Ever Heard of "Kasuga" Guitars?

[NotALuthier]

I was in Japan in 1968 and wandered in to The New Odion Music store and bought a relatively inexpensive classic guitar to keep onboard the ship I was on.

The name ... in Japanese... is translated to "Kasuga Cherry Blossum Model" in English.

I've had it all these years and kept it in decent condition with the exception of having put a pickguard on it that later on pulled off...... taking some of the wood with it.

That's no big problem since I'll eventually refinish it in the next few months to repair it anyway.

Just wondering if anyone's ever heard of Kasuga guitars?

Here's some pixs of it....unfortunately even though I've had to put them in the cloud, I cannot post them here unless by this link:

Let me know if this link works.... I can see them but that doesn't mean anyone else can! I'm not very good at posting photos.

http://https://goo.gl/photos/samgHHaQyoqFLqus5

[Bax Burgess]

The link works. Don't know the brand. It looks very nice. Solid top? Double back and sides? Shallow break angle over the saddle, string ties would help, maybe improve the sound a bit. I've found that the increase from 3 to 5/7 degrees makes a difference.

[Silly Moustache]

Kasuga was quite well known here in the UK - probably - '70s - one of the earlier copyists of Gibson and Martin designs.

Budget price category.

[woody70]

I actually own a Kasuga guitar. But it's a steel 12-string, model T-250. Label says it's from Nagoya, probably built sometimes in the 70s.
I bought it cheap second hand, but it has a solid mahogany body and decent sound.

[NotALuthier]

Originally Posted by Bax Burgess

The link works. Don't know the brand. It looks very nice. Solid top? Double back and sides? Shallow break angle over the saddle, string ties would help, maybe improve the sound a bit. I've found that the increase from 3 to 5/7 degrees makes a difference.

The voice is very much like Willie's "Trigger" in that it has a powerful throw for a nylon string instrument.

Not sure what "double back" means though.

I've replaced the original plastic nut with bear shin bone material I stumbled upon in the woods here where I live, while on a fishing expedition.

As far as the break angle, I was sure to keep the witness point rather sharp to improve clarity and not allow any remnants or ghost notes. When playing any guitar..... or bass for that matter.... I pull a scrunchy over the headstock to keep the wolf notes away.

I don't think I have a shallow breakover problem......but thanks for the headsup.

With the final tailings of summer now here in the Bitterroot, and I've got a couple of 000-style pre 1930s guitars to repair, and since "the cobbler's kids go barefoot"... I can only work on my own stuff in the coming winter.

Then again.... the trout are calling me............ by name.................;D

[Bax Burgess]

'Double back' is two layers of wood. The additional stiffness is to boost the sound out of the soundhole, I guess. How do you tie the strings at the bridge? The string ends look to be at the front of the tie-block.

[TKT]

Looks like an Aria. Also goes by other names which you should find in that search; supposedly Matsumoku is the factory and the original builder. I have a 1970s resonator that's badged Conrad that is identical to the Takamine DB-180, Gretsch, Maya, Elite, an few other names. Matsumoku made those too.

It should be a keeper if it's in nice playing condition. Nice Japanese made classicals from the 60s can be really sweet, even though back and sides are usually laminate, they are built nice and light and resonant after a certain price point, and there are still some great sleepers out there.

https://www.google.com/search?q=aria...w=1307&bih=899

[KAETEA]

I had one in the 1980s and somehow it got lost in all the madness of life, it was a hummingbird copy. I bought one on eBay it cost me a lot of dollars to only find it keeps slipping out of tune after ever few bars I strum so not sure what to do. The body is also very cracked more the varnish not the actual wood of body of guitar, I love it though it has a beautiful sound and light action to play with my quickly ageing hands and fingers. thanks Kaetea

[Bax Burgess]

New tuners would be the first thing to try. Otherwise it sounds in ok shape. To know which tuners to fit, you have to consult the diagrams on a tuners' webpage, such as you can find on stewmac.com, and compare the measurements to a preferably detached Kasuga tuner.

[KAETEA]

Thanks for that Bax, the machine head tuners appear to have been replaceded at some stage as the drill wholes are visible I will endeavour to look in the link you have me sent me to buy some. Very grateful for your help cheers Kaetea