Ryoji Matsuoka - M30 - - 古典吉他 - 日本 - 1977

Wonderful Ryoji Matsuoka M30 classical guitar, Made in Japan in the mid '70s (approximately 1977 judging from the serial number).

Check the demo video I recorded playing the guitar: https://youtu.be/kUfgi0vq_Uk

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HISTORY OF THE GUITAR
Ryoji Matsuoka (1927–2014) was a highly revered, self-taught Japanese master luthier who established his boutique workshop in Nagoya, Japan, in 1959. Driven by the post-WWII explosion of guitar music in Japan, Matsuoka dedicated his life to perfecting the art of the classical guitar. He was deeply influenced by legendary European masters like Hauser and Ramírez, as well as Japan’s premier luthier, Masaru Kohno.

Matsuoka's work from the 1970s is considered part of the "Golden Era" of Japanese luthiery: his mid-sized workshop maintained strict quality control, with over 70% of the build process done entirely by hand and Matsuoka personally inspecting and signing each instrument.

In the vintage market, Matsuoka guitars have a cult-like following. They are famous for outperforming their price points, often matching the tone, projection, and depth of instruments that cost much more.

His 1970s guitars are highly regarded for their warm, deep, and traditional Spanish-style resonance. They boast ultra-clear trebles, sweet midrange, and deep, vibrating basses that age beautifully over decades.
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Please note that the history section above is approximate because there is not much official info on this guitar.

It sounds great for both Classical and modern music (Folk, Indie, etc). It currently has medium tension nylon strings. There is some dust inside, I cleaned it the best I could but it would benefit from a more accurate cleaning. The tuning machines still work but are a bit "squeaky" and worn. As you can see from the photos, the guitar overall has many imperfections that give it an old-school appearance. There is little room to lower the saddle, even though I wouldn't suggest it as the guitar sounds nice with the current string height. But this will be up to each player's preference.

Please check the photos and the videos carefully, they are the best way to understand the guitar's condition & sound.

This guitar is probably more than 50 years old, so adjust your expectations accordingly:
- it may have scratches, blemishes, cracks and imperfections
- the inside structure may have issues like detachments
- there may be rust on the tuning machines
- it will feel different compared to a new instrument
- it has not been professionally setup, so adjustments may be needed to improve its playability

I'd suggest it to people who have some experience with vintage guitars and are willing to make adjustments down the line, or who can embrace the imperfections in exchange for a special sound and vibe.