Kent model 820

aWolfAppears · Post by **aWolfAppears** » Mon Aug 20, 2012 2:38 pm

I was in a pawnshop the other day checking out the guitars while my roommates looked for a tv and spotted a really cool looking thinline. The tag says it's a Kent model 820. The wiring was a little spotty but it played really nice so i was curious about any info I could get on it. The internet didn't help too much so I was wondering if anyone here knew anything about them? Seems like a cool example of quirky 60s Japan stuff.

westtexasred · Post by **westtexasred** » Mon Aug 20, 2012 4:33 pm

aWolfAppears wrote:I was in a pawnshop the other day checking out the guitars while my roommates looked for a tv and spotted a really cool looking thinline. The tag says it's a Kent model 820. The wiring was a little spotty but it played really nice so i was curious about any info I could get on it. The internet didn't help too much so I was wondering if anyone here knew anything about them? Seems like a cool example of quirky 60s Japan stuff.

Cool! I think it was made by Guyatone.

Billy3000 · Post by **Billy3000** » Mon Aug 20, 2012 5:22 pm

One of my favorite guitar shops where my family lives in Cary, NC had one exactly like that hanging on the wall for years! For all I know they most likely still have it. It was at the top of their wall with a lineup of similar quirky 60's guitars. They didn't have price tags on them, I think they were more there for decoration and showing off the collection of awesome old quirky guitars.

Gabriel · Post by **Gabriel** » Mon Aug 20, 2012 10:19 pm

Oh that's really cool. I think a guitar like that would be great fun!

Sparky · Post by **Sparky** » Mon Aug 20, 2012 10:34 pm

One of my all-time favorite guitar designs, I've lusted after a Kent 820 for some time now. Buy it and I'll trade you my Univox for it!

Oh, and Lee Ronaldo digs 'em too.

aWolfAppears · Post by **aWolfAppears** » Tue Aug 21, 2012 12:57 am

Hmm. So do you guys think $300 would be a decent price? I don't need another guitar (do we ever

) but if it were a price I could easily recoup...
Anyone know anything about the wiring? Like what the little two-way switch next to the toggle does?

BillClay · Post by **BillClay** » Tue Aug 21, 2012 5:40 pm

Offer 2 hundo I guess.

Sparky · Post by **Sparky** » Sun Aug 26, 2012 8:34 pm

Bump for an original ad I found on my computer:

Gabriel · Post by **Gabriel** » Sun Aug 26, 2012 8:55 pm

Aha I worked out what it reminds me of. It looks like an Ibanez PM120 - or perhaps the other way around.

westtexasred · Post by **westtexasred** » Sun Aug 26, 2012 9:49 pm

Tell them you saw it for a $110 and see if they will match the price.

Dannymec · Post by **Dannymec** » Sun Aug 26, 2012 9:54 pm

I'd say it's a good buy! You already have an offer from Spark if you end up not liking it.

Bohr · Post by **Bohr** » Sat Sep 01, 2012 11:44 pm

I acquired one of these a few years back (an 820 with sunburst finish). I really like the sound and the way it looks and plays. I also really like the mute that's built into the bridge. I think I paid about $165 at a local music store and have recently seen them selling for around $200+shipping on ebay.

This is a really good site with lots of pictures and info on the various kent models: http://www.kentfoto.com/music/KentGuitars/index.htm.

The one pictured looks quite nice, it is however missing the whammy bar. If you can get the price down to $250 or so I'd say its a pretty good deal and the slightly higher than internet price may be worth it since you can check the electronics and what not before you buy it. At any rate definitely don't feel like you have to buy it right away - they are fairly common and the price seems stable for the moment.

Kent model 820

Kent model 820

Re: Kent model 820