Vintage 1975 Morris W-45 - Brazilian Back/Sides/FB Natural - Martin D-45 Copy

Description

Vintage 1975 Morris W-45 - Brazilian Back/Sides/FB Natural - Martin D-45 Copy -Made in Japan w OHSC
Morris Acustic Guitar
W-45
SN#: H426035
This simple yet beautiful Morris W-45 is a clone of a Martin D-45, without the hefty price tag and with Brazilian Rosewood.
Since the late 1960's Japanese Luthiers and Companies have been creating wonderful copies/replicas of Martin, Gibson and Fender guitars among others. Many experienced players know that many of these copies were on par with the originals and at the time MUCH better than almost anything their American Counterparts were producing. They were coping the "Golden Era" while over here, these companies were trying new and futuristic designs.
This guitar was handmade in 1975 for Morris Co. by Terada Gakki, one of the best Japanese team of guitar makers of that era. Although Morris had its own workshop in Matsumoto, many of their acoustic guitar were made by Terada. Their highest models were made by Sadao Yairi. Construction of all these guitars is nothing but replica of Martin blueprints. Until 1974 Morris dreadnought acoustic guitars had horizontal logo on their headstocks. In 1975 Morris introduced new vertical logo and in 1976 letters TF were added on both sides of the logo. This was the beginning of Morris TF series although model names were still Wxx. Since 1981 all dreadnought models were labelled as TFxxx.
In 1976 Morris top model was W100 (followed by W80, W60 and W50). Midrange W45 was still very high-grade instrument (followed by W40, W35, W30, W25, W20, W18 and W15).  It wasn’t cheap at all.
This guitar was priced 45 000 yen in 1975, when starting yearly salary of Japanese College Graduate was 67 200 yen.
The construction and looks of this wonderful guitar are based on Martin D45 blueprint, but with 3pieces back. I won’t however call it a “copy” of Martin D45. The word “copy” suggests a product of somewhat lower quality than the “original”, while this guitar can easily beat many brand-new Martin guitars.
It offers impressive volume and superb response. Its sound is ultra-rich. Basses are deep but very “clean”. Trebles are metallic but very sweet at the same time. All notes have their unique colors, all are super clear and super well separated.  When chords/arpeggios are played guitar releases a bounty of overtones and harmonies. With its current action it plays ultra-easy.
Despite its age overall condition of this guitar can be described as excellent. Its body bears only few nicks, a small chip to the finish on the top and minor scratches.
Specification:
Top: Thin plate of very tight grain Solid Spruce with reinforcing ring of wood glued underneath the sound-hole /Martin style X bracing with not scalloped braces / light coat of lacquer
Back: Brazilian Rosewood/Chestnut/Brazilian Rosewood “laminates” /light coat of lacquer
Sides: Brazilian Rosewood “laminates” / light coat of lacquer
Neck: Mahogany with 2-way truss rod
Fingerboard: Brazilian Rosewood
Nut width: 42.5 mm
Scale: 655 mm
History of Morris:
The Morris Guitars company has been building quality handcrafted instruments in Nagano, Japan for a long time. Mr. Toshio Moridaira, the founder, was the first distributor in Japan to carry both Fender and Gibson lines. In 1964, due to his working relationship with Gibson, Mr. Moridaira was able to visit the Gibson factory in Kalamazoo, Michigan. An employee at Gibson nicknamed him “Mori” at that time.
In 1967, he founded the Morris Guitars company. He named it Morris, taken from the nickname given to him a while back. Morris produced copies of dreadnought and small jumbo models based on Martin and Gibson designs. Since then, Morris Guitars have enjoyed an outstanding reputation in Japan and other countries for making high quality guitars.
In 1974, Morris introduced their guitars at the NAMM show. In 1978, Morris introduced the Tornado line, thin body acoustic-electric guitars inspired by the Ovation design. Up until the early 80s, the U.S. market saw a variety of guitars that Morris imported from Japan.
In 2001, after a lengthy absence, Morris Guitars re-entered the U.S. market. They participate in the annual Winter NAMM Show in Anaheim, CA. Morris Guitars currently offer a wonderful line of fingerstyle guitars with a middle price range. Custom hand built models are also available. Today, Morris Guitars are played by some of the world’s finest fingerstyle guitarists.
It has just been professionally set up and dialed in for optimal playability and tone. It has low action with no buzzing or dead spots and is an absolute joy to play. It has been deep cleaned and detailed. All guitars will arrive looking and playing great. The frets have been dressed/polished and the fingerboard was cleaned. (Unfinished Rosewood and Ebony boards get treated with Fret Doctor - a proprietary all natural oil that is the best on the market) It was professionally set up and has brand new strings, the action was adjusted, the intonation is spot on and it plays excellent.
* Neck is perfectly straight and the truss rod works with no issues
* Intonation is spot-on
* It has been professionally set up with nice low action & new American made strings.
*
If needed
, the frets will be dressed leveled & crowned
*
All frets
are polished prior to shipping when they are set up - They will shine like new!
***Please note that international shipping prices listed are minimum quotes in some cases. Certain countries are more expensive and will require additional shipping costs. Express services such as UPS, DHL & FedEx are also available, Please contact me for a personalized quote.
About Us
The Guitar Dude is a THREE time and Current 2021 NAMM Top 100 Dealer in the world


 who has been selling some of the nicest guitars on the planet since 2010. Known for the most Killer Flame Top Gibson 1959 Les Pauls Reissues and classic Fender guitars of all eras. I make beautiful guitar porn, please follow me on Facebook, Instagram, & Twitter
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Terms For Returns
7 day return policy as per Reverb guidelines, BUT intentions of the return must be communicated in writing within 3 day of receiving the guitar as indicated by the tracking. Unless the guitar is not as described, ORIGINAL/RETURN SHIPPING CHARGES WILL NOT BE REFUNDED. The guitar MUST BE RETURNED IN THE EXACT CONDITION it was received or it is subject to a restocking fee. I am not a big chain shop, I hope you understand.
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Payment - Shipping - International orders - Import Duties
ALL ITEMS CAN BE SHIPPED INTERNATIONALLY. - BUYER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL IMPORT DUTIES.
I accept many forms of payment including PayPal Credit & Affirm. I always pack extremely well and ship within the USA via UPS or Fedex, all packages are fully insured with tracking & signature confirmation.
I offer a super relaxed layaway plan on certain guitars, that can be custom built to fit your budget and needs. It can be extended beyond 30 days in certain situations. If you are interested in a layaway plan, please contact me for full details.