NGsD ... A Kawai. And another Kawai

[GuiTony]

If you follow the link to the blog or the (my) Kawai guitar site, you can read more about my healthy Kawai-collecting hobby. 

It is NOT an obsession.   :lol:

I added a couple more Kawai guitars to the collection on the same day last week!  One came via Mr Postie, and the other changed hands for a wad of notes in the car park at Ferrybridge services (A1/M62).  Thanks to John (bassist with BlondieUK) for this one ...

It's a Kawai Rock'n'Roll star.  From the late 70's or early 80's ...





Set neck, silver heart body with a spruce top and 3-piece silver heart neck.  The ugly toggle switch just below the sound hole is a coil tap switch.  One day, when I have more money and less time, I'll get this properly repaired and refinished.  It's had a hard working life, but is in good condition structurally.


The second is a Kawai Aquarius ...



A bit different to the preceding ranges, but still well built with good quality components.  This one is near-mint (not bad for a 25 year old guitar).  Bolt-on 1-piece maple neck, body is probably Alder.  The tone control includes a push/pull coiltap.


No BKPs in sight ... but I thought I'd share anyway!

[DavidRees]

very cool indeed! most impressed - david

[WezV]

i saw the first one on your blog - i think it needs to have a bigsby again, that would look crazy

[AndyR]

Those both look rather appealing to me :D

Not convinced of the look of some of the others, but I like these two...

What was behind the bridge on the first one? And does it, or did it, have the ability to sound like an electro-accoustic - looks as if it "ought to", but I suspect not...

And, btw, no, you're not obsessed... er... not at all... :lol:

EDIT: Wez seems to have answered one of my questions :D

[WezV]

well i assume it was a bigsby as thats what the holes look like - but it does make me wonder what the construction is like inside.  Obviously its solid under the bridge studs ???

[GuiTony]

i saw the first one on your blog - i think it needs to have a bigsby again, that would look crazy

I'm presuming that you read the blog for all the guitar-making tips ?   :P

I'm pretty sure that it did have a Bigsby at some point in its life.  But it won't have one again!  No, no, no. 

I need to get a little mirror inside the sound hole to be absolutely sure, but I think that there's a solid block down the centre of the body from just inside the soundhole.  It's more solid than acoustic, and there's very little sound projection from it in pure acoustic state.

And, btw, no, you're not obsessed... er... not at all... :lol:

Thanks Andy - that now makes 2 of us who think that way ...  :D


When I've got the free cash available, I'll get the guitar refinished properly.  The spruce veneer on the top is coming away from the top of the guitar around in the edges in a few places, and I'll get the various extra holes filled in and hidden too.  A less bulky bridge would be good too.  They originally used Badass style ones, but slimmer line than what's on it atm.  I also need to work out whether a different p'up would look/sound more appropriate in the body.  The typical Kawai standard p'ups were fairly high outputs things.

[FernandoDuarte]

I like the look of the Aquarius!

[MrBump]

I like the white one, but to me the semi is HORRIBLE!!!

I think that it's the type of guitar to divide opinion though.  It's a Marmite guitar.

[Philly Q]

You know I always have to mention this model on your Kawai threads!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140346466373&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

[WezV]

i wonder why there are no bids ;)

[Philly Q]

He didn't drop the price when he relisted it, either.  Selling it could be a long process.  :lol:

[GuiTony]

He didn't drop the price when he relisted it, either.  Selling it could be a long process.  :lol:

He doesn't reply to email messages either  :(

One day I will find myself a Moonsault ... but I'll not be buying at that sort of price!

[CaptainDesslock]

the cherry burst is soo........groovy

I LOVE IT!!!!