Willow Glen is a lovely suburb of San Jose. A charming main street adorned by old fashioned stores selling candy, toys, fresh bread, and every other thing from the 19th and 20th centuries. The faux historic lamp posts with their three large globes provided the illumination amid the aging facade that was old San Jose. There, between the rust and brick was Stevens Music.
Not distinguished inside. But, music stores always held a fascination for me. There was an old counter and to the left, against the wall, were the guitars. I was always on the hunt for a good guitar, so the discovery of this new store lifted my spirits and added a special spring to my step on this brightly-colored autumn day in 1973.
Gordon Stevens, mid 30’s with dark brown hair and glasses the color of dark red wine, was a businessman and a good salesman. He showed me a special purchase he had made of the final series of handmade guitars by Sadao Yairi. It was the last to be made in his shop in Nagoya Japan.
The sound of the rosewood and spruce guitar was magical. The back, three pieces of matching rosewood, joined to a pristine, cream-colored piece of prime spruce . . . well, I bought it for $1300. A ridiculous amount which I really couldn’t afford, especially in those days. But, it sang and made my spirit soar.
A one-of-a-kind guitar, from a renowned Japanese luthier, with a sound to die for. . . who wouldn’t buy it?