Simon Mad Cat

This is a relatively simple Telecaster-style build with the pickups mounted on a wooden scratchplate and bridge pickup plate inspired by the Prince ‘Mad Cat’ guitar.

I’m afraid this is where the similarity ends though – Prince’s guitar used Stratocaster pickups and not Telecaster pickups, had no body carving, was double bound in Tortoise Shell and was a different shape, but hey – this is still a lovely guitar!

The pickups are the ever-popular Tonerider Hot Classics and a push-pull on the Tone Pot selects a series override – I think this is better than a 4-way switch, but that’s very much personal preference.

The final weight is 6lb 13oz, which is pretty much what I was hoping for.

Sale of this guitar will fund a donations to Alzheimer’s charities .

Design

There are no unique design elements – just a plate mounted Telecaster Bridge pickup. The body uses Stratocaster carves, but a much smaller radius round-over on the body. The guitar has a rear control cavity with single volume and tone controls.

Build

The main body wood is recycled White Meranti and the top is made from Ash slats and a sheet of recycled Mahogany from old furniture.

The neck has a Tiger Wood spine with Rock Maple edges – all quarter sawn. The fretboard is Leopard Wood.

The body has extensive weight relief, including an internal carve to match the belly carve. The top is double-layer – with the ash top sitting on a sheet of mahogany – this provides an attractive line in the arm carve.