1970s Japanese pawnshop prize.

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kdawg2a
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1970s Japanese pawnshop prize.

Post by kdawg2a »

I just picked up this 1972, MIJ, Kasuga 12 string Dreadnought. Its got a solid wood top and hopefully solid woods for all the rest of it. MASSIVE neck!
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It plays and sounds really nice. The tuners may need replacing but it's certainly worth the $80 it cost. I love the inlayed 'K' on the pickguard!
1935 Martin D-45, 1942 Gibson Southern Jumbo,1950 Fender Broadcaster, 1954 Fender Strat, 1958 Gibson Moderne prototype, 1959 Gibson Les Paul Standard.
1958 Fender twin, 1965 Vox AC30, 1966 Marshall JTM 45, 1977 Dumble OD Special.
Big black garbage bag full of original Klon Centaurs and TS808s.

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Re: 1970s Japanese pawnshop prize.

Post by hamo »

Jeez that's a good score
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Re: 1970s Japanese pawnshop prize.

Post by StrummersOfThunder »

Oof yes !
That’s cool
Jangle time

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Re: 1970s Japanese pawnshop prize.

Post by Slowy »

That's got Made in Italy by EKO written all over it!
An if it isn't, I'll put money on it being patterned on one. How much does it weigh?
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Re: 1970s Japanese pawnshop prize.

Post by kdawg2a »

Slowy wrote: Thu Oct 12, 2023 5:17 pm That's got Made in Italy by EKO written all over it!
An if it isn't, I'll put money on it being patterned on one. How much does it weigh?
I had one of those EKO 12 strings back in the 90s. This seems a lot better made. A bit of research has told me that these were made in the Tokai Gakki factory in Japan and not too long after Kasuga built their own factory called........ you'll never guess........... Kasuga Gakki!!!
It's not a light weight but I guess the extra tuners and bracing must account for something. The tuners are rubbish so I've got another set on the way.
1935 Martin D-45, 1942 Gibson Southern Jumbo,1950 Fender Broadcaster, 1954 Fender Strat, 1958 Gibson Moderne prototype, 1959 Gibson Les Paul Standard.
1958 Fender twin, 1965 Vox AC30, 1966 Marshall JTM 45, 1977 Dumble OD Special.
Big black garbage bag full of original Klon Centaurs and TS808s.

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Re: 1970s Japanese pawnshop prize.

Post by Slowy »

kdawg2a wrote: Fri Oct 13, 2023 5:08 am
Slowy wrote: Thu Oct 12, 2023 5:17 pm That's got Made in Italy by EKO written all over it!
An if it isn't, I'll put money on it being patterned on one. How much does it weigh?
I had one of those EKO 12 strings back in the 90s. This seems a lot better made. A bit of research has told me that these were made in the Tokai Gakki factory in Japan and not too long after Kasuga built their own factory called........ you'll never guess........... Kasuga Gakki!!!
I think Gakki is Japanese for musical instrument or something similar.
So it's lighter than an EKO? That would be a relief. Lugging mine around developed me into the man I am today. :rofl:
Don't talk to me about failure; sometimes I even fail to disappoint myself.

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Re: 1970s Japanese pawnshop prize.

Post by StrummersOfThunder »

kdawg2a wrote: Fri Oct 13, 2023 5:08 am
Slowy wrote: Thu Oct 12, 2023 5:17 pm That's got Made in Italy by EKO written all over it!
An if it isn't, I'll put money on it being patterned on one. How much does it weigh?
I had one of those EKO 12 strings back in the 90s. This seems a lot better made. A bit of research has told me that these were made in the Tokai Gakki factory in Japan and not too long after Kasuga built their own factory called........ you'll never guess........... Kasuga Gakki!!!
It's not a light weight but I guess the extra tuners and bracing must account for something. The tuners are rubbish so I've got another set on the way.
What tuners have you gone for ?
How’s the string spacing ? Have you done obligatory Birds ‘turn’ turn…’ test ?

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Re: 1970s Japanese pawnshop prize.

Post by vinylguy »

StrummersOfThunder wrote: Fri Oct 13, 2023 5:40 am
kdawg2a wrote: Fri Oct 13, 2023 5:08 am
Slowy wrote: Thu Oct 12, 2023 5:17 pm That's got Made in Italy by EKO written all over it!
An if it isn't, I'll put money on it being patterned on one. How much does it weigh?
I had one of those EKO 12 strings back in the 90s. This seems a lot better made. A bit of research has told me that these were made in the Tokai Gakki factory in Japan and not too long after Kasuga built their own factory called........ you'll never guess........... Kasuga Gakki!!!
It's not a light weight but I guess the extra tuners and bracing must account for something. The tuners are rubbish so I've got another set on the way.
What tuners have you gone for ?
How’s the string spacing ? Have you done obligatory Birds ‘turn’ turn…’ test ?

I think you mean the "Byrds" youngster....

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Re: 1970s Japanese pawnshop prize.

Post by kdawg2a »

StrummersOfThunder wrote: Fri Oct 13, 2023 5:40 am
kdawg2a wrote: Fri Oct 13, 2023 5:08 am
Slowy wrote: Thu Oct 12, 2023 5:17 pm That's got Made in Italy by EKO written all over it!
An if it isn't, I'll put money on it being patterned on one. How much does it weigh?
I had one of those EKO 12 strings back in the 90s. This seems a lot better made. A bit of research has told me that these were made in the Tokai Gakki factory in Japan and not too long after Kasuga built their own factory called........ you'll never guess........... Kasuga Gakki!!!
It's not a light weight but I guess the extra tuners and bracing must account for something. The tuners are rubbish so I've got another set on the way.
What tuners have you gone for ?
How’s the string spacing ? Have you done obligatory Birds ‘turn’ turn…’ test ?
My go to 12 string riff is Mr Tambourine Man! The string spacing is nice and wide, definitely not a Rickenbacker feel to it! I just got a set of enclosed, no name jobbies off Amazon. I don't want to put a lot of money into it. If it turns out a dog I'll sell it and make wee profit.
1935 Martin D-45, 1942 Gibson Southern Jumbo,1950 Fender Broadcaster, 1954 Fender Strat, 1958 Gibson Moderne prototype, 1959 Gibson Les Paul Standard.
1958 Fender twin, 1965 Vox AC30, 1966 Marshall JTM 45, 1977 Dumble OD Special.
Big black garbage bag full of original Klon Centaurs and TS808s.

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Re: 1970s Japanese pawnshop prize.

Post by GrantB »

I have one of these Kasugas. A mate uses it now for a 6 string. Huge neck, as you say.
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Re: 1970s Japanese pawnshop prize.

Post by kdawg2a »

Slowy wrote: Fri Oct 13, 2023 5:13 am
kdawg2a wrote: Fri Oct 13, 2023 5:08 am
Slowy wrote: Thu Oct 12, 2023 5:17 pm That's got Made in Italy by EKO written all over it!
An if it isn't, I'll put money on it being patterned on one. How much does it weigh?
I had one of those EKO 12 strings back in the 90s. This seems a lot better made. A bit of research has told me that these were made in the Tokai Gakki factory in Japan and not too long after Kasuga built their own factory called........ you'll never guess........... Kasuga Gakki!!!
I think Gakki is Japanese for musical instrument or something similar.
So it's lighter than an EKO? That would be a relief. Lugging mine around developed me into the man I am today. :rofl:
I have no idea what happened to the one I had. I remember all the guitars I've ever sold and where they went to but there's a few that have drifted into and out of my life that I just can't account for. They're usually quirky types bought for 2/5ths of fuck all.
1935 Martin D-45, 1942 Gibson Southern Jumbo,1950 Fender Broadcaster, 1954 Fender Strat, 1958 Gibson Moderne prototype, 1959 Gibson Les Paul Standard.
1958 Fender twin, 1965 Vox AC30, 1966 Marshall JTM 45, 1977 Dumble OD Special.
Big black garbage bag full of original Klon Centaurs and TS808s.

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