Satoru Sakuma　[佐久間　悟] Romanillos Model　No.39

Product Description

Neck:Cedro
Fingerboard:Ebony
Finish(Top):Shellac
Finish(Back & Sides):Shellac
Tuning Machines:SLOANE
String Height(1st):2.6mm
String Height(6th):3.5mm

【A Romanillos-inspired voice—warm, refined, and quietly expressive】

[Luthier]
Satoru Sakuma (b. 1973, Ueda, Nagano, Japan) is a luthier who continues to build in his hometown workshop. He developed an interest in guitar making while studying Spanish at university and later trained under Sakae Ishii in Nagano.

In 2001, he traveled to Spain to attend a workshop led by José Luis Romanillos in Sigüenza, where he received direct instruction. He was also influenced by makers such as Gerhard Oldiges, gaining a deep appreciation for traditional Spanish methods. Since then, Sakuma has consistently followed these principles, establishing a style defined by warmth, natural resonance, and a direct connection to the character of the wood. His instruments are increasingly valued by both professional and amateur players.

[Instrument]
This is a 2012 No.39 Romanillos model by Satoru Sakuma, one of his representative models alongside the Bouchet model. As the name suggests, it is based on the work of José Luis Romanillos, featuring a similar head shape and an internal structure closely following his original design, while incorporating Sakuma’s own rosette design.

The bracing follows the Romanillos Plan 1 concept, with a combination of harmonic bars and fan bracing that creates a distinctive tonal structure. This design, rooted in the Torres–Hauser tradition and further developed by Romanillos, contributes to a balanced yet characterful sound. The resonance is set around F–F#.

Tonally, the instrument offers a warm, rounded voice with a soft yet clear core. Compared to the original Romanillos character, this guitar leans toward a more gentle and refined expression, with a subtle, composed presence. The response features a slightly cushioned attack with a natural rebound from the wood, producing a calm yet well-defined sound image. It is expressive without being overly bright or aggressive, making it suitable for nuanced and intimate playing.

The guitar shows visible signs of extensive playing, including scratches, marks, and wear throughout the body, as well as unevenness in the shellac finish, particularly on the back and sides. There are also surface marks on the back of the neck and headstock area. The top shows slight deformation between the soundhole and bridge, likely due to its thin construction, but this does not affect playability. No major cracks or structural repairs are present.

The neck remains straight, and while the frets show wear (especially in the lower positions), playability is not affected. String height is set at 2.6mm (1st) / 3.5mm (6th) at the 12th fret, with approximately 1.0–1.5mm of saddle remaining.

Equipped with Sloane tuners, functioning well. Weight: 1.49 kg.

A characterful instrument that blends traditional Spanish design with Sakuma’s own refined and understated musical voice.