Kawaii Folk-Size Acoustic Natural 1965
Kawaii folk size, made in Japan circa mid 1960s, natural finish. This is cute! Kawaii went on to be a significant player in the Japanese guitar universe, but this is a pretty early example. It's similar in size and shape to a Gibson L-00 parlour, but it's built using some pretty different techniques. The back and sides are amazing: apparently this style of timber lamination was popular in midcentury Italy, and they used to press together lots of smaller pieces of timber and then slice them sideways to create this 'wiggly' effect. It looks amazing, I love it. The sound is bluesy: snarly on the attack, midrange focused, dry and clear. It's not a bastion of high-fidelity, but it has a fun and enjoyable voice of it's own. I've never seen anything quite like this guitar, so if you're as taken as I was, I;m sure it'll make a sweet addition to the house.
Model: Kawaii Folk-Size Acoustic
Made: Japan, mid 1960s approx
Serial: none
Finish: natural, gloss poly
Body: laminate spruce top, composite sideways laminate back and sides
Neck: agathis (unverified), rosewood fretboard, 628mm scale, 42mm nut, deep D shape
Weight: 1.955kg
Mods: none
Pickup: none
Accessories: none, no case
Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has scuffs on the end and back. The is clean and smooth in the hands, minor dimples and rub wear on the back only. The back has widespread rub wear and scuffs, as well as some checking lines in the finish. The sides have scuffs around the whole body. The front has a scratch near the rear strap pin near the back edge, scuffs around the sound hole and elbow area and dimples on the bottom shoulder, as well as play wear on and around the guard.
Overall: very good condition (8/10)
Playing condition notes: Action is reasonably low, neck is straight, intonation is good. Wearing fresh 12/54 Moonshiners phosphor bronze strings.
Fret life: 7/10, minor wear only