Morris W-60 Dreadnought

The Morris W-60 is an impressive example of the high art of Japanese guitar making in the 1970s. During this period, instruments were created in Japan that were strongly oriented towards the great American models of Martin and Gibson, but were often made with a precision and care that gives them cult status today. Morris Guitars was founded in 1967 by Toshio Moridaira, a passionate guitar maker with close ties to Fender and Gibson. Through these contacts, he not only brought American guitars to Japan, but also began to develop his own models that combined traditional craftsmanship with modern standards.

The Morris W-60 is a classic dreadnought model that fully reflects the character of this era in terms of construction and sound. It has a solid spruce top, which ensures clarity, direct response and powerful projection. The sides and back are made of rosewood, with the back being made in a special three-piece design: Rosewood on the outside, maple in the middle, and Rosewood again. This construction not only gives the guitar an unmistakable look, but also an individual sound character that combines warmth and depth with radiant highs.

The mahogany neck offers stability and a pleasant feel, while the rosewood fingerboard supports a soft playing feel and clear tone development. With a scale length of 645 mm and a nut width of around 43 mm, the Morris W-60 sits comfortably in the hand and provides the perfect foundation for both strumming and fingerpicking.

In terms of sound, the Morris W-60 impresses with a full, balanced tone. The low frequencies are powerful and resonant, the mids warm and present, the highs clear and defined. This broad sound spectrum makes the guitar a versatile instrument that feels at home in various musical styles – from folk and blues to rock or singer-songwriter styles. Particularly noteworthy is the strong projection, which gives the guitar an impressive presence in an ensemble, but also impresses when played solo.

The condition of this Morris W-60 is very good considering its age. Of course there are traces of use, which are unavoidable after more than four decades, but technically the guitar is absolutely flawless. The string action is pleasantly flat, making it easy to play, and the workmanship of the 1970s is still evident today in its stability and reliability. Many guitarists appreciate this aspect of Japanese guitars in particular: they age gracefully and often gain even more tonal depth over time.

The Morris W-60 is therefore not only an attractive instrument for players looking for the characteristic vintage sound, but also interesting for collectors who appreciate Japanese guitars from this heyday. It represents an era in which guitars from Japan gained international recognition for the first time and are still celebrated today for their value for money and musical quality.

Specifications
Model: Morris W-60
Year built: ca. 1970s
Construction: Dreadnought
Top: Spruce
Back: Three-piece – Rosewood / Maple / Rosewood
Sides: Rosewood
Neck: Mahogany
Fingerboard: Rosewood
Scale length: 645 mm
Nut width: approx. 43 mm

With the Morris W-60, you get a dreadnought that carries the soul of the 70s. It combines timeless Japanese craftsmanship with a full, characterful sound that delights players and listeners alike.

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