Morris Guitar
Morris Guitar
Also known as: Morris, Morris Guitars
ClaimedMorris Guitars is a Japanese acoustic guitar manufacturer founded in 1967 by Toshio Moridaira, who had previously been Japan's first distributor for both Fender and Gibson. The company takes its name from a nickname given to Moridaira by Gibson factory employees during a 1964 visit to Kalamazoo, Michigan. Based in Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture, Morris began mass production in 1972 and introduced...
Morris Guitars is a Japanese acoustic guitar manufacturer founded in 1967 by Toshio Moridaira, who had previously been Japan's first distributor for both Fender and Gibson. The company takes its name from a nickname given to Moridaira by Gibson factory employees during a 1964 visit to Kalamazoo, Michigan. Based in Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture, Morris began mass production in 1972 and introduced its guitars to the American market at the 1974 NAMM Show.
The brand built its early reputation on dreadnought and jumbo acoustics inspired by Martin and Gibson designs, with vintage models like the W-series (e.g. the W120) developing a following among collectors of Japanese lawsuit-era guitars. In 1978, Morris launched the Tornado line of thin-body acoustic-electric guitars influenced by Ovation. The company's lineup is organized into tiers — Luthier Made Premium, Hand Made Premium, and Performers Edition — alongside the S Series aimed at fingerpickers and the Japan Forest Series that emphasizes domestic tonewoods.
Morris is particularly associated with the fingerstyle community and hosts the annual FingerPicking Day competition in Japan. The company re-entered the U.S. market in 2001 and continues to exhibit at Winter NAMM. It also produces branded accessories including capos, clip-on tuners, cases, and straps.
Morris Guitar has 15 products cataloged on Equipboard, including Steel-string Acoustic Guitars, Solid Body Electric Guitars, and Guitar Amplifier Heads. Their gear is featured by 7 artists, with the strongest followings in Rock, Blues, and Electronic. Notable users include Joe Perry, Dallas Green, and Die.
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