Suzuki W-600

Kiso Suzuki Martin Model W600 D-45 clone made in Japan (Nagoya)in the 70's. Looks just like the real thing (from a distance) Solid spruce top, lammie rosewood back and sides. So much abalone inlay it would constitute a threat to the environment--if it was real. Nice playable neck, looks like mahogany very close to the original, with volute. Has the logo "CFSuzuki est. 1951" on the headstock--cheeky. It's a lovely thing altogether. I have to say, however, that it ain't no D45-- but then it cost well under a tenth of what a D-45 would ........ When you look close you can see where they've been a little less than precise in the inlay and stuff like that. And the "abalone" is high-grade toilet seat, albeit tastefully done. Nice balanced tone, very good for flatpicking, not quite so good for fingerstyle, mainly because of the somewhat narrow string spacing-- I may see if I can alter that. This was built by people who really knew what they were doing (and had small hands).... Very light in weight. Tuners are closed, lightweight, and work fine, though they have lost the gold, which is pretty much what you'd expect. Came with a case.

Oh, no problems here at all at all. Not as loud as a Martin, but still plenty loud enough, unlike some Japs from this era, and with that nice warm bell-like tone. Very well articulated, chiming highs, nice full bass without being muddy, very good sustain. It has a sound that I think is pretty much the signature of high-end 70's Jap acoustics, especially now, all this time later and they have matured. I think I'd describe it as "feminine" (well I would now tho' I would never have dared in the decade this was made!) It's sweeter than most Martin's I've played and kinda reminds me of a Hummingbird in the treble, tho' the rosewood sound is clear in the bass. It's excellent, really. No, it's not a cheap Martin even though it looks like one, but frankly if you want a cheap Martin there are plenty on Ebay-- it is it's own thing, and it's fine.

Action is--well, just like a 70's Martin D45-- higher than I like. I will either have to live with it or have the bridge shaved as lowering the saddle reduces the string "break" over it an unacceptable amount. Otherwise finish etc is really good. The lacquer is Nitrocellulose, BTW as proved by the slight "milkiness" appearing in a couple of places-- isocynates don't do that. No flaws. Come on!

At least 25 years old, has obviously been used, still great. Speaks for itself. Yes I would certainly gig with it, in fact that's the main reason I bought it, as some of my others I'm thrawn to take out of the house now, but I would never want to gig without backup-- I mean, it's not just the guitar-- strings have been known to break......

I think Suzuki is still on the go but I'm not sure they actually make guitars any more-- I think they just rebadge Korean supermarket guitars-- don't get me started on Koreans, please-- anyway any new Suzukis I've seen recently have been as dismal as most Korean supermarket guitars.......Different animals altogether, nothing to do with this beauty.

Playing far too long to own up.If it was stolen I'd probably buy one again if I found one, but I wouldn't go looking-- these are really very rare, and I don't knock myself out. Love the sound, don't hate anything. Looks brilliant, will be a great stage guitar-- I mean it's built very well and anyway, even tho it's rare it's still just a good-lookin' knock-off. I mean it's not worth real money. I compared it to my regular stable which includes Guilds, an Ovation, a Yamaha handmade, and yes, a Martin, and it stands up just fine in that company. Different, but that's no dishonour. If you see one either buy it or tell me.