1980 Masaru Kohno no 30 natural

Excellent condition, 8/10, Made in Japan, including original hardcase (labeled FAMA), handsigned label, Nishiikebukuro 5-27 Toshimuku Tokio Japan, only a handful of dings in the top below the soundhole, gold tuners, beautiful rosewood body, mahogany neck with double ebony reinforcements, more info:

The Model 30 was debuted in 1975. It was the new top model Kohno guitar (he generally offered three), and it featured a number of significant cosmetic enhancements over his models 15 and 20. Otherwise, all the models shared the same structural design, and thus, shared the superb performance characteristics that distinguished Kohno guitars generally. The new look of the Model 30 included a much more ornate headstock design. A mosaic strip that matched the rosette binding was incorporated into the top's purfling. The guitar featured more highly figured Brazilian rosewood, and the European spruce top was no longer stained. Finally, the instrument was fitted with premium quality Lansdorfer tuning machines with real Mother of Pearl buttons.

The Model 30 remained the top model Kohno until c.1978 when the Model 50 was introduced which featured further design changes to the headstock as well as the bridge, with even more elaborate enhancements to the trim. Subsequently, the Model 30 became the number two guitar offered, and it saw two minor changes: a slight simplification of the headstock now fitted with deluxe Gotoh tuning machines instead of the premium Lansdorfers which, henceforth, became exclusive to the Model 50. In the early '80s, a model 80 was introduced, and, later, in the middle '80s the numbering system used to distinguish the models and their prices was replaced with a naming system. Masaru Kohno (1926-1998) is an essential figure in Japanese guitar making history and visionary luthier. Born in Mito City, Japan, he started his career as a luthier after graduating from the Tokyo College of Arts and Crafts. In 1959, Masaru Kohno travelled to Arcangel Fernandez’s workshop in Spain, where he stayed six months for an enlightening apprenticeship. A turning point in his career was winning the Gold Medal at the Elizabeth’s Concourse International Guitar Building Competition in Belgium in 1967, which brought him worldwide recognition. The list of players having recorded and performed on Masaru Kohno’s guitar is substantial, and to name a few, Julian Bream, Oscar Gighlia, and Sharon Isbin.