A site that helps you buy guitars from Japan! [J-Guitar.com]

Product Description

Neck:Cedro
Fingerboard:Ebony
Finish(Top):Shellac
Finish(Back & Sides):Shellac
Tuning Machines:？
String Height(1st):2.6mm
String Height(6th):3.4mm

[Luthier Information]

José Yacopi (1916–2006) was born in Vitoria, Spain, and became one of the most distinctive and influential classical guitar makers of the 20th century. Trained in the workshop of his father, Gamaliel Yacopi, he built his first guitar at the age of 18. In 1949, the Yacopi family relocated to San Fernando, a suburb of Buenos Aires, Argentina, where José would continue to build guitars for the rest of his life.

Originally working in the tradition of Antonio de Torres, Yacopi began to move toward his own innovative ideas around 1947. One of his most groundbreaking contributions was the development of a reverse fan-bracing system, designed in collaboration with his father. This system features fan struts radiating outward in an unconventional direction, contributing to the unique tonal character that defines his instruments. This internal architecture became the hallmark of the Yacopi sound.

While the Yacopi workshop at its peak produced up to 300 instruments annually to meet demand in Argentina, only around 10% of these were top-tier, master-built guitars handcrafted by José himself using the finest materials.

His instruments have long been admired for their unique tonal identity—a deep, lush, and rounded voice in the mid and lower registers, paired with a clear, singing treble. The contrast between the dark warmth of the bass and the sparkling highs makes Yacopi guitars particularly powerful for polyphonic music, delivering an unmatched three-dimensionality in tone. The voice of his guitars has often been described as having a South American lyricism and charm, making them well-suited not only for classical repertoire but also for Latin American and popular music styles.

Yacopi guitars have been favored by legends such as:

María Luisa Anido

Eduardo Falú

And in modern times, embraced by many bossa nova and Latin American guitarists

Today, his son Fernando Yacopi continues the family legacy, but instruments made by José himself—particularly from the 1960s to the 1990s—are the most highly sought-after by collectors and players worldwide.

[Instrument Information]
José Yacopi – Classical Guitar (1974) – Used

This is a fine and original example of a José Yacopi concert guitar made in 1974, a period widely considered the golden era of his career.

[Specifications]

Top: Spruce

Back & Sides: Likely Indian Rosewood (specify if known)

Scale length: 650 mm

Nut width: 52 mm

Bracing: Yacopi’s signature reverse fan-bracing system

Finish: Original (French polish or lacquer – please specify)

Condition: Used, structurally solid with signs of regular play (see below)

[Sound Characteristics]

This guitar is emblematic of the José Yacopi sound, featuring:

Lush, mellow basses with exceptional depth and warmth

Bright yet rounded trebles that sing with lyrical clarity

Beautiful tonal separation, ideal for polyphonic repertoire

A natural three-dimensional quality that fills the room

A uniquely South American sensibility—elegant, emotional, and clear

The combination of Yacopi’s structural innovation and masterful voicing results in an instrument that offers power, intimacy, and expressiveness in equal measure.

[Condition]

This 1974 guitar is in excellent vintage condition considering its age:

Minor playwear consistent with 50+ years of careful use

Surface scratches and light marks around the soundboard and sides (if applicable)

No major cracks or structural issues (please confirm or add specifics)

Frets and neck are well-maintained, with good playability

Original tuning machines or period-appropriate replacements (please specify)

Overall, this guitar is a well-preserved example of a historic maker's work during his most prolific and celebrated period.

[Summary]

The José Yacopi 1974 classical guitar offered here is a rare opportunity to acquire an instrument from one of the 20th century’s most innovative and revered luthiers. Its tonal profile makes it a favorite among not only classical guitarists, but also performers of Latin American and popular music.

Whether for concert performance, studio recording, or as part of a curated vintage collection, this guitar embodies the sound and soul of a master at the height of his powers.