Takeharu Dove copy

by Ron Babin
(New Brunswick Canada )

From the label inside I know this guitar was made in Japan. Model number WK-65D Kiso Suzuki Co. ltd There also is another number 91020. Any info would be appreciated
Thanks
Ron babin

ANSWER

Hi, Ron--

This is a tough one--the Blue Book says only this about Takeharu guitars:

"Instruments previously produced in Japan during the early 1980s.
These good quality solid body and semi-hollowbody guitars featured original designs."

I was, however, able to find this information on the internet:

Mine was made by Suzuki Kiso in Japan in 1973 and except for a couple of very minor details is a very good copy of the Gibson Dove, as was played by Elvis Presley. I have been able to find 4 Gibson variants that Suzuki copied, the Dove and Hummingbird – identical guitars except for the pick guard (one has a dove on it, the other has a hummingbird), in black and cherry sunburst.

Suzuki made very high quality guitar copies between about 1960 (perhaps earlier) and 1975, and typical of the Japanese copy mentality of the time they were meticulous, so for mine it is almost certain that all of the Gibson specs were followed – probably why it looks and sounds so good. During that period there was a highly publicized court case about copies of Gibson guitars, which Gibson won but Suzuki was not one of the “copiers” that was in court. I tracked a genuine 1969 Gibson Dove for sale on ebay just before Christmas and it sold for around US$9500 in the US. I also tracked another copy Dove guitar circa 1975, for sale on ebay that was branded as a Suzuki Kiso. It sold for £650 in the UK. My guitar teacher uses a couple of very expensive guitars and he says that the tone of mine is better than both of his."

Takeharu guitar brochures are available at:

VintAxe


Here is a link to a review of the guitar:

Suzuki WK 65 D Takeharu

Best Wishes,
Lynne