HS Anderson Mad Cat V3 Re-Issue Electric Guitar w/Case

Product Description

The H.S. Anderson Mad Cat V3 is the most faithful recreation yet of one of the most iconic electric guitars in modern music. Handcrafted in Japan, the V3 is the culmination of four years of detailed research, historical reference and collaboration with Takumi Suetsugu, Prince’s long-time guitar technician and current custodian of the original Mad Cat.

Development of the V3 began in 2022 with the goal of bringing the modern Mad Cat even closer to Prince’s original instrument. While the acclaimed V2 was already exceptionally faithful, one important detail remained to be refined: the neck profile.

Previous reissues referenced surviving 1979 and 1984 Mad Cats, resulting in a profile that sat between a traditional C and D shape. For the V3, H.S. Anderson referenced original 1976 H.S. Anderson Strat-style guitars from the same production period as Prince’s instrument. The result is a slimmer, more traditional C-shaped neck, designed to more accurately capture the feel of the original.

The distinctive body construction combines walnut, ash and maple, paired with a one-piece maple neck, black body binding and the instantly recognisable leopard-print pickguard and output jack plate. The vintage-correct angled bridge pickup further contributes to the unmistakable Mad Cat appearance.

At the heart of the V3 are H.S. Anderson's custom-made Heartbreaker pickups, designed to deliver the articulate attack, clarity and distinctive character associated with the Mad Cat. Four-way switching expands the traditional twin-pickup configuration with both series and parallel options. Each guitar is individually measured before leaving the factory and includes a pickup measurement report confirming that its pickups meet the original reference specification.

The connection to Prince's original guitar extends beyond the instrument's construction. In 2019, Takumi Suetsugu commissioned two modified Mad Cat reissues for performances at Paisley Park celebrations. These guitars have subsequently been played by musicians from Prince's extended musical family, including Sheila E.

Complete with a premium SKB-66 hard case, the H.S. Anderson Mad Cat V3 is designed for collectors, professional musicians and dedicated Prince enthusiasts seeking an exceptionally accurate recreation of this legendary instrument.

Specifications

• Model: Mad Cat V3
• Construction: Walnut / Ash / Maple
• Neck: Maple
• Neck Profile: Slim C (V3)
• Fingerboard Radius: 240R (9.4")
• Frets: 21 Vintage
• Fret Size: 2.0 × 1.0 mm
• Nut Width: 42.8 mm
• Bridge: Gotoh GTC102 Hardtail
• Saddles: Callaham Vintage Bent Steel
• String Spacing: 10.5 mm
• Tuners: Gotoh SG360, 1:14 Ratio
• Pickups: Heartbreaker Custom-Made
• Controls: Volume, Tone, 4-Way Switch
• Finish: Polyurethane Lacquer
• Case: SKB-66 Hard Case