1979 Sakazo Nakade No. 3000 Vintage Classical Guitar, Spruce + Brazilian Rosewood w/ Case

Up for sale, a 1979 Sakazo Nakade No. 3000 in excellent condition, complete with the original hardshell case. Often referred to as the “father of modern Japanese luthiery,” Sakazo Nakade and his brother Rokutaro introduced many classical guitar construction techniques to their native country, among the first ever Japanese luthiers. The brother Nakade began their careers as violin luthiers under Kinpachi Miyamoto and, in the 1950s, traveled to Spain and spent time under the tutelage of Spanish masters including José Ramírez III, Manuel Hernandez and Victoriano Aguado, (all of whose instruments are widely considered to be some of the finest ever made).

Reflecting the Spanish-style of guitar both in terms of construction and tonal response, this No. 3000 was a top-tier instrument in the Nakade catalog at the time of its production, originally priced at a whopping ¥300,000, with top-tier features including traditional Spanish six-fan bracing on the tight-grained spruce top, Brazilian rosewood back/sides, ornate marquetry including a stunning carved headstock and complex rosette, and a lacquer gloss finish.

Tonally, this No. 3000 is dark, sonorous, and well-balanced, with exceptional breadth and openness. The light bracing allows for terrific natural resonance and exceptional vibrational transfer, with broad lows, smooth-yet-crisp trebles, and exquisite note definition in all registers. This No. 3000 weighs 3lbs 12oz, professionally setup here at Mike & Mike’s Guitar Bar with normal tension strings and optimal action.

Neck Specs:

-Wood: Mahogany (ebony stringers)
-Shape: D, measuring .930” 1st fret, .950” 9th fret
-Fretboard: Ebony
-Frets: Slender, no wear
-Scale Length: 650mm
-Nut: 52mm, bone
-Tuners: Hand-engraved strip, pearl buttons

Body Specs:

-Wood: Spruce, Brazilian rosewood
-Bracing: Spanish-style six-fan
-Bridge: Brazilian rosewood, bone saddle
-String Spacing: 56mm (bridge)
-Marquetry: Ornate rosette, tri-tone purfling, rosewood binding
-Label: Dated 1979, signed by Nakade

There are two small, professionally-addressed splits on top at the bass-side lower bout edge, and a few additional repaired cracks on the back (two along the centerline, two at bass-side waist, one at treble-side upper bout). Cosmetic wear on the gloss lacquer is otherwise limited to a few minor dings on top at the lower bout and some minor scuffs and finish scratches. The neck profile is smooth and clean, with only a few shallow marks along the profile length.

The original hardshell case is included.