Electric guitar
Trade Name
Kingston
Date1964-1969 ca.
Place MadeTokyo, Japan, Asia
ModelKingston S1
Serial No.None
SignedStamped on truss rod cover: KINGSTONStamped on bolt-on-neck cover: JAPANDescriptionKingston was a trademark of Jack Westheimer, one of the first importers of Japanese guitars to the American market. These early instruments were of highly variable quality and this example illustrates some of the problems typical of poor quality in this early period, including a warped neck and poorly fitted electric components.
Stringing: six steel strings
Pickups: one pickup with individual pole pieces, white plastic volume and tone knobs with “VOLUME” and “TONE” on silver stickers
Body: ivory-lacquered Spanish cedar with two cutaways and contouring on the back and along upper edge; three-ply plastic plate over body cavity comprised of black, ivory, and tortoishell on the face
Head: maple; chrome-plated steel truss rod cover secured to head face with three chrome-plated steel Philips’ head screws
Neck: maple; integral with head; bolted to body with chrome-plated steel plate
Binding: none
Fretboard: rosewood; 21 nickel-silver frets; pearloid strips with rounded ends behind, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th, 12th, and 15th frets
Nut: bone
Bridge: chrome-plated steel with individually adjustable saddles
Tuners: six-on-a-side worm-gear machine tuners with chrome-plated steel plate, nickel-plated steel rollers, and chrome-plated metal heads
Pickguard: three-ply plastic plate over body cavity comprised of black, ivory, and tortoiseshell on the face
Strap buttons: nickel-plated steel secured to body with chrome-plated steel Philips’ head screws
Finish: ivory lacquerDimensionsTotal guitar length: 995 mm
Back length: 391 mm
Upper bout width: 290 mm
Waist width: 214 mm
Lower bout width: 345 mm
Side height (including edging) at heel: 32 mm
Side height, at center: 31 mm
Side height, at end: 41 mm
Head length: 221 mm
Head width, top: 42 mm
Head width, bottom: 80 mm
Neck length (nut to body): 375 mm
Neck width, nut: 41 mm
Neck width, body joint: 50 mm
Vibrating string length (nut to bridge edge): 628 mm at high E-string; 627 mm at low E-stringProvenanceNo known provenance.
Credit LinePaul and Jean Christian Collection, 2006
Object number12365
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