Michihiro Matsuda M1

Sometimes, words fail me. Writing about an instrument as sublime as this reminds me of the saying (variously attributed to Martin Mull and Frank Zappa) “Writing about music is like dancing about architecture.” Trying to adequately put in words the greatness of this instrument is like that.

This is a guitar meant to be viewed, to be held, to be played. A guitar’s guitar. It’s a superb example from one of the finest and most talented luthiers in the world - in the golden age of lutherie in which we’re fortunate to live - working at the absolute highest level.

But if I can’t capture its essence, I can at least give you a sense of why it’s such a special guitar.

Michi Matsuda’s work has become world renowned. He began as one of Ervin Somogyi’s apprentices, and has since gone on to build many epic instruments on his own. I asked Mitchi to make me a classic, elegant design. Nothing too over the top from an inlay perspective. There’s a deep subtleness to the purfling and rosette, imagined and created from a very unique sensibility. In a very mysterious and special way, the inlays on the neck, body and rosette become more striking the more time you spend with them. Even the slotted nut is created with a supreme level of artistry.

Of course, the woods are spectacular - as they should be - with a rich set of wenge back and sides and a superlative Italian spruce top. Just glorious.

This is a guitar that is all about sound and feel with inspired touches of Michi's unique and transcendent esthetic. In short, this Matsuda M1 was crafted with all the elements I truly believe are important in a fine acoustic guitar. Elements that will continue to inspire its lucky owner for years to come.

For instance, the sound. It’s glorious. While Michi has drawn from Ervin’s Somogyi’s tutelage (this guitar has a definite sonic nod to those origins), in my opinion it has a bit more of a modern quality. It’s very pianistic for a guitar.

The responsiveness is so satisfying. The notes bloom when played with the lightest touch - and the guitar jumps to attention when played with authority. It can whisper or ‘burst.’ Even a blues player who likes to pull or snap strings will find his voice on this instrument. It is full and rich over its entire range - whether played with a pick or with fingers. As I said, it’s pianistic. The playability is beyond reproach, with a wonderful neck carve and splendid fret work. Together, they really make playing this guitar an easy and thoroughly gratifying experience.

Michi Matsuda has built an amazing guitar here. It’s a concoction of extremely high skill and deep artistry. It’s an inspiration to play, and a joy to behold. A great instrument in every possible way a guitar can be.

If you'd like to find out more about this item, just call or e-mail me. It would be my pleasure to talk to you about it.

ABOUT MICHIHIRO MATSUDA GUITARS
Michihiro Matsuda was born in Nagoya and raised in Tokyo, Japan. After graduating from the Robert Venn School of Lutherie in Phoenix, Arizona, he moved to the San Francisco Bay Area for an apprenticeship with master luthier Ervin Somogyi. Michrhiro is currently a member of the repair staff at Gryphon Stringed Instruments. Pairing traditional woodworking skills with an innovative sense of design and construction, Michihiro builds around ten to twelve guitars each year at his lutherie studio in Oakland California. His instruments integrate fine materials with organic shapes and graceful lines, each unique, personal, and individual. Michihiro feels that guitars are not just the tool to make music, they are more than that. In the process of making a guitar, the wood itself becomes musical, and Michihiro's depth as a luthier is due to being profoundly tuned in to this process.