Saito Guitars S-622JMC Torafu 2026
Saito Guitars S-622JMC, Torafu finish, made in Japan 2026. All the Saito Guitars examples we've had through the shop have been beautiful, but this one might just be the most beautiful them all. The model here means six strings, twenty two frets, JM Concept. Saito's modern-minimalist take on the classic offset shape is all class: sleek two-piece centre-joined swamp ash body with a cool carved top, easy access neck join with recessed plate, wildly fast and comfy neck and Gotoh's highest end hardware, including locking tuners and a super stable two-point tremolo bridge. We went all out on the options on this one: two humbuckers, hard aged covers, gold hardware, matching headstock and the upcharge-but-so-worth-it 'Torafu' finish. The finish is really something: open-pore gold base, ribboned with hand-painted metallic streaks for subtle tiger-stripe look and a cute little logo near the bridge. Paired with the gold hardware, natural back and maple board, this is ludicrously luxe. The neck is so slick it basically plays itself: the edges are bound with maple and rolled, carved to a medium C shape and blessed with a sneaky 10-12" compound radius for maximum shred-cred. The pickups are awesome too: these guys were primarily a pickup winding business for a few years, so they really get them right. There's a perfect balance of raspy clarity and fat, creamy warmth. The neck pickup has a weighty warm bass, gooey mids and a bell-like treble; it's lovely clean but also enjoys a dose of fuzz. The bridge pickup has plenty of bite and growl, but is never harsh or thin owing to a bright and blooming complexity that lends every note a certain glow. In my books, these guys are doing the best production guitars in the world. This is a great example of just how stunning they can be.
SAITO GUITARS aim is simple: to create 'Simple and Beautiful Tools'. Company founder Masaaki Saito opened a guitar repair shop in Tokyo in 1991, diligently bringing out the best in customers' guitars for twenty years before turning his attention to product design. In 2011, Saito's SAYTONE Hand Wiring pickups were released, offering gorgeous vintage-inspired pickups wound totally by hand by master craftsmen. In 2015, they launched their solid body S series guitars. The design philosophy is all about functional beauty: stripping away everything that doesn't contribute to function and playability, in order to serve modern players pursuing an increasingly diverse mix of genres and applications. Masaaki calls it 'Beautility'.
SAITO GUITARS all feature these thoughtful details:
Compound radius fretboard for comfy chords down low and precise movement and easy bends higher up the neck
Rolled fretboard edges for improved ergonomics
Wooden fretboard binding to hide fret ends and maximise smoothness
Luminlay side dots for easy visual reference on dark stages
Recessed aluminium neck joint plate paired with a curved heel to minimise weight and allow for easy access to the top frets
Gotoh MG-T locking tuners and 510 series bridges for excellent tuning stability
SAYTONE Hand Winding Pickups, all designed and wound by master craftsmen in house using the best of vintage and modern techniques and materials
Model: Saito Guitars S-622JMC
Made: Japan, 2026
Serial: 263400
Finish: Torafu, hand painted, thin satin poly
Body: swamp ash, 'modern archtop' shape, 45mm deep
Neck: maple, maple cap fretboard, 25.5" scale, 10-12" compound radius, 'Standard Grip' profile, maple fretboard binding, rolled fretboard edges, 42mm nut, 21mm deep at 1st fret, 24mm deep at 12th fret, Jescar FW-51100 Nickel Silver frets
Weight: 3.320kg
Mods: none
Pickups: SAYTONE Hand Winding Pickups. Sledgeα humbucker (neck), Bore Up humbucker (bridge), split via push/push tone control, 'hard aged' covers
Accessories: Saito SHE-150L semi hard case, tools and docs
Cosmetic condition notes: brand new condition, no major marks. Note this guitar has been used to film demo videos and played in store.
Overall: brand new condition (10/10)
Playing condition notes: Action is low, neck is straight, intonation is good, truss rod works. All electronics tested and working properly. Wearing fresh 10/46 D'Addario strings.
Fret life: 10/10, brand new