VINTAGE ASTURIAS JOHN MILLS #15 (CUSTOM) CLASSICAL GUITAR IN EXCELLENT CONDITION

Brand: Asturias
;Country/Region of Manufacture: Japan

VINTAGE ASTURIAS JOHN MILLS #15 (CUSTOM) 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 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.

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Asturias John Mills #15 (Custom S) 

Model MJ15 has later on been re-named to model “Custom”. This guitar is much louder and more responsive than other higher Asturias models made in later decades, especially after year 2000.

Currently Asturias classical & flamenco guitar lineup begins with model Prelude priced 214 000 yen. Model Prelude since year 2015 is made with high grade laminates for b/s instead of solid b/s. The least expensive “all solid woods” Asturias guitar currently available on US market is model Asturias Comfort (630 mm scale) sold by Guitar Salon International for $3500. Price for this model in Japan is 240 000 yen. Model Custom is priced 270 000, while model Renaissance is priced 324 000 yen. You can calculate yourself their US retail prices.

As the serial number (00677) indicates, this guitar was made in 1981. It survived in truly excellent working condition for its age. It has however few cosmetic flaws.

Unfortunately during the storage a crack in the finish (not within the wood) has developed above the fingerboard. This crack is not result of any impact, but occurred due to a difference in microclimates this guitar has been stored earlier for years and now. Due to a change in humidity the wood of soundboard expanded and revealed crack along the already predisposed weaker spot.

This crack has been sealed (see picture 04) and re-polished. Such repair only takes care of the crack itself, but leaving a “scar” is unavoidable . Despite my expectations, similar crack on the other side of the fingerboard never happened (see picture 5).  

These cosmetic flaws don’t affect the structure, sound or playability of a guitar. It is rather difficult to have them completely removed, without a major re-finish of the sound board. 

It is true high grade concert guitar with impressive volume and colorful, sweet tone, resonance and sustain. Asturias guitars were highly sought by European players, since their debut on European markets in early 1980’s.

Asturias guitars, despite strong competition with Spanish made guitars, were sold in Europe at really high prices. The reason is that they simply represented far more value than similarly priced guitars made by other makers. In fact Asturias guitars sound more “Spanish” than many Spanish made guitars.

Its price was 150 000 yen in 1980, a value equal to 7/8 of yearly salary of Japanese college graduate. Masaru Kohno model 15 was priced the same 150 000. Kohno's model 15 in 1984 was renamed to Professional R and priced 200 000 yen. Asturias JM15 was relabeled to Asturias Custom and also priced 200 000 yen. 

If this guitar was offered for sale in USA in 1980 it had be priced at least $1,500. A purchase power of $1000 in 1980 equals to a purchase power of $3000 today.

Asturias has a great reputation for tone and built quality. They are made at small workshop that employs about 15 craftsmen, in Kurume, Japan. Asturias began making guitars in 1962, and their production of classical guitars has always been in limited numbers. However the labels with the name Asturias appeared for the first time in 1980. Initially these labels had no serial numbers on them. Serial numbers were introduced in 1981 and only since that time we can easily date these guitars.

Prior to 1980 this Kurume workshop belonged to Masaru Matano and his “Meiko Gakki” co. One of his known associates was Hiromi Yamaguchi, who since early 1970’ was the maker of “Cervantes” guitars. After Hiromi Yamaguchi joined Asturias team for good, “Cervantes“ guitars were still being made  along other Asturias labeled guitars at least until 1982. At some point in time, Hiromi Yamaguchi left Asturias and started making guitars under his own name.

Another Matano’s associate was highly regarded luthier Eichi Kodaira, who within the Asturias team was responsible for making all AST models. At some point in time, Eichi and a group of his closest associates moved to another workshop located in Suwa (Nagano Prefecture) and started making Asturias Kodaira guitars, identical with AST models earlier made at Kurume workshop.

Both workshops were working for the same trading company Rokkoman Inc. (first of all a serious Japanese lumber importer).

Sometime in 1981 Masaru Matano had left the team, which stayed at his Kurume shop. Details of Matano’s departure are unknown and most likely will remain a mystery forever. After Matano left, another (earlier rather unknown) luthier, Wataru Tsuji took over Asturias team and is holding on to this post until today.

Also around 1980, Rokkoman Inc. took over another prestigious Japanese workshop, “Ecole” Guitars and incorporated its crew into Eichi Kodaira’s workshop. “Ecole” guitars were always considered by Japanese players as luxurious and very high grade guitars. They truly are fantastic guitars.

All these guitars made by Asturias luthiers are very high grade, well regarded by a lot of international players who consider them as the best mid-price range classical guitars. 

No matter which guitar made by these incredible luthiers you might choose (with Masaru Matano, Eichi Kodaira, Asturias, Asturias Kodaira, Cervantes or Ecole labels), it will beat any Spanish made guitar that is priced twice that much.

Specifications:

CUSTOM/S (German Spruce)

Selected solid woods are used for this best selling model. 

Compared to French polish finish, this Lacquer finish top is very easy for daily care.

Choose cedar top for sweet forward going tone, or German spruce top for bright sound

spreads to the air.

Top

Solid German Spruce

Back / Sides

Solid East Indian Rosewood

Scale

650mm

Fingerboard

Ebony

Neck

Mahogany

Finish

Lacquer top / Polyurethan back & sides

The action is set to 3.3 mm under E6 and 2.7 mm under E1. There is no room on the saddle to lower

this action. Neck is perfectly straight.

To all destinations (except Australia), this guitar will be shipped in used hard case in excellent condition.  

This guitar will be shipped in used Takabe Hard Shell Case in excellent condition. To Australia it will be shipped in brand new Hard Polyfoam 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 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.

This guitar most likely had been played in the past, but later on stored for many years. Very likely its owner played with it for a short period of time and finally put it to a closet. He/she managed to produce some “damages”. When this guitar arrived to my workshop it had: on the top: few tiny and very shallow dents, few fine scratches and little cluster of somewhat deeper scratches on the right lower bout, close to the edge. Along both bottom edges of the sides there were multiple tiny abrasions. The whole guitar was pretty dusted and frets were covered with rust and patina. I have performed very detailed cleaning of entire guitar, including cleaning and conditioning of the entire fingerboard with lemon oil and cleaning and polishing of all the frets. This mentioned above “cluster of scratches” (see picture 05) on the top has been sealed and re-polished and is not very conspicuous at all. The entire sound board has been re-polished and this way some of fine scratches were removed as well.

            SOME INFO REGARDING ASTURIAS GUITARS

Classicalguitardelcamp.com

Asturias Distributers regard Asturias Guitars

"The Asturias Workshop is located on the island of Kyushu in the southern part of Japan. Seventeen people are employed there, most of whom have worked at Asturias all their lives or have a family connection. 

Throughout the guitar making process, the parts of the guitar are carefully selected and thicknessed to ensure optimum balance and then glued by hand. 

Great care is taken in choosing and storing materials. For example, tonewoods for the top are naturally dried for 3 to 4 years, then kiln dried before making up and fitting of rosette. The partially completed top is then stored for a further year. Similar methods are used for necks and other parts. From this stage each instrument is individually built and takes between 2 and 4 months to complete. 

Each Asturias guitar receives seven coats of varnish; each coat is carefully rubbed down to ensure an even thickness and purity of sound."

Asturias has a much bigger following in Japan, and a number of models on these sites might not be available in your country. 

Asturias and Kodaira Guitars

Kodaira is a secondary or discount model that is manufactured by Asturias in Kobe, Japan. 

Kodaira guitars are of the same quality as regular Asturias guitars, but they do not have the frills, adornments, and higher grade woods of Asturias guitars. 

The Kodaira model number system is similar to the model numbers used by Asturias in the 1980s. The label does say Kodaira or Kodaira by Asturias. The current Kodaira line up starts with the AST 60 and ends with the AST 100. 

During the 1970s & 1980s Kodaira models included the AST 40, 50, 60, 70, & 80. During that time Kodaira model numbers were tied to the Yen with the AST40 costing 40K Yen, AST50 costing 50K Yen, etc. 
Asturias and Kodaira are great student workhorse guitars. These guitars were sold in a variety of scales: 650, 640, 630, 590, 550 and 530. There was also a 700mm bass model.

Asturias & Kodaira has separated for many years ago (more than 10 years, maybe more than 20). 
Both are under marketed under the same umbrella, maybe owned by that corporation too, also
the rumor (may not be true) is that Kohno Manufacturing might own that corporation. We just
don't know the web of Japanese business system.

Anyway, in the last 10 years (or more) Kodaira isn't the same as Asturias anymore (except that
outside JP, they might still use Asturias AST brand.) 

The build & quality of both brands in the last 10 years for the same price in JP Yen have 
dropped in order to maintain the price point. However they both are still very reliable and
very durable. I always recommend them for my students and friends who are on budget.

A few years ago Asturias introduced several newer models called "Traditional Works" in the style of Romanillos and Torres. Very beautiful in appearance.

The English guitarist John Mills owned and performed a spruce top Asturias model AST 3456 built by Masaru Matano (similar to JM15) for his Asian tour in late 70s. He later switched to his Masaru Kohno 20 circa 1978 (which was later sold to another friend). For his world tour, John Mills was then playing his David Rubio.

Asturias collaboration with John Mills apparently broke off in the late 80's, and that for marketing purposes, the John Mills models were replaced with 'Renaissance' for JM 20 and Custom for JM15. The difference of the two is only purflings: the Renaissance has tie-block purflings, and the Custom has 3 layer plain purflings. Tonally the two models are as good. In fact I think Asturias belonged to John Mills was the best despite its lower model compared to my Asturias JM20 which I bought from Eli Kassner (Toronto Guitar Society) in 1984.

Asturias, under chief luthier Wataru Tsuji, then made another high-end model with Brazilian rosewood called Grand Suprema which was sold at about US$5,000 in 1987. The Grand Suprema has more clarity whereas my JM20 has a sweeter tone with excellent response, except the bass (6th) was poor. 

Why Asturias Guitars are not well known in the USA

During the 1980s, the Guitar Foundation of America (GFA),conducted a series of double blind research tests on a variety of classical guitars and rated Asturias guitars at the upper end for sound quality and playability. 

As a result of the GFA’s high rating and through word of mouth by other satisfied musicians, Asturias guitars started to gain a following in the US. But the popularity was short lived, because the guitars were extremely difficult to get in America . While Asturias guitars have a strong following in in Japan, & in other parts of Asia and Europe, many Amercan guitarists haven’t heard of Asturias classical guitars. 

The problem was that Asturias’s long time US distributer, JTG of Nashville, did little to no advertising nor did they provide much information about the available models. Only one or two catalogs were produced in English during the last 30 years and that was just for Asturias classical models (Asturias also produces a number of high end steel string guitars). 

Up until recently, it was very hard to get any sales info regarding Asturias guitars in the US. No distribution system was in place and you had to make purchasing arrangements directly from the distributer. Plus, a number of the models produced by Asturias had six month + waiting lists for US buyers. 

About 8 years ago, I tried to purchase an Asturias A7CP Sp/solid rosewood classical cutaway from JTG Associates and after several phone calls, I was told that the model could only be purchased on special order with prices ranging from $1800 to $3000. 

JTG Associates had very little information regarding Asturias models and they did not seem interested in obtaining any further information. Plus the information that they had was incorrect: the A7CP was not a special order model. Frustrated with their apathy, I ended up purchasing the guitar directly from Japan for $1400 and got the guitar in less than 2 weeks. 

Luckily JTG is no longer the US distributer. The new distributer, GSI of Santa Monica, CA seems to be much more responsive to buyers needs and freer with information regarding Asturias models. The major European distributer, Casa Bennelly, is also a great source of information.

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

VINTAGE ASTURIAS JOHN MILLS #15 (CUSTOM) CLASSICAL GUITAR IN EXCELLENT CONDITION

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