Kaoru Ono　[尾野　薫] Bouchet Model　No.301

Product Description

Neck:Cedro
Fingerboard:Ebony
Finish(Top):Shellac
Finish(Back & Sides):Shellac
Tuning Machines:SLOANE
String Height(1st):2.8mm
String Height(6th):4.1mm

［Profile］
Born in 1953, Ono began playing the guitar in his early teens. While studying woodcraft at university, he started building guitars as a hobby, eventually pursuing the craft professionally. In 1980, he apprenticed under Kojiro Nejime (Alberto Nejime Ono), a disciple of Antonio Marín of Granada, where he absorbed the foundations of traditional Spanish guitar making.

He continued to refine his skills through further study, including participation in a workshop led by José Luis Romanillos in Spain, and also received direct guidance from Antonio Marín himself, as well as valuable advice from Arcángel Fernández.

Ono is particularly noted for his analytical approach to traditional Spanish construction, integrating scientific insight into his instruments. His guitars are distinguished by exceptional tonal balance, clarity, and a refined, transparent sound. Combined with meticulous craftsmanship and elegant finishing, his work represents one of the highest standards in contemporary Japanese luthiery.
He produced approximately ten instruments per year, and his work was featured in Orfeo Magazine (No.15, Camino Verde). Although he passed away in July 2024, his instruments continue to be highly regarded among players and collectors.

［Description]
This is an outstanding Bouchet-inspired model, reflecting not only the form but also the acoustic philosophy of Robert Bouchet, reinterpreted through Ono’s refined modern sensibility. The design is based on an original Bouchet once owned by the late guitarist Minoru Inagaki, and its development was further informed through close musical dialogue.

The instrument produces a rich, warm, and weighty tone reminiscent of Bouchet’s characteristic sound—often described by Ono as “organ-like.” At the same time, each note retains remarkable clarity and definition, giving the sound a unique sense of precision and depth.

Structurally, it follows Bouchet’s traditional design, including a symmetrical five-fan bracing pattern and a transverse bar beneath the bridge, with resonance set slightly above A. It is fitted with Sloane tuning machines.

While there are minor signs of playing wear, the overall condition is excellent. The neck is straight, and the setup offers comfortable playability. With superb tonal balance, sustain, and rarity—especially for a Bouchet model of this caliber—this instrument represents a truly exceptional opportunity.

Equally suited for serious performance or as a collector’s piece, it stands as a highly refined work that goes beyond replication, offering a distinctive artistic voice rooted in tradition.