Alberto Nejime Ohno　[アルベルト・ネジメ・オーノ] Bouchet Model

Product Description

Neck:Cedro
Fingerboard:Ebony
Finish(Top):Shellac
Finish(Back & Sides):Shellac
Tuning Machines:SLOANE
String Height(1st):3.3mm
String Height(6th):4.0mm

【Alberto Nejime Ohno Bouchet Model (2015)】
A refined Bouchet-style guitar by Japanese master Alberto Nejime Ohno, built in the Spanish tradition of Granada.

〔Luthier〕
Alberto Nejime Ohno (Kojiro Nejime, b.1952) is widely recognized as one of the most important Japanese makers working within the traditional Spanish school of classical guitar construction.

In 1979 he traveled to Spain to study with the renowned Granada master Antonio Marín Montero. During his two-year apprenticeship he worked closely with the Marín family, learning not only the technical aspects of guitar construction but also the cultural and artistic spirit surrounding the Spanish guitar tradition.

After returning to Japan, Nejime began producing instruments deeply influenced by the Spanish aesthetic. His guitars were soon recognized as among the first truly authentic Spanish-style instruments built in Japan.

In 1988 he won the Grand Prix at the Kutná Hora International Guitar Making Competition in Czechoslovakia, bringing him international recognition. His guitars are admired for their elegant craftsmanship, dignified appearance, and rich, powerful tone with excellent projection. Over the years his work has gained increasing refinement and maturity, earning a reputation comparable to that of his teacher.

Alongside his work as a maker, Nejime has also been active in teaching and writing about guitar making. His instructional series published in Gendai Guitar Magazine was later compiled into the book Spanish Classical Guitar Making Method. In 2020 his work and interview were also featured in Orfeo Magazine No.15, published in France.

Today his instruments are highly regarded among collectors and professional musicians for their refined tone and unmistakable Spanish character.

〔Instrument〕
This Bouchet Model by Alberto Nejime Ohno (2015) is a used instrument inspired by the work of the legendary French master Robert Bouchet. While certain visual elements—such as the distinctive headstock design—reflect Bouchet’s style, the internal construction and tonal concept remain entirely Nejime’s own.

The guitar presents a refined and elegant character typical of the maker’s work during this period. Tonally it offers a balanced voice with strong clarity and depth, combining a warm bass response with articulate mids and singing trebles. The overall sound retains a refined transparency while maintaining the projection and density expected from a concert instrument.

Cosmetically the instrument shows normal signs of use. The soundboard has several small and shallow scratches around the fingerboard edges, the soundhole (particularly on the treble side), and near the bridge and lower bout. These marks are light and not visually distracting. The back and sides remain in good condition, with only faint traces of contact from clothing and a support device.

The neck is in good structural condition with only slight forward relief within acceptable range. The neck profile is a moderate D-shape with a slightly squared feel, offering a comfortable and compact grip compared with some of the maker’s thicker recent neck shapes.

Overall, this instrument represents a beautifully crafted example of Nejime’s work, combining the influence of classic European guitar design with the refined sensibility of one of Japan’s most respected contemporary luthiers.