2026 Fender Made in Japan Takashi Kato Stratocaster Paradise Blue

Takashi Kato of Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra Signature
Like-New
Japan's leading ska band, Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra, has been performing in multiple countries around the world for decades now. This signature model was developed under the supervision of guitarist Takashi Kato, who based it on his 1965 "Driftwood" Stratocaster to create a true vintage style.

The "Paradise Blue" finish is a meticulously crafted original color meant to reproduce the unique hue of Lake Placid Blue which has deepened with age- but with an enhanced metallic sheen. The nitrocellulose lacquer topcoat has been kept to a minimum, allowing players to enjoy a vintage-like tone and appearance.

The neck, profiled from his actual instrument, features a slim 1965 "C" shape, a nut width of approximately 41 mm, and a 7.25-inch radius round rosewood fingerboard. It faithfully reproduces the vintage feel while delivering smooth playability thanks to Narrow Tall frets.
This is the only Japanese made guitar to ever have the patent-pattern transition logo—used from late 1964 through mid-1965.
Furthermore, the deep neck pocket design recreates the tension characteristic of vintage instruments that comes from years of use, including refretting.

The pickups feature Custom Wired Vintage Style Single Coils developed specifically for this model. Thanks to a special wiring technique, these machine-wound pickups successfully produce the rich harmonics and edge typically associated with hand-wound pickups. Furthermore, to achieve both a light, airy rhythm guitar sound and a thick lead tone, the neck and middle pickups are based on mid-1960s specifications, while the bridge pickup is based on specifications from the 1950s through the early 1960s.

This guitar embodies Kato’s desire—born from his deep knowledge of vintage Stratocasters—for more guitarists to experience their unique appeal firsthand.

CONDITION
This used guitar is in like-new condition with minimal wear.
The neck and frets are in great shape and playability is optimal after professional maintenance.
All photos are of the actual item.
Listing includes original tremolo arm and gigbag.

SPECIFICATION
Body : Alder, Nitrocellulose Lacquer Finish
Neck : Maple, 1965 "C", Satin Nitrocellulose Lacquer Finish
Scale Length : 25.5" (648 mm)
Fingerboard : Rosewood, White Pearloid Dot, Radius 7.25" (184.1 mm)
Frets : 21 Narrow Tall Frets
Nut : Bone, Width 1.615" (41.02 mm)

Bridge Pickup : Custom Wired Vintage Style Single Coil Strat
Middle Pickup : Custom Wired Vintage Style Single Coil Strat
Neck Pickup : Custom Wired Vintage Style Single Coil Strat
Switching : 5-Position Blade: Position 1. Bridge Pickup, Position 2. Bridge and Middle Pickup, Position 3. Middle Pickup, Position 4. Middle and Neck Pickup, Position 5. Neck Pickup
Controls : Master Volume, Tone 1. (Neck Pickup), Tone 2. (Middle Pickup)
Bridge : 6-Saddle Pure Vintage Synchronized Tremolo
Hardware Finish : Nickel/Chrome
Pickguard : 3-Ply Parchment
Control Knobs : Aged White
Switch Tip : Aged White
Neck Plate : 4-Bolt

Color: Paradise Blue

Weight : 3.44kg (7.58lbs) *excluding tremolo arm

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