Pearl PF-771 Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar, Natural, Chipboard Case - Used
Pearl is known the world over for drums, but for a brief and remarkable window in the early 1970s the company also produced a line of acoustic guitars that very few players in the West have ever heard of — and that is a genuine shame. Built at the Hayashi Gakki factory in Japan during the domestic folk boom of the era, the Pearl acoustic line was designed under the direction of a Mr. Yasuo Momose, a luthier who went on to found the Headway guitar brand, which remains one of the most respected acoustic guitar makers in Japan today. That lineage matters. These were not budget instruments — the PF series was built with quality tonewoods, careful construction, and an ear toward the best American acoustics of the period. The production run was short, the export numbers were minimal, and genuinely good examples are rare in the West.
This one has that big, authoritative dreadnought voice — the kind of guitar that fills a room without asking permission. Clear and present across the full frequency range, with the depth and projection that quality Japanese spruce-and-rosewood construction from this era consistently delivers. It plays great, set up by our shop and ready to go. A genuinely rare and unique instrument for a player who knows what they are looking at.
Condition is Very Good with signs of cosmetic use throughout — honest wear consistent with a fifty-year-old instrument that has been played and lived with. Nothing structural, nothing that affects playability or tone. Check the photos carefully for the specifics on wear. Comes with the original chipboard case.
A note on documentation: the PF-771 is a closely related variant of the PF-770 and shares the same Hayashi Gakki construction and design lineage. Specific specs below reflect what is confirmed from the instrument and from research on the Pearl acoustic line. If you have questions about any detail, reach out before purchasing.
- Make: Pearl
- Model: PF-771
- Era: Early 1970s
- Country of origin: Japan (Hayashi Gakki factory)
- Body style: Dreadnought
- Top: Solid spruce
- Back and sides: Indian rosewood
- Neck: Mahogany, 3-piece, volute neck joint
- Fingerboard: Rosewood, bound
- Headstock: Martin-style, mother-of-pearl Pearl logo inlay
- Nut: Bone
- Bridge: Rosewood
- Saddle: Bone
- Tuners: Vintage-style button tuners
- Binding: Triple cream
- Back center seam: Mosaic purfling
- Weight: 4 lbs 7 oz
- Modifications: None confirmed
- Includes: Chipboard case
Ships carefully packed and insured for full value.
International buyers are welcome — please contact us for a shipping quote before purchasing.
About Mill River Music
Mill River Music is an independent, human-powered music shop located in downtown Northampton, MA, run by a team of players, enthusiasts, and certified repair technicians. Every piece of used gear we sell is personally inspected, tested, and set up before it ships — we don't list it until we'd be happy to play it ourselves.
As Martin and Taylor certified techs, we hold our guitar work to a high standard, and we're committed to full transparency about the condition of everything we sell. No surprises.
When you buy from Mill River, you're supporting an independent local business that genuinely cares — about gear, about players, and about doing things right. We're here every step of the way. Reach out anytime.
