Up for sale, a 1989 Kawai MoonSault model MS-80 in showroom clean, 100% original condition and in perfect working order, complete with the original form-fit gigbag, hangtags, and case candy. This decidedly unique instrument is one of the more infamous shapes from the golden age of Japanese guitar production. Introduced in the mid ‘70s, this MS-80 is loaded with a pair of Schaller-made humbuckers as part of Kawai’s Schaller Rockoon series.
This MoonSault features a mahogany body, mahogany neck, and bound rosewood fretboard, and this guitar is lightweight at 6lbs 12oz. The Schaller-made pickups are wound in the vein of a DiMarzio Super Distortion, and these humbuckers are powerful and crisp, with tight, articulate lows, singing trebles, and a full, warm midrange. Additionally, the push/pull coil tap at the Tone knob enables single coil sparkle and snap. This MoonSault MS-80 has been professionally setup here at Mike & Mike’s Guitar Bar with 10-46 strings, low action, and spot-on intonation.
Neck Specs:
-Wood: Mahogany
-Shape: Chunky C, measuring .875” 1st fret, .925” 12th fret
-Fretboard: Rosewood, 12” radius, moon phase inlays
-Frets: Medium jumbo, no wear
-Scale Length: 24 3/4”
-Nut: 1 11/16”, bone
-Tuners: Gotoh
-Headstock: Moon and star inlay, slight cloudiness in clear coat
Body Specs:
-Wood: Mahogany
-Pickups: Schaller Rockoon humbucker x2
-Controls: Volume, Tone, Three-way pickup selector
-Hardware: Wraparound tailpiece with adjustable saddles, chrome-plated knurled knobs
-Plastics: One-ply clear plexi pickguard
The gloss Yellow finish is bright and vibrant, framed on top by cream binding, and this exceedingly clean guitar has just a couple faint finish scratches on the body as a whole. The gloss on the neck profile is immaculate.
The original form-fit gigbag is included, along with the hangtags/factory documentation and case candy. The factory documentation is dated to the 1st year of the Heisei era, translating to 1989.