Instrument Review - Kawasaki Electronic Digital Guitar by Remco

I came across this instrument in a thrift store and it was too inexpensive to pass up.  Not only was it an electronic instrument (complete in box), despite the marketing clearly labeling this instrument a toy, this actually had a surprising number of features that make it ideal for a musician keen on using non-traditional instruments.  Dating back to 1989, this instrument is a descendant of many of the newer Kawasaki electronic guitars around today, with the newer generations being more like poorly cloned copies with minimal features and similar cheap and flashy appearances.  Kind of makes sense, being that the toy was a licensing deal Kawasaki made with Remco in an attempt to bring their name into the consciousness of little children so that as they grew up they would be aware of the Kawasaki brand - a motor company known for zippy motorcycles.  While the original had some neat features that make it functional or desirable, these newer ones are just a mashup of strings, buttons, and gimmicky sounds.

Just take a look:

Anyway, here is the review, graded on Build, Cosmetics, Sound, and Features.

Build

Picking this up you can definitely feel that it is a toy.  Without any batteries in the unit it feels extremely light.  As for the quality of build, I would definitely rank this thing as middle-of-the-road.  I am certain the plastic will chip or crack if tossed around, but if handeled with care it probably has the same durability as a cheap keyboard.

The strings seem relatively durable, attached by spring and sitting on foam under the plastic bridge and connected to four wires under the plastic covering by the neck.  I am uncertain as to how it registers contact or if these parts may be compatible with its reject cousins mentioned above (which would be nice for restoration purposes).

The buttons seem responsive as well and the volume/power potentiometer does get scratchy and requires some twisting to make a sound.  This would definitely be an easy fix and considering its status as a toy instrument, having a couple faulty mechanical parts can be expected.  Considering out of all the buttons on this thing this is the only issue, I would label this electronics of this device a success.

Cosmetics

This thing definitely looks like a product of its age.  An almost neon green neck with blue Stratocaster-like body with angular head (with varying letter sizes) and angular keys scream nineteen-eighties.  The matching blue and green strap is a nice touch and provides enough give for even the biggest kid (or smallest adult) enough slack to play comfortably.

Sound

What's to say?

This thing sounds cheap, but in a good way.  I am a fan of early home keyboards and the sounds they generated.  Even early PCM instruments have a unique sound.  This instrument is now different.  The rhythms are fun and feature typical eighties-sounding toms (think knock-off Simmons) and the main sound, or "lead" sounds sound just as cheap, but refreshing when considering the countless Casio and Yamaha clones that were in existence that pretty much contained the same several sounds.

Features

This is where this toy becomes an instrument - the string and button set-up.  Sure it has a plethora of built-in rhythms (20 to be exact) and bass so that a child can instantly rock out, but the chord function is where this thing can get interesting.  The buttons that are on the neck correspond to various key signatures (E, A, D, G, C, F, Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, F#, and B).  The four strings correspond to major, minor, seventh, and diminished, making this instrument more like a Suzuki Unisynth than any of the crap toys that Kawaski branded in the nineties through the aughts.  If you get bored with the chord function, you also have 3 lead sounds and a button that acts as a whammy bar, labeled in the instruction manual as "wawa."

These features can provide for some interesting sounds, especially if processed, and because of the simplicity of this instrument and excess space on the body, it has become desired among the circuit bending crowds.

Sadly this instrument only has a 1/8" audio out but can be easily modified to allow for 1/4" or RCA outputs for easier sound output and recording.

Overall

The build and appearance are both okay but what makes this thing amazing is the chord function.  This is like a poor man's Unisynth.  What is funny is that I had purchased mine complete in box with manual for $14.99 at a thrift store.  It had an original price sticker of $59.99 from some store called YDC.  Unisynths can be bought on eBay anywhere from $50 to $100 (I bought a bundle of 2 Unisynths for $45) so they can be acquired relatively inexpensively.  Currently a broken Remco Kawasaki is on eBay for $59.99!

Is it worth that much?

I would probably say this thing is worth $30-50 dollars in good condition.  While the button set up is cool and the layout on the neck is familiar and easy to learn, the sounds are nothing special unless you like recording with strange instruments.  I personally like this unit because the sounds make for some interesting accents and variation when mixed with other synthesizers or guitars.  Most circuit bending sounds choppy and scratchy so if you are capable of adding some nice filters and effects, than I would say this toy should definitely be valued more.

Either way this is a great little instrument and I wish more children's toys were built like this.  It is interesting when you consider that when adjusted for inflation (assuming that the price sticker was the original retail cost), this toy would be worth $117.78 in 2016 dollars.  The new generation of Kawasaki toys are all $20-$60 dollars and have less features so if you can pick this one up in that range I would label it a bargain.    

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