Sakurai Kohno – 2022 Maestro Spruce Lefthand

Description

Masaki Sakurai, the nephew of the great Japanese master luthier Masaru Kohno, was born in 1944. He studied electrical engineering at Sophia University and became part of ” Kohno Guitar Manufacturing” in 1967, after graduation. In 1988, he won the prestigious first prize at the Fourth International Paris Guitar Making Competition. Masaki Sakurai’s guitars are of impeccable craftsmanship and are known for their easy playability and great volume of sound.

The Maestro model is the highest model in the Sakurai-Kohno range, made with the oldest and most high-quality precious woods. It has seven fan struts, an asymmetrical bracing and three very thin crossbars. Masaki Sakurai built this guitar in the same tradition and manner as his uncle Masaru Kohno, hence the name Kohno as a tribute on the label. The result is an instrument very similar to the Masaru Kohno Model 80 from the late 1970s.

This guitar from 2022 has an excellent response and sound volume. It is also characterised by a precise tone that is very well conveyed. It is a wonderfully balanced instrument with a very malleable tone. The clear and brilliant treble is full of vitality and timbres. The crisp and solid basses, on the other hand, blend harmoniously with every other voice and form a solid foundation for the guitar’s tonal palette.

Watch the presentation video of this particular guitar below, where you will find a lot of additional information about its playability and sound.