Acoustic / Big Thumb (Terada Gakki)
Big Thumb BW-40 – Natural, Custom Order, '70s. - PRE-SALE
Listed on Reverb
1 165.00 EUR
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- Model
- BW-40
- Finish
- Natural
- SKU
- A26039
- Condition
- Used — see description
Service and condition at a glance
Work and modifications
Service work is ongoing, including lacquer polishing, hardware restoration, fingerboard leveling, and fretwork.
Technical condition
The instrument is currently being prepared for playing (pre-sale). After the planned luthier work is completed, it will be 100% mechanically functional.
About this instrument
Instrument description in English.
ATTENTION! The presented instrument is offered as a pre-sale. Luthier work will be performed on it, including, among others, lacquer polishing, hardware restoration, electronics shielding, fingerboard leveling with refretting and/or fret polishing. The final price includes the above-mentioned work.
Big Thumb BW-40 is a Japanese acoustic guitar, manufactured in the 1970s at the Terada Gakki factory. The instrument is a replica of classic American Dreadnought designs. The guitar features a spruce top plate and mahogany back and sides. According to the information above, the instrument is currently being prepared and will undergo a comprehensive luthier overhaul before the final handover.
Technical specification
Manufacturer: Big Thumb (Terada Gakki)
Model: BW-40
Year of production: 1970s
Body: Spruce / Mahogany
Neck: Mahogany
Fingerboard: Rosewood
Frets: Medium (Condition: planned new / after polishing)
Pickups: None
Electronics: None
Visual condition: Pre-sale / Visible signs of use (details in description)
Finish: Natural
Weight: to be completed
Body and construction The Dreadnought-shaped soundbox features a top plate made of spruce, with the back and sides made of mahogany. The instrument is finished with a clear lacquer (Natural), and a dark pickguard is placed on the front. A standard glued neck construction is applied. In accordance with the pre-sale conditions, the lacquer coating will undergo a cleaning and polishing process in our workshop.
Neck and ergonomics The mahogany neck is paired with a rosewood fingerboard. At the 19th fret, there is a personalized block inlay reading "YUKIE.S". Depending on the neck geometry assessment, the original frets will undergo advanced leveling and polishing, or—if leveling (planing) the fretboard is required—the instrument will be fitted with brand-new frets. This will ensure proper geometry and a trouble-free string action setup once the work is completed.
Sound The instrument is a fully acoustic guitar with no factory electronic circuit.
Characteristics: The combination of a spruce top and a mahogany Dreadnought body generates a warm, balanced frequency response with clear mids and a less pronounced bottom end compared to rosewood designs.
Dynamics: The guitar offers good acoustic projection and an even response to articulation, performing well with both a pick and fingerstyle playing.
Additional information
The Big Thumb brand was an internal product line (house brand) of the Terada Gakki factory, intended primarily for distribution on the Japanese domestic market.
The "BW" designation in the model name refers to the Western (Dreadnought) shape, and the number 40 indicates the original catalog price in Japan of 40,000 yen.
The presence of the personalized "YUKIE.S" inlay indicates that the instrument was manufactured as a special order (Custom Order) or was modified at the request of the original buyer.
The guitar is offered in a pre-sale formula, which means it can be reserved before the full luthier restoration process is finally completed in our workshop.
Hardware
Bridge: Rosewood – a classic construction. As part of the service work, the system will be fully adjusted for intonation.
Tuners: Closed Gear mechanisms. According to the scope of work, the chrome hardware will go through a cleaning and restoration process to ensure smooth mechanical operation.
Instrument condition
Technical condition: The instrument is currently being prepared for playing (pre-sale). After the planned luthier work is completed, it will be 100% mechanically functional.
Visual condition: The guitar shows signs of use appropriate for its age. Minor scratches and dings are visible on the lacquer coating. The instrument has no structural wood cracks.
Setup and Modifications: Service work is ongoing, including lacquer polishing, hardware restoration, fingerboard leveling, and fretwork.
Why choose this instrument
Terada Gakki production: An instrument from a respected Japanese factory, famous for high assembly quality and careful wood selection during the Lawsuit era.
Unique detail: The personalized inlay on the fingerboard makes this specific unit historically one of a kind.
Pre-sale offer: Purchasing in the pre-sale format is a chance to reserve the instrument and receive it right after a professional luthier restoration.
Comprehensive service: Within the set price, the guitar will undergo all necessary work, making it fully ready to play.
Big Thumb BW-40 is a Japanese acoustic guitar, manufactured in the 1970s at the Terada Gakki factory. The instrument is a replica of classic American Dreadnought designs. The guitar features a spruce top plate and mahogany back and sides. According to the information above, the instrument is currently being prepared and will undergo a comprehensive luthier overhaul before the final handover.
Technical specification
Manufacturer: Big Thumb (Terada Gakki)
Model: BW-40
Year of production: 1970s
Body: Spruce / Mahogany
Neck: Mahogany
Fingerboard: Rosewood
Frets: Medium (Condition: planned new / after polishing)
Pickups: None
Electronics: None
Visual condition: Pre-sale / Visible signs of use (details in description)
Finish: Natural
Weight: to be completed
Body and construction The Dreadnought-shaped soundbox features a top plate made of spruce, with the back and sides made of mahogany. The instrument is finished with a clear lacquer (Natural), and a dark pickguard is placed on the front. A standard glued neck construction is applied. In accordance with the pre-sale conditions, the lacquer coating will undergo a cleaning and polishing process in our workshop.
Neck and ergonomics The mahogany neck is paired with a rosewood fingerboard. At the 19th fret, there is a personalized block inlay reading "YUKIE.S". Depending on the neck geometry assessment, the original frets will undergo advanced leveling and polishing, or—if leveling (planing) the fretboard is required—the instrument will be fitted with brand-new frets. This will ensure proper geometry and a trouble-free string action setup once the work is completed.
Sound The instrument is a fully acoustic guitar with no factory electronic circuit.
Characteristics: The combination of a spruce top and a mahogany Dreadnought body generates a warm, balanced frequency response with clear mids and a less pronounced bottom end compared to rosewood designs.
Dynamics: The guitar offers good acoustic projection and an even response to articulation, performing well with both a pick and fingerstyle playing.
Additional information
The Big Thumb brand was an internal product line (house brand) of the Terada Gakki factory, intended primarily for distribution on the Japanese domestic market.
The "BW" designation in the model name refers to the Western (Dreadnought) shape, and the number 40 indicates the original catalog price in Japan of 40,000 yen.
The presence of the personalized "YUKIE.S" inlay indicates that the instrument was manufactured as a special order (Custom Order) or was modified at the request of the original buyer.
The guitar is offered in a pre-sale formula, which means it can be reserved before the full luthier restoration process is finally completed in our workshop.
Hardware
Bridge: Rosewood – a classic construction. As part of the service work, the system will be fully adjusted for intonation.
Tuners: Closed Gear mechanisms. According to the scope of work, the chrome hardware will go through a cleaning and restoration process to ensure smooth mechanical operation.
Instrument condition
Technical condition: The instrument is currently being prepared for playing (pre-sale). After the planned luthier work is completed, it will be 100% mechanically functional.
Visual condition: The guitar shows signs of use appropriate for its age. Minor scratches and dings are visible on the lacquer coating. The instrument has no structural wood cracks.
Setup and Modifications: Service work is ongoing, including lacquer polishing, hardware restoration, fingerboard leveling, and fretwork.
Why choose this instrument
Terada Gakki production: An instrument from a respected Japanese factory, famous for high assembly quality and careful wood selection during the Lawsuit era.
Unique detail: The personalized inlay on the fingerboard makes this specific unit historically one of a kind.
Pre-sale offer: Purchasing in the pre-sale format is a chance to reserve the instrument and receive it right after a professional luthier restoration.
Comprehensive service: Within the set price, the guitar will undergo all necessary work, making it fully ready to play.