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PostPosted: Wed Dec 20, 2023 9:10 pm 
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Joined: Tue Mar 05, 2013 7:30 am
Posts: 202
Location: Central Coast, NSW
First name: Martin
Last Name: Taylor
City: Central Coast
State: NSW
Country: Australia
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
What do you do when you see a guitar that was a dismal failure for Fender but should have succeeded? Build one yourself!
Yes, the Fender Katana built in 1986 (one year of production only) was not successful for Fender but I think that was down to a few factors. The colours the guitar was released in were a little too tame, the pickups were low output and the timing just wasn't right.
So, fast forward to today and the shape is "retro", colours can be whatever you want and Kent Armstrong 21.5K pickups are just stupidly fun. Therefore, here is my build. I couldn't find any plans online for the Katana so drew up my own. The body is Mahogany (originals were Magohany or Maple), Maple Neck, Rosewood Fretboard and the colour is Candy Apple Burnt Orange. As mentioned the Kent Armstrong pickups at 21.5K output are just amazing and put a smile (or perhaps a grimace) on the face of anyone who hears them. The tremolo is a Gotoh equivalent of the original Floyd Rose.

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Martin Taylor
http://martintaylorguitars.com.au



These users thanked the author martintaylor for the post (total 2): Durero (Sat Jan 13, 2024 2:09 pm) • Chris Pile (Fri Jan 12, 2024 7:31 pm)
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PostPosted: Thu Dec 21, 2023 5:20 am 
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Old Growth Brazilian Rosewood
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Joined: Fri Nov 02, 2007 9:49 am
Posts: 13385
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan
First name: Hesh
Last Name: Breakstone
City: Ann Arbor
State: Michigan
Country: United States
Status: Professional
Cool!


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PostPosted: Fri Jan 12, 2024 5:59 pm 
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Koa
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Joined: Wed Jan 24, 2007 2:45 pm
Posts: 1334
Location: Calgary, Canada
Status: Amateur
Great guitar and nice pics. Is that a pearloid strip on the bottom?


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PostPosted: Fri Jan 12, 2024 6:01 pm 
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Koa
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Joined: Sat May 02, 2009 2:59 pm
Posts: 583
First name: Marcus
Last Name: Bailie
City: Kirkland
State: WA
Focus: Build
Very cool! I love it

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PostPosted: Fri Jan 12, 2024 7:32 pm 
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Joined: Sun Mar 06, 2011 12:04 am
Posts: 5821
First name: Chris
Last Name: Pile
City: Wichita
State: Kansas
Country: Good old US of A
Focus: Repair
Status: Professional
I never could figure out why the public didn't cotton to it. It's no crazier than some of the other stuff that was selling.

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PostPosted: Sat Jan 13, 2024 7:34 am 
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Old Growth Brazilian Rosewood
Old Growth Brazilian Rosewood
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Joined: Fri Nov 02, 2007 9:49 am
Posts: 13385
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan
First name: Hesh
Last Name: Breakstone
City: Ann Arbor
State: Michigan
Country: United States
Status: Professional
Chris Pile wrote:
I never could figure out why the public didn't cotton to it. It's no crazier than some of the other stuff that was selling.


Maybe they needed a big name using it first. idunno



These users thanked the author Hesh for the post: Chris Pile (Sat Jan 13, 2024 9:49 am)
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