Rock 'n' Roll Star
These are not exactly commonplace. In fact, in all my years of looking for Kawai guitars, I've never seen another anywhere.
So, it was a bit of a surprise when from Toddy Blondie UK (www.blondieuk.com) found this site and emailed me to tell me that he'd been asked to repair one ... and might I be interested in it?
I met up with John earlier this week in a service station car park ... some cash changed hands in one direction, and a new guitar was added to my Kawai collection!
Here's the guitar ...
The guitar has obviously had a working life as it's got quite a few scratches, dings and dents over it. But the neck is undamaged as is the structure of the guitar - most of the damage is cosmetic.
One day (when I have the spare cash) I'll get it restored. The coil tap switch (below the sound hole) has to be removed, the additional holes need to be filled - it looks like a soundhole pickup was installed at some point, and some Bigsby-type tailpiece perhaps - the headstock shape needs to be rebuilt where one corner has been broken off and the veneer needs to be re-stuck to the body in places.
Then I'll get it professionally refinished.
Until then, I'll just be happy that I managed to find one - thanks John!
The specs are ...
Body: Silver heart with a spruce surface
Neck: Three-piece silver heart
PickUps: 1 humbucker - (believed to be Mighty Mite as used on other Kawais)
Controls: 1 volume & 1 tone
Finish: Available in metallic blue, cherry sunburst or brown sunburst
The guitar used a 25 5/8" scale.