Haruo 12 String - What do we know?

Subject: RE: Haruo 12 String - What do we know?
From: GUEST,BBente
Date: 02 Jun 08 - 10:58 PM

I also have a T.Haruo 12 string model 50-12. Bought it in the late 70's love it and never sell it.

Subject: RE: Haruo 12 String - What do we know?
From: GUEST,dencof
Date: 08 Apr 08 - 02:53 PM

I bought a T. Haruo model T-80 6 string from a local music store in south Orange county, Ca. back in 1976. I was learning to play the guitar and this was my first. It hurt my fingers, so I bought a Yamaha acoustic with nylon strings so I wouldn't give up. I ended up discontinuing lessons and sold the Yamaha and Fender Strat copy, but couldn't bring myself to sell the T. Haruo. I always loved it's sound. Fast forward to 2007. I gave it to my son, who likes music and wanted to learn to play. He has sung in a band and most his friends play guitar, so I thought they could use it. It now has a split in it's top, I guess from moving to the desert and it dried out. My son took it to a local guitar dealer in Las Vegas, Ed Roman, to inquire about getting it repaired. They had it for a while and it didn't seem to be getting any attention, so my son called them to get some progress. The luthier there asked him to stop by after work and talk about it. My son said when he dropped it of, the luthier said, "oh, it's a Japanese Martin copy....ok", and seemed a little disdainful about it. When my son stopped back in after work the luthier retreived the guitar, got it reverently out of the case, and told him he didn't recommend repairing the top until it was really necessary. He said it could change it's beautiful sound, and that it sounded better than any other guitar in their store. It now gets lots of play time between all the musicians that stop in and visit or want to jam together. It has had a few songs written on it and is enjoyed every day. It is making up for all that lost time that it quitely sat in the dark. Hope you liked the little story. I just wanted to add to the list of T. Haruo information. dc.

Subject: RE: Haruo 12 String - What do we know?
From: GUEST,Cameron
Date: 31 Mar 08 - 08:41 PM

I should clarify my post, the youtube video is a friends guitar, the T.HARUO is still with the police :(

Subject: RE: Haruo 12 String - What do we know?
From: GUEST,Cameron
Date: 31 Mar 08 - 06:02 PM

Claire,

Thanks so much for the help. I'm going to make a post on the Luthiers forums and see if I can't find someone to help out.

I really appreciate it.

We just found this video of him playing a couple months before his death. It is with a friends guitar, not the T.HARUO, but still good to see him play. He was just learning.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=DcVRa6uek7Q

Subject: RE: Haruo 12 String - What do we know?
From: ClaireBear
Date: 28 Mar 08 - 12:36 PM

I started a new thread called "Luthiers near Tacoma, WA?" for Cameron's question.

Cameron, click on the thread name to go there, and please tell us where you are if I got the location wrong. My heart goes out to you, and I hope we can help.

Claire

Subject: RE: Haruo 12 String - What do we know?
From: GUEST,Cameron
Date: 27 Mar 08 - 07:17 PM

Let me tell you my story...

My dad bought this guitar for my mom in the early 70's. She learned to play on it, as well as myself when I was young, and my younger brother as well. It was an amazing guitar, that I could never quite match with other purchases.

My mother finally about a year ago gave the guitar to my younger brother (I'm 28, he was 20) and he learned to play on it. Carried that damn thing around with him wherever he went.

Then a turn of fate, on Feb 28 08' my brother was murdered in cold blood at my mother house. Stabbed to death with a girl friend of his. http://www.khq.com/Global/story.asp?S=7938791&nav=menu438_8_6

The guitar was taken by the police, and my mother and family members can't recall what T-model it was. The guitar was found laying a few inches from his body (he probably had it on him when he was attacked) and it was covered in blood. They took it into evidence, and said we can't have it back for a year.

I asked the detectives if the guitar was damaged in the attack, and he said no, it looked perfectly fine, minus the mass amounts of blood on it.

If I only do one thing right in this world, it will be restoring that guitar to the best of my abilities... Does anyone have the name / company info of a place that I can send this guitar to, that will restore it as well as they can? Money isn't an issue considering the guitars history, and its importance to my brother and our family...

Oh, and btw, this T.Harou isn't for sale either :)

Subject: RE: Haruo 12 String - Another owner here!
From: GUEST,Cecilia
Date: 24 Mar 08 - 03:49 PM

How completely interesting! My dad bought me a T. Harou 12-string back in 1978/9 from Sam Ash in NY...I have in my head that he paid about $800 for it, but I was only a little kid, so I could remember wrong. It seems like an awful lot of $$ for him to shell out, but at the time it made sense that he would spend the $$, and I remember him taking some "famous" local musician with him to get just the right guitar for me for Xmas.

Anyway, this guitar came up this weekend as my husband and I were housecleaning. It's been sitting in its case for YEARS and only played on occasion by a friend who loves guitars. Other than 1 broken string (which happened very recently), it's in great condition.

I haven't played for years, and it seems like such a waste for it to just sit there, but emotionally I'm torn with the idea of selling it....but we could use the space in our little condo (I'm in California now)....

Subject: RE: Haruo 12 String - What do we know?
From: GUEST,Britt
Date: 01 Mar 08 - 11:49 AM

I live in East Tennessee, about 50 miles east of Knoxville, in Morristown, TN, with two guitars and two cats, but only the Haruo model 10-12 is for sale. If I put it on Ebay, no one will know what it is, and it won't bring what I truly know it is worth.

As I said before, can get pics and sound bites.

Thanks,

Britt

Subject: RE: Haruo 12 String - What do we know?
From: Naemanson
Date: 29 Feb 08 - 06:25 PM

I suggest you post this as a separate thread. There are enough people in Maine who wanted my 12 that you might get some interest there. What country are you in? What part of that country? I wish I lived close enough.

As for price go see a luthier. He or she might be able to advise you.

Subject: RE: Haruo 12 String - What do we know?
From: GUEST,Britt
Date: 27 Feb 08 - 10:50 PM

I loved my Haruo T10-12. It's a fine instrument. But I have something else that I now love better: a National 12-string steel-bodied Delphi. It better suits the music I play.

So my Haruo, in fine condition with case, is for sale. I can get pics, sound bites, etc, if any one is interested.

I've got no idea what to ask for it.

Subject: RE: Haruo 12 String - What do we know?
From: Naemanson
Date: 14 Feb 08 - 04:50 AM

I started this thread with the following post. I still don't know very much about them but you are right about these guitars being well worth the money. I know there are Martin devotees who will not agree but my 12 outplays anything I've tried with the M-word on it.

***************************************************************
May 25, 2002

Well, I've been a bad boy. I made an early trip to the dump this morning and stopped at a yard sale. In the garage I found a T. Haruo 12 String guitar for $70. The neck seems nice and straight, the action seems good and when I played it hard (as hard as I ever play) I heard no buzzing of strings. I saw no cracks in the body.

The label inside has the maker's name, T. Haruo, and a serial number and the model number, T-20-12. there are 20 frets and between the 19th and the 20th is a mother of pearl inlay with T. HARUO engraved on it.

So I bought it.

Now I'd like to know something about the guitar. My internet search located two old bulleting board messages one of which indicated the T. Haruo used to work for Yamaha but left to build guitars on his own. The guitars mentioned in the messages were both purchased in the 70's.

The family I bought the guitar from is apparently a Navy family. I believe they might have purchased the guitar while in Japan.

So, what do we know about this?

Subject: RE: Haruo 12 String - What do we know?
From: GUEST
Date: 13 Feb 08 - 08:43 PM

Well, I recently acquired a T. HARUO 6 string large bodied guitar. I bought it with the idea of possibly selling it, but after reading all these posts and other info on HARUO guitars, and playing it, I really want to hold on to it. I also had a friend play it who is more hip to guitars and he felt it had a better voice, better action and fretted better (especially high up on the neck) than most Martins. Wow, bless Terry Haruo wherever he may be. Looks like these axes could become the holey grail for the people lucky enough to have experience one. I would really look forward to anyone else telling of there experience with one.
It is a thrill (cheap thrill, that is) (: or is it :)

Subject: RE: Haruo 12 String - What do we know?
From: GUEST,REA
Date: 10 Jan 08 - 01:19 AM

Just to enclose a link to pics of both my T.Haruos that I posted about earlier:Haruos

Subject: RE: Haruo 12 String - What do we know?
From: Naemanson
Date: 08 Jan 08 - 05:33 AM

Good luck to you and your new friend.

Subject: RE: Haruo 12 String - What do we know?
From: GUEST,sanka
Date: 07 Jan 08 - 04:48 PM

i read all these postings and bought one...a T-30-12 string. beautiful...strung it left handed...still sounds great.Thanks for all the info.
sanka

Subject: RE: Haruo 12 String - What do we know?
From: Naemanson
Date: 04 Jan 08 - 07:35 PM

There seems to be a high degree of loyalty to the Haruo guitar. I wonder how many other makes inspire such loyalty. I can understand someone who is loyal to a particular guitar because of its sound, its age, or its sentimental value.

Do any of us know a Haruo owner who doesn't really care about his/her instrument? Is this sample only those who are loyal?

Subject: RE: Haruo 12 String - What do we know?
From: GUEST,Paulo Gusmao
Date: 03 Jan 08 - 11:20 AM

Hello. One more T.Haruo owner here, from Portugal. Mine's a 6-string model 80 (1976), and I can't remember exactly how much I payed for it almost 30 years ago (but I guess around $100-150). Only had a small fret job done on it. I love the delicate sound and the elegant looks, and don't intend to sell it.

Subject: RE: Haruo 12 String - What do we know?
From: GUEST,REA
Date: 22 Dec 07 - 09:05 PM

Sorry...I didn't realize you had to be signed up for a myspace acct. to get into my pics. Still love my T.Haruos!!

Subject: RE: Haruo 12 String - What do we know?
From: GUEST,REA
Date: 22 Dec 07 - 08:51 PM

I just found this thread and was reading thru the posts and I'd thought I'd put my 2 cents worth of what I know.

Back in '82, I taught guitar at a small studio in Roy, Ut. The owner had connections to the distributors for all kinds of musical instruments. We got this flyer from Pennino Music, Ca..about a sale on handmade guitars..I looked and on the spot ordered a T-100 12 & a T-150 6 ... $500 for both guitars with hardshell cases. What a deal!! Within 6 months, the 12 string (which had the 'tree of life' inlayed on the neck) front started cracking and then went off. Ruined the guitar. I contacted Pennino, and they said that all they had was a T-50 12 to replace the cracked one. They sent it to me and a $100 check. Essentially paying $100 for the 12 and $300 for the 6, and the T-150 if I remember right, was listed at around $1200 back then.

So that is what I have now. The T-150 is beautiful, plays wonderful and sounds better and richer than guitars 3x as much. Go to myspace page and click in my pics to see some shots of it... REA . Bookend matched, pearl inlay. The T-50 12 is one of the best 12 strings I've ever played, but pretty plain compared to the T-150. Both guitars just seem to have gotten better sounding with age. As with others on this thread, I will never sell mine. They are my work-horses..

I just wish someone would own up to these guitars. Must be some real money involved to keep this quality of a guitar under wraps. Probably part of the Martin suit settlement....???

REA
T-Haruo T-150 signature 6
T-Haruo T-50 12
Takamine 98 LTD 6

Subject: RE: Haruo 12 String - What do we know?
From: Naemanson
Date: 12 Oct 07 - 09:07 PM

Check this out!

It's an auction for an advertisement for T. Haruo Guitars!

Subject: RE: Haruo 12 String - What do we know?
From: GUEST,Amos Keene
Date: 03 Sep 07 - 09:57 PM

I decided not to buy it the guys number is [phone] it's a t-30 well that what he told me his name is dwayne

Subject: RE: Haruo 12 String - What do we know?
From: Naemanson
Date: 03 Sep 07 - 03:52 AM

Let us know what you do. If you choose not to buy the guitar you could give us the contact number so we can make a run at it.

Subject: RE: Haruo 12 String - What do we know?
From: GUEST,Amos Keene
Date: 02 Sep 07 - 01:31 AM

Thanks,I'll keep in contact

Subject: RE: Haruo 12 String - What do we know?
From: Roughyed
Date: 01 Sep 07 - 05:07 PM

I think you need help to value the guitar. The problem is that they are literally priceless to the people who have them, in that they won't sell them but they are not a 'name' guitar so there is no real market to compare them.

If you can find someone who plays and you can trust, get them to play a few Martins and other quality guitars and note the prices, then try the Haruo. I suspect you'll find it's a bargain.

Naemonson is right, I don't think there is any other significant information about them that isn't included in this thread. Good luck, I hope you can buy it and you get as much pleasure from it as I have from mine.

Subject: RE: Haruo 12 String - What do we know?
From: Naemanson
Date: 01 Sep 07 - 03:46 AM

For me paying price is dependent on a lot of variables including how much I have in my wallet at the time. I really hesitated on paying $70 for the 12 but have never regretted it.

Other factors include what I have in the current stable of guitars, what music I'm playing at the time, and, yes, what my wife will say if I bring another home.

Subject: RE: Haruo 12 String - What do we know?
From: GUEST, Amos Keene
Date: 31 Aug 07 - 05:19 PM

I'll post any info I find here but you never told me how much you would pay for one.I just don't want to pay a price that I regret later.Again thanks for the info.

Subject: RE: Haruo 12 String - What do we know?
From: Naemanson
Date: 31 Aug 07 - 02:39 AM

Don't worry about lack of knowledge. Nobody knows anything about these guitars. I started this thread to find out something. Notice the date on the first post. May 25, 2002. I believe this thread contains all the condensed knowledge of these guitars. If you find more please post it here.

Subject: RE: Haruo 12 String - What do we know?
From: GUEST,Amos Keene
Date: 30 Aug 07 - 05:09 PM

Thanks for the info.Do you know how many of the t-30's were made?I can't figure out why the man selling the guitar dosen't know anything about it.He has traded and sold guitars his whole life and any guitar you ask him about he can tell you everything about it.All the way to who first designed them.Evrything you ask him he can answer except for the t.haruo.It just dosen't make any sense to me.Have you seen any sold on ebay?If so how much did they go for?Again I appreciate the info.

Subject: RE: Haruo 12 String - What do we know?
From: Naemanson
Date: 30 Aug 07 - 05:56 AM

I can't answer that myself. As I said in my first post i only paid $70 for my 12-string. A friend, who is also a luthier, looked at it, played it, and suggested a selling price of $900.

Compare the guitar to new Martins. If the price is similar or lower take it, you are not getting burned.

Take an electronic tuner and tune it up. Just pick individual strings. Listen for the sweetness of the sound. If it appeals to you, go for it.

Press the strings as you would if playing it. Are they easy to hold down? Can you spread out to the frets you usually use (for those of us who do not play well that is usually only three or four frets)? If so take it.

Your best bet is to compare the guitar with other used guitars in music shops. I'm guessing this is a pretty good deal. If not you still will not regret it.

Subject: RE: Haruo 12 String - What do we know?
From: GUEST,Amos Keene
Date: 29 Aug 07 - 01:11 PM

Im just learning to play and this will be my first guitar.I know nothing about guitars thats why I'm asking these questions.I know you said to pay him whatever he wants but how much would you pay for one in good condition.

Subject: RE: Haruo 12 String - What do we know?
From: GUEST,Amos Keene
Date: 28 Aug 07 - 05:12 PM

I've heard that but how much are they worth i dont want to get burnt

Subject: RE: Haruo 12 String - What do we know?
From: Naemanson
Date: 28 Aug 07 - 06:31 AM

Anything he asks and then treasure it forever.

Subject: RE: Haruo 12 String - What do we know?
From: GUEST,Amos Keene
Date: 27 Aug 07 - 06:06 PM

I'm in the process of buying a t-30 6 string off of a 72 year old that is a dictionary on gutairs and he knows nothing about it what should i pay for the guitar?

Subject: RE: Haruo 12 String - What do we know?
From: GUEST,Abu
Date: 20 Aug 07 - 12:51 AM

I have a Model #50 Haruo that I am going to attempt to learn on. It is my mom's guitar that my dad bought for her back in the late 70's. Story is that my dad bought it from a guitar shop in San Diego for $500.

This one has the flower pot inlay and brass tuners. My mom has the original case, athough it needs to be replaced because it didn't hold up too well. The guitar however is in perfect condition and I am told it has great sound.

Nice to read about other owners. This guitar will never be for sale, but it is interesting to read about its history.

Subject: RE: Haruo 12 String - What do we know?
From: Naemanson
Date: 18 Jul 07 - 10:58 AM

Great guitars.

Subject: RE: Haruo 12 String - What do we know?
From: GUEST,David Fishel
Date: 17 Jul 07 - 11:23 PM

Howdy all -- I thought I'd throw in my little Haruo history -- it reads much like everyone else's.... I've always wanted to find out more about its history and the craftsman that made it.

I found my Model 50 in a pawnshop in Provo, UT somewhere around 1983-ish. Think I paid $200 for it with hardshell case -- but I loved the way it sounded. Still do. (Like pretty much everyone else on this thread, it's NOT for sale!) It was WAY less than a third the price of the comparably built Martins. I think the Model 50 is basically a D-28...

A couple things that make it rather unusual are 1) it has brass nut and brass saddle, which makes it both loud and bright (as one fellow I used to play gigs with said "man,that thing really BARKS!" (in a good way of course) and 2) unlike the pictures I've seen with all the mother of pearl inlay, mine is pretty plain, except for the joint on the back. The back seems to be book-matched rosewood with an intricate multi-color wood mosaic inlay running up the seam. If I can figure out how to link a pic I will. Never seen anything like it.

This guitar has seen a lot of miles, and now my teenage son has learned to play on it. I cannot imagine what it would cost to replace it with something comparable (I keep playin' 'em and I just don't find anything that is truly comparable -- even the Martins don't have the same voice. Must be 25 years of playing it, eh?)

Best regards to all you fellow Haruo-people. And absolutely best regards to T. Haruo, wherever & whoever he may be.

Dave

Subject: RE: Haruo 12 String - What do we know?
From: Roughyed
Date: 17 Jun 07 - 01:50 PM

It's noticeable if you look at the not very many threads around the net on Haruo guitars the number of owners who add 'and mine's not for sale'. I think you're right Naemanson, no one is letting them go. And mine's not for sale either.

Subject: RE: Haruo 12 String - What do we know?
From: Naemanson
Date: 17 Jun 07 - 06:01 AM

A luthier once told me my 12-string would go for about $700-$900. I paid $70 for it. I have the feeling you could get a Haruo guitar for pennies and once you did you'd never let go of it... which is why you can't find any out there.

Subject: RE: Haruo 12 String - What do we know?
From: GUEST,Jeff Remender
Date: 14 Jun 07 - 07:26 PM

I have a model T-30 6 string that my family gave me 27 years ago for my high school graduation. I've looked all over the web, & found little just like everyone else. I have since bought a Takamine that I've played more in recent years. I just re-strung the old girl last night, cleaned it up, and played it. Wow, it sounds great! Like everyone who has one, I will never part with it. One of my kids will probably take it to the Antiques Road Show someday. I'm very curious as to it's value.....anyone?

Subject: RE: Haruo 12 String - What do we know?
From: GUEST,mmurbach
Date: 27 May 07 - 10:27 PM

I have a six string model #40 that will be going up for sale as soon as I can get a value for it. Right now its between $1500-3500. You guys aren't alone in owning these. I was at another forum (http://www.guitarseminars.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/000758.html) until the moderator there thought it was a ploy to sell these on ebay and shut the thread down. Funny thing is, nobody was offering to sell theirs. I'm only considering selling mine because of a neurological disease that causes me to shake violently, therefor I can no longer play.
[e-mail]

Subject: RE: Haruo 12 String - What do we know?
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Apr 07 - 08:09 PM

I just got a t-20-12
Love it
Rajesh

Subject: RE: Haruo 12 String - What do we know?
From: Mudjack
Date: 13 Apr 07 - 02:00 PM

Here is a really belated answer to Naemanson, I got the 12 stg guitar and tried playing it for about six months. It sounded great but the extra width was more than I could deal with. So I let my neighbor have it for the same amount I had paid.She loves the 12 stg but I think she is not playing it as much as it deserves. Let's face it, guitars need our constant attention and care.
I still have my T.Harua 6 string and it has me spoiled.
Sorry about not responding way back in 04.
Mudjack

Subject: RE: Haruo 12 String - What do we know?
From: Naemanson
Date: 12 Apr 07 - 06:44 PM

Welcome to what must be a pretty exclusive club.

Subject: RE: Haruo 12 String - What do we know?
From: GUEST,Steve Blakeley
Date: 12 Apr 07 - 02:13 PM

I also have a model 100 6 string Harou, I am in Arizona and acquired the guitar from my ex-wife's relative in the 1980's. Just wanted to be included in the collection of people who own one.

Subject: RE: Haruo 12 String - What do we know?
From: Naemanson
Date: 09 Mar 07 - 05:43 PM

Sorry Don, but you can have one of my children but not my Haruo.

Subject: RE: Haruo 12 String - What do we know?
From: GUEST,Don
Date: 08 Mar 07 - 10:48 AM

I am looking to buy or Trade for a T.Haruo 12 string Acoustic, I   have to sell or Trade a Alvarez Yairi Dy76-12 string.
Interested Parties contact: [e-mail]

Thanks Don

Subject: RE: Haruo 12 String - What do we know?
From: Naemanson
Date: 24 Mar 04 - 07:53 PM

I've been away and haven't followed the thread. Did you receive the guitar Mudjack? Do you like it?

Subject: RE: Haruo 12 String - What do we know?
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 28 Feb 04 - 12:32 PM

Sorry about that, Mudjack. It wasn't my intention to give you a GAS attack. *G* Hope you enjoy it.

Bruce

Subject: RE: Haruo 12 String - What do we know?
From: Mudjack
Date: 28 Feb 04 - 01:28 AM

Okay Bee-dubya-ell,
You would have to post a clicky thing up there for me to go see. I bought the guitar pictured, expect delivery Wed. I need another guitar like I need another leg.
But I really have to say "Thanks" for alerting me to it. It is a good price for any 12 stg guitar. To buy off the internet is not my recomendation. I always tell folks they should listen to the guitar and hear how it voices before buying.
If it barks like a dog, I'll just have to let it go to the next " I just have to have a twelve string guitar", guy or gal.
Steve at his shop is really easy to work with. Answered any and all questions and was very quick to respond.
Mudjack

Subject: RE: Haruo 12 String - What do we know?
From: Naemanson
Date: 21 Feb 04 - 03:40 AM

I used to have the number memorized. I think it is number 212,5something. I cannot check it because I am in the office but I will try to get the right number on the thread.

Nice guitar, isn't it?