Kawai six string electric please help identify

[kenmarkwell]

Hi, attached are 2 pictures of a Kawai 6 string electric guitar I recently inherited, after much searching on the net I have found no info on this guitar, It seems to be made of a mahogany type wood with 2 pine stripes of wood running through the neck and body. The electrics are strange..it has a rotary switch with many variations of sound including a pre amp gain, it has 4 mini switches which I guess splits the pickups. It has grover machine heads a rosewood fretboard with pearl inlay shapes and a steel adjustable nut. Any info regards to origin/age, what its worth, would be much appreciated...thank you.

[VintAxe]

Hey Ken,

Your guitar is a 1984 F1 series guitar which was the top model in Kawai's F series that year.

In the mid 1980's, Kawai is best know for the basses they were producing. It is clear from your instrument that they were trying to pack the maximum number of bells and whistles into their guitars to increase their appeal. If you want a description of what all the knobs do, see the 1984 Kawai catalog I have uploaded in the catalog section of the site. If I were you, I would include this information in any description of the instrument if you intend to sell. Helping a buyer understand the electronics will help the guitar sell for a better price and easily offset the $10 subscription fee.

A reasonable price for your guitar is probably around $400 give or take $50. Although Kawai's of this period are generally well constructed, the demand for them is fairly low. sb

[kenmarkwell]

Thanks for the info - I don´t intend selling as it has great sentimental value to me. I have no idea where it was originally from but it is now residing in Tenerife.

[VintAxe]

Well, it was made in Japan and probably arrived in Tenerife through Europe. Kawai had a tough time selling guitars in the US because there was so much competition. I think Kawai had a good market for their instruments in the U.K., Germany, etc. Is there a musical instrument shop in Tenerife or do you think it arrived with a tourist?

[kenmarkwell]