Model: ST-9 Price: ¥187,000 Top: Spruce (spruce) Body: Maple (maple) Neck: Mahogany Head: Napoli type Fingerboard: Ebony (ebony) Lacquer finish Accessories: Generic hard case Year of manufacture: 2008 Type: Classic mandolin Search "Noguchi Mandolin ST series" on YouTube to hear the sound of this item. About Noguchi Mandolin: Noguchi Mandolin is one of the leading Japanese brands, with Iguchi as its distributor. The mandolins made by Minoru Noguchi, a luthier who trained at Ishikawa Mandolin, have won the International Arts and Culture Award. They are also used by professional mandolinists such as the 2nd place winner of the Russian Mandolin Competition and the 4th place winner of the Belarusian competition, Shisei Sakurai. Condition: Due to the delicate finish, there are some minor scratches, but they are so slight that they are difficult to see in the photos and do not affect the function, so please rest assured. It has hardly been played, and the frets are almost like new. The string height is 1mm at the 1st fret and about 2.5mm at the 12th fret, which is appropriate and keeps it in a very easy-to-play condition. About the product: This is an entry-level mandolin from Noguchi, but the list price is about ¥190,000, so it can be said that it has performance to match. The basic construction is the same as higher-end models, such as the lacquer finish and the volute for strength, so it is highly recommended for those who want to start playing the mandolin or are considering switching from other instruments such as guitar. The lacquer finish allows you to enjoy a thick mid-range sound with depth. The top's bearclaw-like grain and the maple back are of such high quality that you wouldn't think it was an entry-level model, and it's a feast for the eyes just by looking at them. There may be some overlooked scratches, so please take a good look at the photos and consider your purchase. Also, please refrain from purchasing if you are looking for shop-level quality or are very particular about the condition.