Long ago in the 1960's in Japan was a small company known as Maruha Gakki (maybe). Maruha made badged acoustic, archtop and parlor guitars (which are REALLY nice with great pearl inlays!).
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| Maruha parlor guitar...sweet! |
Jedistar quotes another source that says these guitars were made by another company: Gakki Seizo. I've not been able to figure out if Maruha Gakki really existed or if Maruha guitars were in fact, produced by Gakki Seizo which DOES exist. It looks like the run they had was through the 1970's and some Maruha guitars were badged F. Hashimoto... although who he was or if it was just a name they picked is a mystery. The F. Hashimoto badges seem to be valued by blues and folk players for the guitar's sound quality and are more valuable than the Maruha. Here's a few examples:
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| Maruha cherryburst from Japan |
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| Check out the scroll label... |
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| Maruha Archtop |
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| F. Hashimoto |
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| F. Hashimoto |
Looking at Japanese sites, allowing for poor transation, specs on my F100M was spruce top and mahogany sides and back, all plywood construction. Obviously a Martin copy, but it has more of a Guild sound (another often plywood constructed guitar). I've read that the guitars had both maple or mahogany, so aren't sure. Sound is very gentle, very sweet bass, highs very Martin'ish. Mine is in excellent condition and is an early 70s model, so I would have to say that construction quality is superb. The thin neck reminded me of an old Epiphone Texan, which is what attracted me to it, and it's tone is closer to Gibson or Guild than Martin.
ReplyDeleteI just found a F. Hashimoto W315 in mint condition. All I had to do was to lower the action to my taste (some neck and saddle adjustment), now it plays like a charm. This W315 doesn't carry any stamp inside, while my W350 has the stamps. It isn't ornated: simple features, even no dots on the side of the neck. The W315 is plywood all over ( but high quality plywood), spruce top (beautifull grain), mohagony back and sides (dense nervature, quality wood). The X - brace crossing is covered with cloth to enhance stability. After nearly 40 years the construction is still impeccable. Soundwise, it has the typical mohagony sound, and good sustain. No dead spots higher up the neck. Lots of joy playing it. Neck profile is more D - like, while the W350 has a stronger V - neck profile. The W315 is easier on my hands. For piceters please view:
ReplyDeletehttp://s232.photobucket.com/albums/ee127/Laserpuls/Hashimoto%20W315/
There is one for sale currently on Guitar Museum
ReplyDeleteBen
I picked up a Maruha D18 copy about 10 years back. Paid $85 at a used instrument store. It sounded great but the low E buzzed on a high fret (7th or 8th). I found a way to fix that. Great little guitar.
ReplyDeleteI have a Maruha FB320
ReplyDeleteCan any one tell m,e what it would be worth
Maruha Instrument Manufacturing Limited produced the Hashimoto Guitars. Maruha is closed now but, was located in the city of Kurume, Fukuoka Prefecture. Mr Hashimoto was an avid guitarist and also known as a decorated military man. It is said he designed a fighter plane during the Second World War according to the research I have come across on Japanese websites.
ReplyDeleteDo you know what it means, or what type of copy when its no serial nr, just mod. F100? I Love guitars and its the BEST i played on even if im not good haha ;) it also says vertically to the logo H . T . and what looks like a faded A or K. doesnt have any of the shapes of this site on the body though! and it is old and "Broken" ;) you know anything about this?
DeleteThe better quality or 'high ranked' productions all got a date code stamped in the neck block inside of the guitar, a common practice back then. The models produced in larger quantities didn't get the date stamp or what we see as 'serial number'. Could you post som pictures of this model?
DeleteI found a w330 at a yard sale and paid $40 cdn. This guitar, in my humble opinion, has it all - looks, playability, and sound. It's a fabulous instrument. I only wish that I could learn more about F. Hashimoto and perhaps the true value
ReplyDeleteHere's a link to information about a W66 dread - one of a kind. It was sold before I wazs able to test and play it. What a gorgeous guitar that is!!!!!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.vintagegitaar.be/f-hashimoto.html
I was Able to buy A Hashimoto G 100 and if I can read it correctly it is build in 1973 , it is a nylon string guitar stil in verry fine condition .
ReplyDeleteIt is a solit top spruce and mahogany sides and back payed 125 Euro.
It sounds great I am happy with it .
At this moment there is a Hashimoto for sale at Ebay , but the funny thing is the seller swears it is a K-Hashimoto instead
ReplyDeleteF-Hashimoto .now on some labels I see F-Hashimoto and on some others ( like mine , witch is the same label as the one now for sale ) only -Hashimoto- on the label , can any one inlighten this .?
From what I understand from my research Kenzo Hashimoto was an uncle of Francis Hashimoto. Both were working for the Mahura Gakki factory and gave their name to a line of top-of-the-line guitars at Mahura Gakki. Both stand for quality guitars.
DeleteThis week I am goïng to have a look at a W380 it is in need of a repair .
ReplyDeleteI have purchased it and brought it strait away to a luthier to repair the neck.
ReplyDeleteIt has a solid spruce top but the rest is plywood and if I have a good look at the side is is in bookled , the back has a "triangle" in it.
Now having a good look at mij G 100 it also has plywood sides and back and the sides are also in "bookled " .
I hope to send pictures as soon as she is back from repair .
I got my F Hashimoto W330 in the UK in 1977 I almost bought by accident - I went into a music shop and played it and had to buy it. It's still in great shape 40 years later. Great sound, looks fantastic, no technical problems with it at all ever. This is it being played at a gig back in 2009.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNmbeR4dyDk
I went to the luthier who is repairing my W 380 , it has strings on now for a week and the repair is ok by the end of next week it wil be finished .
ReplyDeleteI also found te datestamp is sais 770714 so she is almost 40 jears old .
I recently bought a T160 12 string Maruha and have not been able to find information on it. I'm very curious about the availability of original hardware I can get to replace a few damaged tuning pegs.
ReplyDeleteI have a F.Hashimoto W320 that I've just picked up, date stamp 10 January 1983.
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone know what this model is modeled from?
It's actually one of the most well finished guitars, i own, incredible workmenship.
At the same time I also got a Maruha T320 12 string, once again in amazing condition and date stamped 22 June 1974.
Would like to know if there's other owners out there of these models.
I have an FB130 which was found in a loft of a house an Uncle bought about 25 yrs ago. He said did I want it. It had a bit of damage like it had been dropped and there was a crack at the back/bottom about three inches long but no wood missing. I got it repaired by a luthier friend and cleaned it up and it plays quite well. I have some About twenty guitars, acoustic and electric, and it's fine to play at home and not too bad a sound, probably similar to some of the Cheaper Fender acoustics, but no where near a Martin or Taylor. Serial number is 741111.
ReplyDeleteI just picked up a fb150m spruce top and mahogany sides. Brought it to two luthiers, both said seems to be solid top, and they can't determine if the sides are solid or ply but it doesn't really matter since it plays and sounds amazing. I put a new bone compensated saddle on it and it plays like a dream. its a very good D18 copy and Personally I think it plays and sounds every bit as well as a modern martin. Best $80 Ive ever spent and i have a lot of guitars.
ReplyDeleteSo I made a quite extensive research on my w380 the other day and found theses links:
ReplyDeleteGuitar catalog:
https://ameblo.jp/mam5283/entry-12091859413.html
Guitar specifications (use this link to translate the page - http://itools.com/tool/google-translate-web-page-translator:
http://www.geocities.jp/kacy08022001/price.htm
Hope this was helpful :)
I have a Maruha FB 130. I bought it new in 1972. I replaced the machine heads with Schaeller in 1977. Initially I would always use Martin Silk n steel strings however now I only ever use Thomastik gold plated strings. Best acoustic 6 string sound I have heard. I've played Martin, Taylor and Gibson but prefer the sound of the Maruha. Rich, warm tones keep me coming back after all these years. I also play a Godin A12 hollow bodied semi acoustic/electric 12 string (which I also string with Thomastiks.
ReplyDeletePicked up a F.Hashimoto W330 the other day.Gorgeous guitar for it's age.And sounds fantastic.
ReplyDeletePurchased a model 305 Mahura couple years back. $69.99. An arch top. A lot of craze & cracking on the finish. Seem to have the original strings as they were knotted around the bridge and had no ball-ends. It has a full rich, warm tone though. Named it “trigger” because of W.Nelsons poor ol geetar....lol
ReplyDeleteI have had quite a lot of the Hashimoto guitars, still have two: W315 and W350. The sing and shine; they need som TLC and time to open up (W350). The ones that came and went were: G216, W315, W340, W350, T520. The one I didn't get but wanted so bad: WS ( one of a kind special ornated one, special book headstock). I let them go after repairs and TLC; I can't top a max of guitars in my collection. And they need to be played to open up. I have pictures of all of these guitars. I regeretted letting go of some. My first W350 went, so I went after an other one. Great guitar, needs to be played to open up. The T520 went, I needed space, but what a good 12 string guitar!! The G216 went after luthier repairs - still regret selling it: solid wood, very light and responsive. Should have lend it to a friend, like another good Takeharu classic hiding from sight - and coming back to me one day. So much to tell, pictures to share. But only if needed. Take care of them Hashimoto guitars. They are worth it.
ReplyDeleteHello StefS, I have just bought a W315 and find that it is a really great guitar. I would definitely be interested in knowing more about them; ehere and by who they were built etc.
DeleteHi Atle, I have written and researched quite a lot about the Hashimoto brand, from Mahura Gakki. Much information is right here above, in my comments in this blog. I am glad yo found a W315. It's a keeper. Good solid neck, good string spacing, and by construction prone to have a long life in good condition. F. Hashimoto guitars were a top of the line production in Mahura Gakki factory, Japan. Hashimoto was a former military airplane designer from the Japanese army. It was usual after WWII that ex-military were recruted by other industries because of their engineering skills. Martin guitars were slacking in quality back then in the 70'ies, so the Japanese took a shot at the guitar market. They sent a delegation of top - luthiers and engineers to the US, and they improved the designs. On top of that, they had to cope with the challenging climate circumstances on the island. So they invested in durable design in guitar building, using ( as far as Hashimoto was concerned) techniques for aviation. ( look at the interior of the guitar, cloth reinforcements at the crossings of the braces). They had quite a fame as far as lacquer is concerned, and used that technique to produce multi - layered wood ( I wouldn't call it plywood anymore). Very thin layers of top wood, quality glue, and they produced thinner multi-layered tonewood that could stand climate challenges in Japan and abroad ( which is the case with the W315. They tried to enter the European and American market - like many japanese brands did back then - but after the Headstock Trial they had to change headstock designs. After that, the acoustic market dropped. Well, I should stop now, I keep typing... any questions are welcome. Have fun , give the W315 a good setup ( bone saddles, bone pins), fresh strings, low action: you got yourself a friend for life!
DeleteAlso take a look at the FAcebook group called 'maruha gakki / hashimoto guitars'. I try to post pictures of the guitars I own or owned. Please post some pics of your Hashimoto there.
DeleteAs for the production date of your W315: look inside the soundhole. On the inside, on the neck block, you will find a number. Probably in a '7xxxxx' format. This code is the day of production.
ReplyDeleteHi. A friend of mine have a Maruha "Monica" semi solid electric.
ReplyDelete