| This guy has put together an extensive pool of knowledge and links on vintage guitars and equipment. Not much more on the T.Haruo line, but lots more... find info and links for your other unknown axe. Check it out... |
| Why thank you Michelle for your input. Strange place to put a pick guard...but whatever works. Nice strings that you've acquired. Well there you have it... the six string line went down to at least a T-20 6 and I'm guessing there's probably some T-10 6 s out there also. Contact me with your story and your T.Haruo guitar ... send pics and I'll post them. rea@kritmon.com |
| My T Haruo Guitars |
| This page of my website is setup to showcase my two personal favorite guitars. For those of you uninformed...these guitars were made by one of Yamaha's former top luthiers. These guitars were made somewhere in the late 70's thru the early 80's. From what I can gather, 'Terry' Haruo left Yamaha to form his own company producing high end guitars. Other then that, I cannot find out anything else about them. I took mine to a couple of music/guitar stores and they said that my guitars weren't worth much (only because they didn't have a major logo). But to me, and I've been playing going on 35 yrs., they play better then guitars three times the price that they are supposedly worth. I have gone so far as to contact a Japanese luthiers association...but alas, nothing. I have gotten wind thru the grapevine that there might be something of an involvement with Martin about infringement or something....only in the wind though... Owners, once played, almost never sell their T.Haruos. I have two, and they're mine 'til... Click the thread text at the upper right and find out who else owns these superb yet unknown axes... R.E.A. |
| and here is my T-50 12 string... |
| and here is my T-150 6 string signature.. |
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| Drop me an e-mail if you have any more knowledge about these guitars or want to put in your 2 cents worth... rea@kritmon.com |
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| addendum: Having worked @ a music studio in the early 80's, I remember these guitars. I do know that the 12-string line started with the T-10 and went as high as the T-80 12 ... the T-10 being the lowest end of the line. I had owned a T-80 which had the 'tree of life' enlayed in real mother of pearl on the fretboard (mine went high order[the solid spruce top couldn't hold up to the low humidity in Utah] and cracked in about 3 or 4 places. Pennino Music, located in Calif., replaced mine with the T-50 I now own. I don't know if they made a T-100 or not. Drop me a line if you own one!! The 6-string line went down as low as the T-40 (as far as I know 'cause a friend of mine owns one) and went as high as the T-150 signature (which is pictured above) and was the top of the line. If you own a T-? model, let me know if it is a model lower than the T-40. Thanks and if anyone reading this finds out any info on the luthier, drop me a line and fill me in. There are a lot of owners of these fine instruments that would like to know more!! |
| 7/8/2008 - From M.Coyle: I too am a T. Haruo owner however; the line went further down than 40. Mine is a T-20 one of the very first ever made. I bought it brand new back in I think 1974 0r 5maybe a little later, but only by a yr or so. The guitar plays like a dream to this day and I just refurbished it. Not that much had to be done, but the fret board collected a lot of gunk on it and it needed some good polishing to bring that shine up. It’s inlayed with mother of pearl around the edges, whole and the flower symbol on the top no three dots. The back has a single inlay of pearl down the middle and the fret board has very small circular pearl dots on them. I think I bought it in Sam Ash in Long Island NY. That’s all I can tell U. wish I knew more 2…. Peace, keep on strumming Michelle PS. You can see me playing it on my web site broadjam.com/shellyc in one of my pics. I have on there. It’s the one next 2 the fire place |
| 10/11/2008 - From Matthew & Andrea Hello - I found your website this morning, out of a moment of curiosity about my guitar. Thought I'd add to the lore... When I started playing guitar in high school, I wanted to learn to play like Doc Watson. So, of course, I wanted a Martin. I cruised by my local guitar star, and was quickly humbled by the prices. I tried a series of lower-end guitars but simply didn't like the feel or sound of the "real thing". The salesman gave me some guidance for which I will be eternally grateful: he said I should crawl the pawn shops and see what they had. At the time, Denver was coming out of a long recession following the collapse of the oil market, and there were a lot of pawn shops, so the search took some time. Every guitar I tried was either too expensive or sounded like crap. I was becoming resigned to my financial realities and had decided on a nice Guild that cost ~ $400. I don't remember the model. The owner of that shop said he had a few more guitars in the basement, but that none of them were any good and that if I wanted, I could take a look. Figuring that I'd already spent many hours on the search, a few more minutes wouldn't matter. On a rack in a dusty, dark basement in a pawn shop on Colfax Avenue, I found among the broken-down cardboard cases a flat grey Martin case. I reached for it with my heart beating a bit faster, and the pawn shop owner said it was some kind of Martin Japanese knock-off that wasn't worth much. The case was warped and didn't close completely, so I could see a small ribbon of mother-of pearl glinting dully in the low light. I pulled it out, marveling at the real pearl inlay and what looked like Brazilian rosewood three-piece back. Strumming the dead strings was all the confirmation I needed. I told him that I could afford $200 and that if he was willing to take that, I'd give the money to him right then. Deal made. That was in either 1980 or 1981. Since then, I've played it with nothing but total enjoyment. A few musicians far better than I have also played and appreciated it. Fletcher Brock, a luthier in Seattle (www.fletcherbrock.com - I highly encourage anyone who has an appreciation for magical instruments visit his site) says that it is one of the finest sounding guitars he's ever heard. Amos Galpin, a songwriter in Ketchum asked to borrow it to lay down a few tracks on his most recent CD (http://cdbaby.com/cd/amosgalpin). Even the legendary Steve Miller played it when it was in Amos' studio and laid down one lick on the 8th track of the album "Train". Pretty good resume for a "japanese knock off" found in the basement of a pawn shop in Denver. The instrument looks exactly like the T-150 on your site, with the exception of a small dent in the top from when my wife dropped a sculpture in the middle of a cleaning frenzy. And, like one of your other posts, the top of mine cracked ever-so-slightly when I moved to Idaho, with two parallel cracks about 3" long running straight back from the saddle. Fortunately, a local luthier named David Boelke was able to repair it like the magician he is. No "collateral damage" to the quality of the sound, and it hasn't shifted in 20 years. I don't know anything about the luthier who built it, the history before me, or the "quality" of the instrument. All I know is that the thing plays as easily as two ice cubes rubbing together, and sounds like honey dripping off a spoon on a hot summer day. They'll take it from me when I die. Thanks for sharing your knowledge, Matthew |
| Thanks Matt for sharing. I totally understand the connection to your instrument. I just took mine in to have a fret job for the 1st time since buying my T-150 new. The guy looked at it... and immediately said: 'Oh it's one of those 70's knockoffs. Looks like laminated sides and top.' ??? !!!! For some reason, luthiers still don't give these guitars the respect that they deserve. I know how mine plays and how mine sounds, and I've known since I bought it in 1982. ...And by the way, it's still my fave. I always seem to come back to my T-Haruo. Also, I am a carpenter and know wood, the sides and top are solid 'cause the grain on the outside matches the grain on the inside and the top is a 2-piece solid spruce. rea@kritmon.com |
| 11/9/08 - from Dave Lowndes Hi I was lucky enough to be working in a music shop in South-West England in the early '80s and the owner had ordered 3 'Aria PW80' acoustic guitars for stock. When they arrived they were beautiful, inlaid dreadnaught style guitars. However, whilst 2 were identical, one was not not badged 'Aria' on the headstock as the other 2 were. The third one had a floral design on the headstock and the name T.Haruo between the 19th and 20th frets. The label inside states that it is model 100 and made in Japan. As you can see in the pictures, the only evidence of a connection is the Aria 'A' on the back of the tuners. Strangely, as rare as this model appears to be, whilst there is precious little info on the T.Haruo guitars, i can now find no info on the Aria model! Needless to say, i fell in love with the Haruo and in never made the shop floor! Like most Haruo owners, i will never be parted from this stunning instrument. Thanks for posting the site, its great to see other models. Best wishes Dave Lowndes |
| 7/8/2008 - From M.Coyle: I too am a T. Haruo owner however; the line went further down than 40. Mine is a T-20 one of the very first ever made. I bought it brand new back in I think 1974 0r 5maybe a little later, but only by a yr or so. The guitar plays like a dream to this day and I just refurbished it. Not that much had to be done, but the fret board collected a lot of gunk on it and it needed some good polishing to bring that shine up. It’s inlayed with mother of pearl around the edges, whole and the flower symbol on the top no three dots. The back has a single inlay of pearl down the middle and the fret board has very small circular pearl dots on them. I think I bought it in Sam Ash in Long Island NY. That’s all I can tell U. wish I knew more 2…. Peace, keep on strumming Michelle PS. You can see me playing it on my web site broadjam.com/shellyc in one of my pics. I have on there. It’s the one next 2 the fire place |
| 7/8/2008 - From M.Coyle: I too am a T. Haruo owner however; the line went further down than 40. Mine is a T-20 one of the very first ever made. I bought it brand new back in I think 1974 0r 5maybe a little later, but only by a yr or so. The guitar plays like a dream to this day and I just refurbished it. Not that much had to be done, but the fret board collected a lot of gunk on it and it needed some good polishing to bring that shine up. It’s inlayed with mother of pearl around the edges, whole and the flower symbol on the top no three dots. The back has a single inlay of pearl down the middle and the fret board has very small circular pearl dots on them. I think I bought it in Sam Ash in Long Island NY. That’s all I can tell U. wish I knew more 2…. Peace, keep on strumming Michelle PS. You can see me playing it on my web site broadjam.com/shellyc in one of my pics. I have on there. It’s the one next 2 the fire place |
| Hey Dave, glad to hear from you. There is something fishy about these guitars. Most instrument dealers always downrate them, but the real players love them. I can't figure that one out yet. Where is 'Terry Haruo' and why wouldn't he want to step forward and take credit for these obviously beautifully crafted and sounding instruments? And why don't the main dealers look and listen to them as quality and credited instruments? Who is trying to bury what? ..I say.. rea@kritmon.com |
| 11/9/2008 - Steve I've got one of the T150's as well. I've had it since about 1980 or 81, although I bought it used from an antique furniture store in Santa Ana CA - I don't remember exactly when, but it was about the same time my son was born, which was in January 1981. Here's more on the guitar, with some pictures: http://www.cyrguitars.com/InstrumentListPage.html I still have the guitar, and the only thing I've done to it is add a Martin Thinline 332 under-saddle pickup to it, with an endpin jack. It was a little banged up when I got it, and from the wear and scratches in the top it was obvious its previous owner was a lefty. It has a solid top, but the back & sides appear to be laminated, since the grain inside the body does not seem to match that on the outside. --Steve |
| Hello Steve, Thanks for the contact. I think sometime or another, I have visited your site and seen your guitar also. Don't you just love 'em? I just forked out $250 to have a badly needed fret job done on my T-150 and it's like a brand new guitar!! Even the luthier who did my fret job, changed his tune after hearing it crisp and clean. |
| 11/12/08 - from Ray Brown Hi, just thought I'd add a personal story about my T Haruo, I live in Melbourne Australia and about 30 yrs ago I decided I wanted a decent acoustic. Luckily for me a friend at the time had an uncle , a luthier by the name of Merv Cargill (a story going around states that when Led Zep was touring here Jimmy sent his Gibson std by Taxi to Merv to have something done to it) anyway I went for a visit and he showed me a few, was totally impressed by the look of the T Haruo and after playing it just had to have it. I'm not sure how many he imported to here but can't be many. Cheers Ray. Serial #H525055 or 525055 PS here is a link to a site that you have probably already visited, my guitar is pictured near the bottom. http://www.guitarseminars.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/000758.html |
| Hi Ray, I actually made a post on that same forum back in 2003 or 04. I hope you don't mind...I borrowed your pics. I can see that you have a T-30-6 string. Thanks for the contact. If anyone ever gets some substantial info on the luthier... one ... Terry Haruo ... please contact me here thru this page. @ rea@kritmon.com |
| 11/20/2008 - from Jay Gesulga Hi, I just purchased a T100 cause it looked sooo pretty…I have 5 martins and this guitar is the best sounding. The guy that I bought it from said it truly was Elvis Presley’s god son’s, father, of whom he acquired it from. I think I have number 100 manufacture, there’ s a number next to the ser. Number. No additional info on it, just a great looking and sounding guitar. Think I’ll change the strings and see what happens..Jay |
| Hey Jay, You are sooo gonna luv that guitar!! Send some pics if and when you get a chance. Love the tree of life inlay. The T-100 is a beautiful geetaar. REA |
| Hello out there T.Haruo owners, I've owned both my guitars going on 27 yrs and I just now made a discovery that I don't think many realize. I actually found where 'Terry' hid his serial #'s. If you'll look at the pic to the right, you'll see that's it's tucked up inside the front of the guitar, stamped in the inside neck block. Get a flashlight and check for your serial #'s there. The upper line is the serial # and the lower is the guitar model #. Send me your #'s.. @ rea@kritmon.com My T-50-12 - serial #H300125 T-150-6 - serial #H910125 Now to find some sense of the numbering...I'm thinking that since the #s 0125 are common, that that must be the year or something and the #s preceeding those four could be the production # of that year. Just a guess though. ...REA |
| 12/18/08 - from Jay Gesulga Here are a few foto’s of my T-100 guitar, sweeeet….Jay T-100-6 - serial #H616025 |
| Hey Jay, Thanks for sending the pics. I see you found your serial # also. The last 2 #s seem to be the only shared common… ----25 ….If I get some more #s from other owners, maybe I can piece exactly what they mean…’cause I’m sure they mean the production line # as well as month and yr. Looks like brazilian rosewood or jacarunda.. Well… what do you think about your new acquisition? Sound? Action? Compared to the Martin? The T-80-12 string also had the tree of life inlay on the fretboard. Beautiful guitar my friend….score!!! Regards, Richard |
This is a link to my released cds, all of
which were recorded using my T.Haruos.
You can chk out samples there
which were recorded using my T.Haruos.
You can chk out samples there
| 11/12/08 - from Steve Richard; I can't complain about the deal I got on mine - $95 for it, in pretty much the same condition it's in now, almost 30 years later. My first wife bought me a case for it for Christmas that year, and the case cost more than what I paid for the guitar. I've been making online inquiries on these guitars since early 2003 without much luck. Frustrating. One of the posts I found online said he would like to upgrade to something better, but that he couldn't affort the thousands it would cost to actually buy something better. My approach? Build my own - that way I can have anything I want, and it never costs me more that $400 to $600 for any instrument. :-) But I haven't significantly surpassed the tone and playability of that T Haruo 150 yet. Here's my web site: http://www.cyrguitars.com --Steve |
| Why yes believe it or not ... there is a second page. Just click the guitar @ the right to negotiate to T-Haruo page Two >>>>>>>>> |