Vintage 1970s Kay K520-12 "Hummingbird" Style 12-String Acoustic Guitar – Project/Restoration

Up for auction is a beautiful vintage 1970s Kay K520-12 12-string acoustic guitar. Made in Japan during the golden era of high-quality Lawsuit-era replicas, this model is a striking tribute to the iconic Gibson Hummingbird design, featuring a warm sunburst finish and the highly detailed, classic engraved hummingbird and floral motif pickguard.

Condition Details & Restoration Potential:

This guitar is being sold as a project instrument perfect for a luthier, hobbyist, or collector looking to bring a classic 12-string back to life. Please review the detailed breakdown of its condition below:

• Body & Finish: The front sunburst finish remains vibrant and shows off the iconic hummingbird pickguard beautifully. The back of the body has a fair share of surface scratches, scuffs, and play wear consistent with an instrument of its age, but no structural splits or major cracks are visible on the main panels.

• Fretboard & Neck: The fretboard is well-worn and ready for a good clean and oil conditioning. The frets themselves show some discoloration and wear but still have life left in them.

• Headstock & Tuners: The face of the headstock has a clean, minimalist look. The reverse reveals the original 6-on-a-plate open-gear tuning machines. The tuning pegs have a lovely aged patina; they show surface grime and signs of age, meaning they will benefit significantly from a thorough cleaning and lubrication to ensure smooth operation.

Missing one string. The strings are very corroded and need replacing.

• Bridge & Hardware: The adjustable bridge assembly is intact with all 12 bridge pins present.

Whether you are looking for an authentic 70s Japanese-made project piece to restore on your workbench or a unique vintage wall-hanger with incredible mojo, this Kay K520-12 is a fantastic candidate.

Thanks for looking 👀