SUPER RARE HIROSHI TAMURA P50 1969 CLASSICAL GUITAR IN EXCELLENT+ CONDITION

Brand: Hiroshi Tamura
;Country/Region of Manufacture: Japan

SUPER RARE HIROSHI TAMURA P50 1969 CLASSICAL GUITAR IN EXCELLENT+ CONDITION

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 cristal clear like on brand new guitar. I see guitars as musical instruments, not a furniture. When I describe guitar as being in excellent condtion I don't talk only about its cosmetics but mostly about its structural & functional condition, sound and playbility. If you are seeking a perfect looking guitar you should abandon a thought about buying a used vintage one, especially from me.    

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If you’d like to own equal quality instrument available at lower price take a look at El Vito Concert R guitars postings.

                  1969 HIROSHI TAMURA P50 

This guitar was made in 1969 by Hiroshi Tamura, one of the best luthiers in Japanese history. Some experts say that he was actually the best Japanese luthier, who had collected many international awards for his works, even more than great Masaru Kohno.

This is a very high grade instrument, way better that many quite expensive guitars that you might have encountered in the past and considered as great.

This guitar produces very characteristic to all Hiroshi Tamura guitars, truly Spanish, gentle and very seducing sound. Guitar is very responsive. Trebles are sweet and clear, basses vibrant and colorful. All well balanced, at very good volume with great sustain. You will have a hard time to put it down.

This guitar has very little in common with model P50 distributed in US in mid 1970’s. In 1969 it was priced 50 000 yen, while average yearly salary of a Japanese college graduate was 34,600 yen. This salary in 1970 was 40000, but in 1975 it was 80 000. Exactly the same quality guitar by 1970 would labelled at least P65, by 1971 as P80, by 1973 as P100.

This guitar, just like Yamaha model GC5 (made during years1967-1970) and other 50 000 yen guitars made by many other luthiers, was built with solid Brazilian Rosewood b/s. At that time only Masaru Kohno was able to sell his model 5 with "only" Indian Rosewood b/s. 

Most Hiroshi Tamura P series guitars distributed in US in 1970’s have developed a network of internal wrinkles within the finish. They often break at the very top and create a network of hair-like fissures. It must have been caused by light induced chemical degradation of at least one of the ingredients of the original lacquer.  

This guitar is an exception to this rule and its finish remains in super excellent condition for the age of a guitar. At very close inspection, on the sound board one can find few very small & shallow indentations within the finish and some very fine scratches. On the back there is just couple of very small dents. All of these mentioned above cosmetic imperfections are so minor that they hardly visible in nature and almost impossible to photograph. The most conspicuous cosmetic flaw is a tiny dent on the back of the very tip of a headstock.

Very likely tuners, saddle and nut on this guitar have been replaced by the previous owner. They simply look brand new. In addition this guitar was refretted in January 2016 by Greg Hails, owner of "Aperio Guitar" LLC.

Specifications:

Top: High Grade Solid Spruce Top / finish Cashew Lacquer

Back and Sides: Solid Latin America Rosewood / finish Cashew Lacquer

Neck: Mahogany

Fingerboard: Ebony

Nut and Saddle: Bone

Nut Width: 52 mm

Scale: 662 mm

Action is set to 3.50 mm under E6 and 2.80 mm under E1, with extra room for experiments with lower action.

This guitar will be shipped in lightly used HISCOX Hard Shell 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.

 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 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 yen 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 (and likely model 40 ). Soon other famous Japanese luthiers did the same. By 1983-84 Kohno started to use model names instead numbers and was raising their prices as he was pleased. Naturally soon other great 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.

Some important info regarding Tamura brothers and their guitars:

Guitarsite.com

Hiroshi Tamura Classical Guitar Model P60 made in Japan by Hiroshi Tamura.

This guitar has a warm, mature voice that plays very easily.
The scale length is 658 mm.
The knut and saddle are made of micarta.
The neck is Honduras Cedar with an Ebony fretboard and Ebony re-enforcing strip.
The top is solid Spruce with beautiful purfling around the soundhole and inlaid banding around the sides and on the back.
The sides are Rosewood veneer, the turners are gold plate.
The neck is straight and there are no cracks or flaws in the guitar but the frets show a small bit of wear.

Please email me with offers. Interested in knowing more about the lutheir too.

Filcker

gebwood 26 months ago | reply

These are very good guitars. I have owned several. a friend of mine was a salesman for the Wilson trading company in Ohio [in the 70's] that imported high end Japanese classical and flamenco guitars.[Tamura,Kohno,Nakati,]
The Tamura guitars won many international guitar building awards in the late 60's. As a previous comment was made, the c series were flamenco [cypress back], the p series were classical [rosewood back]. Many were built to the same spec's and then graded for sound, which determined the price. A p-30 was 300 dollars, a p-50 was 500 dollars. The workmanship is exceptional. I have owned at least 12 of them. I have not had one for several years and have not seen one recently. They are becoming rare. I am still looking for the cypress body ones, preferable a c-60 with wooden tuning pegs [like a violin], I could be interested in all models for the right price. I am happy to pay what would be considered reasonable. I do not believe them to be too expensive, just good. Thanks begin_of_the_skype_highlighting  end_of_the_skype_highlighting

tonookahid 58 months ago | reply

Tamura brothers were Japanese luthiers living in Kochi-prefecture, Japan. They produced Classical and Flamenco guitars from 1950s to early 1980s. Both of them passed away so there are not many information now. Hiroshi Tamura is older brother and the guitar you have was made by him.
The model on the label can be read "Jupitar" in Japanese language is a flamenco model.
Usually, each model has number which we can know its grade. Classical guitar has "P" but not sure for flamencos. Unfortunately I can't find on your guitar.
For example, P-150 means the price at that time was $1500. P-40 means $400.
Current price for Tamura varies depending on the condition. You can find them through eBay or Japanese auction site or other guitar shops. Sometimes I find $4500 for P-150 and $400 for P-100. Recently I found P-40 for around $500 on eBay.

RitaFinn 41 months ago | reply

I have a Tamura that I got in 1971, built in 1969, that is a full classical 650 guitar: not a Flemenco guitar. It is one of the finest instruments that I've ever played, and I'll keep it the rest of my life because of it's wonderfully balanced sound. It works very well as a solo instrument, but particularly well in duets and other ensemble situations because of its full mid-range and unusually brighter basses. That's not to say that the trebles are poor: they are snappy and bright if you play them so. Hold this guitar: don't sell. What a gem!

eddiej wa 37 months ago | reply

I have three Tamura guitars: 1) A 1966 Flamenco with spruce top and Cypress back and sides. I am the original owner purchasing it in 1968 in Okinawa while in the Navy. It has wooden tuning pegs, now changed to a modern type with a better mechanical advantage and it has had a professionally repaired midline crack. 2) a 1970 C-40 Flamenco with cypress back and sides and machine heads. 3) a 1978 P-80 classic in Brazilian rosewood back and sides and I think with an unusual lining of cypress in the interior sides. This was a feature on some of the Ramirez III guitars. None are for sale, as they are in unusually good, nearly mint condition and they have a sound that is at least approaches the sound of some of the best Spanish made guitars. The quality of construction is amazing. I think that if your guitar is without major repair that it is going to be worth over $ 2000 USD. I will eventually post detailed pictures on my site of my three Tamuras as I can see that some will be interested! Take care of that guitar!

Guitarsite .com

The Tamura Bros. are some of the first and finest guitar builders in japan. I have a tamura P30 made in 1968 and signed by H. Tamura, my dad paid about 600.00 back in 1971 and now i have found that the guitar is worth about 3,000.00. it is a beautiful instrument and is made of rosewood. These 2 brothers were possibly the first to build classical guitars and took much pride in the craftsmanship of the guitars they build. They are no longer with us, but their instruments will be with us a very long time.

Justanunswer.com

Customer

Hiroshi Tamura Classical Guitar
1973 Model P45
Solid Cedar top & solid Rosewood back and sides
Sound v loud and good distinction of notes
Condition v good
All original - including original hard case and hand-made wooden string winder.

Kindly appraise.
Thanks

Expert:  twinb1201 replied 622 days and 18 hours ago.

The Tamura brothers (Hiroshi and Mitsuru) lived and worked in Nagoya, Japan, producing superior classical and flamenco guitars from the 1950s to the 1980s. Both brothers are now deceased. Hiroshi Tamura guitars are rare and collectible. If your guitar is in excellent condition, its current retail (replacement) value is approximately $3,000.

Vintageclassicalguitar.com

Ask this Expert a Question >

1977 Hiroshi Tamura "P50" Cedar/Indian Rosewood Classical Guitar

• Solid Cedar Top
  
• Solid Indian Rosewood Back/Sides with Cypress reinforced sides
  
• Ebony Fingerboard
  
• Lacquer Finish
  
• 52mm Nut Width / 658mm Scale Length
  
• Action at the 12th fret (Low E): 3mm
  

Hiroshi Tamura is known for creating some of the best production guitars to ever come out of Japan, and since the 60s and 70s his guitars have developed a devoted following for their concert sound and high level of craftsmanship and design.  The tone is powerful, reminding one of a vintage concert Ramirez with a Japanese touch (the cypress reinforcements are definitely a nod to Ramirez III in that respect).  This Tamura is in excellent condition for a guitar of its age, with no cracks or repairs.  This guitar does have playing wear and painted fret dots (see photos).  Hiroshi Tamura guitars of this quality and condition are becoming rarer and rarer, so don't miss out on adding one to your collection! 

Groups.google.com

To the group- please help. I am looking for information on this builder (Hiroshi Tamura). I currently own a 1969 P-50 that is an excellent instrument and I am waiting to take possession of a 1983 P-100 which I
recently purchased. I have been scouring the internet for months in the hopes that I would find something about him (and his brother who apparently had a shop together on Shikoku Island, Jp.) and other than a few web page testimonials, some old internet sales, and 3-4 postings on a Japanese CG web page I have been able to find out little. I am interested to find out his biography; who he trained with (in Spain?); How many instruments did he produce; is he still building,alive?; You know, those sorts of things.Thanks for your help.

Scott Rosette

Hello-

I have been playing a 1968 Tamura P-150 for thirty years and,in my opinion, I've never heard a more sonorus guitar.  It also has great projection.But, like you, I haven't been able to find out anything about the maker, Hiroshi Tamura.  If anyone knows anything please pass on.

Thanks

Scott

Just to let you know I just got my "new" P-100. Excellente! I don't think it's really ever been played so it still has a little of that closed new guitar sound. (No nicks, marks, fret wear- no nothing except 2 wear marks where it was apparently sitting on a guitar stand for almost a few decades.) Very balbanced sound- no dead spots and it rings! Spruce/Brazillian-nice grain-nothing very dramatic; a little deeper body than my P-50 and, as I was hoping, it has a wider neck at the head nut. Also a much more contempory
shape to the neck- flatter & rounder (the P-50 is more "D" shaped) Seems to have improved his overall building technic although the lacquer is not as good (might be how it was stored & the environment) I'm psyched! 3-4 hours every night after the baby goes to sleep- I might not only open this thing
up , but I may learn how to play it as well.

Scott

Hiroshi Tamura guitars were sold in late 60 & 70 ties at prices between 600 – 1500 USD. These prices absolutely don’t reflect actual value of these guitars, but quite beneficial for US buyers, money market exchange rates at that time. For example the exchange rate between USD and Yen in 1975 was around 300 yen per dollar. With current exchange rates the same guitars would be priced at $1800 - $4,500.00. If these guitars were made in Spain their prices would be 3 times higher. It is also worth to mention, that since spruce tops produce louder and sweeter sound as they age, this guitar being 46 years old is a true gem.

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

SUPER RARE HIROSHI TAMURA P50 1969 CLASSICAL GUITAR IN EXCELLENT+ CONDITION

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