Kiwaya 100th Anniversary Model?

Ukecaster

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 7, 2009
Messages
5,259
Reaction score
2,934
Location
New England, USA
Saw this one online recently. Not sure of the story on this one, but hard to believe that Kiwaya has been making ukes for 100 years? Rather pricey for a Kiwaya, but maybe not if that's solid flamey koa. Looks like gold UPTs too. The Aria AWS-U mentioned in the title is apparently the uke stand.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/264414199001


EDIT: Nope, looks like it's laminate, based on the KS-5/FS-5, but flamey. Lower price on this ad too, about $466, with Crossrock hard case. Sweet looking uke!

https://www.yamano-music.co.jp/hard...5C1F1382465C8BFB8A9E8855?goodsCode=G000158416
 
Last edited:
Not sure if that particular model actually is an anniversary model, but they did make some anniversary models, check out: https://www.kiwayasbest.com

My understanding is that the Kiwaya brand was established 100 years ago, but has been "hibernating" for some time during this period. Kiwaya makes excellent instruments, many of the exported models are in the lower price range, and you can typically find a bigger variety (especially higher end instruments) in the domestic market.
 
Not sure if that particular model actually is an anniversary model, but they did make some anniversary models, check out: https://www.kiwayasbest.com

My understanding is that the Kiwaya brand was established 100 years ago, but has been "hibernating" for some time during this period. Kiwaya makes excellent instruments, many of the exported models are in the lower price range, and you can typically find a bigger variety (especially higher end instruments) in the domestic market.
 
I see nothing to indicate anniversary on that. I have a 100th Anniversary tenor. They made Summer, Fall, Winter, and Spring versions. Mine is Summer (I think). I've noticed that prices on eBay for ukes from Japan are extremely high.

02.jpg 08.jpg
 
I see nothing to indicate anniversary on that. I have a 100th Anniversary tenor. They made Summer, Fall, Winter, and Spring versions. Mine is Summer (I think). I've noticed that prices on eBay for ukes from Japan are extremely high.

View attachment 120742 View attachment 120743

Opps! This reminded me that I haven’t done compiling the Kiwaya 100th anniversary models in another thread.
https://forum.ukuleleunderground.com/showthread.php?138462-Kiwaya-100th-year-Anniversary-2019-Limited-Edition-Ukulele
 
My understanding is that Kiwaya, the company, was founded 100 years ago as a company servicing gramophones. They only started making ukuleles in the 1950s.
 
Top Bottom