Teranishi Guitar Fountain Pen Brillante Review: A Glossy, Retro Step Up

Introduction

Teranishi Chemical Industry has added a new grade to its Guitar Fountain Pen line: the Guitar Fountain Pen Brillante. Priced at 4,400 yen including tax, it sits about 2,000 yen above the original Guitar Fountain Pen, and the difference is more than a paint job. The company has clearly tuned the writing feel as well as the looks.

Brillante is a musical expression mark, which ties neatly into the guitar motif, and in Italian it is said to mean inner radiance. After using it, that name feels fitting.

First Impressions and Design

The pen arrives in the same box as the original Guitar Fountain Pen, but the guitar emblem in the center is now gold instead of silver. Inside, the only accessory is a combined instruction and warranty booklet. No ink cartridge is included, but a converter comes fitted in the body, just like the original.

The first impression is a slim, retro silhouette that feels quite different in direction from the original. Where the Guitar Fountain Pen used all-black, matte hardware, the Brillante brings in gold parts and a glossy barrel, adding polish and a sense of luxury. Colors include black, rose pink, green, and white; this review covers the black version.

Build and Details

The barrel is brass with a baked coating, shared construction with the original, but the finish differs: instead of a matte, dry texture, the Brillante has a shine that catches the light. Comparing the forms, the original has a slim barrel and thicker cap with a visible step at the joint, while the Brillante has no step at the barrel-cap junction, a fuller rear section, and a slightly slimmer cap.

Gold lettering on the barrel, absent on the original, sits above a redesigned triple ring detail. The clip uses the same manganese-based alloy steel as before with a centerline design, and it remains fairly stiff. The cap closes with a satisfying snap, much like the original. One small disappointment: the section carries no guitar emblem, unlike the previous model, though its tip flares slightly.

Specifications: 141 mm total length, 26 g weight (about 4 g lighter than the Guitar Fountain Pen), and a maximum barrel diameter of 12 mm. The cap posts securely enough, though without a distinct click, and posted the balance shifts toward the top. The stainless steel nib is gold-finished, appears to share the same two-tone design as before, and is offered in F only.

Writing Performance

The original Guitar Fountain Pen had a notably restrained ink flow, giving it an old-school fountain pen character. The Brillante writes smoothly. Despite using the same two-tone nib, the tuning has clearly been adjusted, and the difference is deliberate rather than accidental.

Line width is just right for an F nib, and the overall writing feel is very pleasant, with little noticeable springiness. Paired with the same manufacturer’s Hiace ink in Modern Red, the pen produced a clean, consistent line throughout testing.

Things to Consider Before Buying

The glossy barrel shows fingerprints easily. With this much shine, smudges are visible, which is a fair trade-off for a design that puts brilliance front and center. That was the only real concern during use.

Otherwise, the Brillante is not merely a re-skin of the Guitar Fountain Pen. The retro, mature look, smoother nib, and lighter weight make it a genuinely different pen built with care.

Buying Advice

The Brillante earns its place as a value pick: retro styling, smooth writing, a glossy and luxurious finish, and solid performance for the price. If you prefer the matte, understated character of the original Guitar Fountain Pen at 2,750 yen, stick with that; if you want gloss, gold, and a smoother line, the Brillante at 4,400 yen is the better match. Choosing between them comes down to taste rather than quality.

Conclusion

The Guitar Fountain Pen Brillante takes the original’s concept in a more polished, retro, adult direction while delivering a distinctly smoother writing experience. It is a well-differentiated upgrade rather than a cosmetic refresh, and it feels like a purchase worth making for anyone drawn to its shine.