All Y.Kawakami Guitars are handcrafted by Yusuke Kawakami.
First, I select only the best and most beautiful wood from around the world; wood that has been
dried naturally for several years. Selection is also based on tone and style of music. After that I
start to build the guitars. In the traditional Japanese style, I have a "conversation" with
the wood while I'm making the guitars. This means that I'm always "listening" to the wood
with my hands.
I have seen vintage guitars from the 1930's. I researched their construction and found one
important technique: all the bracing was glued using Hide glue. The sound is unbelievably
strong and full, like an orchestra. I use only Hide glue for the top and back bracing.
I won't make a guitar for just one owner. I hope my guitars will be passed on to your grandchildren.
This is my goal. Uncompromising.
Our dreadnoughts are interpretations of the fabled Martin dreadnoughts from the 1930s and 1940s.
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| TOP | Adirondack Spruce |
| BACK MATERIAL | Madagascar Rosewood |
| SIDE MATERIAL | Madagascar Rosewood |
| BINDING | Flamed Maple |
| NECK MATERIAL | Honduran Mahogany |
| FINGERBOARD MATERIAL | Ebony |
| SCALE LENGTH | 25.4"(645,16mm) |
| FINISH BACK&SIDES | Polished Gloss |
| FINISH TOP | Polished Gloss |
| FINISH NECK | Polished Gloss |
| BRIDGE MATERIAL | Ebony |
| TUNING MACHINES | Waverly Nickel w/butterbean knobs |
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The Orchestra Model (OM) guitar is an interpretation of the Martin short run of instruments made between 1929 and 1933. These feature a 000 size body with a 14 fret neck.
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| TOP | Mastergrade Lutz Spruce |
| BACK MATERIAL | Indian Rosewood |
| SIDE MATERIAL | Indian Rosewood |
| BINDING | Flamed Maple |
| NECK MATERIAL | Honduran Mahogany |
| FINGERBOARD MATERIAL | Ebony |
| SCALE LENGTH | 25.4"(645,16mm) |
| FINISH BACK&SIDES | Polished Gloss |
| FINISH TOP | Polished Gloss |
| FINISH NECK | Polished Gloss |
| BRIDGE MATERIAL | Ebony |
| TUNING MACHINES | Gotoh510 Gold w/Ebony button |
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Based on a Vintage OM Body shape with Yusuke's original headstock, bridge shape and voicing.
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| TOP | Mastergrade Sitka Spruce |
| BACK MATERIAL | Honduran Mahogany |
| SIDE MATERIAL | Honduran Mahogany |
| BINDING | Flamed Maple |
| NECK MATERIAL | Honduran Mahogany |
| FINGERBOARD MATERIAL | Ebony |
| SCALE LENGTH | 25.4"(645,16mm) |
| FINISH BACK&SIDES | Polished Gloss |
| FINISH TOP | Polished Gloss |
| FINISH NECK | Polished Gloss |
| BRIDGE MATERIAL | Ebony |
| TUNING MACHINES | Gotoh510 Gold w/Ebony button |
|
The New-Wave Dreadnought combines the classic "Dreadnought" shape with a new, continuous wave shape from the top arch to the cutaway.
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| TOP | Solid Sitka Spruce |
| BACK MATERIAL | Solid Figured Maple |
| SIDE MATERIAL | Solid Figured Maple |
| BINDING | Figured Maple |
| NECK MATERIAL | Honduran Mahogany |
| FINGERBOARD MATERIAL | Solid Black Ebony |
| SCALE LENGTH | 25.4" |
| FINISH BACK & SIDES | Polished Gloss |
| FINISH TOP | Polished Gloss |
| FINISH NECK | Sten Finish/ Dark Mahogany Stain |
| BRIDGE MATERIAL | Solid Black Ebony |
| TUNING MACHINES | Waverly Gold w/Butterbean Knobs |
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The Small Jumbo is modified for fingerstyle guitarists. Its small size makes it easier to play, but the jumbo shape gives it a jumbo sound.
|
| TOP | Mastergrade Sitka Spruce |
| BACK MATERIAL | Honduran Mahogany |
| SIDE MATERIAL | Honduran Mahogany |
| BINDING | Flamed Maple |
| NECK MATERIAL | Honduran Mahogany |
| FINGERBOARD MATERIAL | Ebony |
| SCALE LENGTH | 25.4"(645,16mm) |
| FINISH BACK&SIDES | Polished Gloss |
| FINISH TOP | Polished Gloss |
| FINISH NECK | Polished Gloss |
| BRIDGE MATERIAL | Ebony |
| TUNING MACHINES | Schaller Gold w/Ebony button |
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The Small Jumbo (Koa) is modified for fingerstyle guitarists. Its small size makes it easier to play, but the jumbo shape gives it a jumbo sound.
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| TOP | Premium Hawaiian Koa |
| BACK MATERIAL | Premium Hawaiian Koa |
| SIDE MATERIAL | Premium Hawaiian Koa |
| BINDING | Flamed Maple |
| NECK MATERIAL | Honduran Mahogany |
| FINGERBOARD MATERIAL | Ebony |
| SCALE LENGTH | 25.4"(645,16mm) |
| FINISH BACK&SIDES | Polished Gloss |
| FINISH TOP | Polished Gloss |
| FINISH NECK | Polished Gloss |
| TUNING MACHINES | Gotoh510 Gold w/Ebony button |
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