Neck:Mahogany
Fingerboard:Ebony
Finish(Top):Shellac
Finish(Back & Sides):Shellac
Tuning Machines:Scheller
String Height(1st):3.1mm
String Height(6th):4.1mm

【A Rare Modern Hauser-Style Guitar by Teruji Yamano – 2022 No.404】

[Luthier]
Teruji Yamano (b. 1943) is a Japanese luthier born in Osaka and raised in Kagoshima. After moving to Tokyo, he apprenticed under Tsunasaburo Kurosawa, one of Japan’s most respected guitar makers. Following three years of training, he established his own workshop at the age of 23 and has continued building guitars for over six decades.

Yamano is known for his extremely limited output—reportedly as few as one guitar per year in recent years—making his instruments exceptionally rare on the market. His work has long been admired for its high level of craftsmanship and refined tonal sense.

While his early career shows a strong influence from Spanish traditions such as Fleta and Hernández y Aguado, his later work increasingly reflects the aesthetic of Hermann Hauser I, resulting in instruments that combine structural discipline with a personal and distinctive tonal character.

[Instrument]
This is a 2022 Hauser-style model, No.404, built when Yamano was 79 years old. It is a rare opportunity to acquire a recent work from this highly respected and elusive luthier.

The construction closely follows the design of Hermann Hauser I’s 1937 Segovia model, including a system of seven symmetrical fan braces, harmonic bars above and below the soundhole, and a carefully structured lower bout with closing bars. The resonance is set slightly below G.

Tonally, the guitar reflects the clarity and balance typical of Hauser-inspired instruments, but with a more open and expressive character, featuring a rich overtone content and a natural, woody response. Compared to traditional Hauser guitars, the sound is slightly less dense and more relaxed, offering a unique blend of structural precision and organic warmth.

The guitar retains its original shellac finish and is in overall excellent condition, with no cracks or major repairs. There are only minor playing marks on the top and light nail marks on the back of the neck, none of which affect playability.

The neck has a slim, rounded D-shape, providing a comfortable feel. The setup is currently 3.1 mm / 4.1 mm (1st / 6th string at the 12th fret), with ample saddle height remaining (3.0–3.5 mm), allowing for further adjustment if desired.

The guitar is fitted with high-end Scheller Hauser-style tuners, functioning perfectly.

Weight: 1.53 kg.

〔detail〕