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Whitstable Guitars is an online webshop selling good quality used imported Japanese guitars For me, the build quality & playability is excellent. Here's why..

This page & my website were created by me to display a selection of used guitars for sale, mainly from Japan, but also from the USA & other countries. I really like Japanese Fenders but also Yamaha, Aria Pro II, Greco, Orville, Burny, Washburn, FGN etc etc. New For 2015

I now have an arrangement with a major instrument supplier in Japan & I am regularly importing used Japanese guitars. These are all in excellent condition and often have unusual spec such as USA pickups & "domestic market only" finishes. Please have a look at what I have to offer & why not own & play something just a little different :)

I'm not a fan of selling on ebay. Did you know that if you sell something on ebay they will charge you a 10% final value fee & if your buyer uses Paypal you pay an additional 3.4% + 20p !! That's a total of nearly 13.4 % commission & you do all the work. Sell a guitar for £500 & say goodbye to £67.20 . Oh, and they also take a similar cut from your shipping too now, so if you add £25 to your listing for shipping charges, they take another £3.55 from that too. So after selling your guitar for £500, you actually receive £429.25 !! I also spend time restoring, fixing and building the odd guitar and I have documented some of my work here too. Unfortunately I am not able to undertake any customer work at present other than setup, servicing & pickup replacement but look at my "links" where I am now able to point you to a fine guitar tech. All of my guitars and other items can be purchased securely & quickly using Paypal

16/10/2026

It's a Fender Friday & here's Whitstable Guitars guitar of the day
2024 Fender MIJ Japan Traditional Series 60's Jazzmaster 3 Tone Sunburst & new hard case £849.00 + £30.00 UK shipping.

JAPAN IMPORT

This Fender Made in Japan Jazzmaster finished in 3 tone sunburst & with a Rosewood Fretboard is a model from the Traditional series. It is a classic looking Jazzmaster equipped with a tortoiseshell pickguard but also has a more modern 9.5” radius fretboard, “U”-shaped neck, Vintage Single-Coil Jazzmaster pickups. The body is Basswood with a Maple neck & Rosewood fretboard. The guitar weighs in at 3.67kg

Overall condition of this guitar is superb with just the odd small scratch which are almost all on the back. They are too small for the camera to pick up The frets are excellent with no indents

Since 2015, Fender Made in Japan guitars have been produced at the "Dyna-Gakki" factory in Nagano. This facility has been making fabulous guitars since 1972 for Fender Japan (pre 2015) Greco, Fernandes. The quality of the instruments coming from this factory is superb.

https://vintagejapanguitars.com/dyna-gakki-en/

Here is some history from the web relating to the Jazzmaster..

The Fender Jazzmaster is an electric guitar designed as a more expensive sibling of the Fender Stratocaster. First introduced at the 1958 NAMM Show, it was initially marketed to jazz guitarists, but found favour among surf rock guitarists in the early 1960s. Its appearance is similar to the Jaguar, though it is tonally and physically different in many technical ways, including pickup design, scale length and controls.

Features

The Jazzmaster's contoured "offset-waist" body was designed for comfort while playing the guitar in a seated position, as many jazz and blues artists prefer to do. A full 25½" scale length, 'lead' and 'rhythm' circuit switching with independent volume and tone controls, a 'floating tremolo'[1] with tremolo lock, and a uniquely designed bridge were other keys to the guitar's character. The tremolo lock can be manually activated to keep the entire guitar from going out of tune if one string breaks. The Jazzmaster also had an extra-long tremolo arm. The bridge and tremolo construction is very different from that of the Stratocaster, and gives the Jazzmaster a different resonance and generally less sustain. The bridge sits on two fulcrum points and moves back and forth with the tremolo motion.

PRODUCT DETAILS

MODEL NAME: Fender Jazzmaster,
SERIES: Made in Japan Traditional Series
COLOUR: 3 Tone Sunburst
BODY: Basswood
BODY FINISH: Polyester
BODY SHAPE: Jazzmaster
WEIGHT: 3.67kg
NECK MATERIAL: Maple with Rosewood Fingerboard
NECK FINISH: Gloss Urethane
NECK SHAPE: "U" Shape
SCALE LENGTH: 25.5" (648 mm)
FINGERBOARD: Rosewood
FINGERBOARD RADIUS: 9.5" (241 mm)
NUMBER OF FRETS: 21
FRETS SIZE: Medium Jumbo
STRING NUT: Bone
NUT WIDTH: 1.675" (42.5 mm)
POSITION INLAYS: White Dots
BRIDGE PICKUP: Fender Japan Vintage Single-Coil Jazzmaster
NECK PICKUP: Fender Japan Vintage Jazzmaster

CONTROLS: Lead Circuit Controls (Slide Switch Down) - Volume (Neck), Volume (Bridge), Master Tone; Rhythm Circuit Controls (Slide Switch Up) -Two Thumbwheel Controls for Neck Pickup Volume and Tone

PICKUP SWITCHING: 3-Position Toggle - Position 1. Bridge Pickup, Position 2. Bridge and Neck Pickups, Position 3. Neck Pickup

PICKUP CONFIGURATION: SS
BRIDGE: 6-Saddle Vintage-Style Adjustable with “Floating” Tremolo Tailpiece

HARDWARE FINISH: Chrome
TUNING MACHINES: Vintage-Style Locking
PICKGUARD: 3-Ply Tortoiseshell
CONTROL K***S: White Plastic
Comes with Thomann Black Hard Case.

You can find many more Japanese made, used guitars at my website: www.whitstableguitars.co.uk

12/10/2026

Happy Monday! Here is "Whitstable Guitars" guitar of the day:
1983 JV Squier Japan ST-552 H/H Candy Apple Red & new hard case £789.00 + £30.00 UK shipping

JAPAN IMPORT

Here's a little bit of a rarity that you don't see very often outside of Japan. This Squier ST-552 was made at the famous Fujigen facility during the golden era and originally intended for the domestic market in Japan as part of the "Contemporary Series" It dates from 1983 and therefore has a JV serial number. A guitar that only appears outside of Japan if it has been exported.

Condition:

Guitar is all original apart from the tremolo arm which was missing and has been replaced. Other than a couple of chips on the top edge (see gallery pics) this guitar is in remarkable condition for a 40+ year old guitar and plays really well. As mentioned, the Dragster Humbuckers have a warm bluesy sound. I really like it!

Here's some information I found online and from my contacts in Japan.

The Fender Squier ST-552 is a vintage electric guitar. It was built in Japan by Fujigen Gakki during the early 1980s (JV and SQ serial number eras). It belongs to the Contemporary Series, which featured modern, non-traditional specifications built for rock and metal players.

Key Specifications:
Body Material: Alder
Neck Material: Maple with a comfortable C or U shape
Fingerboard: Rosewood with a 10-inch radius, 22 medium-jumbo frets, and a 25.5-inch scale length
Pickups: Dual Fender Dragster humbuckers (HH configuration) mounted on escutcheon rings
Controls: Master volume, master tone, and a 3-way toggle switch
Hardware: 6-point vintage-style Stratocaster tremolo bridge with Fender-stamped saddles
Distinctive Looks: Often featured matching painted headstocks in finishes like Candy Apple Red or Lake Placid Blue.
Highly regarded for exceptional build quality that rivals or exceeds contemporary Fender instruments of that era.

Model Name: ST-552 Stratocaster
Series: Contemporary Series
Body
Colours: CAR, CAG, LPB, PWH, BGM
Body Material: Alder

Neck
Neck Shape: “U” Shape
Neck Material: Maple
Number of Frets: 22
Fret Size: Medium Jumbo
Fretboard Radius: 10”
Fretboard Material: Rosewood
Nut Width: 42.5mm
Scale Length: 25.5”
Weight: approx 3.61 KG

Electronics
Pickup Configuration: H/H
Pickups: 2 Dragster Humbucking Pickups
Pickup Switching: 3 way switch Bridge-Bridge/Neck-Neck
Controls: Master Volume, Master Tone

Hardware
Hardware: Chrome
Tuners: Fender enclosed (GOTOH)
Bridge: End ROX Tremolo
Pickguard: 3-Ply B/W/B

Miscellaneous
Unique Features: Matching Painted Headstock/Neck
Country of Origin: Japan
Introduced: Autumn 1983
Discontinued: 1987
Contemporary Series (JV numbered Strat style)
These models were introduced in late 1983, with (again) numbers starting around JV7###x.

The Contemporary series model was considered part of the second phase of Fender Squier Japan (There were no fewer than 13 different models in this range). These guitars had painted headstocks

As you will see from the pictures below, they are not typical of what you would expect see with a JV (Japanese Vintage) number.

They are excellent guitars in their own right (and will obviously appeal to a lot of people), particularly owing to their JV serial number,
The tone on this JV is suited not only for Rock but Blues also, the Humbuckers have a warm vintage sound to them.

Two open style "Dragster" humbucker pickups were used in the '502' model, the single coil pickups used in the ST-501 and ST-801 models were the "Hotrod" model.

All Fender branded guitars with the 'Original Contour Body' decals, were not exported and sold only in Japan.

The "Fender Contemporary" models were (with the exception of the very first Fender brand / Squier series guitars) the first Fender Japan models to be exported officially as Fender Stratocasters and Telecasters. I think in the domestic market, these Fender contemporary models were sold as "Squier Contemporary" models, because "Fender Contemporary" models are very rare in the Japanese market meanwhile "Squier Contemporary" models are hard to find in the USA. According to some information, These " Contemporary" models were produced from the fall of 1983 right up to 1987.

Additionally, this guitars has an "END ROX" Steel Block which locks the strings into place with Allen Wrench/Hex Key. These are located on the underside of the bridge's tremolo block. The guitar can be strung Similar to a Floyd Rose, however the strings pass through the bridge & tremolo block and are locked in place by winding around the posts of 6 hex screws (much like how one would tighten a wire in an electrical socket). If you don't need to lock the strings you can string the guitar in the usual manner.

Hardcase: A new rectangular generic hardcase (Black or Tweed) is included with this guitar

04/10/2026

Here's Whitstable Guitars guitar of the day 😎
2024 Tokai Japan LS-148F Cherry Sunburst & new hard case £849.00 + £30.00 UK shipping

JAPAN IMPORT

A real beauty here from Tokai Japan, this Les Paul Standard in "Cherry Sunburst" is an absolute beauty. Built to the highest standards the guitar just oozes quality. The Tokai Vintage Series are probably some of my best sellers & never hang around long. Prices change all the time and so I did an internet search. I found a seller in Holland who was advertising them new at €1900 which is around £1,640.00. I found some used ones at £1,000-£1,200 so this one, selling at £849.00 including a new fitted hard case is amazing value.

Condition: The guitar has one or two tiny dents and nicks and a tiny chip on the headstock (see pics) plus a few playing marks but that is about it. Totally original. The guitar is, like all my guitars, supplied with a new hard case. Overall the guitar looks gorgeous and a fabulous addition to any collection.

For anyone who may not be aware, I believe the "LS" stands for "Les Paul Standard" & the number afterwards relates to the finish quality and price in Japanese Yen, with the Japanese models going up from LS-62 right up to LS-200. The LS-148F is one of the higher end models. In the 1980's the models had much lower numbers (LS-60 & LS-80) which was because the prices were cheaper 40 years ago. All in all, a fabulous guitar that will be hard to let go.

This Tokai LS-148F CS is finished with a flamed veneer Maple top. Built to the highest of Japanese standards, the guitar has everything you’d want from a vintage Les Paul. Tokai has been making these guitars for over forty years, a fact attested to by both the minute attention to detail and high component quality. They don’t come around very often either.

TOKAI Japan LS-148F CSB

The Tokai LS-148F CS combines features from classic Les Paul guitars, for an unmistakable look and a very affordable price point for the level of quality and Japanese craftsmanship. Vintage correct appointments abound, from the top hat bell k***s with pointers, to the PAF-Vintage MK2 pickups. In terms of playing feel, the 50's/60's neck profile is supremely comfortable, while the Maple flamed veneer top looks fabulous

Specifications

BODY: Canadian Maple Two Pieces Top with flamed Maple Veneer
African Mahogany Two Pieces Back
NECK: African Mahogany One Piece Set-Neck
NECK Profile: Asymmetry U shape / 22F / R300
Scale: 625.00mm
FRETS: Sanko SBB-213 (Medium Jumbo Size) Made in Japan
Fret Over Binding
NUT: Cow Bone (Width: 43.0mm)
FINGERBOARD: Indian Rosewood

MACHINE HEADS: [Tokai Original] Kluson Style
BRIDGE: [Tokai Original] LS-VB Bridge, LS-VT Tailpiece
PICKUPS: PAF-Vintage MK2S x 2
*Magnet:Alnico 5
CONTROLS: 2V, 2T, 3way-SW
JACK: Switchcraft
FINISH: Urethane Finish
COLOURS: CS, VF, BS, BB, GT
Weight: 4.52kg
Made in Japan
CASE Brand new Thomann fitted hard case

All in all it's an excellent guitar from Tokai Japan that's hard to find here in the UK

30/09/2026

Happy Wednesday! Here's Whitstable Guitars guitar of the day 🤓

1983 JV Squier Japan ST-552 H/H Candy Apple Red & new hard case £789.00 + £30.00 UK shipping

JAPANESE IMPORT

Here's a little bit of a rarity that you don't see very often outside of Japan. This Squier ST-552 was made at the famous Fujigen facility during the golden era and originally intended for the domestic market in Japan as part of the "Contemporary Series" It dates from 1983 and therefore has a JV serial number.

Condition:

Guitar is all original apart from the tremolo arm which was missing and has been replaced. Other than a couple of chips on the top edge (see gallery pics) this guitar is in remarkable condition for a 40+ year old guitar and plays really well. As mentioned, the Dragster Humbuckers have a warm bluesy sound. I really like it!

Here's some information I found online and from my contacts in Japan.

The Fender Squier ST-552 is a vintage electric guitar. It was built in Japan by Fujigen Gakki during the early 1980s (JV and SQ serial number eras). It belongs to the Contemporary Series, which featured modern, non-traditional specifications built for rock and metal players.

Key Specifications
Body Material: Alder
Neck Material: Maple with a comfortable C or U shape
Fingerboard: Rosewood with a 10-inch radius, 22 medium-jumbo frets, and a 25.5-inch scale length
Pickups: Dual Fender Dragster humbuckers (HH configuration) mounted on escutcheon rings
Controls: Master volume, master tone, and a 3-way toggle switch
Hardware: 6-point vintage-style Stratocaster tremolo bridge with Fender-stamped saddles
Distinctive Looks: Often featured matching painted headstocks in finishes like Candy Apple Red or Lake Placid Blue.
Highly regarded for exceptional build quality that rivals or exceeds contemporary Fender instruments of that era.

Model Name: ST-552 Stratocaster
Series: Contemporary Series
Body
Colours: CAR, CAG, LPB, PWH, BGM
Body Material: Alder

Neck
Neck Shape: “U” Shape
Neck Material: Maple
Number of Frets: 22
Fret Size: Medium Jumbo
Fretboard Radius: 10”
Fretboard Material: Rosewood
Nut Width: 42.5mm
Scale Length: 25.5”
Weight: approx 3.61 KG

Electronics
Pickup Configuration: H/H
Pickups: 2 Dragster Humbucking Pickups
Pickup Switching: 3 way switch Bridge-Bridge/Neck-Neck
Controls: Master Volume, Master Tone

Hardware
Hardware: Chrome
Tuners: Fender enclosed (GOTOH)
Bridge: End ROX Tremolo
Pickguard: 3-Ply B/W/B

Miscellaneous
Unique Features: Matching Painted Headstock/Neck
Country of Origin: Japan
Introduced: Fall 1983
Discontinued: 1987
Contemporary Series (JV numbered Strat style)
These models were introduced in late 1983, with (again) numbers starting around JV7###x.

The Contemporary series model was considered part of the second phase of Fender Squier Japan (There were no fewer than 13 different models in this range). These guitars had painted headstocks

As you will see from the pictures below, they are not typical of what you would expect see with a JV (Japanese Vintage) number.

They are excellent guitars in their own right (and will obviously appeal to a lot of people), particularly owing to their JV serial number,
The tone on this JV is suited not only for Rock but Blues also, the Humbuckers have a warm vintage sound to them.

Two open style "Dragster" humbucker pickups were used in the '502' model, the single coil pickups used in the ST-501 and ST-801 models were the "Hotrod" model.

All Fender branded guitars with the 'Original Contour Body' decals, were not exported and sold only in Japan.

The "Fender Contemporary" models were (with the exception of the very first Fender brand / Squier series guitars) the first Fender Japan models to be exported officially as Fender Stratocasters and Telecasters. I think in the domestic market, these Fender contemporary models were sold as "Squier Contemporary" models, because "Fender Contemporary" models are very rare in the Japanese market meanwhile "Squier Contemporary" models are hard to find in the USA. According to some information, These " Contemporary" models were produced from the fall of 1983 right up to 1987.

Additionally, this guitars has an "END ROX" Steel Block which locks the strings into place with Allen Wrench/Hex Key. These are located on the underside of the bridge's tremolo block. The guitar can be strung Similar to a Floyd Rose, however the strings pass through the bridge & tremolo block and are locked in place by winding around the posts of 6 hex screws (much like how one would tighten a wire in an electrical socket). If you don't need to lock the strings you can string the guitar in the usual manner.

Hardcase: A new rectangular generic hardcase (Black or Tweed) is included with this guitar

25/09/2026

Happy Friday! Here's Whitstable Guitars guitar of the day 🧐

2016 Fender Made In Japan Exclusive Classic 70's Stratocaster all Black/Rosewood & new hard case £749.00 + £30.00 UK shipping

This is just one of over 40 used top quality Japanese made guitars featured on my whitstableguitars.co.uk website. Why not take a look 👀 ??

JAPAN IMPORT

This Stratocaster is one of Fender Japan's "Exclusive Classic" range which effectively replaced the '57, '62 & '72 reissue Strats. Built to a high spec, this guitar has a Basswood body, Maple neck and Rosewood fingerboard. It has all the features of a 70's Strat with it's large headstock, bullet truss rod & 3 bolt neck fitting with "Micro Tilt" adjustment. Only made for a couple of years, these are a bit tricky to find. This model is fitted with Fender Japan vintage pickups.

Overall, this guitar is in a 9/10 condition. Built in 2016 it doesn't appear to have had much use. There is barely any wear & just a few small scratches on the back of the guitar. These are too minor for the camera to pick up. The guitar has no visible fretwear & is all original. The guitar plays & sounds fabulous as you would expect.

Since 2015, Fender Made in Japan guitars have been produced at the "Dyna-Gakki" factory in Nagano. This facility has been making fabulous guitars since 1972 for Fender Japan (pre 2015) Greco, Fernandes. The quality of the instruments coming from this factory is superb.

https://vintagejapanguitars.com/dyna-gakki-en/

Fender Japan Exclusive Classic 70s Stratocaster

Specifications

BODY
Body Material Basswood Body
Finish Natural Polyester
Body Shape Stratocaster®
Weight 3.44 kg

NECK
Neck Material Maple
Neck Finish Polyester
Neck Shape Slim "C" Shape
Scale Length 25.5 "(648 mm)
Fingerboard Material Rosewood
Fingerboard Radius 7.25 "(184.1 mm)
Number of Frets twenty one
Fret Size Vintage Style
Nut Material Bone
Nut Width 1.650 "(42 mm)
Position Inlays White Dots

ELECTRONICS
Bridge pickup: Fender Japan Vintage ST
Middle pickup: Fender Japan Vintage ST
Neck Pickup: Fender Japan Vintage ST
Controls Master Volume, Tone 1. (Neck Pickup), Tone 2. (Middle Pickup)

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 Configuration SSS

HARDWARE
Bridge 6-Saddle Vintage-Style Synchronized Tremolo
Hardware Finish Chrome
Tuning Machines: Japanese GOTOH tuners
Pickguard 3-Ply Black
Control K***s Vintage Black Plastic
Switch Tip Black
Neck Plate 3-Bolt Chrome with Micro Tilt Adjustment
Supplied with brand new Black/Tweed Hard Case

06/09/2026

Happy Sunday! Here's Whitstable Guitars guitar of the day & it's a slightly quirky one from Yamaha Japan!

1989-1990 Yamaha Japan SG-RR Standard TV Yellow & new hard case £629.00 + £30.00 UK shipping

JAPAN IMPORT

The Yamaha "SG-RR" guitars were produced by Yamaha Japan from 1989-1991. There were 3 versions of the guitar. An SG-RR Junior with a bolt on neck & top loading bridge, and SG-RR Standard with a set neck & through body stringing and an SG-RR Custom which also had a Piezo pickup under the bridge!

I would describe these guitars as a lightweight Les Paul Junior style guitar but with P-90s. Just 3.19kg so, lightweight & really easy and fun to play. Simple controls & great sounding pickups

Overall condition: Very good for a 35+ year old guitar. There are a few nicks and scratches around the edges and the caps are missing from the vol/tone controls but this guitar has bags of character and Yamaha's own P-90's have lots of punch and it's great fun to play. Super lightweight too! Frets are good & neck is dead straight.

This guitar came in with an old gig bag. The guitar will fit in a Thomann rectangular moulded case. As far as I can tell, everything looks original and this is a great & affordable guitar to collect for the future.

Here are some specifications

Yamaha SG-RR Standard - TV yellow (Lime de Mahogany is translated from Japanese?)

Body: Mahogany
Neck: Set Mahogany
Fretboard: Rosewood 22 Frets 350mms radius
Headstock: Black with tuning fork logo and SG-RR Standard in Script Black on White Truss Rod cover with Yamaha in Capitals
Tuners: Vintage Kluson style
Pickups: 2 x Alnico Vs P90 style
Controls: Black with Silver top 1 volume 1 tone 3 way switch
Hardware: Chrome
Bridge: Chrome 6 saddle hardtail with through body stringing
Pickguard Tortoiseshell on the black, black on the Cherry and blonde.
Colours Black Vintage Cherry or Blonde/TV Yellow/Lime Mahogany (depending on your view!)

Weight: 3.13kg

New Thomann hard case

01/09/2026

Happy Tuesday! This batch just just arrived from Japan 😎
From top to bottom:
2016 Fender MIJ Exclusive Classic 70s Stratocaster all Black
1983 JV Squier ST-552 H/H Strat Candy Apple Red (rare)
2015 Fender MIJ Aerodyne Stratocaster AST-M Old Candy Apple Red (24.75" Gibson scale)
2024 Tokai Japan LS-148F Cherry Sunburst (beautiful flame top)
2024 Fender MIJ Traditional II '60s Jazzmaster 3-Tone Sunburst (9.5" radius)
2010 Edwards E-TE-92CTM LT Telecaster Lake Placid Blue (bound body & USA Seymour Duncans)

I'm working hard to get them on the website so bear with me. No prices etc yet. Hopefully tomorrow

20/08/2026

Here's Whitstable Guitars guitar of the day & it's a beauty made at the Fujigen-Gakki facility, Nagano, Japan 😎

2023 Fujigen FGN NTE-21RAH Ash 2TS Telecaster MIJ & new Hard Case £799.00 + £30.00 UK shipping

JAPAN IMPORT

Here is a superb example of a top of the range 2023 Neo Classic Telecaster from Fujigen guitar makers FGN. It is the higher end "21R" Neo Classic Tele. The standard ones were a "10R". The 21R model has USA Seymour Duncan pickups. An SH-1N at the Neck position and an STL-1 at the bridge along with a solid ash body, compound fretboard radius. 4 position switch selection giving humbucker & single coil options on the neck pickup etc etc

Overall condition is superb with no significant scratches dents or dings that I can find. The protective film is even still on the scratchplate!

The Fujigen FGN NTE-210R Ash Telecaster definitely ticks all of the boxes and is just fabulous. Yet again, the Japanese craftsmen always manage to impress & this guitar is just gorgeous. Ash body, Compound radius fretboard, Seymour Duncan pickups. Just wow!

These guitars retail at around £1200-£1300 in the UK if you can get one.

This particular guitar just has a few tiny scratches and dents and some playing marks. It really is a beautiful thing!

The Neo Classic series. (From FGN)

Neo Classic NCTL is a guitar based on the traditional T style, but with new elements incorporated throughout to meet modern needs.

This model is a combination of an Ash body, Rosewood fingerboard, and To***co Sunburst finish.
As it is a high-end model of the 20 grade, it is equipped with Seymour Duncan PU's.

The fret edge treatment supports smooth fi*****ng, and the recently popular "compound radius fingerboard" is also used to reduce stress when playing. The neck grip has also been highly praised by many users, who say it is "not too thick or too thin, making it easy to hold."

The pickups are a combination of Seymour Duncan SH-1N and STL-1. In addition to the crisp sound of the TL type rear PU, the front PU is an orthodox humbucker, allowing for a wider range of sound creation.

The controls are 1 volume, 1 tone, and 4-way lever switch. The lever switch can be switched between F (hum) - F (tap) - F (tap) + R - R.

Specifications:
Construction
Bolt-on neck
Body: Ash. 2 piece
Neck: Maple U-Shape
Fingerboard: Rosewood
Scale: 25.5" (648mm)
Frets: 22F Medium CFS
Tuners: GOTOH® SD91-05M MG
Bridge: GOTOH® BS-TC1
Hardware Color: Chrome & Nickel
Pickup (Neck): Seymour Duncan® '59™ Neck SH-1n
Pickup (Bridge): Seymour Duncan® Vintage '54™ Tele STL-1
Controls
1 x Volume, 1 x Tone, 4 Way Lever SW
Body Finish: Top Lacquer Gloss
Colour: 2TS (To***co Sunburst)
Weight: 3.40 kg
Hard Case: Gear4music/Thomann Black Plain (Tweed option available)

The compound radius fingerboard has smaller (rounder) radius towards nut while larger (flatter) radius towards neck end i.e. similar to a shape of a cone.This allows for much easier chord playing at lower frets while having less stress, especially when bending strings at higher registers.

As stated many times, due to courier damage, all my guitars are shipped in hard cases (usually new) this one being a plain black one. If you are collecting, I'm happy to knock off the price of the case (About £50) & I may even have an old gig bag you can have to take it away in

So to sum up, an excellent guitar from Fujigen Japan. This model is not so easy (or as cheap) to find here in the UK unless you import it. Why not play something that's just a little bit different?

If you are further interested in this guitar, you can either email me with any queries & I'll do my best to get back to you within 24 hours.

13/08/2026

It's a hot Thursday & I can't get in the workshop. (luckily there's no guitars in there!) So, I thought I'd post this guitar of the day instead...

2012 Edwards ESP E-LP-98CD LTC (Lacquer Taste Series) Les Paul Custom Black & new hard case. £799.00 + £30.00 UK shipping.

JAPAN IMPORT

Here we have an excellent example of the Edwards Les Paul Custom. Usual top quality build and specs from this great guitar builder. The guitar has a solid Mahogany body with a carved Maple top & Mahogany neck with an Ebony fretboard. The guitar is loaded with the classic combination from Seymour Duncan, an SH-1n at the neck & SH-4b at the bridge. These are covered pickups.

This guitar is from more desirable "Lacquer Taste" series which is no longer available. A thin coat of Nitrocellulose was added to the Poly finish giving the guitar a vintage, less glossy look.

The figures in the model number of Edwards guitars relate to the price new in Japanese Yen. However, it should be borne in mind that a guitar that cost 98,000 Yen in 2011 would cost a lot more Yen 14 years later. I think the newer Les Paul Customs from Edwards are E-LP-130CD indicating a price now of 130,000 Yen although they are essentially the same guitar in quality etc.

Although around 14 years old, this guitar is in superb condition & other than some scratching on the back and some other light scratching near the bridge, it's pretty much perfect and all original.

Edwards guitars are assembled in Japan by ESP. The bodies & necks are made at an ESP factory in a northern province in China overseen by Japanese ESP employees. All the finishing is done at a facility in Tokyo, Japan. As far as I am aware, Edwards guitars are generally close replicas of USA guitars & as such, they are just made for the Japanese domestic market. What I will say about them is that they are built to a really high standard & not only that, they use good woods (Ash/Alder/Mahogany etc) and are usually fitted with USA pickups & electrics (CTS pots & switches) and Japanese GOTOH hardwear. The Edwards Les Paul range are always popular & they never hang around very long.

This particular guitar has been well looked after and it plays very well too. Please check out the gallery photos. The SH-1n & SH-4b pickups from Seymour Duncan USA sound great. The frets show little wear with no indents & the guitar plays really well. It's comfortable, weighs 3.95 kg (8lbs 11oz) and looks super cool

2012 Edwards ESP Japan E-LP-98CD LTC Black/Gold

Specifications:
BODY: Solid Mahogany with a carved Maple top
NECK: Mahogany
FINGERBOARD: Ebony, 22 frets
RADIUS: 305R
SCALE: 628mm
NUT: Bone (42mm)
INLAY: Block Markers (MOP effect)
JOINT: Set-neck
TUNER GOTOH Enclosed Gold Coloured
BRIDGE: Bar Tailpiece
PICKUPS: (Neck) Seymour Duncan SH-1n (Covered)
(Bridge) Seymour Duncan SH-4b (Covered)
PARTS COLOUR: Gold
CONTROLS: Neck Volume & Tone, Bridge Volume & Tone, Toggle PU Selector
WEIGHT: 3.95 kg (8lbs 11oz)
CASE: Brand new Thomann fitted hard case

All in all it's an excellent guitar from ESP that's difficult to find here in the UK

04/08/2026

Happy Tuesday! Here's Whitstable Guitars guitar of the day 🤓

2025 Fender Made in Japan Hybrid II Telecaster Forest Blue & New Hard Case £789.00 + shipping

JAPAN IMPORT

Here is one of my favourite Japanese Fenders. The Hybrid II Telecaster. This one is in eye catching "Forest Blue". Unlike the one that I own and play in my band, this one has a Rosewood fretboard. It also features a parchment 3 ply scratchplate & just looks great.

This guitar is a Hybrid II telecaster whereas the others I have purchased have been first generation hybrids. So, what's the difference? I suppose the main differences with this guitar are that it comes loaded with vintage voiced pickups which sound great. The body is still Alder but it has the preferred "belly cutaway" It has a 60's style 8 hole pickguard. The first generation Hybrids were produced as "50's, 60's or 70's" Hybrids but the Hybrid II's are just produced as Hybrids. Other than that I think they are pretty much the same. Same switching, locking tuners, bridge, saddles, Satin finish on the back of the neck & 9.5" radius. I actually use one of these in my covers band so if you want to see one being played, just look at the YouTube videos on our website homepage:

https://www.nightwatchband.co.uk/

Since 2015, Fender Made in Japan guitars have been produced at the "Dyna-Gakki" factory in Nagano. This facility has been making fabulous guitars since 1972 for Fender Japan (pre 2015) Greco, Fernandes. The quality of the instruments coming from this factory is superb.

https://vintagejapanguitars.com/dyna-gakki-en/

This guitar is in superb condition and plays beautifully as you would expect. I've had a really good look over it and I would like to describe it as mint but I won't in case I have missed something! It truly is in fantastic condition and looks to have barely been played.

They have been available in very limited numbers in the UK at around £1200 supplied with a thin gig bag but everywhere seems to be sold out now. Probably because they are so good. Also, most one I have found have a Maple fretboard. This one has a Rosewood one.

In short, Fender has taken classic models, 50's Teles & Strats, 60's Teles & Strats & Jazzmasters & adapted them with some modern tweaks whilst retaining the classic looks. In the case of this 60s Telecaster, it still has the Alder body, 3 ply 8 hole pickguard & a Maple neck and Rosewood fretboard but it also has a 9.5" Radius fretboard instead of a 7.25", medium jumbo frets, a satin finish to the neck rather than gloss, locking tuners, a set of Fender Vintage voiced pickups & a 4 way switch giving an "in series" option with switching.

For me, the best features on this guitar are the 9.5" fretboard radius, the vintage voiced pickups with the 4 way switch which I find really useful for soloing & the locking tuners which do exactly what they're supposed to do. At 3.35 kg it's a light, well balanced guitar too. The price also includes a new £65.00 hard case making it a good deal.

An excellent player & superb looker. This Tele really ticks all the boxes for me and I can't see it hanging around for very long.

Specifications

Body
Series: Fender MIJ (Made in Japan)
Body Colour: Forest Blue
Body Material: Alder
Body Finish: Polyester

Neck
Neck Material: Maple
Neck Finish: Satin Polyurethane
Neck Shape: U Shape
Neck Plate: 4-Bolt
Fingerboard: Rosewood
Fingerboard Radius: 9.5'' (250mm)
No. of Frets: 21 (Tall Narrow)
Position Inlays: White Dots
Scale Length: 25.5'' (648mm)
Weight: 3.35 kg

Hardware and Electronics
Nut Material: Bone
Nut Width: 1.675'' (42.5mm)
Tuning Machines: Vintage-Style Locking
Bridge: 3-Saddle, Strings-Through-Body Tele with Brass Saddles
Pick-Guard: 3 Ply Parchment/Black/Parchment (8 hole)
Neck Pickup: Fender Vintage Voiced Single-Coil Tele
Bridge Pickup: Fender Vintage Voiced Single-Coil Tele

Pickup Switching: 4-Position Blade, Position 1 – Bridge Pickup, Position 2 - Bridge and Neck Pickups (in parallel), Position 3 – Neck Pickup, Position 4 – Neck and Bridge Pickups (in series)

Controls: Master Volume, Master Tone
Control K***s: Chrome (Dome Style)
Hardwear Finish: Chrome
Case included: brand new Black or Tweed rectangular hard case (now with Whitstable Guitars badge)

All in all it's an excellent guitar from Fender in Japan that you probably won't find here in the UK

Address

Clover Rise
Whitstable
CT53

Website

http://www.whitstableguitars.co.uk/

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