MADE IN JAPAN 1991 - KAWAI F50D - SUPERB - MARTIN D41 STYLE - ACOUSTIC GUITAR

Kawai F50D acoustic guitar

This terrific instrument was made in 1991.

Kawai Musical Instruments Co. established in 1886 in Hamamatsu, Japan is known around the world for their pianos, grand pianos and electronic keyboards. This company, however, during many years of its existence was making other instruments, though in rather limited numbers. Kawai workshops were making classical and steel string acoustic guitars, from entry level to high end ones. Just like it was true for many other less prominent Japanese makers competing with “giants” like Yamaha Corporation, Kawai guitars had to offer greater value for the money to be sold on the same market.

The construction of this guitar is based on Martin blueprints, but I won’t call it a “copy”.

Its volume, response and tonality it is far superior to many modern era Martin guitars. It is truly a terrific instrument that will surprise many Martin worshipers. Besides bell-like volume, its tonality is very rich and sparkly. With its current (ultra-low) action it plays super easy. I am sure that every experienced and honest player will agree that this guitar beats many acoustic guitars currently sold in the USA for up to $4500.   

It sounds decisively better than this (made for export) C.F. Mountain W500D 1977:

https://reverb.com/item/85422725-made-in-japan-1977-c-f-mountain-w500d-superb-martin-d45-style-acoustic-guitar

As of today, Japanese factory made solid top guitars of similar construction and looks are priced at $2500 level. However, in terms of volume and tonality they stand no chance against a 35 year old vintage guitar. Only guitars made with 35 years old woods could do that (after being frequently played for at least a couple of years). This will be rather difficult to order such a guitar, because woods seasoned for so long are very hard to find. Guitars made in Japan with (only) 20 years old tops are priced at $4500 level. A similar class solid top guitar made by a well-established individual American luthier, can easily cost you 50% more. If you'd like to add solid back and sides made with 20 years old Indian Rosewood the price may very well double. If, however, you wanted to go "all the way" and have old growth Brazilian Rosewood b/s you need to be prepared for the price at $25000 level. 

NONE OF THESE GUITARS WILL SOUND MUCH BETTER (IF BETTER AT ALL) THAN THE ONE YOU ARE LOOKING AT RIGHT NOW!    

Even though its top bears a couple of light dents and scratches within the finish and there are few scratches and several abrasions on its back, overall condition of this guitar can be described as “very good for its age”. Most importantly its neck is straight, fingerboard and frets remain in very good condition. Its neck/body angle allows for very low action (if desired).

Specification:

Top: Solid Spruce/Martin style X bracing with not scalloped braces /gloss finish

Back& Sides: "semi-solid" Indian Rosewood/gloss finish

“Laminated” is quite unfortunate term regarding Japanese made guitars. These plates were made from 2 layers of solid wood glued together with natural resins. They were made so well that they performed as good as solid wood while being far less expensive in guitar production and far more resistant to cracking in regular use. In recent years many guitar makers around the world adopted a new term "semi-solid" to describe these plates.

Neck: Nato with 2-way truss rod

Fingerboard: Rosewood

Nut width: 43mm

Scale: 640 mm

The action is set to 2.20 mm under E6 and 1.70 mm under E1, with plenty of extra room on the saddle.

This guitar will be shipped in a used hard shell case.

THE ONLY PURPOSE OF THIS CASE IS TO PROTECT THE GUITAR DURING SHIPMENT. I WILL NOT PROVIDE ITS DETAILED DESCRIPTION OR MAKE ADDITIONAL PICTURES, NOR I WILL ACCEPT ANY COMPLAINTS. IF YOU DON’T LIKE THIS CASE YOU WILL NEED TO BUY A DIFFERENT ONE.      

IF YOU BUY A GUITAR, YOU MUST ANTICIPATE TAKING IT TO YOUR LOCAL GUITAR SHOP FOR FINAL ADJUSTMENTS CALLED “SETUP”. STRING BUZZ DOESN’T MEAN THAT GUITAR IS DEFECTIVE.

My posted for sale guitars are stored in climate-controlled vault already packed into shipping boxes, with loosen strings. Because the strings are loosened, they don’t pull the neck or soundboard, and the neck may relax (straighten more) and the soundboard flatten a bit, which may result with the string action being lower than my it was with my original settings and lead to buzzes and/or dead notes after guitar arrives to you. Such a change in neck curvature can also happen just because of vibrations during the shipment and/or temperature fluctuations. Therefore, you must be ready to make final action adjustment yourself and or have it done by professional. All that really needs to be done is the simple neck adjustment by using the truss rod (turning the truss rod counterclockwise will relief the neck and strings will move away from the frets).

THAT IS WHY TRUSS RODS ARE INSTALLED IN THE NECKS OF ACOUSTIC GUITARS!!!