Shunsuke Yokoo　[横尾　俊祐] Grave　AEZ

Product Description

Neck:Mahogany
Fingerboard:Ebony
Finish(Top):Shellac
Finish(Back & Sides):Cashew
Tuning Machines:GOTOH
String Height(1st):2.8mm
String Height(6th):4.0mm

[Luthier Information]

Shunsuke Yokoo (1946–2023) was born in Oita Prefecture, Japan. Encouraged by his uncle, renowned guitarist Yukihiro Yokoo, he entered the workshop of Masaru Kohno immediately after graduating from high school in 1964. Following eight years of apprenticeship, he established his own workshop in 1972.

Yokoo's instruments clearly reflect the influence of the Kohno school, characterized by robust construction, traditional Cashew lacquer finishes, and exceptional tonal balance. Throughout his career, every model in his lineup earned a reputation for reliability, consistency, and refined musical performance. In later years, he worked alongside his son, Masato Yokoo (b. 1975), producing instruments in the same workshop until his passing in January 2023.

[Instrument Information]

This is a 2016 Shunsuke Yokoo GRAVE AEZ (serial designation), the flagship model in Yokoo's four-model lineup, offered in used condition.

The guitar features a French-polished soundboard combined with Cashew-finished Central/South American Rosewood back and sides, producing the firm, articulate voice characteristic of this premium tonewood combination. The instrument delivers impressive projection and substantial acoustic power while maintaining a restrained, refined tonal character free from excessive brilliance—a hallmark of Yokoo's aesthetic.

Its response is immediate and highly elastic, producing a crisp, spring-like attack that allows each note to emerge with remarkable focus and stability from the very moment of release. The consistency of tone across the entire register, together with its exceptionally balanced voicing, demonstrates the level of refinement expected from the maker's flagship model.

The internal bracing design begins with a single harmonic bar above the soundhole (toward the neck), accompanied by two short braces extending alongside the neck foot on both the treble and bass sides. A second harmonic bar is positioned below the soundhole, with openings at both ends through which portions of the fan bracing pass. A relatively thick trapezoidal reinforcement plate surrounds the soundhole area.

The fan bracing consists of five symmetrically arranged fan braces, supported at the lower bout by two V-shaped closing bars. In addition, a transverse bar is positioned beneath the bridge. The outermost pair of fan braces extend through the openings in the lower harmonic bar and continue toward the soundhole, creating an especially sophisticated structural layout.

The overall design recalls the celebrated bracing system of the French master Robert Bouchet, particularly in its use of the transverse bar and the fan braces extending through the lower harmonic bar. However, closer examination reveals several refinements unique to Yokoo's own design philosophy.

The transverse bar is approximately 10 mm high only within the span occupied by the five fan braces, tapering rapidly to just a few millimeters in height toward the sides of the instrument. Furthermore, whereas Bouchet's design has the fan braces interlocked directly through the transverse bar, on this guitar the braces pass immediately adjacent to the bar without making contact. Unlike Bouchet, Yokoo also incorporates two V-shaped closing bars at the lower bout.

Tonally, the instrument does not attempt to imitate Bouchet's voice. Instead, while acknowledging the influence of his teacher Masaru Kohno, Yokoo successfully establishes his own understated tonal identity. It is precisely this restraint and refinement that define the individuality of the Yokoo workshop.

The main body resonance is tuned between F♯ and G.

The guitar has no history of cracks, structural repairs, or modifications. It remains in excellent overall condition, with only a few minor surface marks and small dents around the soundhole and below the bridge. The back and sides show only very light finish wear from normal contact with clothing, none of which detracts from the instrument's appearance.

The neck, frets, and all aspects affecting playability remain in excellent adjustment. The neck features a medium-depth D-shaped profile, while the current string action measures 2.8 mm (1st string) and 4.0 mm (6th string) at the twelfth fret. Approximately 2.0–3.5 mm of saddle remains, with a saddle shim currently installed.

The guitar is fitted with Gotoh tuning machines, which operate smoothly and remain in excellent mechanical condition.