"CF Martin Japan", The Partnership of Tokai and CF Martin Co.

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Documenting the partnership between Tokai and Martin aka "CF Martin Japan".
 
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1974 ad ?


Humming Bird
SNOW FLAKES Finish HAND MADE

The CF Martin Company was founded in 1833 in Nazareth, Pennsylvania. A century later, in 1933, the D 28 model, which could be called the origin of C&W, was completed for the first time, and by 1945 its position mark was in the shape of a snowflake called SNOW FLAKES.
Currently, it is said to be a fantastic masterpiece and is coveted by artists around the world, but it is extremely difficult to obtain. CF Martin and Tokai Gakki Manufacturing entered into a technical partnership in 1972, and after two years of training, 15 staff members recreated the Humming Bird Snow Flakes model completely by hand.

●To request a catalog, please enclose 50 yen and send to the address below.
Publisher: Fukuhara Musical Instruments Co., Ltd. 2-4-1 Honmachi, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 151 03(376)0211

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From the 1984 Tokai World catalog.


C.F. MARTIN JAPAN
CF Martin Japan was established in 1972 and is entirely managed by Tokai Musical Instruments. All genuine Martin parts are used for maintenance. Therefore, in order to enjoy using Martin for a long time, please check the warranty and insurance card issued by Tokai Gakki and CF Martin Japan before purchasing.

C.F. MARTIN & CO., INC.
THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY
GUARANTEE CARD


●To commemorate the 150th anniversary of Martin's founding, in 1983 we gave away an anniversary guarantee card (framed) to those who purchased by the end of December.

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For all of you, try holding Tokai's Cat's Eye Guitar close to your heart! There are few guitars that can understand your heart like this one.

``Even though I have dedicated my life to making guitars for 33 years, when I hold this guitar in my hands, I feel like singing a nostalgic song.'' Don Deck, C.F. Martin's chief engineer.

Unknown history.

Tokai's Cat's Eye Guitar was created as a result of a passionate handshake technical partnership with C.F. Martin, a company with a 150-year history that has continued to seek out a constellation of superior sounds and has made its name known around the world. It is now attracting widespread attention as a masterpiece of acoustic guitar. As the only friend in Japan of the C.F. Martin Company, whose theme is "Quality takes precedence over quantity," Tokai carries out endless research day and night, carefully selecting materials, and producing each piece by hand. In the end, we are extremely proud of this Cat's Guitar, which has revealed itself with an unfathomable sound.

Tokai Musical Instruments 36 Terafukucho, Hamamatsu City 430 Phone 0534-41-31370 Offices Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka

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Cat's Eyes

Don Deck is a Martin guitar specialist. He joined C.F. Martin in 1943 and has been making this guitar for 33 years, which has been called the ``synonymous acoustic guitar'' and ``mysterious masterpiece.'' Currently, as the company's chief engineer, he pays close attention to each and every Martin guitar. Like many engineers, he is deeply committed to C.F Martin's motto of "Quality Before Quantity."

Cat's Eye Guitar CF Martin
It's been five years since we began our technical partnership with Martin, and it's not just a technical partnership; we've been working hard to create guitars that are strong, easy to play, have a good sound, are durable, and will never wear out. Of course, we continue to work together on many other areas of research, and we are very proud to work with such talented engineers as Don Deck.

Tokai Musical Instruments
●Business items Guitar, banjo, chromaherb, harmonica, recorder, light piano.
●Japan sole agent CF MARTIN, AMPEG, GRETSCH, FIBES, BALDWIN BANJO
Head Office/36 Terawakicho, Hamamatsu 430 Ph: 0534 (41) 313740
Office/Tokyo Ph: 03 (563) 2451 sheets,
Osaka Ph: 06 (385) 0913(386)1164,
Fukuoka Ph: 092(511)6263
USA/1212ELANCASTER FT WORTH TEXAS 76102

All information regarding Cat's Eye and Martin guitars. We will answer your questions.If you would like a catalog, please see above. Please apply by enclosing a 100 yen stamp to the head office SJ.

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HD28 CUSTOM LIMITED

●There is no shortage of excellent acoustic guitars. However, the loneliness that can be felt with new products is probably because the nuances of their design and sound do not have the elegance, sophistication, and history of guitars that were once considered masterpieces. As long as it is said to be an excellent guitar, the body shape and quality of the materials, which have a huge influence on the sound, have been given the necessary and proper consideration. It lacks beauty, style, and elegance.

We, the project team, believe that demanding class and elegance not only in the sound but also in the design is not at all out of the essence of musical instruments; in fact, it is even natural. Modern rational systems are losing the ability to perfectly meet these demands, and even if they do have the ability to do so, they have lost the will to tackle them head-on due to increased costs and difficulty in selling. I think so. Not everything old is good, and not everything new is bad. In the flow of history connected to communication, I believe that good things are born from a pure attitude. I am confident that this is an acoustic guitar that is worthy of being called a masterpiece, created through close contact between the HD28 CUSTOM LIMITED & TOKAI project team and Martin. A design full of elegance that reproduces GOOD OLD SOUND in modern times and even surpasses beautiful sound. Once polished, this is a guitar that should only be played by guitarists with a sense of style.

The basics are truly beautiful HD28 CUSTOM LIMITED HD28 CUSTOM LIMITED has been completely reprinted by the craftsmen who once produced the Prewar D28. As you know, the Prewar D28 is a masterpiece produced by Martin between 1934 and 1944. Despite its simple beauty, it was a guitar that had the ability to meet all the needs of guitarists. After close contact between the TOKAI project team and Martin, production finally began, and of course craftwork was led by veterans who had previously worked on Prewar D28. Beyond history, Prewar D28s HD28 CUSTOM LIMITED has appeared here again. This guitar is a complete reproduction model that can only be delivered by Tokai Musical Instruments worldwide. Moreover, only a few dozen films were scheduled to be produced from 1981 to 1982.

●Square headstock & small button pegs:
The headstock, which is a little slimmer than the current Martin, is the best match for the small button pegs, and its elegance and solid construction give it a strong sense of tradition.

●Herringbone & Diamond Inlay: The herringbone and diamond inlay, which was the biggest feature of Priewar D28, has been completely reproduced. Guitarists are sure to be captivated by its modest yet elegant beauty.

●Tortoise shell type pickguard & long slot bridge, Tortoise shell dot pin & strap button:
The pickguard is a Tortoise shell type. Tortoise shell-type dots are also placed on the bridge pins and strap buttons, creating a vintage mood. Also a complete reproduction of the long slot bridge Prewar D28.

●Binding & Back Stripe:
The point binding uses iPoroid, and when you hold it in your hand, you can feel its wonderful atmosphere.The beauty of the zigzag back stripe is unparalleled, and the craftsman's enthusiasm and attention to detail are evident. I want you to feel confident.

●Plus plate:
The plus plate with the model name and serial number engraved on it proves that it is a complete reproduction LIMITED MODEL of Prewar D28. Anyone who plays this guitar will feel Martin's warm affection.

●HD28 CUSTOM LIMITED ¥470,000 (with case)
Available at TOKAI product dealers nationwide.

●Catalog gift. Cat's Eye Guitar Catalog 350 yen] / Martin Catalog 700 yen / Banjo Catalog 300 yen.
Enclose a stamp for each item and send it to Tokaiki Seizo Co., Ltd., 36 Terawaki-cho, Hamamatsu-shi, 430 SJ12.

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This unnamed luthier in the 1980 catalog sure looks like e could be Don Deck

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Also from the 1980 Cat's Eyes catalog.

CF Martin & TOKAI

Martin's repair room is located in one corner of the Cat's Eye factory. Tokai Musical Instruments is the sole distributor and sole service center for Martin guitars in Japan, and repairs everything from frets to paint using genuine Martin parts. It goes without saying that the craftsman's repair techniques have been passed down directly from Martin and are also used in the Cat's Eye guitar. When purchasing a Martin guitar, you can always rest assured. Tokai Musical Instruments user card is not included. Does the guitar have a Tokai Musical Instruments warranty card? Please be sure to check whether it is true or not. Repair in case of emergency We do not accept repairs on Martin guitars.


Martin's history is also Tokai's history. Martin's craftsmanship has been inherited by the Cat's Eye Project team, and traditional methods continue to flow into Cat's Eye guitars. Let's introduce Martin Corporation here. CF Martin & Company. Founded in September 1833. New York. The founder, Christian Frederick Martin, was an immigrant from Germany. He learned the technique from his father, a guitar maker in Germany, and then moved to Vienna. It is said that in Vienna, Hubert (19 years old at the time) fell in love with the guitar and mastered it in a short period of time, playing the guitar whenever a song came to mind. Schubert was close to the famous luthier Stauffer, who made Schubert's Arpeggione for cello and guitar. Schubert then composes the Arpeggione Sonata. This is a song that is loved by modern cellists. He honed his skills under Marutaufer and became the factory manager. Martin Guitar's traditional methods of craftsmanship were practiced long before the company was founded in 1833. It was in May 1839 that the Martin Company was moved from New York to Nazareth, Pennsylvania. This place is very famous as CF Martin's hometown. He thought that the area was similar, that Henry Schatz, a guitar craftsman who also came from Germany, lived there, and that the rich, green environment was most suitable for making guitars. Nazareth is about a three-hour drive from New York and is still an extremely beautiful place with small hills and lots of greenery nearby. Many of the people in this town work at the Martin factory, so much so that it is also known as Martin Guitar Town. These people take pride in working in the same workplace for generations. These are the people who support the tradition of Martin's simple in-guitar design and wonderful sound. If you take a tour of the factory, you can see the thoroughly dried Martin bodies being carefully inspected on the workbench with all their attention, making sure not to overlook even the slightest scratches or cracks. According to the company, this is our craftsmanship. He also said that he has full trust in Tokai Gakki as a company that is responsible for all after-sales services and repairs for Martin guitars, and that he would like to continue researching together with us how we can make even better guitars.

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Tokai is the sole sales agent and designated service center for CF Martin, the king of acoustic guitars, in Japan. It's really unfortunate that there are still guitarists who don't know this. There is a repair room dedicated to Martin at the entrance of the guitar factory, where all repairs, from frets to paint, are performed using genuine Martin parts. Craftsman's repair techniques are directly inherited from Martin, and it goes without saying that these techniques have been incorporated into the Tokai Cat's Eye series. A deep love and craftsmanship for guitar making connects both companies with a bond of trust. The power of tradition. Our unchanging policy of "Quality before Quantity" can be said to be our common "word." Craftsmanship is our common language.

I want the skill to play both acoustic guitar and electric guitar. I think I have to study guitar from now on as well. I want to be able to play not only the electric guitar but also the acoustic guitar. It's not just about being able to play it; it's about learning the techniques and musicality that allow you to fully utilize the strengths of both. And I want you to discover new possibilities for yourself.

PHOTO from left: TE80GS ¥80,000/HD28 ¥410,000/CE1000 ¥100,000

Let's start by reading the catalog.
If you want to read Cat's Eye Guitar Manual Vol. 3 and Electric Guitar Manual Vol. 3, it's 300 yen, if you want to read the CF Martin Japanese version catalog, it's 500 yen, and if you want to read them all, it's 800 yen.

Enclose a stamp for each item, and clearly write the number, address, name, age, and telephone number to attack the target YG4 TEL (0534)41-3137, Tokai Musical Instrument Manufacturing Co., Ltd., 36 Terawaki-cho, Hamamatsu-shi, 430. Give it a try. You'll also receive a special sticker as a gift. Quantity




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"In early 1970, the company became the third largest musical instrument manufacturer in city after Yamaha and Kawai Gakki. Tokai Gakki became the sole agent for C.F. Martin in Japan while Yamaha was Gibson’s. Tokai was Martin’s “Sigma” guitar builder as well as importer in those days."

Tokai Employee Toshihito (Toshi) Tsuchida
 
Also notice that these Cat's Eyes labels from 1975 & 1976 used at Terashima have the word "Martin" on the Cat's Eyes label itself. The badge on the cases did too.


"This guitar "Cat's Eyes" is a masterpiece in folk guitar elaborately manufactured by handicraftsmen aiming at a revival of the old Martin guitar."

Top Line Vintage Tokai (by Yasuma) CE-1200 1975 MIJ JAPAN! | Reverb

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