change their look over the years and are not glossy and crystal clear like on brand new guitar. In addition, such guitars may require fret dressing, new tuners, string action adjustment or a simple repair before they can be fully enjoyed. I see guitars as musical instruments, not as furniture. When I describe guitar as being in excellent condition I don't talk only about its cosmetics but mostly about its structural & functional condition, sound and playability. If you are seeking a perfect looking, low maintenance guitar you should abandon a thought about buying used vintage one, especially from me.

I don't offer "sound samples" because they never reflect true sound of a guitar as we hear it playing in our own room. You can greatly change tonality of any guitar by using different strings.   

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Masaru Matano Classe 400 1974

This particular guitar was made in 1970 and is yet another example of Masaru Matano’s superb craftsmanship. Despite its age, and several minor cosmetic flaws on its body, is still in perfect working condition. Cosmetic flaws include very small dents, light scratches and abrasions, located mostly on the soundboard. In very strong light (camera flash) cloudiness of finish becomes visible. 

I am 100% sure that once you touch the strings of this guitar, all these flaws will be totally irrelevant to you.

This guitar was priced 40 000 yen in 1970, while yearly salary of Japanese college graduate was 39 200 yen. Many "all solid woods" Japanese made guitars were priced much less than that. For example YamahaGC3D & Hiroshi Tamura's P30 were priced 30 000 yen. Less known makers were selling their "all soild" models for 20 000 yen. Masaru Kohno's lowest model was No 5 (priced 50 000 yen). If this model Classe 400 wasn't worth that much nobody saine would buy it. In fact Masaru Matano guitars were sold in Europe at very high prices. Why? Because Masaru Matano really was one of the best luthiers Japan ever had. He is remebered in Japan as "genius of the sound". 

Masaru Matano is remembered in Japan as "genius of the sound". Regardless of what materials he used, his guitars sounded far better than much higher priced guitars made by most famous luthiers of that era. On several occassions M. Matano was able to improve the sound of old Stradivarius violins. 

In early 1970s R.Matsuoka model M30 was sold in US for $600 . Therefore Matano's model Classe 400 would have to be priced at least $800, which had the same purchase power as $4000 today. 

This guitar is a “perfect instrument”, a concert guitar, producing beautiful and well balanced notes, clear and ringing trebles, deep resonating basses, at high volume, with very impressive sustain. Guitar is very light, responsive to a lightest touch and with current action plays super easy.

Although this particular guitar has Matano's unique headstock it is nothing but a great "copy" of Ramirez guitars. However this "copy" is simply much better sounding than few Ramirez 1A guitars that I had a chance to try in the past. In addition these Ramirez 1A guitars were almost impossible to play, while this Matano guitar plays like a butter.

Masaru Matano was one of the best Japanese luthiers ever. He was the founder of modern ASTURIAS guitars workshop and its first Master Luthier. He was also a long-time friend and teammate with Shiro Arai and in early 1970s he co-founded ARIA guitars workshop in Nagoya, Japan. Masaru Matano’s philosophy has always been “quality first”. His guitars have always been highly regarded and sought by international players, despite their high prices.

All M. Matano guitars even in 1970-ties were sold in Europe at quite high prices. They in fact opened the path to European markets for Aria and Asturias guitars. It is a great loss for American players that these brands have never been seriously distributed in North America. If they were, we wouldn’t have today that many low quality “hand made in Spain” guitars on US market.

 

SPECIFICATIONS:

Top: Very High Grade Solid Cedar

Back & sides: Latin America Rosewood Super High Grade Laminates

Only a total novice into the world of classical guitars can question greatness of Japanese made laminates. They have nothing in common with modern era cheap particle-board laminates. They are nothing but solid wood plates glued together. hence in fact nothing but a reinforced solid woods. They perform no different from solid woods, while don't crack as easily, are much easier to work with, and allow for much lower prices of instruments. Such guitars are true blessing for guitar enthusiasts with limited funds.

Neck: Mahogany

Fingerboard: Ebony or super well ebonized Rosewood

Original deffective tuners were replaced with new ones. 

Tuners have 39mm roller spacing.

With at the nut: 52 mm

Scale: 658 mm

Action is set to 3.5 mm under E6 and 3.80 mm under E3.00 mm

To all destinations (except Australia), this guitar will be shipped in new hard foam case.

In order to ship a package with guitar to Australia at affordable rate +/- $150.00 (USPS International Priority Mail), length of such package can’t exceed 42” and its girth (2 x times width + 2 x height) + length can’t exceed total of 97”. If you want original or non-original hard shell case, the size of the package will qualify it only for USPS/Fedex Global Express Guaranteed  at $400.00 price.

Here is some info you might be interested in:

HISTORY OF ARIA

"It all started with the classical guitar", says Shiro Arai, Chairman and the founder of Aria Guitars.

One day, a friend came to visit Shiro's apartment with a guitar. Shiro was expecting to hear Koga-type Japanese popular music, but instead his friend started to play a piece by Bach. From this moment, he had been inspired by the sound of this instrument forever.

The very next day, Shiro bought his first guitar, costing over two months salary and began to teach himself to play. Now playing day and night, his passion for the guitar brought him to a famous classical guitar master in Nagoya, and soon became one of his students.

Shiro started work for a trading company in 1947, aged 17. In 1953, Shiro and two of his colleagues resigned their positions and founded their own trading firm. After the fledgling company failed after just one year Shiro found himself homeless with nothing but his guitar. In order to live and settle the outstanding debts from this first business he started to teach the guitar.

In 1954 unable to buy guitars, music and strings in Japan's music stores, Shiro started to import classical guitars, Augustine guitar strings, and musical scores for himself and his students. These were the first classical guitars imported into post-war Japan and included instruments from renowned makers Jose Ramirez and Hermann Hauser. Recognising an increasing demand for guitars from friends and players throughout Japan, Shiro grasped the opportunity to start his own business. On August 2nd, 1956, ARAI & CO., INC was founded.

At this time, although demand for classical guitars and accessories were increasing, it was still comparatively low and business was supplemented with other products including woollen material.

The name, "ARIA", which means expressive melody, was first used in 1958 when Arai exported Japanese built classical guitars fitted with steel strings to South East Asia in 1963. Also the letters of his name "ARAI" were just switched around to "ARIA as he recalled.

Shiro embarked on a tour of the US with two of the best Japanese KOHNO guitars. At that time Japanese guitars had a poor reputation for developing body cracks and warped necks after being exposed to drier conditions abroad. It was Shiro's intention to prove how good Japanese guitars were by performing and showing to fellow guitarists, teachers and music shops. After two months these guitars also started to crack.

Even the best available Kohno guitars faced the same problem. Shiro took these cracked guitars back to Japan to show their makers just how vital it is to use properly seasoned tone woods. This trip gave Shiro the experience and knowledge to improve the quality of guitars and export Japanese guitars worldwide.

It was as early as the late 50's when Arai started to import Fender guitars and amplifiers from the US, although at that time the Japanese market was not quite ready for the electric guitar! With the advent of rock n' roll demand for electric guitars took-off. Arai released its first ARIA brand electric guitars in 1963. Exporting to the US followed with models including the 1532T and 1802T.

To counter the decline of the solid body electric guitar boom, Arai released the Aria Diamond series hollow body semi-acoustic guitars. Aria Diamond was named after the imitation diamond inlayed into the headstock. This series lead to the release of the 1202 and 1302 models in 1966 and caused nothing short of a sensation in Japan. From 1967 Aria added a variety of models including the solid body 1962T, R-320, and violin shaped 12-string and bass guitars, and a full acoustic guitar, the 1262.

In 1975, Aria Pro II was developed from Aria's custom shop making high-end models for professional users. In 1976, Aria Pro II released its first original model, the PE-1500.

PE (Prototype Line) is a classic Aria design, also known as the legendary masterpiece, it featured an arched top, and all maple carved body with Aria's original "heel-less neck and DiMarzio Super Distortion Humbucking Pickups. Primarily designed for tone and playability, the PE series has been modified to match today's trends while keeping its original features and timeless design.

In 1978, Aria Pro II released another long-selling model, the SB-1000. The SB-1000 was highly regarded throughout the world and came to represent everything that was good about Aria and Japanese guitar building. Featuring a Canadian Ash body with neck through body and, to enhance playability, a heel-less neck. For its original tone, SB featured the Aria original BB circuit. Its exotic see-through finish and the eye position marks make the SB amongst the most distinctive basses ever made.

Aria Pro II led the way with the 80's shift to Hard Rock and Heavy Metal. Releasing many models such as XX, ZZ and U-1. Whilst not abandoning their routes also re-established the semi-acoustic guitar models, FA and TA. The 80s, also saw the introduction of the famous IGB (SB INTEGRA) bass series.

In the early 1990s, after the heavy metal rush, Aria Pro II released one of its favourite original models, the MA series to reinforce the PE and SB line-ups. MA series bodies are constructed with innovative crystal shaped carved top and back.

Continuing its remarkable progress, Aria released the very unique concept of the SWB (electric upright bass) series to the world in 1992. The SWB range offers compact modern design and features the Fishman custom bridge Piezo pickup and active tone circuit.

Aria has been at the forefront of guitar and Japanese guitar building excellence for 50 years, which means a wealth of experience and acquired expertise. The core value remains the same today, to constantly strive to achieve a higher level of excellence, quality and value for musicians.

 

http://www.guitarsalon.com

 

 

Ed A. 

Member

 

Join Date: Jan 2004

Location: Torrance Ca.

Posts: 49

Back in 1983 I bought a Masaru Matano clase 400 guitar on the advice of my instructor. He had a friend that imported them and he thought they were a bargain at $475.(1983 price) That has been my primary guitar since then. I've had the opportunity to play many different guitars and I wouldn't trade my Matano for any of them. Recently I saw a Matano clase 500 model for sale on EBAY. I was the only bidder at $450 so I ended up with it. My clase 400 was made in 1981 and the clase 500 was made in 1977. The new (older) guitar obviously hadn't been played for years but it cleaned up beautifully. It has a really bright sound and IMHO is worth at least three to four times what I paid for it. The two guitars are ,as expected, very similar and I'm still trying to make up my mind which one I like better. The only obvious difference is that the 500 has a prettier bridge and what appears to be ebony re-enforcement in the neck. 
The finger board on both is rosewood. Some people associate a rosewood fingerboard with an inferior instrument but I never believed that. A lot of what passes for ebony is dyed rosewood anyway. I believe that the Matano clase 600 has an ebony fingerboard and I'm on the lookout for one. 
If a Matano has become available to you at a reasonable price I don't think you can go wrong. 
Ed

http://www.classicalguitardelcamp.com

Re: Masuru Matano

by Whooper » Sunday 30 March 2008, 01:09 am

Dear Mr. Fritz Kadiddlehopper,

Luthier Masaru MATANO is less known even in Japan. Though he is an old timer, I had known him nearly 40 years ago.
In 1962 in Kyushu, Masaru MATANO started the production in order to make a Spanish model like Jose Ramirez type. He established his "MEIKO (superior artisan)" factory. He produced not only classical but also acoustic ones. He also advised and supervised "Arai Trading" now called "Aria" brand. 
In 1981 he stopped his work suddenly and left from the industry completely. The reason is not clear. His factory was handed down to the current "Asturias" brand. When I was young to buy a first fine guitar, I was torn between Matano and Chai brands. I bought a Chai one but still have an attachment for Matano. 

Re: Masuru Matano

by jebejava » Sunday 30 March 2008, 05:29 am

Whooper, 
Thanks for the information on Masaru Matano. I bought a Matano in 1980 from the US distributor JTG of Nashville, but sold it in 1983 after I got a luthier made guitar. I liked it very much, but had to pay for the other guitar. As far as I remember, my Matano cost around US$600. The person who bought it from me was a performer. About ten years later, I tried to buy it back, but he loved it so much he wouldn't part with it. When I sold mine, the prices of Matano guitars had almost doubled in price, due in part I guess to his having stopped making instruments. 
It's a pity he left the industry, but the few people I knew who had his guitars appreciated them highly.

jebejava

 

Re: Masuru Matano

by Whooper » Sunday 30 March 2008, 05:57 am

Dear jebejava,

It is too bad for you. Yes, Matano was then one of best luthiers in Japan. I still try to find a straight well seasoned Matano. I will let you know, if I could obtain.

Regards
Whooper

Re: Masuru Matano

by BarbBarth » Sunday 13 April 2008, 21:12 pm

I'm excited to see info on this Luthier. I purchased a '77 class 400 Masaru Matano a little over 5 years ago (mint condition) for $300 and really didn't know much about it except it seemed to be a lovely guitar. I found very little about the luthier. I have kept an eye on auctions hoping for more info after the luthier I took it to for repair (it tipped over and had a boo-boo) told me it was a really well made guitar and worth a lot more than I paid for it. Eeeek... It had been my "out and about" guitar that I didn't worry about. 
The people I have found that have one all seem to really like their Masaru Matano guitars. I posted a general inquiry online a few years ago and received several inquiries from people here in the states and overseas. But not a lot of info about the man who made it until now.

While I have taken care of it (except for the tip over) I feel like I haven't given it the proper respect over the years!

Barb

Re: Masuru Matano

by Whooper » Monday 14 April 2008, 01:18 am

Dear BarbBarth,

I am happy to be of your little help. A beautiful Jacaranda model is on net sale now. Bid Yen 52,000.

Class 600 probably produced in 1972 by himself.

Ed Chait

Post by Chris Erwich

Who can tell me something about this Japanese luthier?
Chris

I have one of his guitars, a Clase 600, but there is very little information
available on Masaru Matano.

My Matano classical is a really superb instrument, built in 1976. My guitar
teacher helped me to select it. It has very light construction, with a
wonderful tone and good balance between trebles and basses. Has these fat
round sublime tones that project very well.
It seems that Masaru Matano passed away before he had the opportunity to
build more than just a few guitars.

 

Ed

 

http://www.guitarforums.com

 

zacleb

Junior Member

 

Join Date: May 2013

Posts: 1

 Masaru Matano Classical Guitar

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Hey everyone,

I agreed to help to restore and sell an old classical guitar. But I know nothing about it and it there is very little information about it online as well. The brand is Masaru Matano. Its a Class 500, 1980 model.

By looking at it, its seems to have a cedar top and indian rosewood back and sides. I can post pictures later if it will help. Its in pretty good condition.

Does anyone know anything about this guitar? how much it might be worth? what the quality as and what kind of wood it was made out of?

Any information would help, thank you.

  

 06-21-2013, 12:00 PM

  #2

Susanna Schulz

Junior Member

 

Join Date: Jun 2013

Posts: 1

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Hi zacleb,
I have a Matano Clase 600 from 1978 for sale. It was a high price guitar (former 3600DM). Workmanship is very good (though manufactured I guess), also the sound is excellent. Meanwhile Matano Guitars seems to have a circle of fans, so value may rise up even in future. I cannot say something about the value of your guitar, as you always have to hear and play it for proper evaluation.
Hope I could help yoou by this a bit.



*****Susanna Schulz - schulz-gitarren.de - Berlin *****

  

 

 08-14-2013, 04:31 AM

  #3

Foxglove

Junior Member

 

Join Date: Aug 2013

Posts: 2

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Hi Zacleb,
I have a Matano that I bought new for 500 canadian dollars in 1978, a very similar guitar to the one you have. 
The top is cedar, with rosewood sides, and the neck is rosewood fingerboard over a composite layer rosewood and I think spruce neck.
Matano guitars keep their beautiful sound for many years, I believe because of the very high quality of the cedar top.
I have seen this guitar for sale periodically for 900 to 2000 canadian dollars, though not often as they are quite rare.
A comparable handmade guitar new these days would run you close to 4000 canadian dollars. This is what I have mine insured for. 
I hope this info helps.
Foxglove.

 

 

Real Value of Japanese Vintage Guitars

The key to understand value of vintage Japanese guitars is to acknowledge galloping devaluation of Japanese yen in 1960s & 1970s. This devaluation was somewhat slower in 1980s. The best measure of this devaluation is Starting Yearly Salary of Japanese College Graduate (SYSJCG).

SYSJCG in 1965 was 19 600 yen, in 1969 – 34 600 yen, in 1970 39 200 yen, in 1972 – 62 300 yen, in 1975 79 200 yen, in 1977 121 200 and in 1980 - 163 000 yen.

During 1960s and most of 1970s model numbers of Japanese guitars were strictly interconnected with their prices in Japanese yen. In late 1970s and during following decades model numbers were no longer strictly associated with their prices. Many Japanese guitar makers introduced model names instead of model numbers. Others were still using model numbers with addition of letter abbreviations or other symbols.  

The best and only logical approach while evaluating real value (real grade) of vintage Japanese guitar is to compare its price in Japanese yen with SYSJCG during the year guitar was made.

Any guitar priced 100 000 in 1970 (labelled usually as No10) would be priced 200 000 yen in 1975 (relabeled to No20 or 2000), 300 000 yen in 1977 (labelled as No3, No30 or 3000). Starting in 1977 Masaru Kohno introduced his model No50 priced at 500 000 (skipping theoretical model 40). Soon other famous Japanese luthiers did the same. By 1983 Kohno started using model names instead numbers and was raising their prices as he was pleased. Naturally soon other Master luthiers did the same.

Knowing all of that, you can bet on that Masaru Kohno No50 made in 1982 is practically the same quality as Kohno No15 made in 1972, or Kohno no20 made in 1975 or Kohno No30 made in 1977. I know it for a fact.

The lowest grade models currently made by Matsuoka workshop are M75 and MH75. They are commonly considered as “beginner guitars”. Matsuoka model M30 made in 1973 is simply far, far better instrument. It is naturally better than model M50 made in 1977, model 80 made in 1982 or model M100 made in 1990. At present, the highest grade Matsuoka models are M300 and MH300. They absolutely stand no chance in competition with model M150 made in 1975… or model M200 made in 1977.

It is very important to mention that if modern era luthiers are using 40 years old woods to make a classical guitar, its price is at least $8000.

Returns

If you are not happy with your purchase you may return the guitar for a refund of a purchase price of a guitar.  The cost of shipping both ways will not be refunded.

All you need to do is to:

1.    Notify me within 5 days after delivery   

2.    Pack guitar the same way I do it, using the same box and materials

3.    Ship it back to me within next 2 days

 

Another words I expect this “trail” period to occur within +/- 7 days. Naturally guitar has to be returned in the same condition as I ship it to you. This is simply honest offer for honest buyers. My goal is to make your purchase as risk free as possible. I know very well that spending $1000 of hard earned money is not emotionally easy undertaking for majority of guitar lovers. I am sure that reading my feedback can ease a bit your “purchase anxiety” but it still will be there no matter how hard I try.

Victor                                                              

P.s. If you'd like to check my other posted on E-bay guitars click on the links below:

http://youtu.be/W1FaCjodgZM

http://youtu.be/_3tJW9ljjdM

http://youtu.be/ExVwfhLy1gQ

http://youtu.be/XNdeSWxb2nU

http://youtu.be/mecVgriaKJ0

http://youtu.be/O9ErnhZhDxw

http://youtu.be/ceVTybPnq7c

http://youtu.be/Zyz8eZeTSRQ

http://youtu.be/T8bkPi4jhss

MADE IN 1970 ULTRA RARE MASARU MATANO C.400 EXCEPTIONAL CLASSICAL CONCERT GUITAR

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