Kiso Suzuki W-300 dreadnought, made in Japan 1976 approx, natural gloss finish. This is a gorgeous guitar, both visually and sonically. It dates to the middle of that golden 'lawsuit era' of Japanese manufacturing, and while no legal shade was thrown specifically between CF Martin & Co and K.Suzuki, it's a good example of why American builders experienced such a scare. This is modelled on Martin style dreadnoughts, it's got the classic spruce/rosewood tonewood combo with a striking three piece back like a D-35, but with the bling abalone binding and hex inlays like a D-45... fancy stuff. It really has a certain visual appeal: flashy, but with enough decades on the clock to emanate a certain uptown class. The tone is superb: heaps of natural volume, thick and convincing bass, clear and chiming treble with a rounded, warm midrange... perfect for big rhythm parts and surely a winner in the studio. The neck is a comfy typical 70s slim round profile, and with such a lively resonant body, this is a lot of fun to play. These don't come around all that often and that back is surely quite something to behold, so hey... it'll treat you right.

Model: Kiso Suzuki W-300
Made: Japan, 1975 approx (serial 51016)
Finish: natural, gloss poly
Body: square shoulder dreadnought style; solid spruce top (not 100% verified), laminate rosewood/maple back, laminate rosewood sides
Neck: mahogany, rosewood fingerboard, dovetail joint, 25.5" scale, 15" radius
Weight: 2.075kg
Pickup: none
Mods: bridge pins, tuners and saddle replaced
Case: basic non-original vintage hard case

Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. Headstock has some minor wear on the end. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, minor dimples on the back and glossing from play only. The back has a few scuffs around the back and bottom edge and some minor rub wear around the whole body. The sides have a few dimples neat the back strap pin and some minor scratches on the bottom side, as well as discoloured binding. The front is pretty tidy, just some minor dimples behind the bridge and in the elbow area as well as some standard play wear on the guard and shoulders. The guard has a ripple pattern, it's designed to look like water in the light apparently. Overall: very good condition (8/10).

Playing condition notes: action is moderately low, neck is straight, intonation is good, truss rod works. Frets look pretty even and in good shape, 8/10 for fret life left. Wearing fresh 12/54 Moonshiners strings.