Big Thumb BW-30 – Natural, '70s. - PRE-SALE

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-30 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 rosewood 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-30

• Year of production: 1970s

• Body: Spruce / Rosewood

• 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 rosewood. The two-piece back historically refers to the D-28 style construction. The instrument is finished with a clear lacquer (Natural). A standard glued neck construction is applied. In accordance with the pre-sale conditions, the lacquer coating will undergo a polishing process in our workshop.

Neck and ergonomics The mahogany neck is paired with a rosewood fingerboard featuring classic dot inlays. According to the service plan, the fingerboard will be leveled, and the original frets will be replaced with new ones or subjected to advanced polishing. 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 large rosewood Dreadnought body generates a wide, balanced frequency response with a strong bass foundation and clear highs.

• Dynamics: The body design provides high acoustic volume (projection), performing well during strong chordal playing with a pick.

Additional information

The Big Thumb brand was an internal product line (house brand) of the Terada Gakki factory, intended for distribution on the Japanese market.

The "BW" designation in the model name refers to the Western (Dreadnought) shape, and the number 30 indicates the original, historical catalog price in Japan (30,000 yen).

Due to the lack of a serial number and characteristic details (headstock shape, hardware used), the instrument is dated to the second half of the 1970s.

The guitar is offered in a pre-sale formula, which means it can be reserved before the full luthier restoration process is finally completed.

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 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 (1970s). Minor scratches 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

• Japanese production: An instrument from the respected Terada Gakki factory, famous for the high assembly quality of acoustic replicas.

• Proven specification: The use of spruce and rosewood in a Dreadnought body guarantees a classic, rich sound.

• Pre-sale offer: Purchasing in the pre-sale format is a chance to reserve a rare instrument and receive it right after a professional restoration.

• Comprehensive service: Within the set price, the guitar will undergo all necessary work, meaning it will require no additional financial input after pickup.