CE-1200

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Sigmania

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Cat's Eyes CE-1200D

CATSEYE is a guitar manufactured by Tokai Gakki, the importer of Martin since the 1970s, under a technical partnership with Martin.

In Japan, it was sold as CATSEYE, exported to the United States before painting, and the instrument finished at the Martin factory was sold in the United States as the Martin SHENANDOAH series.

It was popular at the time as an instrument closer to the atmosphere of Martin.

The CE-1200D this time is a Martin D-45 style instrument, which is a high-end model in the series.

The top has abalone 45 style inlays like the original, but the side back abalone style inlays are imitation cells.

All abalone D-45 models were CE-2000 models.

The side back inlay is an imitation, but it looks beautiful and luxurious.

The top is beautiful spruce, the side back is rosewood, the mahogany neck, the ebony fingerboard with Avalon hexagon inlays, and the ebony bridge.

GOTO rotomatic original gold pegs work smoothly.

It is an original pickguard with an under finish, and there is a streak like a Martin crack under the first string, but the wood is not cracked and it seems that it is only painted.

It's been about 40 years since it was brand new, and the entire body is yellowish, but there are almost no scratches on the body. Of course, there is a slight feeling of use on the surface, but it is in a very beautiful and superb condition.

The capo scratch is quite noticeable on the neck back.

It is a regular grip neck with a nut width of about 42.5 mm.

The adjust rod works well and has plenty of room.

On the 12th fret, the 6th string is 2.3 mm and the 1st string is 1.4 mm, which is set quite low.

It is easy to play up to the high position, and the pitch balance is good.

It sounds like a Martin D-45 with a gorgeous, grainy and beautiful sound. It's a little tighter and doesn't have as much volume as a Martin, but it has a nice, sharp tone and you can enjoy it quite like it.

It has power when played with strokes, and produces a hard and bright tone. It has a delicate and glossy tone with good graininess when played with a finger.

It's a beautiful instrument, but it has a dry sound due to aging, and I think it's attractive along with its flashy appearance.

The list price at that time was 120,000 yen, but I think this price is quite fair considering the price.

Moreover, it also comes with a special blue case that was sold separately at the time and was about 16,000 yen.

This is a rare case that Tokai Gakki made exclusively for the motif of Martin's blue case.

color natural wood
Year of manufacture 1982
Top plate material Spruce
Side plate material Rosewood
Back plate material Rosewood
Body size Dreadnought type
Accessories hard case


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