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Author Topic: It's NOT an obsession  (Read 2735 times)

GuiTony

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It's NOT an obsession
« on: May 10, 2009, 12:09:12 PM »
I've posted pics of some of these guitars - individually - before ... but here's a complete family portrait of my Kawai guitars ...



I am obviously NOT obsessed, it's just a healthy collection.  All set necks, are all from 1977/78/79.  From the left:

KS-11-XL in sunburst, mahog body& neck with a maple cap.  Bought this one a 3-4 years ago.
KS-12-XL in natural, mahog body& neck.  Mine from new.
KS-10-Junior.  Woods varied.  Baby of the range.  An eBay bargain (really!) a few years ago.
KS-12-XL in black.  As you might notice.  Bought a couple of months ago.
KS-11-XL with the natural finished maple top.  I've just replaced the bridge (old orig one was knackked) and the p'ups with a pair of PRS Dragons that I had lying around.  Ooooo ... it sounds good now, although it's obviously non-original now too.  Bought earlier this year.

And just to show off the finish on this one properly ... none of the pics that I've taken before really captured the top properly



That one's quickly becoming my favourite guitar.  For now.
« Last Edit: May 10, 2009, 01:28:36 PM by GuiTony »
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Crazy_Joe

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Re: It's NOT an obsession
« Reply #1 on: May 10, 2009, 12:43:40 PM »
Nice collection, i like the finish on the 1 2nd from left. :D
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Black Dogs

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indysmith

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Re: It's NOT an obsession
« Reply #2 on: May 10, 2009, 12:53:37 PM »
Ohh I'd love a go on one of those... What it is that you love so much about them?
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_tom_

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Re: It's NOT an obsession
« Reply #3 on: May 10, 2009, 12:57:01 PM »
I'm loving the 2nd from left and the black one.
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TheIronBeast

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Re: It's NOT an obsession
« Reply #4 on: May 10, 2009, 01:02:05 PM »
Very nice collection! I really like the one with the maple top on the far right, beautiful guitar!
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GuiTony

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Re: It's NOT an obsession
« Reply #5 on: May 10, 2009, 02:49:05 PM »
For fans of "second from left" ...






Quote from: indysmith on May 10, 2009, 12:53:37 PM
What it is that you love so much about them?

The one pictured above was my first real guitar in the late 1970s.  Over the years since, I've bought a few - and played a lot - more guitars, but I've had to spend a lot lot more to match the quality and sound of the Kawais.  They are beautifully made and are still rock solid after 3 decades of playing.  Plus, they're unusual.  Everybody knows about the original Yam SG1000/2000 (similar guitar in terms of quality & design from the same era) but very few people even know that Kawai made guitars.  I like uncommon!  The shape is simple, uncluttered, totally comfortable to play - and I like good design too.

The collection started with a bit of a "I wonder if I could find another one" challenge to myself.  It's taken about 5 years now, but now I've got the KS-11-XL and KS-12-XL in both the finishes that Kawai sold.  Of course, there are still various other models (the Juniors for example - different bridge and lower output p'ups) that I'd probably not be able to resist if I stumbled across one ...

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Fikealox

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Re: It's NOT an obsession
« Reply #6 on: May 10, 2009, 02:53:43 PM »
I love them :) the double-cut LP-type look is definitely my thing
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Philly Q

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Re: It's NOT an obsession
« Reply #7 on: May 10, 2009, 03:05:16 PM »
Quote from: GuiTony on May 10, 2009, 02:49:05 PM
For fans of "second from left" ...



Wow, that's a very elegant neck joint!  The beergut-cut is a nice touch too.

Are they all built the same way?
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Jonny

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Re: It's NOT an obsession
« Reply #8 on: May 10, 2009, 03:17:36 PM »
I'm guessing these weigh a $%&#in' ton but I do like your collection. Did Kawai build any other shaped models or any other models that you don't have (yet)?

I want a guitar collection like this :D
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WezV

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Re: It's NOT an obsession
« Reply #9 on: May 10, 2009, 03:47:59 PM »
ther is a weird moon shaped thing they made as well

i really like the black one
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GuiTony

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Re: It's NOT an obsession
« Reply #10 on: May 10, 2009, 05:23:46 PM »
Quote from: WezV on May 10, 2009, 03:47:59 PM
ther is a weird moon shaped thing they made as well

Called the "Moonsault" ...

I believe that it was originally released in the early 80's, and then re-released (in the mid-90s?) as a special limited run to commemorate some Japanese gymnast.  No idea what the connection was.

Apparently, Kawai bought the Teisco brand in the 60s/70s and put their name on some of those strange shaped, multi-switched guitars that were fashionable then.  Never liked those much myself.  They also did a couple of thru-necked 80s models.  TBH, I don't know much about them other than the KS10/11/12s which are the guitars that interest me.

Bit of guitar porn for Wez (just in case he's got anything he'd like to post for me)


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FernandoDuarte

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Re: It's NOT an obsession
« Reply #11 on: May 10, 2009, 05:35:40 PM »
They look good, but what is the 6th guitar? the one on bottom of post?
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GuiTony

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Re: It's NOT an obsession
« Reply #12 on: May 10, 2009, 05:46:12 PM »
Quote from: FernandoEsteves on May 10, 2009, 05:35:40 PM
They look good, but what is the 6th guitar? the one on bottom of post?

Ahhh ... that's a GuiTony special  :wink:

I like the shape of the Yamaha SG1000/2000s.  But the original ones in decent condition go for silly money now.  So I built something similar for myself.

Mahogany body & neck.  Maple cap.  2 x SD P-Rails, mini-toggles switch between P90, HB & SC modes.  Vol, Tone + a varitone circuit (the chickenhead knob).  Wez has tried it ... so he might offer an independent critique ...
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FernandoDuarte

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Re: It's NOT an obsession
« Reply #13 on: May 10, 2009, 06:03:39 PM »
Looks badass! That top is awesome!
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WezV

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Re: It's NOT an obsession
« Reply #14 on: May 10, 2009, 06:57:33 PM »
i liked tony's home build a lot...the maple top is really much more special in real life, its constantly moving.  and the P-rails were a lot more impressive than i want to admit and with all those switching options there isnt much it cant do

sorry tony, no pics of blue guitars for you yet... but its with mike and he is on it.  he is doing it all in a satin finish  because that way its simple to buff the top if we do decide it should be gloss
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