***** Guitar Project Jigs, Tools & Techniques Online Resources Archives OLF Video Page Library of plans MP3 Library Inlay Class
Offical Luthiers Forum





And our community proudly sponsored by:

RC Tonewoods | Stewart MacDonald | LuthiersForum
TasmanianTonewoods | OLF | OLF MERCH
Luthier Suppliers | Pacific Coast Woods | ELEVATE
OLF X | Tasmanian Acoustic Tonewood | Luthiers Forum Store!
Luthiers Forum | OLF Facebook | AVAIL SPACE
OLF | Alaska Specialty Woods | A.Hix Tonewood
Duke of Pearl | Birkonium CNC | Space




Official Luthiers Forum!

Owned and operated by Lance Kragenbrink
It is currently Thu Aug 13, 2026 4:07 pm


Board index » Electric Guitar & Bass Construction

All times are UTC - 5 hours





Post new topic Reply to topic  Page 1 of 1
  [ 6 posts ] 
  Print view Previous topic | Next topic 
Author Message
martintaylor
PostPosted: Wed Dec 20, 2023 9:10 pm 
Offline
Contributing Member
Contributing Member
User avatar

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.

Attachment:
IMG_1800.jpg


Attachment:
IMG_1793.jpg


Attachment:
IMG_1802.jpg


Attachment:
IMG_1810.jpg


Attachment:
IMG_1818.jpg


Attachment:
IMG_1819.jpg


Attachment:
IMG_1822.jpg


You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.

_________________
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)
Top
 Profile  
 
Hesh
PostPosted: Thu Dec 21, 2023 5:20 am 
Offline
Old Growth Brazilian Rosewood
Old Growth Brazilian Rosewood

Joined: Fri Nov 02, 2007 9:49 am
Posts: 13707
Cool!
Top
 Profile  
 
Darrel Friesen
PostPosted: Fri Jan 12, 2024 5:59 pm 
Offline
Koa
Koa
User avatar

Joined: Wed Jan 24, 2007 2:45 pm
Posts: 1391
Location: Calgary, Canada
Status: Amateur
Great guitar and nice pics. Is that a pearloid strip on the bottom?
Top
 Profile  
 
Marcus
PostPosted: Fri Jan 12, 2024 6:01 pm 
Offline
Koa
Koa
User avatar

Joined: Sat May 02, 2009 2:59 pm
Posts: 593
First name: Marcus
Last Name: Bailie
City: Kirkland
State: WA
Focus: Build
Very cool! I love it

_________________
-Marcus
http://www.bailieguitars.com
Instagram | YouTube
Top
 Profile  
 
Chris Pile
PostPosted: Fri Jan 12, 2024 7:32 pm 
Offline
Contributing Member
Contributing Member
User avatar

Joined: Sun Mar 06, 2011 12:04 am
Posts: 5991
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.

_________________
"Act your age, not your shoe size" - Prince
Top
 Profile  
 
Hesh
PostPosted: Sat Jan 13, 2024 7:34 am 
Offline
Old Growth Brazilian Rosewood
Old Growth Brazilian Rosewood

Joined: Fri Nov 02, 2007 9:49 am
Posts: 13707
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)
Top
 Profile  
 
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  Page 1 of 1
  [ 6 posts ] 

Board index » Electric Guitar & Bass Construction

All times are UTC - 5 hours


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: pullshocks and 28 guests

You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Jump to:  
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group
phpBB customization services by 2by2host.com