Description

Gorgeous 70s MIJ Mountain W-300D acoustic with a solid spruce top, rosewood back and sides and Schaller tuners. $1099!

The Mountain W-300D is a Japanese-made acoustic guitar from the 1970s, crafted by the Matsumoku factory, which is renowned for producing high-quality instruments. Mountain guitars, like many other brands produced in Japan during this era, gained popularity for their craftsmanship, attention to detail, and affordability, making them excellent alternatives to more expensive American-made guitars.

Key Features:

  • Body Type: Dreadnought, providing a full-bodied sound with strong projection. Dreadnoughts are known for their balanced tone and are ideal for both strumming and fingerpicking styles, making them versatile for various genres.
  • Top Wood: Solid spruce top, which is prized for its bright, clear tone and ability to resonate well. The spruce top allows for excellent projection and clarity, making it suitable for both solo performances and ensemble playing.
  • Back and Sides: Made from Rosewood, which adds warmth and depth to the overall tone. The combination of a spruce top with rosewood back and sides creates a balanced tonal profile, blending brightness with rich overtones.
  • Neck: Mahogany neck, known for its durability and stability, offering a smooth playing experience with a comfortable grip. The neck is typically joined to the body with a dovetail joint, a traditional method known for enhancing the guitar’s resonance.
  • Fretboard: Rosewood fretboard, providing a smooth playing surface and a warm, mellow tone. Rosewood is a common choice for acoustic guitars due to its durability and its ability to contribute to a well-rounded tonal quality.
  • Scale Length: Around 25.5 inches, which is standard for most dreadnought acoustics, providing enough tension for clear articulation and a rich, deep tone.

Sound Characteristics:

The Mountain W-300D offers a rich, resonant sound with a good balance of lows, mids, and highs. The spruce top provides excellent brightness and clarity, while the mahogany or rosewood back and sides contribute warmth and depth, giving the guitar a well-rounded tonal spectrum. The dreadnought body shape ensures strong projection, making it ideal for performances where volume and power are essential.

This guitar is perfect for genres like folk, country, and rock, where a bright and punchy sound is often desired. It also handles fingerpicking well, offering clear note articulation with a full-bodied resonance.

Build Quality:

Japanese guitars from the 1970s, particularly those made by the Matsumoku factory, are known for their high build quality and attention to detail. The Mountain W-300D is no exception, featuring solid construction with excellent craftsmanship. The materials used in the guitar, including solid spruce for the top and quality tonewoods for the back and sides, ensure that it’s both durable and tonally superior.

The guitar’s finish and setup are also well-executed, providing smooth playability and a professional feel. These guitars were designed to compete with higher-end American models, and they’ve earned a reputation as reliable, high-quality instruments.

Country of Manufacture:

Japan. The Mountain W-300D was produced in Japan, a country known for its meticulous approach to guitar manufacturing during the 1970s. Many guitars from this era were influenced by American designs but offered at more affordable prices, with equal or better craftsmanship.