Makoto Teramachi　[寺町　誠] MT-1　POLYPHONY DT　No.516

Product Description

Neck:Mahogany
Fingerboard:Ebony
Finish(Top):Polyurethan
Finish(Back & Sides):Polyurethan
Tuning Machines:GOTOH
String Height(1st):3.0mm
String Height(6th):4.0mm

[Profile]
Born in Gifu Prefecture in 1960, Makoto Teramachi graduated from a local industrial high school and joined Mitsubishi Chemical, working for ten years at the Yokkaichi and Kashima factories. Driven by a passion for craftsmanship, he left the company and explored various trades for five years before pursuing guitar making. At age 34, he became an apprentice under Yukihide Chai in Nagano, training for about three years before establishing his own workshop in his hometown of Gifu. He is a member of the Japan String Instrument Makers Association.

Teramachi’s guitars are meticulously crafted with attention to detail, incorporating modern elements such as double tops and raised fingerboards while maintaining ease of play, volume, and balanced tone. His instruments consistently achieve high standards, expanding their appeal to a wide range of players.

[Description]
This listing is for a Makoto Teramachi MT-1 Polyphony DT (Doubletop) No.516 – Used. The MT-1 to MT-3 series offers a range of grades and models, each available in both traditional and double-top styles. Positioned as an entry-class model within the brand, this guitar embodies Teramachi’s hallmark balance, precision, and subtle elegance.

The double-top is constructed using Nomex (developed by Dupont) sandwiched between two spruce plates. This well-established design enhances volume, responsiveness, uniformity of tone, and produces a rich, airy resonance—perfectly suited to modern playing contexts. Teramachi has introduced classical design concepts into this modern structure, resulting in a uniquely restrained yet expressive double-top instrument.

The bracing system is notable:

Four harmonic bars of varying shapes and orientations, with diagonal placements and openings on low/high ends.

Six fan braces, arranged around a central brace (3 treble side, 2 bass side), intersecting the harmonic and transverse bars.

Two short closing bars in an inverted “V” configuration at the bottom, supporting the fan braces.

Resonance is set slightly below G.

The guitar produces a soft, plush feel typical of double-top models, with generous volume, a gentle tonal character, and notable sustain—likely enhanced by the Boucher-inspired transverse bar.

This Used instrument is in excellent condition, with only minor marks near the fingerboard and below the bridge plate, almost like new. The neck, frets, and tuning machines are all in great playing condition. Features include a thin D-shaped neck, raised fingerboard extending to 20 frets on the treble side, string height of 3.0/4.0 mm (1st/6th string at 12th fret), and a saddle surplus of 1.5 mm.