Bill Lawrence BK1M-60G (Kaori Kishitani / Princess Princess Signature Model)

The BK1M-60G is the signature model of Kaori Okui (now Kaori Kishitani), the leader and guitarist of the legendary all-female Japanese band Princess Princess, which dominated the music scene throughout the 1980s.

Princess Princess was an exceptionally talented group that left an indelible mark on the history of Japanese women’s rock. Even decades after their breakup, no other female band has matched their influence or success.

I came across this guitar entirely by chance. To be honest, before owning it, I dismissed it as just another flashy, budget signature model, priced at only 60,000 yen. But the moment I plugged it into an amp, my opinion changed completely. The response was immediate, the tone crisp and articulate, and overall, it just sounded fantastic.

According to the catalog, it features a sen (Japanese ash) body, a maple neck, extra-thick frets, and T1 and Hb pickups.

Weight: 3.80 kg (including strings)
(Updated August 19, 2016)