Kingston S1 by Kawai Mid-1960s Guitar

Kawai was one of the largest mid-century import guitar manufacturers for the US market during the American guitar craze of the 1960s. Kawai produced a wide variety of unique guitar models under multiple brand names throughout the years. The Kingston brand was conceived by famous music instrument distributer and entrepreneur Jack Westheimer who focused on providing affordable guitars to aspiring youth players. This Kingston S-1 is an exceptional example of an iconic model that survived through the ages when many of these instruments did not. Kawai guitars with this style of single coil pickup were used extensively by afficionados like Ry Cooder and Hound Dog Taylor for their unique tone. The S-1 was a popular student model for those who couldn't quite acquire a Melody Maker or Les Paul Jr.

THE SPECS:

• 23 1/2-Inch Scale
  
• 1 and 5/8 inch bone nut
  
• Pickups: 1 single-coil with chrome cover and adjustable pole pieces
  
• Controls: Upgraded Master volume with Switchcraft 250K potentiometer, and tone control with upgraded Switchcraft 250K potentiometer and .022uf Orange Drop capacitor
  
• 19 Fret, bound rosewood fingerboard with white pearloid inlays
  
• Original vintage 6-in-line open back tuners with white tuning knobs
  

The Treatment:

• Plugged, realigned, and re-drilled the neck
  
• Shimmed the neck joint for proper break angle and over-bridge pressure
  
• Plugged and re-drilled the body for pick guard placement
  
• Finish repair on lower cutaway
  
• Full finish cut and polish, fret polish, fingerboard reconditioning
  
• High quality repro headstock logo, and "Steel Reinforced Neck" decal installed, bringing back the full nostalgic effect

Thus instrument ships in the pictured black Coffin Case with off-red crushed velvet liner that is in very good condition.

*********************************************************************************
Read carefully. This statement applies as part of the description in cooperation
with Reverb's "as described" sales and returns policy.
*********************************************************************************

Buying vintage gear requires a great amount of trust in the seller, the original product maker, and in luck. Once vintage gear is shipped to you it is yours. No returns will be accepted for any reason. It is this shop's goal to earn your trust and deliver quality gear. This shop must also protect itself from the many scams associated with online purchase sites. A small operation like this one can simply not exist otherwise. Please be sure you are willing to assume all risks before you finalize the sale.

This item is sold as-is and will not be accepted for return or refund. Although all good faith efforts have been made to represent the item in the images and in the written description, some marks, scratches, finish cracks, etc., or details of functionality, may not be obviously represented. There is simply no way to completely represent every nuance of physical condition and function in an online description. Some discrepancies are inevitable in online sales formats. Pointing out minor differences in the images and written description and the item received will not be accepted as grounds for return or refund. The buyer must accept the possibility of differences when making this purchase.

This item will be tested and verified as functioning as described before being packed and shipped. Nonetheless, vintage gear can be fickle. For example, microphone elements or guitar pickups that are held together by glue or solder that is decades old can fail. Switches and controls can oxidize with moisture or temperature changes during transit, or can simply fail from age alone. Truss rods that have functioned for dozens of years can finally reach their breaking point. Vintage items could stop functioning at any time. Returns for non-functioning items on the receiver's end will not be accepted. These are risks that the buyer must accept before purchasing this item.

This item will be packed and shipped to survive even harsh shipping conditions. Images of the packaging will be provided to the buyer before shipping. Insurance for the purchase price will be purchased for the package to insure against damage. If this item is damaged during shipping it will be the buyer's responsibility to process the damage claim with the carrier. This shop does not have the customer services resources to process shipping damage claims. This is a risk the buyer must accept before purchasing this item.