The Fender Katana is Back! | 2021 Fender Japan Hama Okamoto Katana Bass - Shell Pink + White Review

[@Trog]

Would You Play a Katana? 🟢Buy Used on My Website: www.troglysguitarshow.com ❓Private Help Sessions: troglysguitarshow.com/help-appraisals/ 👕 Merch: teespring.com/basic-logo-4245?pid=211 🎸New Guitar Day Program: troglysguitarshow.com/ngd/

[@knedy]

I used to have an old Fender Katana bass and it was really fun! Perfectly ugly but yeah really cool! The pickguard on this new one kinda ruins it for me. You should review one of the set-neck Katana guitars!

[@BigFatCaulk]

one thing i’d really love to see is a video about some of the weirdest yet cool guitars, like the gibson m-iii or fender katana or hondo death dagger

[@knedy]

@@BigFatCaulk He's made videos on all of those already

[@davidrice3337]

I wouldn't have one- but , whatever floats people's ice cream -

[@davidrice3337]

@@chickenlickin3820 shit I don't know my ass from my damn head sometimes- one of these days I'm gonna sit in the couch like More from Ork used to do in Ritchie Cunningham's living room

[@santrixhimself3679]

Now Boss needs to make a Katana Bass Amp!

[@arkram_68]

Ikr i hope they made a boss katana bass amp like for real

[@terrywashburn6347]

Boss Katana amps are awesome, I love mine.

[@creamydistortion]

And make some crack and heroin too.

[@arkram_68]

@@terrywashburn6347 Nice I was planning on buying one

[@thenameless3271]

Look into the Fender GTX series too, both are good modelling amps but it depends on what you want out of them.

[@watcherofthemundane]

The split p bass pickups are often set "crooked" to match the curvature of the fretboard/strings so that all the pole pieces are equally distance from the corresponding string

[@simonfinch9277]

Honestly this looks amazing as an bass. Love the logo, love the shape. Go on fender, make one in mexico painted in Lake Placid Blue, Candy Apple Red or Surf Green.

[@adksherm]

Lake placid is the next town over

[@homerzeppelin]

Crazy how these massive companies with entire groups dedicated to marketing can make bone headed policy decisions that hurt their marketing. Hope everything remains well with your dealer--and if that unfortunately falls through, hope you find a TRUSTWORTHY troglodyte that is living in Japan to continue to supply you.

[@fooshoo2006]

Absolutely ridiculous policy, fender japan must be making too much money if they don’t want the business from around the world ? On a different note, how come japan has so many exclusive guitars?

[@daselfcharmer]

Well in the gundam model kit game people buy a shit ton and sell em out messing it up for people wanting em. Maybe theres just careful thought behind how they try to isolate their product?

[@creamydistortion]

@@fooshoo2006 Japan just has a stronger guitar culture in general. They are more open to unique music, etc. Alan Holdsworth was a household name in Japan. In AmeriKKKa, he's thought of as a "guitarist's guitarist". Satraini, Vai, all the shredders play massive shows in Japan and other Asian countries.

[@majunior1944]

@@creamydistortion household name is a bit of a stretch.

[@IndieTimberStudio]

@@fooshoo2006 It's Japan, what do you expect?

[@asterisk606]

I can understand why Fender wouldn't want Japanese exclusives, especially limited production models, to go to outside countries and be resold. I would be a little upset also if I couldn't get a certain guitar made specifically for my region because there were people outside the country buying them all up lol. That being said, it's still super cool seeing all of the unique models

[@rocknrolla2426]

Fuck 'em. They take all our tuna the least they can do is give us some Fender exclusives.

[@vangoghsseveredear]

Maybe they should just do a limited run globally instead then? Seems like a non issue. If people are buying them up from the country, clearly there's a market out of the country. I hate the idea, honestly

[@32shumble]

Or just make enough to satisfy both foreign and domestic markets?

[@Yumemaru.]

@@rocknrolla2426 nigga what.

[@hartleyandrew2380]

That headstock it’s called the “Swinger”Headstock, First made in 1969 on a model called the Swinger or Arrow. This bass also shares the Headstock with the 1985 Fender performer bass.

[@iraevans2013]

The performer is sweet as hell! Very light weight , thin neck , plays fast.

[@michaelhall736]

It looks like something John Entwistle would have played.

[@terrywashburn6347]

I wouldn't doubt if The Ox actually had a vintage one in that huge guitar collection he had!

[@aaronmcbryer4362]

Ah, my favorite bassist, and I'm a guitarist!

[@OzziePete1]

I've never understood geoblocking sales. I can get that they want dealers to get value for money with local sales not being overrun by cheaper deals overseas. But when they release exclusive deals inside one country and prevent these from leaving that country, it kinda cuts down the buying market, on often quirky niche models that have limited appeal to the buying public.

[@alpha34098]

The Problem comes from the fact that the Japanese (and Chinese and Asian) Fender and Squier are only in name but they're native companies that have the license to use the names and the models but they keep most on the profit for themselves with Fender only receiving the licence related fees but that's it (that's basically the only way American Companies can operate in Asian Countries as otherwise the only way is to establish as a Asian Company which requires many things such as having the company tied to the Asian Stock Markets (which are tied to their governments) rather the American ones (which are independent), Being owned by Asians rather than Americans among other things that American Companies don't want)

[@TheVividestPeak]

Exactly I feel like they’re just losing money blocking guitars from buyers overseas

[@nectarandice]

@@TheVividestPeak 👍 When was it ever a good business decision to tell your retailers not to sell your product? Oh, right. Never.

[@guitarandgames1386]

First time seeing this bass and I want a guitar version already

[@CC-te5zf]

My first nice guitar was my 1992 MIJ Stratocaster Limited - it has a flame veneer top, clear red pick guard and lace sense pickups with boost circuit. I still have it, with case candy, etc. I picked it up while we were stationed on the island of Okinawa when I was in the Air Force. It was on layaway for 6 months. it's a precision machine and has definitely withstood the test of time. It's a fabulous guitar. I've managed to wear thru one set of frets in the time I've had it, and a selector switch. Other than that she's bone stock and a real player.

[@arlingtonhynes]

4:14 The Katanafied Squier logo is fuckin’ balls. Pure balls. Balls on stilts.

[@terrywashburn6347]

Yeah, I caught that too. Off the chain!

[@mocho7107]

3:20 His first signature P-bass has a basswood body with a Jazz Bass slim neck that comes with lollipop tuning machines. His actual P-bass was made in 1966 and also has a slimmer neck. Honestly, I really like this model tbf!

[@Sharpened_Spoon]

They somehow proportioned the headstock so perfectly. Always amazed at the execution of shapes in guitar design, a few mm and the whole design can fall apart. The Meteora is a fine example of perfect balance.

[@myoptik3x103]

Oh man, that is so COOL! I’ve never heard of this model, but I love it. I agree that the geometry is probably not as comfortable as some, but I definitely think it would be worth a try.

[@tomleary121257]

It makes me happy to see guitars that are made in Japan . Nice bass I would rock it !

[@theshotgunscientists]

They polish the fretboards. When I do a refret, I start at 400 and go up to 7000 grit and final buff with music nomad cymbal polish. It comes out looking exactly like that bass in the video. When it starts to wear In it looks awesome.

[@wulfbuoygarwalfey3582]

i have never seen this bass design before in my life and now i need one more than anything i’ve ever needed in my life

[@mediocreboi]

14:57 You can also run the strap in front of the bass to have it situated really nice, I do that with my V and it's unmovable.

[@mightyV444]

I believe that headstock shape is more a result of no extra pieces of wood being added to it, rather than any being chopped off. Reminds me of The Zit Remedy band in the Canadian 'Degrassi Junior High' TV series from the 80's, even though theirs was a guitar 😀 They seemed to only have one song, across several seasons, too: 🎶"Everybody wants sooomething, they neeever give up"🎶 😄

[@saltpeter7429]

Wow. I watched that. Waaaaay back a long time ago.

[@mightyV444]

@@saltpeter7429 - Yes, I was still a teenager then, and that band was the most exciting thing to me about that show and pretty much all I still remember from it today 😄

[@MikeS82082]

Yes pickups on all p bass’s are angled to follow the neck radius for string volume balance

[@aniquinstark4347]

That fretboard really is gorgeous. Super nice finish job.

[@eddiejr540]

Watch out Flea, Trogly’s taking up bass!!!!!

[@mburtondavis]

“I call it the iceberg, you may call it neck heavy”don’t know why but that had laughing so hard.

[@thenameless3271]

I love the headstock

[@QwertiusMaximus]

At Fender "Let's make this bass." "Ummmm... it looks too much like a Flying V. Gibson's gonna sue us." "Ok cut one end off."

[@leinie6683]

My thoughts exactly!

[@jfinester]

From what I understand, that’s pretty much what happened. The Katana was made as a guitar first, and as Trogly says, it was intended to compete with all the other pointy shapes that were so popular in the mid-Eighties.

[@YourFavouriteColor]

Having ordered a LOT of fender Japan, first of all, I notice they don't always do that "varnish" effect on the rosewood. I'd say it's probably been half and half. It may be series-dependent ie traditional reissues may have that effect to feel more vintage but the hybrids and moderns stuff doesn't. Then again I've had traditional with and without this effect. I think for the most part, they just sand the rosewood to a finer grit than the western guitars. I'm not sure if it is conditioning, fine sanding, or perhaps a thin French polish style varnish. If I had to guess I would just assume they sand their rosewood finer than the west but I don't know for sure. Again your mileage may vary!

[@leo._.vincent]

My paisley 60's traditional jazzmaster has the "varnish on it" guess I got lucky! I dont have any other nice rosewood guitars so I just thought it was normal for fender japan/us series guitars

[@AvAfanfromfrance]

If Squier goes all out and brings back the Katana, the Performer and the Marauder, my wallet will suffer for sure

[@vangoghsseveredear]

Never heard of the performer, looked it up, and that is WILD. Seeing a pointy Fender does my head in

[@elsienova4269]

on that P bass, the unique thing is that its basically a reissue of an old p bass model that had the body elongated and the body was especially heavy. It's kinda cool.

[@DevoT]

I saw these on the Fender Japan site a few weeks ago and was so envious of the cool guitars Fender releases in the land of the rising sun. Back in the 90's I owned a made in Japan jaguar and it was awesome. Ended up selling it to buy a 1966 Fender mustang from a used guitar shop for $450 and don't regret that decision at all. I just wish the US would get more of the Fender Japan lineup, but for now I will settle with the occasional Andertons/CME special releases that come our way.

[@hunybadgerbill]

Such a shame they didn't do the tortoise shell pickguard on the shell pink though...

[@houseofsolomon2440]

You can order a tortoise shell pick guard aftermarket and screw it right on.

[@michelmagnetic]

I love Fender Japanese guitars.. i have a TL 72 and a PB 62. They’re amazing instruments .

[@barrygoins6900]

Like traditional look usually but I freaking love that look

[@DeWittPotts]

I actually saw one of these for the first time around 15 years ago. We were trying out new bass players for our local band and a guy showed up with one of these. It sounded really great when he played it. Unfortunately he was not really a good fit for our group as we were mostly playing classic rock and he was only into 'Hair' bands of the 80's.

[@philstevens7526]

I did read that there WERE a few Katana basses that were Fender-badged back in the 80s (but it must have been almost literally a handful). I’ve got an original ‘85 Squier Katana bass. The location for the front strap button is in the middle of the neck plate (towards the front). It *is* quite “neckdive-y”, but at least it doesn’t try to fall forwards like this re-issue does!

[@nj1255]

It sounds absolutely beautiful! If you want that real P-bass tone, but with a different body style, this seems perfect.

[@gr8avocado]

I wouldn't put it past Fender US pressuring Fender Japan to crack down on exports. That said, I wish Fender US would make some of the cool stuff Fender Japan puts out. Katana excluded, I've always thought those things were atrocious.

[@jfinester]

I agree. Fender Japan did a Thinline Tele variation some years back that I wanted real bad! Thinline Tele with a Wide Range humbucker in the neck position, Tele neck single-coil in the middle, and Tele single-coil at the bridge. They weren’t available in the US, and Fender never did a US version. Fender Japan’s guality is excellent-I used to have a Fender Japan Tele Custom, sunburst with binding, that was a great guitar.

[@alpha34098]

The Problem comes from the fact that the Japanese (and Chinese and Asian) Fender and Squier are only in name but they're native companies that have the license to use the names and the models but they keep most on the profit for themselves with Fender only receiving the licence related fees but that's it (that's basically the only way American Companies can operate in Asian Countries as otherwise the only way is to establish as a Asian Company which requires many things such as having the company tied to the Asian Stock Markets (which are tied to their governments) rather the American ones (which are independent), Being owned by Asians rather than Americans among other things that American Companies don't want)

[@Greg-vd5om]

Trogly's in the HOUSE!!!

[@markflinchum9030]

WOOT-WOOT!

[@rondobondo6600]

You just won the wallmart award for the first comment wooohooo you are one of my personal favorites and an amazing friend and the most coolest dude in the whole universe and beyond.... 🍪

[@maspesasmasperras5554]

What's trogly doing in your house? You guys are having an 0rgy?

[@Captain_Yata]

Modern-day Squiers are honestly really good, I have a classic vibe Jaguar which just feels like a Fender and a Mustang with humbuckers that feels incredibly light and nice to play :)

[@skgate]

so i got a half dollar sized ding on my new Fender vintera strat.. what would be my best option to have this repaired? its not too bad it just really bothers me knowing its there. Any suggestions are much appreciated. Thanks yall

[@Mr.T711]

I just inherited an 84 MIJ Squier. Definitely good quality for a budget guitar. 5-11-84 built date. I’m enjoying it. Plus I like the Telecaster style head.

[@terrywashburn6347]

When I bought my '99 60's Player Strat the salesman said that it was made in what used to be the Japanese Custom Shop that was supposedly relegated to producing regular Fenders. Either way it was an awesome player IMHO. The Japanese make guitars like the Germans make cars.

[@markmayer7170]

Ready set goooooo!

[@duncanmcphee7810]

Swap the pickguards on the two! Put the tortie with the Shell Pink and the black pickguard on the Olympic White one! That would look epic.

[@gloifti]

MIJ Fenders: Made to be Modified.

[@murfmurphy6212]

I still have my Katana, the original not the Squier. Great Guitar, hard to find without a butchered trem though.

[@stevenconrady1990]

Trogly, if you can get a hold of a Fender Japan Ken Kitamura (L’arc en Ciel) signature Stratocaster or a Inoran Signature Road worn Jazzmaster (Luna Sea) let me know!

[@jowyong6769]

Not a bass player myself so always skip that section in guitar stores. The Katana however looks incredible! Never knew Fender made such a model. Thanks once again for bringing it to us and sharing the knowledge!

[@Voltanaut]

Thanks for doing a bass video. Please do more.

[@Trog]

I've got a few other good ones on the channel too! kzbin.info?search_query=trogly+bass

[@canal_changeling]

The line you picked in the first part of the tone demo is sort of arresting. I liked it.

[@clarkbabin9799]

The katana kind of reminds me of a Flying V just chopped down. Your not kidding when you say that sometimes a guitar looks better in person than stock photos. That Berry burst you reviewed recently is an excellent example of that. I think the Katana would look good in a burnt orange a fire engine red or Kelly green. Made in a metal finish and cut a little differently this could be like lightening bolt. Especially in a silver finish.

[@peribot9226]

nice vid! always love when you feature basses. have no idea how I've never heard of this model before

[@gavinreeves7959]

If possible you should review the guitar version of this bass

[@woodyforest2100]

I love the 7.25” radius necks! My first guitar was a ‘65 jaguar and I miss that curve. It won’t bottom out on the bends with a good setup either.

[@kaitotatsuya]

Hama Okamoto is considered one of the top 3 Bassists in Japan .. He Slapping is no Joke. You can watch him mainly on The First Take Channel.

[@allisonholmesmusic97]

I forgot all about the Katana! I’m not a bass player and I’m too old for pointy guitars, but damn I want that shell pink one. Especially if you switch the necks. The first thing I said when Trogly pulled it out of the bag was “that’s a nice piece of rosewood” before he said it

[@Kopperafiel]

Reminds me of the old Burns Flyte bass. The shell pink is one of my favorite colors.

[@flyinggoosefilm]

Thanks for doing a bass review and demo. Please do more.

[@DannyRayMilligan66]

I saw a 6-string Katana at a music store in Jonesboro, AR, back in the 80's, and it was retailing for $899. I wish I had the money to get the thing, and I'm sure the thing must be worth a fortune, now. It was a dark grey, and I recall the finish had a sparkle to it, too....

[@Kevin.odonnell]

Often a fretboard will be sealed with acrylic or CA and buffed to get that luster. It’s a bigger thing in classical guitars and fretless basses. Gives the fretboard a sheen and smoothness that the raw wood won’t provide. Alternately one can use boiled Linseed oil for a similar effect… just don’t overdo it so the fret slots don’t get punky and crumbly

[@grenade310tri]

the headstock is pure love

[@dagster115]

The headstock is the coolest thing ever

[@ssplintergirl]

Trogly had a Rick 4005, a Gibson EB, and now a Fender Katana.

[@loudandfast1389]

Pulling this out on stage would be killer!

[@ravencrestmedia]

Serious question, does the amount of wood in a body of a solid body guitar contribute to the overall tone of the guitar?

[@creamydistortion]

This is an eternal debate... My Mexican strat is heavier than the American ones, and it definitely has a "heavier, dense" tone, while my friend's USA strat is more "airy" sounding. My Les Paul is heavy as a boat anchor, but my super-light Squier Mustang has a heavier, hotter tone...

[@maxmustardman298]

Good examples are semi hollow guitars, especially thin line teles

[@SnifferCustoms]

Awesome review on this new bass! I have black Katana Squier bass, also made in Japan, purchased used around 1990. It did not come with pickguard or bridge cover from factory, and came with black F-knobs with rubber surface, like I think Jazz bass did have? Also, one strap button is in middle of neck plate, other is on upper horn...which makes it easy to put strap in front to help make it more playable. Still, super neck heavy. I replaced bridge with massive Hipshot bridge, and replaced pickups with passive EMG Geezer Butler set...sound is awesome. Also replaced knobs (but kept them because they are very cool) with heavy Stew Max flat top chrome knobs. Mine has lots of body damage, because I had no case for it, haha. Spent 30 years looking for case, finally found soft case that fits it pretty well. One day I will finally just make a hard case for it. Maybe next year. 😂 I've also planned to install Steinberger fold-out leg rest so that it may be played more comfortable sitting down...maybe I will get to this project sometime in decade. So many guitars...so short is life. 😂 Again, awesome video!! 😈🤘🤘🤘

[@laurencecousins2264]

Great sound! Clear and rounded.

[@MrSparks54]

I started playing bass in 1969.I have 2 Japan made Fenders but the Katana is not my cup of tea. It does have a cool factor though. Thanks Trogly

[@-GRAVESITE-]

Not a huge fan of rosewood fretboards, but I love the white and tortoiseshell pick guard

[@SchnappM]

always like the bass content... and this is a style of bass i've never seen before, pretty wild!

[@jvsings9146]

I noticed that fretboard right away. I bought a very nice American Tele and the rosewood fretboard looks all dry. What's up with that?

[@prismatic1239]

Such a beautifully striking model, a Squier reissue would be great

[@bokstEr222]

can you review any regular japanese fenders like hybrid or traditional series?

[@starclassic161]

I’m a little disappointed they didn’t do the pointy logo on the headstock. I recently purchased the squier guitar version and the goofy 80s font really does something for me

[@mr.bluenotedoobop]

Fender Japan stuff is so cool, which is was more widely available in the US

[@VoidR]

YESSSS. I have one hanging on my wall right now, black and the strap button is on the neckplate.

[@chevchelios5668]

Okamoto is son of Hamada from GakiNo Tsukai!!!!!!!! Dammmmmmm Family with tons of Talent!!!!!

[@jeromewagschal9485]

I just CAN'T believe it 😄😄😄 I remember when I bought mine back in '85 and all my friends laughed at me...Then I bought the cheaper Squier version just to piss them off...Wow...I might buy this one too...

[@umbertoyltp]

Kinda Flying V and Explorer mashup. Somehow the word katana has a badass ring to it, whether it's a motorcycle, an amp or a handbag.

[@larsheuker]

True! If it was actually called the iceberg the sales would probably be less haha

[@matthewb8229]

The Vintage 63 pickus are HOT! I got my Mod Shop P Bass a couple weeks ago, with the Vintage 63s. Shellac potted, and mine come in at 11K ohms.

[@larsheuker]

What are the pros of japan exclusives? For them

[@livefromadive6751]

If you wanted a bass amp around for these occasions, take a look at the GK MB series or the Ampeg Micro VR. Both are great at home and actually gig worthy.

[@terrywashburn6347]

Hey Austin, thanks for throwing in a riff from one of the most underrated Bass players ever, Burke Shelley of Budgie! Very nice.

[@theniche0726]

Hey man. Love your show. Always great content. Quick question. Is it just Japan Fender that’s not shipping to us? Could we still get Tokai’s from Japan?

[@makuens]

The Precision pickup is a staggered humbucking pickup, not a single-coil.

[@danielgraham4282]

I really, really want one of these now 😬 don’t live in Japan, can’t afford to buy it off Trogly and have him ship it to UK on top of the price of the bass, I reckon £2000 by the time I get it to the UK from Trogly. Why release something super cool and different like this, but not sell it in the UK or USA? Come on Fender, lets have some of these outside Japan please 🙏

[@philluck1956]

Lets hope that they reissue the Fender Performer next!! They were part of the same series i think. They had the same headstock.

[@aprilkurtz1589]

Why don't they send the cool finishes to the US? What the heck? I want the pink one!

[@christopherdouglas512]

I like to think that “wonky pick ups” Suggests that the user is simply taking advantage of the original brilliant idea of tone shaping:)

[@EJMunoz-ec9gz]

32 inches bass, the sound and tone is a same for 34 inched bass?

[@FrankenVLOG]

I really want one of these basses. Sucks that Fender won't make these available here.

[@sanamsingh3297]

that headstock is beautiful

[@MrCwatson3]

Is there a electric guitar version of this instead of a bass?? I'm loving the body shape.

[@houseofsolomon2440]

Would look so good onstage paired with a 6-string flying V 😍

[@taoxie258]

man, i am the guy who currently lives in Japan and enjoys our big boy trogly's show.

[@davedublin1]

Does it come in fretless?

[@Nothing-gv8mv]

A Katana in a 6-string hard tail would be awesome.

[@zadtheinhaler]

I'm all about hardtail, but I'd take a 6-string with any kind of trem on it. Such a deadly look to it!

[@pedrotuliogomesfurtado9063]

why not an diferent pickup?

[@oldkneeshockey]

Hey trogly. Spaceman music in Ottawa Ontario Canada happens to have both a squier and a fender katana from Japan in their shop right now. Both are from the 80s

[@hkguitar1984]

I'm early today, greetings Troglodytes!