June 2009 \ Features \ Builder Profile \ The Shokunin School: Blending Art, Nature and Innovation

The Shokunin School: Blending Art, Nature and Innovation

Adam Hunt

A look into the work of 5 Japanese-American builders: Toru Nittono, Tsuneyki “Tony” Yamamoto, Michihiro Matsuda and Hiro Miura, but we begin with Hideo Kamimoto
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Tsuneyuki “Tony” Yamamoto
Dublin-based Tony Yamamoto specializes in one-of-a-kind custom acoustics with double and triple-reinforced truss rods, a unique headstock heel, and tone bars that suppress unnecessary high resonance. Customers work with Yamamoto to specialize three base models: his OMY, which features a cutaway and a 15” lower bout; his OM-sized Talus, which features a unique cutaway shape and an angled neck joint; and his sonorous Baritone, which has a 17” lower bout and a 27” or 28.6” scale length. Yamamoto also makes a version of his Talus with an off-center soundhole that brings the sound of the guitar closer to the player.


 
The Wedge Jumbo features a multi-scale of 27” to 25.5”



 
Yamamoto has a specially adjusted X-bracing pattern for a version of his Talus with an offset soundhole. His standard models feature AAA Honduran or Indian Rosewood backs and sides and AA Adirondack or AAA solid spruce tops.

yamamotoguitar.com


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Comments

 (7 comments) display by
UsernameComment
bobby d
on 09/12/2010 		i really dig the Hiro Miura build aesthetic for the Xotic Guitars, would really like to get one of those XS models!
Atsu
on 06/12/2009 		Matsuda M-1. Gorgeous!!!!!!
Brother John
on 05/30/2009 		props to these builders
Sho Kosugi
on 05/23/2009 		How does that Yamamoto multiscale work?
T6
on 05/22/2009 		A hollowbody with no hole-meaning it's not necessarily chambered but actually hollow, but with no hole. Not sure if that's uber-cool or goofy. I'd like to play it. I bet it's crazy light.
Henry
on 05/21/2009 		Yes, Miura's is worthy of exploration. Great article. These guys are worthy of some attention.
kev
on 05/20/2009 		GORGEOUS STUFF



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