In the world of high-end lutherie, Michi Matsuda’s work stands alone. Here in our little corner of paradise, among the Somogyis and Traugotts, Manzers and Monteleones, this Matsuda M1 manages to stand apart from this singular crowd. It’s not just in the curve of the upper bout into the waist from the Florentine cutaway, or the asymmetrically grooved heel carve (the thumb slipping casually into place when fretting along the fingerboard extension). There are other forces at work than the purely visual. As mesmerizing as is Michi’s sense of line and curve manifesting across the segmented top inlays or headstock veneer, or the luster of the Brazilian Rosewood back, this M1 betrays deeper secrets than those found by sight or touch.
When the string are plucked, that’s magic. The voice transitions smoothly between subtle and triumphant, balancing the bell-like trebles with a middle register articulate and precise, and a bass response bearing just a hint of warmth to round out the bottom edge. No matter the tuning, this Matsuda remains clear, nuanced, and invigorating. Michi coaxed the extreme edge of energy out of the Italian Spruce top with his honed voicing techniques. Carving the neck profile into a shape as intimate a lover’s touch, Michi made an instrument which plays as effortlessly as breathing.
It would appear that Matsuda has mastered the ability to reduce Rosewood, Spruce, and Cedar to their natural essences, and to marry them together into a harmony not unlike love. We were transfixed from the first pluck. We still are.
Michi calmly explodes the definitions of a steel string flattop with each new creation. This M1 is as much an inspiration for the eyes as it is for the ears. I could play this guitar all day and not get tired of it. 
A truly beautiful example of Matsuda's artistic design and brilliant tone. The focus on these guitars is on strong midrange frequencies making them perfect for recording and for playing fingerstyle. I didn't want to put this one down. | Scale Length | 25.25 in |
|---|---|
| Nut Width | 1.75 in |
| String Spacing | 2.25 in |
| Woods | Spruce - Italian, Rosewood - Brazilian |
In the world of high-end lutherie, Michi Matsuda’s work stands alone. Here in our little corner of paradise, among the Somogyis and Traugotts, Manzers and Monteleones, this Matsuda M1 manages to stand apart from this singular crowd
Michi calmly explodes the definitions of a steel string flattop with each new creation. This M1 is as much an inspiration for the eyes as it is for the ears
A truly beautiful example of Matsuda's artistic design and brilliant tone. The focus on these guitars is on strong midrange frequencies making them perfect for recording and for playing fingerstyle 