Neck: Cedar
Fingerboard: Ebony
Finish(Top): Shellac
Finish(Back & Sides): Shellac
Tuning Machines: Gotoh
String Height(1st): 2.8 mm
String Height(6th): 4.0 mm

[Luthier Information]
Born in 1981, Daisuke Kuriyama began teaching himself guitar making while attending Tokyo Zokei University. After graduating, he joined a major musical instrument retailer in 2003, where he worked in the repair department for over ten years. There, he had the opportunity to study many fine instruments from both Japan and abroad, which greatly nurtured his unique sensitivity to tone, supported by his exceptional sense of balance.
In 2010, while still at the company, he was introduced to luthier Kaoru Ono and began receiving direct instruction at Ono’s workshop. Afterward, he became independent and has since been producing around 6 to 8 high-quality guitars annually, crafted with extraordinary precision.
His guitars are rooted in the traditional Spanish methods of great makers such as Torres, Domingo Esteso, and Marcelo Barbero I. Each of his instruments reflects the rich and authentic character of classic Spanish guitars and has earned widespread admiration from players across various musical genres.
In 2020, Kuriyama was featured in Orfeo Magazine No.15, published by the French publishing house Camino Verde, where both an interview and his instruments were introduced.

Click here for the online shop page featuring the special issue of Orfeo Magazine on Japanese luthiers

Click here for the Orfeo interview travel log with Daisuke Kuriyama, Yuichi Shimizu, and Aomi Nejime (in Japanese)

[Instrument Information]
We are pleased to announce the arrival of Daisuke Kuriyama’s No. 100 Miguel Rodríguez Model, 2024 No.115. This is the first such homage to the legendary Córdoba-based master luthier Miguel Rodríguez I (Miguel Rodríguez Beneyto, 1888–1975) to be featured at Aura.

Although widely associated with the iconic sound of the Romero family—especially Pepe Romero—due to their long-standing use of Rodríguez guitars, the brand itself possesses a much higher potential than such narrow associations may suggest. Despite being a standout among Spanish guitars, the lack of clearly defined evaluative criteria has perhaps hindered broader recognition of Rodríguez guitars among players.

Historically descended from José Ramírez I (rather than Manuel Ramírez), Rodríguez belongs to a different Madrid school, even though he worked in Córdoba. He should be regarded as a central figure in that lineage. His instruments are remarkable for their unique acoustic personality and high artistic value, retaining a singular charm even today.

Kuriyama based this build on an original housed at the Guitar Culture Museum, which he praises as a masterpiece (although the rosette design is borrowed from a different instrument). The sound is bold and resonant, as if emerging from deep within the body. The bass and mid-lows have a chewy, resistant quality, while the trebles deliver a percussive attack. Just before tipping into rawness, the tone refines into a musical expressiveness—capturing a duality of stoicism and romanticism unique to Rodríguez’s work and well-suited to classical repertoire.

Kuriyama’s build skillfully retains this ambivalence while ensuring acoustic stability and balance—a testament to his keen judgment and craftsmanship.

Bracing Structure:

A wide (~8mm) reinforcement plate spans the upper bout above the soundhole (toward the neck).

A single harmonic bar is placed below it.

Diagonal reinforcement plates (approx. 3mm thick) are located on both treble and bass sides of the soundhole, aligned with the extension of the fan bracing.

Five symmetrically placed fan braces span the lower bout.

Two closing bars form a “V” shape at the bottom, connecting with the ends of the fan braces.

The resonance pitch is set slightly above G.

The large rosette, featuring a striking combination of red and green, adds a beautiful visual accent. The Madagascar rosewood used for the back and sides was chosen for its grain, reminiscent of Rodríguez’s famous “Churchdoor” guitar.

The neck has a D-shape with a square profile. String height is set at 2.8 mm (1st string) / 4.0 mm (6th string) at the 12th fret, with approximately 1.5–2.0 mm of saddle remaining—allowing for further adjustment if desired.
Fitted with Gotoh tuners.
Total weight: 1.62 kg.