[SN C003997] USED FENDER JAPAN / KATANA [03]

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The KATANA: One of Fender’s Most Unconventional Models. We’ve just received a used, ultra-rare 1980s Fender Japan KATANA with an unconventional design! And this one comes in a striking black finish. “Is this really a Fender?” You might find yourself asking that upon seeing its looks, but it’s a truly unique model from the 1980s, released under the genuine Fender brand. The year was 1985. It was a time of major transition for Fender; guitar production wasn’t taking place at Fender USA at the time, and Japan was handling the production of Fender-branded guitars. It was in the midst of this turmoil and transformation that the KATANA made its debut.Its bold, unconventional body shape—unlike anything Fender had done before—was born in response to the rise of ’80s hard rock, heavy metal, and technical playing styles. However, the KATANA’s appeal lies not only in its “unusual shape” but also in its thoroughly unconventional specifications. “It’s a Fender, yet it feels quite like a Gibson.” The first things that catch the eye are the 24.75-inch scale length, set neck, and angled headstock. It also features small triangular inlays and even a truss rod cover on the headstock—a feature rarely seen on Fender guitars. It is precisely this strange sense of incongruity that makes the KATANA so appealing. “Going head-to-head with Floyd Rose?” It’s equipped with the Fender System 1 Tremolo, which Fender developed independently at the time. Featuring a fine-tuning mechanism and capable of handling intense whammy bar use, it’s a true, authentic ’80s-style tremolo. While early KATANA models used a locking nut, there’s a theory that later models omitted it because the angled headstock ensured sufficient string tension. Basic Specifications Body: Basswood Neck: Maple Fingerboard: Rosewood Scale: 24.75 inches Neck Joint: Set-in Bridge: Fender System 1 Tremolo Pickups: 2 humbuckers Controls: 1 Volume / 1 Tone Selector Switch: 3-Way Production Period: 1985–1986 Note that wh