Morris T.F. 1983 MGB-60 12 String Sunburst

Morris T.F. 1983. MGB-60 12 String in Sunburst Finish.

2 Piece Spruce Top with Abalone Binding.

Rosewood Sides and Back.

Mahogany Neck and Rosewood Fretboard with MOP & Abalone Inlays.

Ebony Bridge.

Headstock Overlay with Rosewood and Morris Logo Inlay.

Binding on the Body, Neck and Headstock.

Label signed by S. Sakara.

History of Morris Guitars Company

The Morris Guitars company has been building quality handcrafted instruments in Nagano, Japan for a long time. Mr. Toshio Moridaira, the founder, was the first distributor in Japan to carry both Fender and Gibson lines. In 1964, due to his working relationship with Gibson, Mr. Moridaira was able to visit the Gibson factory in Kalamazoo, Michigan. An employee at Gibson nicknamed him “Mori” at that time.

In 1967, he founded the Morris Guitars company. He named it Morris, taken from the nickname given to him a while back. Morris produced copies of dreadnought and small jumbo models based on Martin and Gibson designs. Since then, Morris Guitars have enjoyed an outstanding reputation in Japan and other countries for making high quality guitars.

In 1974, Morris introduced their guitars at the NAMM show. In 1978, Morris introduced the Tornado line, thin body acoustic-electric guitars inspired by the Ovation design. Up until the early 80s, the U.S. market saw a variety of guitars that Morris imported from Japan.

In 2001, after a lengthy absence, Morris Guitars re-entered the U.S. market. They participate in the annual Winter NAMM Show in Anaheim, CA.