Username: Password:

Author Topic: NGsD ... A Kawai. And another Kawai  (Read 6510 times)

GuiTony

  • Bantamweight
  • **
  • Posts: 211
    • guitar building blog
NGsD ... A Kawai. And another Kawai
« on: September 20, 2009, 01:36:11 PM »
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!
Kawai Guitars are HERE ...www.kawaiguitars.com

DavidRees

  • Bantamweight
  • **
  • Posts: 193
Re: NGsD ... A Kawai. And another Kawai
« Reply #1 on: September 20, 2009, 01:39:30 PM »
very cool indeed! most impressed - david

WezV

  • Middleweight
  • *****
  • Posts: 5838
    • http://wezvenables.co.uk
Re: NGsD ... A Kawai. And another Kawai
« Reply #2 on: September 20, 2009, 01:40:31 PM »
i saw the first one on your blog - i think it needs to have a bigsby again, that would look crazy

AndyR

  • Welterweight
  • ****
  • Posts: 4715
  • Where's all the top end gone?
    • My Offerings
Re: NGsD ... A Kawai. And another Kawai
« Reply #3 on: September 20, 2009, 01:43:56 PM »
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
Play or Download AndyR Music at http://www.alonetone.com/andyr

WezV

  • Middleweight
  • *****
  • Posts: 5838
    • http://wezvenables.co.uk
Re: NGsD ... A Kawai. And another Kawai
« Reply #4 on: September 20, 2009, 01:51:56 PM »
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

  • Bantamweight
  • **
  • Posts: 211
    • guitar building blog
Re: NGsD ... A Kawai. And another Kawai
« Reply #5 on: September 20, 2009, 02:21:29 PM »
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.
Kawai Guitars are HERE ...www.kawaiguitars.com

FernandoDuarte

  • Welterweight
  • ****
  • Posts: 3978
Re: NGsD ... A Kawai. And another Kawai
« Reply #6 on: September 20, 2009, 05:06:55 PM »
I like the look of the Aquarius!

MrBump

  • Welterweight
  • ****
  • Posts: 3405
  • Essex! Home of the Brave!!!
    • This Is Essex
Re: NGsD ... A Kawai. And another Kawai
« Reply #7 on: September 20, 2009, 05:17:57 PM »
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.
BKPs Past and Present - Nailbombs, Mules, Blackguard Flat 50's, VHII's & Trilogy Suite with Neck & Bridge Baseplates!

Philly Q

  • Light Heavyweight
  • ******
  • Posts: 18109
Re: NGsD ... A Kawai. And another Kawai
« Reply #8 on: September 20, 2009, 07:27:59 PM »
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
BKPs I've Got:  RR, BKP-91, ITs, VHII, CS set, Emeralds
BKPs I Had:  RY+Abraxas, Crawlers, BD+SM

WezV

  • Middleweight
  • *****
  • Posts: 5838
    • http://wezvenables.co.uk
Re: NGsD ... A Kawai. And another Kawai
« Reply #9 on: September 20, 2009, 07:43:53 PM »
i wonder why there are no bids ;)

Philly Q

  • Light Heavyweight
  • ******
  • Posts: 18109
Re: NGsD ... A Kawai. And another Kawai
« Reply #10 on: September 20, 2009, 07:46:06 PM »
He didn't drop the price when he relisted it, either.  Selling it could be a long process.  :lol:
BKPs I've Got:  RR, BKP-91, ITs, VHII, CS set, Emeralds
BKPs I Had:  RY+Abraxas, Crawlers, BD+SM

GuiTony

  • Bantamweight
  • **
  • Posts: 211
    • guitar building blog
Re: NGsD ... A Kawai. And another Kawai
« Reply #11 on: September 20, 2009, 08:19:19 PM »
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!
Kawai Guitars are HERE ...www.kawaiguitars.com

CaptainDesslock

  • Lightweight
  • ***
  • Posts: 554
Re: NGsD ... A Kawai. And another Kawai
« Reply #12 on: September 21, 2009, 04:57:42 AM »
the cherry burst is soo........groovy

I LOVE IT!!!!
Rise above the crowds
Wade through toxic clouds
Breach the outer sphere
The edge of all our fears