Kiso Suzuki

Kiso Suzuki

Also known as: Kiso Suzuki Violin Company, Kiso-Suzuki, Suzuki Violin Co.

Unclaimed

Kiso Suzuki is a defunct Japanese guitar maker that began life as part of the Suzuki Violin Company, founded by Masakichi Suzuki in 1887. After World War II, Allied occupation authorities split the original Suzuki Violin business into two separate firms, with the operation in the Kisofukushima region becoming the Kiso Suzuki Violin Company. The Kisofukushima area in central Japan was historical...

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Kiso Suzuki is a defunct Japanese guitar maker that began life as part of the Suzuki Violin Company, founded by Masakichi Suzuki in 1887. After World War II, Allied occupation authorities split the original Suzuki Violin business into two separate firms, with the operation in the Kisofukushima region becoming the Kiso Suzuki Violin Company. The Kisofukushima area in central Japan was historically prized for its forests and tonewood, which drew instrument makers to the region.

The company started building guitars in 1951 and is best known for its acoustic and classical guitars, though it also produced banjos, mandolins, cellos, double basses, and violins. In addition to instruments sold under its own name, Kiso Suzuki manufactured guitars for other brands and distributors including Iwama Trading, CSL Gypsy, Tomson, Kansas, Halifax, and Takeharu — the last of these being a line developed in collaboration with composer Yamamoto Takeharu. Models such as the WE-150 dreadnought are typical examples of the company's output.

Kiso Suzuki guitars are generally regarded as well-built vintage Japanese instruments, with comfortable necks, high-grade laminated back and side construction, and occasional use of a zero fret to improve intonation. The company stopped trading in 1987, with ESP reportedly acquiring its remaining machinery and wood stock.

Kiso Suzuki has 3 products cataloged on Equipboard, including Steel-string Acoustic Guitars and Mandolins. Their gear is featured by 1 artist, with the strongest followings in Rock, Folk, World, & Country, and Blues. Notable users include King Koken.

Artists Who Use Kiso Suzuki

King Koken uses 1 Kiso Suzuki product

King Koken

Singer, Guitarist · The Dixie Chargers

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