Momose MJM1-STD, sonic blue with matching headstock, made in Japan 2016. Momose is the limited run, custom shop style offering under the Deviser umbrella of brands, which includes iconic acoustic builders Headway and the better known electric and bass brand Bacchus. These are truly 'custom craft guitars': a customer orders the guitar and then waits for the build. Named after legendary master luthier Yasuo Momose, these guitars are all made completely by hand by a team that all trained under Yasuo himself. They don't use CNC routers: the hand selected bodies and necks are shaped, sanded and finished by hand... everything is done the slow, time-honoured, careful way. Working wood by hand requires the luthiers to pay special attention when selecting timber for each part of a guitar, so the quality of materials utilised are truly top notch. This Jazzy-style number, to state the obvious, looks like a million bucks. The nitro finish has yellowed and mellowed and has a certain depth and radiance, which paired with the creamy guard, matching head and rich rosewood board make for a delicious summery aesthetic. Momose do their own pickups in house, so this has a pair of their slightly overwound pancake-style singles, which are paired with top notch pots, caps and cloth wire to get the best out of the gorgeous woodwork. The tone is lush: the lead circuit is crisp and snappy, brimming with sparkly treble and chewy, warm mids. The rhythm circuit is notably darker, with a big swampy punch and a wooly drunken voice that loves a dose of reverb. The neck is very agreeable in the hands, the tightness of the build and finish translate to that certain liveliness only present in very, very good guitars. It's safe to say I love this one! 

Model: Momose MJM1-STD
Made: Japan, Feb 2016 (serial 6572)
Finish: sonic blue, gloss nitro topcoat
Body:  alder, two-piece centre join
Weight: 3.780kg
Neck: maple, Madagascar rosewood fretboard, 25.5" scale, 8.25" radius, vintage C shape
Mods: strap pins replaced, buzz stop bar removed
Pickups: Momose Hot Rod JM single coil x2
Case: Momose semi-hard case

Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has some dimples on the end. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, very minor dimples and some rub wear on the back only. The back has some light scuffs on the elbow area and bottom corner and some dimples on the back edge near the strap pin. The sides have some light scuffs in the elbow area and bottom horn, plus some dimples near the jack. The front has some dimples in the corner near the jack and some play wear on the guard and horns, no major marks. Overall: excellent condition (9/10)

Playing condition notes: Neck is straight, action is low, intonation is good, truss rod works. All electrics tested and working properly. The frets have minor wear only, 8/10 for fret life left. Wearing fresh 11/49 Moonshiners strings.