(ARCHIVE) Ryoji Matsuoka No. 80 Classical Acoustic 1973

Ryoji Matsuoka No. 80 Classical Acoustic 1973
Ryoji Matsuoka No. 80 Classical Acoustic 1973
Ryoji Matsuoka No. 80 Classical Acoustic 1973
Ryoji Matsuoka No. 80 Classical Acoustic 1973
Ryoji Matsuoka No. 80 Classical Acoustic 1973
Ryoji Matsuoka No. 80 Classical Acoustic 1973
Ryoji Matsuoka No. 80 Classical Acoustic 1973
Ryoji Matsuoka No. 80 Classical Acoustic 1973
Ryoji Matsuoka No. 80 Classical Acoustic 1973
Ryoji Matsuoka No. 80 Classical Acoustic 1973
Ryoji Matsuoka No. 80 Classical Acoustic 1973
Ryoji Matsuoka No. 80 Classical Acoustic 1973
Ryoji Matsuoka No. 80 Classical Acoustic 1973
Ryoji Matsuoka No. 80 Classical Acoustic 1973
Ryoji Matsuoka No. 80 Classical Acoustic 1973
Ryoji Matsuoka No. 80 Classical Acoustic 1973
Ryoji Matsuoka No. 80 Classical Acoustic 1973
Ryoji Matsuoka No. 80 Classical Acoustic 1973
Ryoji Matsuoka No. 80 Classical Acoustic 1973
Ryoji Matsuoka No. 80 Classical Acoustic 1973
Ryoji Matsuoka No. 80 Classical Acoustic 1973
Ryoji Matsuoka No. 80 Classical Acoustic 1973
Ryoji Matsuoka No. 80 Classical Acoustic 1973
Ryoji Matsuoka No. 80 Classical Acoustic 1973
Ryoji Matsuoka No. 80 Classical Acoustic 1973
Ryoji Matsuoka No. 80 Classical Acoustic 1973
Ryoji Matsuoka No. 80 Classical Acoustic 1973
Ryoji Matsuoka No. 80 Classical Acoustic 1973
Ryoji Matsuoka No. 80 Classical Acoustic 1973
Ryoji Matsuoka No. 80 Classical Acoustic 1973
Ryoji Matsuoka No. 80 Classical Acoustic 1973
Ryoji Matsuoka No. 80 Classical Acoustic 1973
Ryoji Matsuoka No. 80 Classical Acoustic 1973
Ryoji Matsuoka No. 80 Classical Acoustic 1973
Ryoji Matsuoka No. 80 Classical Acoustic 1973
Ryoji Matsuoka No. 80 Classical Acoustic 1973
  • Description
  • Guitarchives

Ryoji Matsuoka Number 80, made in Japan around 1973, natural gloss finish. Ryoji Matsuoka started making guitars by hand after the second world war, founding his company officially in 1959. It was always a small operation, doing things by hand to a very high standard. This one dates to the early 70s, before they switched the line from numbered models to the M## format around 1975. The number pertained to how many thousands of JPY it would fetch, so the No.80 was a lot more expensive in 1973 at ¥80k then the more common and more basic No.30 models that weve had a couple of previously. That means you get the top grade materials: superbly tightly grained bookmatched solid cedar on the top, and ebony fingerboard and some (apparently Brazilian) rosewood for the back and sides. It really is beautiful up close: amazing grain patterns everywhere, perfectly applied thin gloss finish all over and super tidy woodwork at every turn. The tone is exquisite: warm and round through the bass with piano-like fullness and clarity, zingy brightness brimming with sweetness on the top end and a wide, deep midrange with a generous dose of complexity. There's a lot to love here, it's a gorgeous vintage classical. No one does it quite like Ryoji.

Model: Ryoji Matsuoka No. 80
Made: Japan, 1973 approx (serial 18058)
Finish: natural gloss
Body: solid cedar top, laminate rosewood back and sides (allegedly Brazilian, can't confirm/deny)
Neck: mahogany, ebony fingerboard, D-shape
Weight: 1.535kg
Pickup: none
Mods: none
Case: basic non-original vintage hard case

Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has some scuffs on the end and dimples on the back. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, minor dimples on the back only. The back has some dimples on the bottom horn and bottom corner and some widespread light scuffs around the whole body. The sides have light scuffs around the whole body, no major marks. The front has a few surface scratches near the bottom and back edge and around the bridge, some dimples in the elbow area and some play wear around the sound hole. Overall: very good condition (8/10).

Playing condition notes: action is moderately, neck is straight, intonation is good, truss rod works. Frets look great, 8/10 for fret life left. Wearing fresh Rotosound normal tension strings.

This listing is an archived entry. We love to look back and remember fondly what characters we've had through the store, so we keep them around for reference.