Description
This is a circa 1964 Kawai SD4W 4-pickup red electric guitar made in Japan (MIJ). This is one of the best Japanese electric guitars I’ve owned, because of the sound, feel and look. The guitar has 4 big single-coil pickups that sound full and chunky.
Everything on this guitar is all original except for the one black knob, which is also from the 1960s. The guitar is missing the tremolo bar. It is a big guitar relative to other electrics. The headstock is somewhat oversized, which is typical for this era.
Each of the four pickups has its own On/Off switch, which allows for any combination you can imagine. There are also two Rhythm/Solo switches, which gives each set of pickups a more warm or bright tone. Each pickup also has its own volume pot, and there is a 5th pot which is a master tone for all pickups. Each pickup can be adjusted for height as well.
The pickguard is all chrome and it features a mini chrome pickguard which sits on top of the other one. The bridge has intonation adjustment screws.
The neck is straight and it has binding on all sides. It has a beautiful Brazilian rosewood fingerboard with small semi-round block inlays. The tuners are smooth and accurate. The truss rod is functional.
The red paint and lacquer is all original and shows signs of age with lacquer craqueleur on the top and bottom. There are minor scratches here and there on the body, but they are all minor. There is minor tarnish on some of the chrome parts, but that is also very minor. There is a minor paint blemish on the headstock. The bridge cover and tremolo bar are missing.
Size and Specs:
- Nut size: 1 21/32″
- Neck shape: C
- Scale: 24 3/4″
- Overall length: 41 1/2″
- Body depth: 1 11/32″
- Body width: 14″
- Action height at 12th fret Low E string: 1.8mm (could be lower if desired)
- Action height at 12th fret High E string: 1.25mm
- Neck radius: 12″
Shipping in the Continental United States. Shipping available outside the Continental US.