Brazilian Rosewood Yamaha Handcrafted GC20 Classical Guitar

Body Color

Solid Cedar top, solid Brazilian rosewood back and sides

Size

4/4

Right Or Left Handed

Right-handed

The Yamaha GC20 was built as part of Yamaha’s Grand Concert line, reflecting their desire to create top quality classical guitars at a reasonably affordable price. The GC line was conceived during the mid 1960s, when Yamaha arranged for three luthiers – Hiroshi Harada, Hideyuki Ezaki and Toshio Kato, to learn from Spanish master Eduardo Ferrer. Between 1964 and 1967 Ferrer repeatedly visited Japan. This effort enabled Yamaha to dramatically improve the quality of their classical guitars and the first GC models 3, 5, 7 and 10 appeared in 1967, in both Classical and Flamenco versions. These were very good and very expensive – the GC3 cost considerably more than the average yearly salary of a Japanese university graduate. In 1970, a number of factors caused Yamaha to expand the line into more affordable versions, including the GC20 – and the GC30A, that we’ve posted recently. There were two versions of the Yamaha GC20. They came with either Red Cedar or Spruce tops. With Red Cedar top, the model was GC20, but with Spruce, it was GC20A. The A stands for the Spanish word Abeto, meaning Fir; it’s one of the terms used for Spruce in the classical guitar world. The GC line was built in two locations, at the Yamaha plant in Hamamatsu or in Taiwan, though the Taiwanese models were assembled by Japanese craftsmen. The GC20 models are Taiwanese production, and are very good. This Yamaha GC20, built during the early 80's in Taiwan features a Cedar top paired with a set of Brazilian Rosewood for the back, sides, head plate and bridge. The neck is Mahogany, with an Ebony fingerboard. As with many other Japanese produced classical guitars, the neck joint is a dovetail hidden in a faux-slipper foot block. This guitar is in great overall condition, and is well played in. It has a warm, full tone and is well balanced with a big bass output. It has quite a bit of clouding on the sides and a bit on the back. Comes with a custom fitted tweed hard case with key. Recently set up by my local luthier for perfect play-ability. Looking for $1200

Type

Acoustic

Brand

Yamaha