Kawai AQ-305 Custom

Kawai did make guitars, among other instruments, starting around 1956. In 1967 Kawai purchased the Teisco company, makers of such brand names as Silvertone, Kent, Kingston, and Guyatone. Information obtained through Vintage Guitar Magazine, June 1996.

This guitar was purchased recently secondhand from a store in Croydon,UK. The salesman did not "know" of the brand, but I fell in love with it on hearing it play (made the salesman doubletake too!). Played thro a Fender amp it had a very full sound and was very versatile. Paid #80 ($120) (a steal) It is very simple in design - typical Kawai, i.e. solid wood (unknown) body, cream finish, same shape as the AQ 401 (strat), beautiful maple neck, twin humbuckers, one tone & one volume knob. Compared to a Peavey strat (single pickup), the sound is far superior, more versatile and much richer - good range of sounds. I understand that these models AQ - are very popular as "blues" guitars. I have seen listed on the web AQ models 401, 405 and 420. As a 305, I think this may be a very early model (perhaps late 70's). I will never part with it - it's mine forever!

N/A Kawai never made guitars - they subcontracted production to several custom suppliers. Kawai stopped selling guitars over 10 years ago.