In the late 70's T. Haruo had left Yamaha, where he was a master luthier, and attempted to put his own signature line into the American market. Some pieces had been sold via wholesalers in earlier 70's, but Haruo himself travelled in USA late 70's. His desire to build the best acoustic guitar possible differed from Yamaha's desire to build affordable guitars for the masses - hence they eventually parted. One of the final stops Haruo made was to St. Louis Music Supply, who owned distribution and brand rights to Alvarez Guitars, Crate Amps, etc. They passed on getting involved with the Haruo line - maybe it was the conflict with their own Alvarez line - I don't know. Before leaving Haruo left a Model 150 with one of the sales managers. I bought it from him in 1983. Today, 26 years later, people still freak out over the warmth and sound of my Model 150. It is still breathtaking. When the strings are replaced and fresh - it almost makes you want to cry. I have played Martins, Taylors, Rainsongs, Gibsons, Larivees, etc and on and on. I have yet to meet a guitar on this planet which sounds better than my Haruo, which I paid $200 for. A contributing factor to this sound is certainly the Jacaranda - the back and sides are made from a glorious cut of Jacaranda with gold streaks, brown waves, dark almost black ripples, and rich chocolate swirls - wood that is no longer available to luthiers or anyone for that matter. I honestly believe that it is not a case where Haruo has improved on CF Martins design and brilliance - he simply stumbled upon a tonewood that we may or may not ever see or hear again.
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