Morales M450 Jumbo Acoustic 1969
Morales M450, made in Japan around 1969, natural finish. Morales guitars were made for sheet music company Zen-On, who are still around today. They had a range of electric guitars, mostly in the arch top and Mosrite-ish genres, as well as some acoustic models tha borrowed from classic USA models. This one is a particularly unusual example. The M450 model would have listed for ¥45000 back in the day, which was well over two months salary for a university graduate in 1970; perhaps the equivalent of AUD$8-10k today. The body shape and build references the iconic Gibson J-200 jumbo, the ‘king of flat tops’: it’s big and deep, with generous curves and a gorgeous combination of spruce and maple. This boasts all solid construction: holy hell, that flame maple back is outrageous! Any guitar made from these materials would be wildly expensive, and with several decades to yellow and mellow, it really does look outstanding. The fancy ‘dove’ guard, inlaid bridge, lux tuners and quirky fretboard inlays add some impressive details too. The sound is dry, warm and balanced, with a sweet top end that’s prominent without being harsh. The bass is fast and tuneful, and the breathy midrange lends chords a pleasing harmonic complexity. This really is a perfect piece of mid century Japanese craftsmanship. I can’t see another one for sale anywhere, so don’t snooze if you hate to lose.
Model: Morales M450
Made: Japan, 1969 approx
Serial: NA
Finish: natural, gloss poly
Body: solid spruce top, solid flame maple back and sides, J-200 style shape
Neck: mahogany, rosewood fretboard, 12" radius, 642mm scale, 43mm nut
Weight: 2.190kg
Mods: new saddle, bridge re-glued
Pickup: none
Accessories: basic gig bag
Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has dimples on the end and top edge and some fading and scuffs on the front. The is clean and smooth in the hands, dimples and rub wear on the back, as well as a minor surface scratch behind the third fret. The back has surface scratches near the neck join, as well as minor scuffs and rub wear around the whole body. The sides have minor rub wear all over and dimples on the bottom corner. The front has scuffs along the back edge and elbow area and some play wear on the guard and horns.
Overall: very good condition (8/10)
Playing condition notes: Action is reasonably low, neck is straight, intonation is good. Wearing fresh 12/54 Moonshiners phosphor bronze strings.
Fret life: 8/10, minor wear only