Late-1960s Kawai "Sen" 3-Tone Sunburst Electric Guitar (MIJ)

Late-1960s Kawai "Sen" 3-Tone Sunburst Electric Guitar (MIJ)

A super fun and quirky late-1960s example from Kawai’s pre-export “Sen” series, this Sen 100–140 range model sits right at the transitional point of Japanese electric guitar production. Finished in a classic 3-tone sunburst with pearloid block inlays and a lightweight Sen ash body, it reflects the early experimentation period of Kawai’s electric designs before the full 1970s catalog boom. At just 2.8kg, it has a notably light and resonant feel, typical of these early domestic-era builds.

The neck features a 25" scale length with a medium C profile, offering a comfortable and slightly rounded hand feel that sits between Fender familiarity and early Japanese interpretation. It’s finished in gloss polyurethane, paired with a 9.5" radius fingerboard and a 42mm plastic nut width. The 22 medium nickel silver frets provide a smooth, playable surface, with capacity for both chordal work and melodic lead playing despite the guitar’s vintage spec set. The slightly shorter scale offers a nice slinky feel and fret life is solid here at about 60% with intact crowns and no major wear present.

Electronics consist of a set of 3 x “Goldfoil” single coil pickups (black inserts instead of gold), delivering a distinctly airy and textured output characteristic of late-60s Japanese pickup design. The pickups read in the clean, low-output resistance range resulting in a balanced, clear configuration with an emphasis on clarity and articulation over power. The tonal character leans bright and slightly microphonic, with a raw, open response that works particularly well for clean and lightly driven tones.

In excellent condition for it's 50+ year vintage, this quirky and fun guitar has been professionally serviced and setup with 10-46s. It's playing smoothly with comfortable action and captures that perfect 60s jangly tone. Tt delivers its own identity, combining lightweight sen ash construction, early “Goldfoil” style pickups, and a comfortable medium C neck into a uniquely expressive vintage package. Missing tremolo arm.

Specifications:

Make: Kawai

Model: Sen (Exact Model Unknown)

Origin: Japan, Kawai Factory, Late 1960s

Body: Sen Ash

Neck: Maple

Fingerboard: Rosewood w/ Pearloid Block Inlays

Pickups: 3 x "Goldfoil" Single Coils, Neck: 4.9kOhms, Middle: 4.4kOhms, Bridge: 4.5kOhms

Neck Profile: 25" Scale, Medium C Profile, Gloss Polyurethane Finish, 9.5" Radius, 42mm Nut Width (Plastic)

Frets: 22 Medium Nickel Silver Frets

Finish: 3-Tone Sunburst

Weight: 2.8kg

Shipping & Returns:

Domestic AU Shipping (Insured) - $Free

International Shipping (Insured) - $199.99

Local Pickup/Click & Collect - 135 New Canterbury Road, Lewisham 2049

The item is sold as is - if it is broken or damaged on arrival, we will offer you a return/refund. We cannot accept returns for change of mind or offer any warranty on used/vintage items.