The Continent of Creation ~ATLANSIA~

[Table of Contents]
Why Atlansia Is One of a Kind
The Career of Nobuaki Hayashi
The Philosophy of Nobuaki Hayashi, the Solitary Luthier
Tracing Atlancia’s History Through Its Successive Models
Representative Original Parts
What Shops Say About the Atlantis as an Instrument
Afterword

“Atlantia”
　A high-end brand of electric guitars and electric Bass based in Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture. With its unique design and mechanics—which set it apart from standard electric guitars and Bass—the brand creates instruments brimming with originality through innovative designs that transcend the boundaries of conventional instruments.

　To bring these innovative designs to life, the company develops and manufactures much of the machinery required for production in-house, reflecting a deep passion and meticulous attention to detail for every single part.

　Furthermore, the one-of-a-kind sound and playability resulting from these innovative designs have garnered enthusiastic support among enthusiasts.

ATLANSIA　
It is an “isolated island in the vast ocean”—a small island that might be swept away by rough waves.
Yet, we fight alone! We are a creative continent constantly challenging ourselves to create something new.
Our goal is to create a world of grand guitar romance. N. Hayashi
(Excerpt from the website)

　Founded in 1978, the Nobuaki Hayashi Guitar Workshop (later renamed Atlansia).
　From its inception, the workshop has crafted instruments that are unique yet practical—a brand to which the phrase “one of a kind” fits perfectly.
Compared to any other domestic instrument brand, it is no exaggeration to say that the Atlantis brand is “unlike any other.”

　A major characteristic is that, rather than being designed to “stand out,” the instruments possess an unconventional beauty that is the result of a pure pursuit of functionality and rationality. However, this uniqueness extends not only to the instruments themselves but also to the Atlantis brand and the very beliefs and presence of the luthier, Nobuaki Hayashi.

　This “uniqueness” stands out even when viewed against the historical backdrop of the musical instrument industry at the time Atlancia was founded.

　In the 1960s, Western cultures such as rock ’n’ roll, rockabilly, and surf music began flowing into Japan. The import and sale of expensive instruments from global brands like Fender and Gibson failed to popularize electric guitars within Japan, so domestic manufacturers focused their efforts on producing inexpensive copy models.
　Later, in the 1970s, Japanese manufacturing technology advanced significantly, and meticulously crafted copy models gained popularity. Numerous legendary instruments—now known as “Japan Vintage”—emerged, and the “copy model war” continued into the 1980s.

　Amidst this era, the brand “Aria Pro-Two,” launched in 1975, sought to break away from the “copy model war” early on and released its original model, the PE-1500, in 1977. The person responsible for the guitar’s design, engineering, and construction was Nobuaki Hayashi, who would later found Atlantis.

　Mr. Hayashi went independent in 1978 and established the Nobuaki Hayashi Guitar Workshop (later Atlantia).
　While there are now many boutique guitar makers, considering the era in which Atlantis was founded—1978—it’s clear just how much of a trailblazer Atlantis was in the musical instrument industry.

　Next, we will introduce the career of Nobuaki Hayashi, the founder and luthier of Atlantis.

Founder of Atlantis and one of Japan’s leading luthiers.

When discussing what makes Atlansia unique, people often focus on its proprietary parts or its highly original body and neck shapes.
　However, I believe these are merely the results of what Atlansia has created, and that the brand’s true essence lies in the philosophy of its builder, Nobuaki Hayashi.
　“Philosophy” is a very abstract term, but here, as TCGAKKI—a used instrument dealer—we’d like to introduce the Atlancia brand and its builder, Nobuaki Hayashi, based on our firsthand experiences with his work.

　Sometimes, when an Atlancia instrument arrives in stock, a note like this is left with it. This is a handwritten note by Mr. Hayashi detailing the instrument’s repair history.
　What this means is that Mr. Hayashi himself has performed numerous repairs and maintenance services on these instruments after they were sold. I believe this is a true reflection of the phrase in the letter—“Please feel free to contact me”—being put into practice.
　Of course, many repair requests likely come through retailers, but we often hear from customers who have called Mr. Hayashi directly to request repairs or maintenance.
　In fact, we ourselves have requested repairs from Mr. Hayashi numerous times in the past. From the manufacturer’s perspective, there’s no benefit in being accommodating toward a retailer that specializes in used instruments—especially one they don’t even supply directly—yet the company treats us as equals. Isn’t this another example of Mr. Hayashi’s sense of responsibility toward the instruments he creates and his consideration for the players?
　The fact that they offer a 10-year warranty is the clearest proof of this.

　There are likely very few brands worldwide where the relationship between the builder and the user is this close—let alone a brand that has maintained this for nearly 50 years.
　Atlantia users perceive Mr. Hayashi’s character as one of the brand’s greatest appeals.

　Even from the perspective of our used instrument shop, which handles thousands of instruments annually, Atlantis stands out from the crowd.
　The first thing you notice when you hold one is the “meticulous craftsmanship.” While the design prioritizes efficiency—much like an industrial product—it retains the care and attention to detail of a handcrafted instrument, not a mass-produced item.
　And while the instrument itself is exceptionally sturdy, as mentioned earlier, a great many of them have received meticulous aftercare from Mr. Hayashi. Some might wonder, “With so many unique parts, isn’t the setup complicated?” but just like any standard instrument, it can be adjusted in the usual way. All the mechanisms that might seem unusual are logically designed and intended to make the instrument easier to use. It’s not just a reflection of Mr. Hayashi’s vision—it’s an instrument where the player can truly “understand the maker’s intent.”

　Mr. Hayashi’s design philosophy reflects a deep consideration for the player’s ease of use throughout, and these instruments fit seamlessly alongside renowned brands such as Fender, Gibson, PRS, and Spector. What’s truly astonishing is the fact that he was already bringing to life structures and concepts on par with those brands more than 40 years ago.

　Given the limited production volume, the instruments are naturally quite rare, but prices are currently skyrocketing not only for New but also on the used market. Although the brand was founded in 1978, you could say that “the times have finally caught up with it.”
　When it comes to the “standard” in the Bass world, Fender is undoubtedly the first name that comes to mind, but the Atlantis has a sound that bears no resemblance to Fender’s. It has a very crisp, hard sound, yet the low end really comes through, providing a sense of reassurance that it will respond precisely to the player’s intentions.It holds its own even when compared to high-end Bass models costing more than twice as much; in fact, its solidity makes recent high-end Bass models seem almost lightweight by comparison.
　When you first pick one up, you’ll probably think, “What is this neck?!” But after trying out just one phrase, almost every customer says, “Huh, it’s surprisingly easy to play.”
　A playing feel that makes you want to play nothing but Atlantia, and a sound that only Atlantia can produce. There’s no other brand like it—it truly is “one of a kind.”

　Reading Mr. Hayashi’s interview, I was deeply impressed by his candidness in discussing his feelings of guilt over having produced knockoffs during his time at Matsumoku, as well as his concerns for Japan, a country that was then lagging behind in the guitar industry.
　It’s not hard to imagine that it was precisely because Mr. Hayashi had been in that position himself that he developed the pride to create instruments like the PE-1500 and the Atlantia—instruments that are the very embodiment of originality.

　The numerous replicas—now known as “Japan Vintage” and regarded as legendary instruments—were certainly one of the factors that elevated Japan’s instrument-making technology, even if they were created with a sense of guilt.
And it is certainly true that the Atlancia was born precisely because of that background.

　Mr. Hayashi recounts that during his time at Matsumoku, even though he was a designer, he would end up building prototypes himself on the shop floor. It is precisely because he is such a craftsman that, during the process of building his own instruments, he would think, “Wouldn’t this be more efficient?” and develop his own parts—even going so far as to independently develop the machinery and software used in manufacturing—displaying the spirit of an inventor.
　As a music instrument enthusiast, I felt strongly that it’s a blessing to have someone like Nobuaki Hayashi—a luthier, designer, and inventor—right here in Japan.

　You can view the “Atlantia,” the newly arrived product that inspired this column, via the link below. Be sure to check it out!
　We accept inquiries about products via email, chat, or phone. Of course, we also welcome trade-ins!

Source:
Atlansia Guitar World (Excerpt from Guitar Graphic Issue 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/)

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