Structure provides the support, while ideas resonate.
Atlansia, a sonic utopia that constantly innovates and challenges itself.
Creative Continent ~ATLANSIA~
[table of contents]
Why is Atlansia one of a kind?
Biography of Nobuaki Hayashi
The philosophy of the solitary luthier, Nobuaki Hayashi
Tracing the history of Atlansia through its successive models
Typical unique parts
The shop talks about the instrument called Atlansia
Afterword
1. Why is Atlansia one of a kind?
"Atlansia"
Based in Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture, electric guitar and electricBassIt is a high-end brand. Its unique design and mechanism are different from those of typical electric guitars/BassWe create highly original instruments with innovative designs that set us apart from the norm and are not bound by the conventions of existing instruments.
To realize this innovative design, they develop and manufacture much of the machinery and equipment necessary for production in-house, and you can feel their passion and attention to detail in every single part.
Furthermore, the unique sound and playability resulting from its innovative design have garnered enthusiastic support from enthusiasts.
ATLANSIA
It's like a "remote island in the vast ocean." A tiny island that could be swept away by rough waves.
However, fighting a lone battle! This creative continent constantly challenges itself to create innovative products.
My goal is to create a magnificent world of guitar romance. N. Hayashi
(Excerpt from the website)
The Hayashi Nobuaki Guitar Workshop (later Atlansia) was established in 1978.
From its inception, the brand has produced instruments that are both unique and practical, making it a brand that truly deserves the title of "one of a kind."
Compared to all other domestic musical instrument brands, Atlansia is a brand that can be described as "different" from the rest.
Rather than being designed to "stand out," the Atlansia brand's distinctive feature lies in its unique beauty, which is the result of purely pursuing functionality and rationality. This one-of-a-kindness extends not only to the instruments themselves, but also to the brand Atlansia and the very beliefs and existence of its builder, Nobuaki Hayashi.
Atlansia's "unconventionality" stands out even when considering the historical context of the musical instrument industry at the time it was founded.
The Dawn of Electric Instruments in Japan
In the 1960s, Western culture, including rock and roll, rockabilly, and surf music, flowed into Japan. However, the import and sale of expensive instruments from world-renowned brands like Fender and Gibson did not lead to the widespread adoption of electric guitars in Japan, so domestic manufacturers focused on producing inexpensive copy models.
Subsequently, in the 1970s, Japanese manufacturing technology grew significantly, and sophisticated copy models became popular. Many masterpieces, now known as "Japan Vintage," emerged, and the copy model war continued into the 1980s.
In that era, the Aria Pro II brand, which started in 1975, quickly broke away from the copycat model war and released its original model, the PE-1500, in 1977. The design, engineering, and manufacturing of that guitar were handled by Nobuaki Hayashi, who would later found Atlansia.
In 1978, Mr. Hayashi became independent and established the Hayashi Nobuaki Guitar Workshop (later Atlansia).
While there are many boutique manufacturers today, considering that Atlansia was founded in 1978, it's clear how much of a pioneer Atlansia was in the musical instrument industry.
Next, we will introduce the background of Nobuaki Hayashi, the founder and builder of Atlansia.
2. Biography of Nobuaki Hayashi
He is the founder of Atlansia and one of Japan's leading builders.
Born September 20, 1943, in Nagano Prefecture.
Raised by a father who loved classical music and a mother who was a church organist, he joined the brass band in high school while also learning classical guitar.
Because I was interested in design, I enrolled in a junior college specializing in art.
After graduating, he returned to his hometown of Nagano and joined Matsumoku Industries in 1963. Initially, Matsumoku was a subsidiary of Singer Sewing Machine and manufactured sewing machine cabinets, and Mr. Hayashi was apparently involved in the design of sewing machine cabinets.
Subsequently, an electric guitar boom swept Japan. Matsumoku entered the guitar industry at the request of Fujigen (formerly Fuji Stringed Instrument Manufacturing), which is also headquartered in Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture. When Matsumoku began producing guitars independently, Mr. Hayashi took on the role of guitar designer.
In 1977, Aria Pro II designed and developed the PE-1500, which would later become the foundation of the PE series, a bestseller for Aria Pro II. The original design of the PE series, which challenged the dominance of domestic manufacturers that were popular at the time for copying Fender and Gibson guitars, is known as a model that demonstrated the high quality of Japanese-made guitars to the world and continues to be passed down to this day.
In 1978, he became independent from Matsumoku Industries and established "Hayashi Nobuaki Guitar Workshop".
While working as a subcontractor for Matsumoku, he began making his own original guitars. The name of that guitar is "Atlansia".
Since then, while building upon the foundation of traditional instrument making, we have consistently adhered to the belief of "originality" and developed numerous original models.
In 1982, the company changed its name to "Atlansia Instrumental Technology."
As of 2025, each and every guitar is still handcrafted by Mr. Hayashi and the Atlancia staff, from processing to assembly, and it continues to raise the banner of innovation as one of Japan's leading high-end brands.
Source: Atlansia Guitar World (Excerpted from Guitar Graphic No. 1, published by Rittor Music Co., Ltd.)
3. The Philosophy of Nobuaki Hayashi, the Solitary Luthier
When it comes to what makes Atlansia guitars unique, it's often said that they feature proprietary parts and have highly original body and neck shapes.
However, these are the results of what Atlansia has produced, and I believe the essence lies in the philosophy of builder Nobuaki Hayashi.
The word "philosophy" is very abstract, but here we, as a used instrument shop, will talk about the Atlansia brand and the builder, Nobuaki Hayashi.TCGAKKII'd like to introduce things based on what I've actually experienced.
Atlansia: A place where personality and musical instruments are directly linked.
When we acquire Atlansia instruments, we often receive them in their original cases. There's something I always look forward to when I open the pockets of those original cases.
As you can see, letters from Mr. Hayashi sometimes survive.
Although it is a handwritten copy, this letter vividly conveys Mr. Hayashi's feelings towards his instruments, and through them, his feelings towards the people who use them.
While we often receive a sense of the builder's intentions through their products, it's rare to find an instrument that allows us to feel the builder's personality so directly.
From his handwriting, one can sense Mr. Hayashi's feelings of "confidence in his instrument" and "happiness at being understood."
And what's particularly noteworthy is that we used instrument dealers have seen this letter many times.
This letterNewThese are items that came with the purchase, but they often remain intact even after passing through several hands (of course, sometimes they remain with the same owner). They're not thick cardboard certificates; they're just ordinary A4 sheets of paper that have remained perfectly intact for decades.
I'm sure the users are deeply moved by this letter. I haven't seen anything like this from other brands.
And there are examples that show the message conveyed in these letters has been successfully reached by the users.
Atlantia instruments that arrive in stock sometimes have notes like this one. This is a repair history memo in Mr. Hayashi's own handwriting.
What this means is that Mr. Hayashi himself handles many of the repairs and maintenance of instruments after they are sold. I think this is proof that his letter, "Please feel free to contact us," is truly being put into practice.
While many repair requests undoubtedly come through retailers, we frequently hear from customers that they have called Mr. Hayashi directly to have their devices repaired and maintained.
In fact, we have asked Mr. Hayashi to repair our instruments many times in the past. From the manufacturer's perspective, there is no benefit in being kind to a used instrument retailer, especially since they are not a wholesaler, but his company treats us as equals. I think that this is one way in which Mr. Hayashi can feel his sense of responsibility for the instruments he makes and his consideration for the users.
The fact that they offer a 10-year warranty is the best proof of this.
There are probably not many brands in the world that maintain such a close relationship between the builder and the user, let alone one that has continued for nearly 50 years.
Atlansia users also find Mr. Hayashi's personality to be a major part of Atlansia's appeal.
Pioneers of the Era ~Beyond Myth~
Next, I will introduce an interview in which Mr. Hayashi talks about his thoughts on musical instruments.
I've felt this ever since I was making copy models, but there were many things about guitars that made me think, "Isn't it okay for guitars to be like this?" Whether it's a Les Paul or a Stratocaster, even if models made abroad are highly regarded, I think that's an evaluation of "this is what happened when one person thought about it and made it," not that "therefore, guitars have to be like this."
"I wanted to create a guitar that I could be proud of, something that I could make using my own ideas," and in that case, ready-made parts often wouldn't suffice to bring those ideas to life. (ROCK'N ROLL NEWSMAKER, October 1989, VICTOR MUSIC INDUSTRY)
Then, in the context of the topic of "tradition," drawing an analogy to the violin, which has a much longer history than the guitar, when the interviewer said, "If Mr. Hayashi were to make a violin, it seems like it would be something highly original," he replied as follows:
When you think of violins, names like Amati and Stradivarius immediately come to mind, don't they? Their fame has reached the present day, and today's violin makers strive to be as faithful as possible to the original models, even using the same techniques and methods as back then, such as using animal glue. While that's one approach, I think that if the craftsmen of Cremona, Italy, from 300 years ago were alive today, they would probably make full use of the latest machinery to create something even better. With all the advancements in materials, technology, and everything else in the world, I think it would be a shame not to utilize them. (ROCK'N ROLL NEWSMAKER, October 1989, VICTOR MUSIC INDUSTRY)
This interview reveals that Atlansia's highly original instruments are not developed with the idea of "let's make something different from others," but rather with a thoroughly rational and industrial mindset of "this makes more sense. this should be more convenient."
Mr. Hayashi continues as follows:
It seems that cars that are "somewhat similar, yet somehow different" are selling well. Completely new ideas seem to face a lot of resistance, making them harder to buy, perhaps? But for me, it's simply the feeling that "there must be someone who will understand what I've created." (ROCK'N ROLL NEWSMAKER, October 1989, VICTOR MUSIC INDUSTRY)
He said the same thing in an interview a few years later.
I believe there are two paths when it comes to creating original guitars. One is to analyze market needs and design based on those needs. The other is to think about and analyze what a guitar is, and design based on your belief that it should be. While I have done the former, I think I have mostly done the latter. This does not align with market needs, so its market potential is uncertain. However, I believe that progress is what makes the world of guitars interesting and leads to an improvement in the skill level of users. If that happens, it would be wonderful, and I think it is also necessary.
Atlansia guitars have always been committed to the belief that originality should be the primary consideration, and we intend to continue upholding this principle. (Excerpt from Guitar Graphic No. 1, published by Rittor Music Co., Ltd.)
Modern electric guitars and electric guitarsBassMost guitars still follow the styles established by Fender, Gibson, and others 70 years ago. Simply put, this represents the majority of market demand, and there's a kind of "myth" that "traditional guitars are the ultimate."
In contrast, Atlansia is not simply creating novel and eccentric products that completely disregard tradition; rather, it is based on tradition and pursues a rational, functional aesthetic.
Perhaps the essence of Atlansia lies beyond the myths of "this is how a guitar should be" and the myth that "classics sell."
To create instruments that are beautiful, have a superior tone, and are highly playable, Mr. Nobuaki Hayashi of Atlansia never stops thinking outside the box and never gets bound by conventional manufacturing methods. That is his philosophy.
4. Tracing the history of ATLANSIA through its past models
Based on the units we have received at our store, as well as units and materials borrowed from our staff, Atlansia, and our customers, we will introduce several models.
GARLAND
Garland is Atlansia's debut album, released around 1978.
The conical neck, which could be considered Atlansia's most distinctive feature, existed from this period, suggesting that Atlansia was a unique instrument even back then.
'86 GARLAND DELUXE BASS
'82 GARLAND Bass
CONCORD
The Concord, the second model in the Atlansia lineup, was released in 1982.
The deeply sculpted cutaway is called the "parabola cut."
'91 Concord Super Model Active 3EQ
'89 Concord
Victoria
Victoria debuted in 1985.
It features an acoustic design with F-holes. Various variations are available, including ARS pickup type, humbucker type, and piezo pickup type.
'04 Victoria Special
'89 Victoria
Solitaire
Released in 1986, it was part of the trend towards multi-string guitars at the time.BassA young stringed instrument that made a significant impact on the world.Bass, solitaire.
"If it's a slow song, maybe it can be played on just one string," is an idea that only someone like Mr. Hayashi, who isn't a performer, could come up with. As a result, it's a model that's being used in a percussive way, and its diverse uses have been developed by users.
'00s Solitaire 1st FL
Stealth
The stealth aircraft first appeared in 1987.
Thumb pockets are incorporated near the pickups and the end of the fretboard to make it easier to rest your thumb. Furthermore, the headstock shape, stripped down to the bare essentials, contributes to excellent body balance.
'90 Stealth Deluxe
'09 Stealth 2st
GALAXY
This is also the Galaxy, which debuted in 1987.
The body design, which pursues functional beauty, features an innovative shape in which the horn on the 1st string side is trimmed to improve playability in the higher positions.
'93 GALAXY BASS
JUPITER
Jupiter debuted in 1989.
This Atlansia model is a rare example of a traditional JB style. While the body shape is similar to the JB style, it incorporates unique ideas throughout.
Jupiter Special Fretted Mod
PEGASUS
We've already introduced so many unique models, from their body shape and wood selection to their color schemes and bold armrests, but this design is so innovative that you might wonder if there's still more to be shocked by. Here you'll find Atlansia, a brand that never stops evolving.
'06 Pegasus
PENTAGON
The Pentagon, released around 1993.
This model is the culmination of Atlansia's concept, incorporating the functionality of previous models, such as armrests, a parabolic cut, and a thumb pocket, and integrating them into a new body shape.
'94 Pentagon 5st ACTIVE 2EQ
'01 Pentagone Guitar
5. Representative unique parts
One of the most important aspects of Atlansia is that they manufacture almost all of their parts in-house, and produce them in their own factory. Furthermore, they even build the machinery used to create those parts themselves.
Many of the structures that are now standard in the musical instrument world were adopted by Atlansia long before major manufacturers started producing them. While we have highlighted its "originality" and "one of a kind," it is actually at the forefront of many aspects of the world, and the impact that the Atlansia brand, founded by one Japanese person, has had on the world is immeasurable.
When asked in an interview when he comes up with these unique parts, he replied, "I often come up with ideas when I'm making the instrument, rather than when I'm playing it." It seems that he often encounters inconveniences while making or adjusting the instrument, and then thinks, "Why not incorporate adjustable parts from the start?"
To reiterate, I believe these parts are born from a constant pursuit of rationality and functionality, and from continuous thinking and refinement.
So then, AtlansiaBassWe will now introduce some of the key components installed in this vehicle.
peg
SLANTED WINDER
The distinctive angled pegs are based on an ergonomic design.
ManyBassThis structure has been incorporated into the Atlantia since the first Garland appeared in 1978.RecruitIt was done.
It is said that they were also among the first in the world to adopt locking pegs.
knob
SLANTED VOLUME KNOB
Besides the pegs, some knobs are mounted at an angle.
As Mr. Hayashi commented, "I believe the quality of a design depends on its functionality," it's clear that they prioritized ease of use for the player.
Tension pin
ROLLER TENSIONER
Atlansia's website has a "PATENT PAGE" which features 170 ideas, including some for which they have actually obtained patents. The roller-type tension pin is the very first part introduced on that page.
By using a roller system for the part where the strings make contact, tuning instability is minimized, damage to the strings is reduced, and the tension can be adjusted as the height is also adjustable.
nut
Adjustable String Nut
The part where the strings rest is a screw, allowing for height adjustment without the need for tools. Also, because the slot is V-shaped, there's no need to cut grooves for any gauge strings.
Tailpiece/Bridge
ATB-01
The saddle features an adjustable screw with a V-shaped groove, allowing you to adjust the height by hand without using any tools.
ATB-06 W/N “WILY/NOBLE”
This part is touted as "a representative example of the Atlanta Bass philosophy: an independent tailpiece for each string."
This bridge is actually a tuner-equipped bridge tailpiece jointly developed by Wilkinson and Mr. Hayashi, bearing the inscription WILKINSON/N.HAYASHI. Apparently, Mr. Hayashi consulted with Wilkinson directly about countermeasures against string twisting, which led to this collaboration.
Atlansia obtained official permission to incorporate Wilkinson's original idea into their product.
Pickup
ARC
Atlansia's iconic ARC pickups are independent for each string. They feature a rotating mechanism, allowing you to adjust the tone by hand. Furthermore, it's possible to add EQ and tone controls to each pickup individually.
ARS
The ARS pickup has a smaller design. While it doesn't rotate like the ARC, it allows for a narrower string spacing and the installation of more pickups.
The photo shows a special model equipped with 12 ARS (Armor Resonance Systems), three for each string.
6. The shop talks about the instrument called Atlansia
Even from the perspective of us used instrument shop owners who handle thousands of instruments a year, Atlansia stands out from the rest.
The first thing you notice when you hold it in your hands is the meticulous craftsmanship. While it's made with the rationality required of an industrial product, it also possesses the careful attention to detail of a handcrafted item, not a mass-produced product.
Furthermore, in addition to the robustness of the product itself, as mentioned earlier, a great many of the instruments have received thorough after-sales care from Mr. Hayashi. Some may think, "There are many unique parts, so the setup must be special," but it can be adjusted in the same way as a typical instrument. All the mechanisms that might seem special are logically structured and designed to make the instrument easy to use. It is an instrument that not only reflects Mr. Hayashi's worldview, but also allows the user to "understand the intentions of the maker."
Mr. Hayashi's design philosophy is evident throughout, demonstrating his consideration for the player's ease of use, and his guitars fit in seamlessly alongside renowned brands like Fender, Gibson, PRS, and Spector. What's truly astonishing is that he was already creating structures and concepts that rival those brands more than 40 years ago.
Due to the limited production system, the items are naturally rare, but currently,NewNot only that, but prices are soaring in the second-hand market as well. The brand was established in 1978, so you could say that "the times have finally caught up" with it.
BassWhile Fender is undoubtedly the "standard" in the world of guitars, Atlansia's sound is nothing like Fender's. Despite its very hard sound, it has a strong bass response, giving a reassuring feeling that it responds precisely to the player's intentions. It's a high-end guitar, priced at more than twice the price.BassIt's in no way inferior to, or rather, it's even better than, recent high-end models.BassA profound weightiness that makes everything else seem light in comparison.
When people first pick it up, they'll probably think, "What kind of neck is this?!" But after trying it out for a short phrase, almost every customer says, "Wow, it's surprisingly easy to play."
The feel of playing an Atlansia is so unique that you'll never want to play anything else; it produces a sound that only Atlansia can deliver. There's no other brand like it; it truly is "one of a kind."
7. Afterword
Reading Mr. Hayashi's interview, I was very impressed by his honesty regarding the guilt he felt about making copycat products during his time at Matsumoku, and his concern for Japan being a country that lagged behind in guitar development.
It's easy to imagine that Mr. Hayashi's own position in that field gave rise to the pride he felt in creating instruments like the PE-1500 and the Atlansia, which are the epitome of originality.
While there may be some guilt associated with the numerous copies of instruments that have become renowned as "Japan Vintage," they are undoubtedly one of the factors that contributed to the advancement of Japanese instrument-making techniques.
And it was precisely because of that background that Atlansia was born.
Mr. Hayashi says that during his time at Matsumoku, he was a designer but would end up creating prototypes himself on-site. It is because he is such a craftsman that, during the process of making things himself, he would develop his own parts, thinking, "Wouldn't this be more rational?", and even developed the machinery and software used in manufacturing himself, showing his inventive side.
As someone who loves musical instruments, I strongly felt that it was wonderful that a luthier, designer, and inventor like Mr. Nobuaki Hayashi exists in Japan.
The new arrival, Atlansia, which inspired the publication of this column, can be viewed at the link below. Please be sure to check it out!
For product inquiries, please contact us via email, chat, or phone. We also welcome trade-ins!
source:
Atlansia Guitar World (Excerpt from Guitar Graphic No. 1, published by Rittor Music Co., Ltd.)
ROCK'N ROLL NEWSMAKER October 1989 issue VICTOR MUSIC INDUSTRY
Atlanta Official Website (https://www.atlansia.jp/)
Author of this article:Oda (TCGAKKI Bassin charge)
TCGAKKIElectricBassShe is in charge of the corner segment. Having previously been active in a major band, she leverages her extensive experience to offer insights and promotions specifically from a musician's perspective. MainBassThis is a Fender Custom Shop Jazz Bass.
Qualifications and experience: Three years of experience as a musical instrument appraiser, numerous video appearances.
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