Description

The 1999 Sakurai Kohno Maestro represents one of the most historically significant and physically breathtaking periods in modern Japanese classical lutherie. It stands as a sublime monument to the transitional era bridging the profound legacy of the legendary founder, Masaru Kohno (who passed away in 1998), and the rising peak of his successor and nephew, Masaki Sakurai—winner of the prestigious 1st Prize at the Paris International Luthier Competition in 1990. Historically, Masaru Kohno had spent his final decade perfecting a revolutionary construction technique. From 1990 until his passing in 1998, Kohno integrated a highly advanced, symmetrical two-way bracing system, surrounded by a double-square side-bracing structure. This design was created to maximize the body's resonance, increase structural stability under high tension, and offer a level of balance never before heard in traditional fan-braced guitars. In 1999, carrying the weight of his mentor’s legacy, Masaki Sakurai hand-crafted this top-of-the-line Maestro model using that exact refined double-square bracing system. It was this very structural foundation that would define the legendary Sakurai Kohno Maestro line for decades to come. What elevates this specific 1999 specimen to absolute legendary status is its woods. While modern Maestros are almost exclusively built with Madagascar Rosewood or Indian Rosewood, this rare vintage masterpiece boasts a jaw-dropping set of premium, dark Solid Brazilian Rosewood (Jacaranda) for its back and sides, paired with a master-grade Solid European Spruce top. Aesthetically, the rich, dramatic grain of the Brazilian Rosewood is a sight to behold. Tonally, it is the "Holy Grail" of classical guitar woods. It infuses the guitar with deep, dark, and authoritative basses, crystal-clear bell-like trebles, and a complex web of overtones that linger in the air. Instruments from this specific golden era are celebrated for their incredible note-layering capabilities. When played, each voice in a polyphonic piece remains entirely distinct yet perfectly blended, allowing the guitarist to paint with an incredibly diverse palette of sonic colors and control every emotional nuance. Now, having matured gracefully for over 25 years, the wood has fully opened up. The top is highly sensitive to the lightest touch, and the projection is powerful yet sweet and warm. For the discerning classical guitarist or serious investor, this 1999 Sakurai Kohno Maestro in Brazilian Rosewood is not just a musical instrument—it is a piece of living classical guitar history.