matsuda guitars

EST. 1997 | usa

Acoustic | Archtop | Electric | Headless Guitars | Other

Michihiro Matsuda | Luthier

“Tradition, Creativity, Identity.”

At the heart of the brand is a clear guiding triad—tradition, creativity, and identity—with every build treated as a unique, personal statement rather than a repeatable product. Sound matters deeply here, but never in isolation: a Matsuda is designed as a full relationship between player and instrument—physical, mental, and emotional.
Alongside more “classic” acoustic forms, Matsuda Guitars is known for conceptual works that challenge convention—most notably the Deconstruction instruments, where structure, tension, and framework become part of the statement. These guitars aren’t built to fit into existing categories; they’re built to expand them.

Matsuda Guitars

demo

Matsuda No. 125A Guitar Demo | Reclaimed Chopstick Top | BGS at CME

Filmed at Chicago Music Exchange during the 2020 Boutique Guitar Showcase enTour, this demo features the Matsuda No. 125A—an original one-off guitar built with a reclaimed chopstick soundboard, traditional Japanese joinery, and Michihiro Matsuda’s deeply reflective approach to design, sustainability, and sound.

feature

so I bought my Dream Guitar

Tom sands | Luthier

Luthier Tom Sands shares the story behind acquiring his dream guitar—a one-of-a-kind Michihiro Matsuda parlour guitar finished using Matsuda’s rare gunpowder scorching technique. This video explores craftsmanship, tone, Japanese influence, and the personal meaning behind a first great instrument in a growing collection.

boutique guitar showcase en tour | 2020 - 2021

enTour 2021
enTour 2020

“I want to deconstruct those predictions people have over the guitars.”

Michihiro “Michi” Matsuda | Luthier

Today, Michi builds from his workshop in the San Francisco Bay Area while also serving as part of the repair team at Gryphon Stringed Instruments—an ongoing practice that keeps him in daily conversation with the history of great instruments and the realities of how guitars live, wear, and survive in the hands of players.
Michi’s work carries a distinctly Japanese sensibility: contemplation, restraint, and a respect for materials—alongside a California openness to experimentation. From his signature M1-style instruments to his boundary-pushing Deconstruction Series and recycling-driven concepts shaped by mottainai (a refusal to waste), his guitars invite players to slow down, listen deeper, and question their assumptions about what a guitar can be.

life with strings attached | Ep 48

Michihiro matsuda

deconstructing the guitar: A whole new approach

Luthier Michihiro Matsuda discusses his journey from Japan to the U.S., his innovative approach to guitar making, and how tradition, creativity, and personal identity shape every instrument he builds. A masterclass in thoughtful design.