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Cost of shipping to Australia via USPS International Priority Mail is $150, but packages can't be taller than 42 inches and their overall size is very restricted. Most guitar cases are simply too large to meet this requirement. If package is taller than 42 inches and exceeds IPM size restrictions, it has to be shipped via USPS Global Express Guaranteed at the cost of $350. If you want to pay less for shipping, you have to accept my choice of the case I will ship the guitar in.
Yukinobu Chai Alto guitar model NA-10
Yakinobu Chai was one of the highest regarded Japanese luthiers. He, like many other famous Japanese luthiers had traveled to Spain to learn guitar making craft, before opening his own shop in late 1960ties. During 2000s his new guitars were sold at prices in the range of $4000 - $8000. Yakinobu Chai has earned his permanent place in the Elite of Japanese Luthiers, besides Masaru Kohno, Hiroshi Tamura, Mitsuru Tamura, Sumio Kurosawa, Kazuo Ichyanagi, Hida Idaeo, Toshihiko Nakade, Sakazo Nakade, Saburo Nogami and others.
This guitar was made in 1982 for prestigious Nibori School of Guitar Ensemble. Yukinobu Chai and Sumio Kurosawa were chosen by Mr. Hiroki Nibori to supply his school with whole spectrum of classical guitars, from alto to contrabass.
This particular guitar has no structural issues and remains in perfect functional condition. However its cosmetic condition is far from perfection. It has multiple dents, scratches and abrasions on its body, mostly on its top. On the top’s lower left bout there is unopen crack in the finish, but no cracks in the wood.
Guitar ensemble and guitar orchestra music has been developed and promoted by Hiroki Nibori since 1957 and is gaining popularity among guitar players throughout the world. Playing in a group is great fun. It is an excellent opportunity to make new friends and learn from the more advanced players. One of the most valuable aspects of playing in a guitar ensemble is that it gives students the exposure of playing on a stage in front of an audience. When you combine the sounds of alto, bass, and contra bass guitars with standard (prime) guitars, a whole new world of sound comes alive. Even the beginner will find it easy to pick up any of these guitars and enjoy a variety of new and exciting musical styles.
This is definitely High Grade guitar with the beautiful sound and surprisingly high volume. Every player will quickly understand why Yukinobu Chai is considered as one of the finest Japanese guitar makers.
Specifications:
Top: High Grade Solid Spruce/lacquer
Back and sides: Solid Indian Rosewood/lacquer
Fingerboard: Ebony
Neck: Mahogany
Nut width: 50 mm
Scale: 530 mm
Strings: D'Addario Pro Arte Alto EJ52
Action is set to 3.5 mm under E6 and 3.00 mm under E1, with extra room on the saddle. Lowering action will not be necessary, since the neck is quite slim and comfortable.
Guitar will be shipped in original hard shell case in still good condition.
Real Value of Japanese Vintage Guitars
The key to understand value of vintage Japanese guitars is to acknowledge galloping devaluation of Japanese yen in 1960s & 1970s. This devaluation was somewhat slower in 1980s. The best measure of this devaluation is Starting Yearly Salary of Japanese College Graduate (SYSJCG).
SYSJCG in in 1965 was 19 600 yen, in 1969 – 34 600 yen, in 1970 39 200 yen, in 1972 – 62 300 yen, in 1975 79 200 yen, in 1977 121 200 and in 1980 - 163 000 yen.
During 1960s and most of 1970s model numbers of Japanese guitars were strictly interconnected with their prices in Japanese yen. In late 1970s and during following decades model numbers were no longer strictly associated with their prices. Many Japanese guitar makers introduced model names instead of model numbers. Others were still using model numbers with addition of letter abbreviations or other symbols.
The best and only logical approach while evaluating real value (real grade) of vintage Japanese guitar is to compare its price in Japanese yen with SYSJCG during the year guitar was made.
Any guitar priced 100 000 in 1970 (labelled usually as No10) would be priced 200 000 yen in 1975 (relabeled to No20 or 2000), 300 000 yen in 1977 (labelled as No3, No30 or 3000). Starting in 1977 Masaru Kohno introduced his model No50 priced at 500 000 (skipping theoretical model 40). Soon other famous Japanese luthiers did the same. By 1983 Kohno started using model names instead numbers and was raising their prices as he was pleased. Naturally soon other Master luthiers did the same.
Knowing all of that, you can bet on that Masaru Kohno No50 made in 1982 is practically the same quality as Kohno No15 made in 1972, or Kohno no20 made in 1975 or Kohno No30 made in 1977. I know it for a fact.
The lowest grade models currently made by Matsuoka workshop are M75 and MH75. They are commonly considered as “beginner guitars”. Matsuoka model M30 made in 1973 is simply far, far better instrument. It is naturally better than model M50 made in 1977, model 80 made in 1982 or model M100 made in 1990. At present, the highest grade Matsuoka models are M300 and MH300. They absolutely stand no chance in competition with model M150 made in 1975… or model M200 made in 1977.
It is very important to mention that if modern era luthiers are using 40 years old woods to make a classical guitar, its price is at least $8000.