The H.S. Anderson Mad Cat V3 represents the most accurate recreation yet of one of the most iconic guitars in popular music. Handmade in Japan, the V3 builds upon the acclaimed V2 reissue with a single but significant refinement: a revised neck profile developed using direct input from Takumi Suetsugu, Prince's long-time guitar technician and current custodian of the original Mad Cat.
Development of the V3 began in 2022 and took four years to complete. While Takumi considered the V2 reissue remarkably faithful to the original instrument, he identified one area where it differed from Prince's famous Hohner-branded Mad Cat: the neck shape. The V2 profile was based on surviving 1979 and 1984 Mad Cats, resulting in a slightly fuller carve sitting between a traditional C and D profile. For the V3, H.S. Anderson instead referenced original 1976 H.S. Anderson Strat-style instruments from the same production period as Prince's guitar, resulting in a slimmer, more traditional C-shaped neck profile that more closely reflects the feel of the original instrument.
All other specifications remain unchanged from the highly regarded V2 reissue.
Each guitar features the distinctive walnut, ash, and maple body construction, leopard-print appointments, angled bridge pickup, custom Heartbreaker pickups, and handmade Japanese craftsmanship that made the Mad Cat legendary. Every instrument also includes an individual pickup measurement report comparing the installed pickups against the reference specification.
Notably, Takumi commissioned two modified reissue Mad Cats in 2019, which have since been used at Paisley Park celebration performances, including by Sheila E.
Features
- V3 Mad Cat reissue
- Handmade in Japan
- Revised neck profile based on original 1976 H.S. Anderson instruments
- Developed with input from Takumi Suetsugu
- Walnut, ash, and maple body construction
- All-maple neck
- Heartbreaker custom-made pickups
- Individual pickup measurement report included
- Vintage-correct angled bridge pickup
- 4-way switching with series and parallel pickup options
- Leopard pickguard and output jack plate
- Black body binding
- Colour-matched polyurethane finish
- Unique H.S. Anderson headstock
- Pearloid H.S. Anderson logo
- Includes SKB-66 hard case
Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Construction | Walnut / Ash / Maple |
| Neck | Maple |
| Neck Profile | Slim C-shape (V3 specification) |
| Fingerboard Radius | 240R (9.4") |
| Frets | 21 Vintage |
| Fret Size | 2.0mm × 1.0mm |
| Nut Width | 42.8mm |
| Bridge | Gotoh GTC102 Hardtail |
| Saddles | Callaham Vintage Bent Steel |
| String Spacing | 10.5mm |
| Tuners | Gotoh SG360 (1:14 ratio) |
| Pickups | Heartbreaker Custom-Made |
| Controls | Volume, Tone, 4-Way Switch |
| Finish | Polyurethane Lacquer |
| Case | SKB-66 Hard Case |
Includes
- Individual pickup measurement report
- Extra Gotoh modern saddles
- SKB-66 case with full-length neck support
Left-handed versions are available at additional cost and feature a black headstock logo.
Includes SKB SKB-66 Pro case.
Video: https://youtu.be/6SFNW5F8K9Y?t=3m26s
Product Specs
