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Average Price: $2,700
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Description
The Kawai MS-80 Moonsault is not just an electric guitar—it's a statement piece for those who dare to defy the ordinary. A rare gem from the 1990s, this Japanese import is as striking as it is versatile. Its moon-shaped body and intricate moon phase inlays set it apart visually, while its sonic capabilities are equally impressive. With a setup reminiscent of a classic Les Paul, this guitar features dual humbuckers, offering a rich and powerful tone that can transform into a single-coil bite with the push-pull tone control. The three-way switch, master volume, and tone controls give you the freedom to sculpt your sound to perfection, whether you’re crafting atmospheric soundscapes or classic rock riffs.
The Moonsault gained a measure of fame in the hands of Ric Ocasek from The Cars, and it's easy to see why. Its unique design not only turns heads but also provides a comfortable playing experience that encourages musical exploration. This guitar is a collector's dream with its limited availability, yet it's built to be played, not just displayed. Whether you're a seasoned guitarist looking to expand your collection or a passionate player seeking a distinctive instrument that matches your personality, the Kawai MS-80 Moonsault is ready to take you on a musical journey that's out of this world.
Key Features:
- Moon-shaped body with moon phase inlays
- Dual humbuckers with push-pull tone control for single-coil sounds
- Three-way pickup switch
- Master volume and tone controls
- Known for its versatility and powerful Les Paul-like sound
Videos
TC楽器 TCGAKKI
個性と実用性を両立!日本が生んだ超独創ギター KAWAI MoonSault!!
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In a September 5, 2025 blog post for Jeff Tweedy’s Starship Casual substack, Mark Greenberg confirms that Jeff owns multiple Kawai Moonsault MS-80 guitars:
It’s one of the oddest-shaped guitars in Jeff’s collection. In fact, five of his guitars (at present count) are of this type. These moon-shaped wonders are the Japanese-made Kawai Moonsault MS-80 models, made throughout the 80s and 90s. Some of these were shipped in somewhat regular-looking rectangular guitar cases, but with really nice foam cut to fit the moonscape body perfectly. Others arrived in Kawai moon-shaped gig bags. You’ll see some of these in the artwork for Jeff’s new three-record album, Twilight Override. Hopefully he’ll take them on tour this fall and you’ll get to see them played live.
(Part of the article has been translated into English) The Kawai Moonsault, with its shocking crescent body and star-shaped head, was unveiled as a prototype at a musical instrument fair in 1977 and released the following year in 1978. The body and neck are made of mahogany and are joined using a set neck method. The higher-end model has abalone purfling around the outside of the body and is an active model equipped with a booster/distortion circuit, but this model only has white cell binding and is a passive circuit, so it is likely to be the low-cost model MS-80. The color is a metallic blue named "Cosmo (space color)". Nomura obtained this model at a recycle shop about 10 years ago, but the neck was broken, so he had it repaired.
Album Usage
The Kawai MS-80 Moonsault has been featured on the following albums:
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Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Kawai MS-80 Moonsault, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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