Kawai KS-11-XL & Kawai KS-11-Junior
Although the model numbering might suggest otherwise, I would consider the KS-11 to be the "top" model in the range
Body: Solid mahogany (2 piece in my experience) with a carved maple top
Neck: Three-piece mahogany
PickUps: 2 humbuckers, described as "ultra humbucking" in the catalogue, and "Mighty Mite" in the ads
Controls: 2 volume & 2 tone, 3-way pickup selector switch
Other: The mini-toggle (between the 2 tone controls) coil splits the HBs
Finish: Available in violin sunburst (on the left) or natural (on the right)
The guitar used a 24 3/4" scale.
The body top was quite highly curved. Normal "curved top" pickup rings don't fit this model, and replacement bridges are hard to find as the original also seems to be slightly shaped to reflect the curve of the top of the guitar.
It can't be seen from the catalogue pictures above, but the body/neck join was "stepped" in that there was a clear ridge between the two sections.
The guitar jack socket has been moved to the more traditional side of the body.
This is a heavy guitar!
This one was found for me, in a second-hand guitar shop on the outskirts of Carlisle! I received an email on my guitar-blog from someone local to the area who'd seen the guitar in the shop, and read my "wanted" ad on the blog. Within 48 hours, the guitar was mine.
When it arrived, it needed a little TLC, and I've replaced both the bridge (which was already non-original) and the pickups. The pickups are now PRS Dragons which do improve the overall sound of the guitar. I did find some old newspaper (presumably used for padding) in the pickup cavities which appeared to be from a newspaper local to Carlisle and look to date from the late 70s/early 80s. So this guitar probably hadn't travelled far in its 30 year life. Still has the TIm Gentle Music sticker on the back of the headstock too!
This is currently one of my favourite guitars to play - though not to play on a strap for too long as it's a heavy beast!
I bought some chrome pickup rings, shaped for curved-top guitars to fit as well. But they were nowhere near curved enough, which is when I realised just how carved the maple top is.