2003 Masaji Nobe Prime Classical Guitar, Spruce + Rosewood w/ Case

Up for sale, a 2003 Masaji Nobe Prime handmade classical guitar in excellent, 100% original condition, complete with the original hardshell case. While somewhat less prolific in his output than other Japanese classical luthiers due to being a true one-man operation, Nobe’s instruments are widely considered some of the finest to emerge from the Land of the Rising Sun, boasting top-notch construction and carefully selected tonewoods. Nobe came from a lineage of master luthiers (his son took over operation of his workshop following Nobe’s death in 2004), and his instruments have been prized by guitarists the world over, including Dimitri Illarionov and Masahiro Masuda. This particular instrument (Nobe’s top-tier Prime model) was produced just one year prior to Nobe’s death, one of the final instruments made by the legendary craftsman.

Premium tonewoods include a spruce top, bookmatched rosewood back and sides, mahogany neck, and ebony fingerboard. The top features Fleta-style nine-fan bracing; indeed, this guitar very clearly follows in the tradition of the Spanish master luthiers both in regards to construction and tonal response. Dark, rich, and sweet, this guitar is breathy, immediate and dynamic in its response, and remarkable in its harmonic complexity. Weighing 3lbs 7oz, this Nobe Prime has been professionally setup here at Mike & Mike’s Guitar Bar, dialed in with normal tension strings and optimal action.

Neck Specs:

-Wood: Mahogany
-Shape: D, measuring .880” 1st fret, .980” 9th fret
-Fretboard: Ebony
-Frets: Slender, no wear
-Scale Length: 640mm
-Nut: 50mm, bone
-Headstock: Nobe signature corona
-Tuners: Gold strip, ebony buttons

Body Specs:

-Wood: Spruce, rosewood
-Bracing: Nine-fan (Fleta-style)
-Bridge: Rosewood, bone saddle
-String Spacing: 57mm (bridge)
-Marquetry: Ornate rosette, multi-ply purfling, rosewood binding
-Label: Signed by Nobe, dated to 2003

This is a crack-free instrument, with cosmetic wear including limited buckle scuffing on the back, a few dings on top at the lower bout, light wear across the soundhole, and some faint finish scratches. The neck profile is smooth and clean, with a few shallow marks along the profile length.

The original hardshell case is included.