Shunpei Nishino[西野　春平] Class50　Hauser Model

Product Description

Neck:Cedro
Fingerboard:Ebony
Finish(Top):Lacquer
Finish(Back & Sides):Lacquer
Tuning Machines:GOTOH
String Height(1st):2.3mm
String Height(6th):4.0mm

[Maker Information]

Born in 1947 in Hitachi, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan, Shunpei Nishino began building guitars in his teens. In 1964, at the age of 17, he entered the workshop of Tsunesaburo Kurosawa as an apprentice. He established his own workshop in Tokorozawa in 1969.

Since the early stages of his career, Nishino has devoted himself to studying the guitars of Hermann Hauser I, applying the knowledge gained from that research to the creation of instruments with exceptional tonal balance. He was also one of the earliest Japanese makers to work on electric-acoustic guitars. Thanks to his extraordinary precision in craftsmanship, he received numerous commissions in the field of acoustic guitars as well, producing a limited number of high-quality instruments.

Nevertheless, it is undoubtedly his Hauser models that most fully express his distinctive character and aesthetic. The beauty of their construction, their lustrous tone, and their superb tonal balance consistently achieve a level of finish worthy of the Hauser name. The quality of the materials used is also exceptional for their price range, making Nishino's guitars one of the finest choices in Japan in terms of value for money.

[Instrument Information]

This is a 2024-built, nearly new pre-owned example of Shunpei Nishino's standard No. 50 Hauser model, featuring a spruce soundboard and Central/South American rosewood back and sides. It represents an upgraded specification compared to the No. 35 model of the same series, which uses Indian rosewood.

Production of the No. 50 model with Central/South American rosewood back and sides has now been discontinued, making this a particularly rare and valuable example.

This instrument demonstrates the finely judged balance that is characteristic of a veteran maker of Nishino's caliber. Its sound, construction, and playability are all exceptionally well suited to the preferences of Japanese players.

While it does not possess quite the same powerful sustain and density as an original Hauser, it retains the slightly firm, focused articulation characteristic of the Hauser sound, enhanced by the transparency likely derived from the properties of Central/South American rosewood. The overall sound is fresh and vibrant.

The tonal balance is distinctly Hauser-like, ranging from a full, richly rounded bass to clear and articulate treble. The evenness and separation of each note, rapid response that closely follows the player's touch, and highly accurate intonation are all outstanding. Although the instrument has a characteristically Germanic, restrained quality, it also offers ample dynamic range and is fully capable of a wide variety of classical expression.

The basic design closely follows the famous “Segovia Model” created by Hermann Hauser I. The soundboard bracing consists of a reinforcing plate and one harmonic bar above the soundhole, one harmonic bar below the soundhole, seven symmetrical fan braces, and two V-shaped closing bars that support the ends of the fan braces at the bottom of the instrument. A thin reinforcing plate is also fitted beneath the bridge area. The resonance is set slightly below G.

The string height is 2.3 mm on the 1st string and 4.0 mm on the 6th string at the 12th fret. With approximately 1.5–3.5 mm of saddle material remaining, the action can be adjusted to suit the player's preference.

The neck has a slightly slim D-shaped profile, providing a compact and comfortable grip. The string tension is moderate, making the instrument easy to play and comfortable on the left hand.