Ryoji Matsuoka M50, made in Japan around 1999, natural gloss finish. Ryoji Matsuoka founded a company in his own name in 1959 after many years of experience as a master luthier. It was never a large operation: a small team of highly trained luthiers made their beautiful classical acoustics completely by hand. This one features a lovely bookmatched solid cedar top paired with some vibrantly grained rosewood for the back and sides; it's quite the visual delight. The neck is an agreeable D style shape with a very dark rosewood board, it's a classy thing. It rings like a bell in the hands: there's heaps of natural volume and resonance. The tone is clear, rich and expansive, with plenty of dynamic range and a piano-like low end. This is a very classy classical, there's a lot to like.

Model: Ryoji Matsuoka M50
Made: Japan, 1999 (serial 9970003)
Finish: natural gloss
Body: solid cedar top, laminate rosewood back and sides
Neck: mahogany, rosewood fingerboard, D-shape
Weight: 1.555kg
Pickup: none
Mods: none
Case: basic non-original vintage hard case

Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has some minor scuffs on the front and back, no major marks. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, minor rub wear on the back only. The back has widespread light scuffs around the whole body, no major marks. The sides have minor dimples around the whole body. The front has a patch of rub wear in the elbow area, dimples along the back and bottom edge and some play wear around the soundhole. Overall: good condition (7/10).

Playing condition notes: action is moderately low, neck is straight, intonation is good, no truss rod. Frets look great, 8/10 for fret life left. Wearing fresh Rotosound normal tension strings.