1963 TAIZO MINEZAWA

Superb Spanish guitar by Japanese luthier Taizo Minezawa, built in 1963.

This elegant model is a rare example of the work of this Tokyo-based artisan, primarily renowned for his violins but also having made a few guitars from the late 1950s to the late 1960s. The appearance of this guitar is delicate and refined, entirely inspired by traditional Spanish guitars, resulting in a very lightweight instrument—notably, a trilobed headstock reminiscent of those once made by Torres; the decorative elements are discrete, with an elegant rosette featuring fine black and white binding interspersed with a wide rosewood band; the same fine binding is found around the edge of the soundboard; the headstock veneer is embellished with a herringbone-pattern strip; the wood selection is very fine: tight-grained spruce for the soundboard, beautifully figured Indian rosewood for the back and sides, and mahogany for the neck. Finished in a traditionally applied French polish.

The guitar’s construction is relatively innovative: the bracing features a nine-strand construction topped by two straight sounding bars and closed at the bottom by two other thin oblique bars; the scale length is shorter than standard, measuring 630 mm; the nut width is also reduced (47 mm), and the handle features a rounded, comfortable profile. As a result, this guitar is surprisingly ergonomic, and while it will certainly prove confusing to play for those familiar with José Ramirez-style instruments, it is a refreshing interpretation of the Spanish classical guitar with a superbly balanced voice across the entire tonal palette.

Sold in a modern hardshell case.