HS Anderson Madcat Guitar
Step into the realm of guitar royalty with our exclusive collection of authentic, handcrafted H.S. Anderson guitars. Manufactured in highly limited quantities in Japan, H.S. Anderson is a legendary brand revered by collectors and tone connoisseurs worldwide. Most famous for the iconic H.S. Anderson Mad Cat—the legendary instrument favored by Prince—these guitars represent the absolute pinnacle of vintage Japanese craftsmanship, unique aesthetics, and exceptional tone. As a premier authorized dealer for H.S. Anderson UK, MusicStreet is proud to offer these rare masterpieces.
Because H.S. Anderson production is extremely limited, every instrument we receive is a rare find. Each guitar undergoes a rigorous professional workshop setup (worth £75) in our Huntingdon showroom to ensure its unique playability and tone are perfectly optimized before it reaches your hands.
✓ Handcrafted in Japan
✓ Free Fully Insured UK Delivery
✓ Professional Setup Included
Explore HS Anderson Madcat Guitar at MusicStreet
The MusicStreet Setup Advantage: Why Your H.S. Anderson Deserves It
An H.S. Anderson guitar is not just an instrument; it is a rare piece of musical history and a highly sought-after collector's item. Whether you are purchasing a modern reissue of the legendary Mad Cat or a vintage Japanese original, the playability must match the instrument's incredible pedigree. Because these guitars feature unique wood combinations—such as the Mad Cat's ash, maple, and walnut center strip—they are highly sensitive to climate changes during transit from Japan.
At MusicStreet, we treat every H.S. Anderson with the utmost care. We perform a **free £75 professional workshop setup** on every single guitar we sell. Our expert luthiers adjust the truss rod, file the nut slots, level the bridge saddles, and polish the frets to ensure your new instrument plays with a comfortable, buzz-free low action straight out of the box.
🔧 Free £75 Professional Setup
Every H.S. Anderson guitar is individually set up in our in-house workshop. We adjust the action, intonation, and neck relief to match your playing style, ensuring it plays perfectly straight out of the box.
🛡️ 12-Month Warranty
We stand behind every instrument we sell. All of our H.S. Anderson guitars come with a full 12-month warranty, giving you complete peace of mind with your purchase.
🚚 Free UK Delivery & 14-Day Returns
Get free, fully insured UK shipping on all orders over £99. If the guitar isn't the perfect fit for your hands, return it to us within 14 days for a hassle-free refund or exchange.
The Legend of the H.S. Anderson Mad Cat
First released in 1973, the **H.S. Anderson Mad Cat** is one of the most legendary electric guitars ever built. Featuring a highly distinctive walnut center strip, sen ash wings, a maple fingerboard, and a unique leopard-print pickguard, the Mad Cat gained global fame as the primary instrument of **Prince**. He used his beloved Mad Cat to record and perform his most iconic hits, including "Purple Rain," "Let's Go Crazy," and "Kiss."
Today, H.S. Anderson guitars are handcrafted in limited numbers in Japan, maintaining the exact vintage specifications, premium tonewoods, and custom-wound pickups that made the original 1970s models so special. Owning an H.S. Anderson is owning a piece of rock history.
Guitar Trade-In & Part-Exchange Program
Ready to upgrade your current rig? We make it incredibly easy to trade in your pre-owned gear. Through our straightforward guitar part-exchange program, you can bring your old guitar, amplifier, or effects pedals into our showroom (or send us details online) and put its value directly toward any new or used H.S. Anderson guitar in our store.
Visit Our Huntingdon Guitar Showroom
If you are searching for premium guitar shops in Cambridgeshire, come visit our showroom in Huntingdon. Located at 10 Chequers Court, our showroom features a dedicated acoustic and electric room where you can sit back, play, and compare different boutique instruments side-by-side. We are easily accessible from Cambridge, Peterborough, and Bedford, with convenient parking nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions About H.S. Anderson Guitars
What is the history of H.S. Anderson guitars? +
H.S. Anderson is a legendary Japanese boutique brand launched in the early 1970s by the Morris guitar company. Designed by master luthier Hidesato Shiino, the brand became famous for creating highly original, high-quality electric guitars, most notably the "Mad Cat" in 1973. Today, these instruments are handcrafted in very limited quantities in Japan to the exact original specifications.
Why is the H.S. Anderson Mad Cat so famous? +
The Mad Cat is famous because it was Prince's primary electric guitar throughout his entire career. He purchased his original Mad Cat in the late 1970s and used it to record almost all of his legendary albums and perform on his historic world tours. The guitar's unique look, featuring a leopard-print pickguard and maple/walnut construction, is instantly recognizable.
What is included in your £75 professional setup? +
Our expert in-house technicians perform a complete multi-point inspection. This includes adjusting the neck relief (truss rod), setting the optimal string action (height) at both the nut and bridge saddles, setting the intonation, cleaning and conditioning the fretboard, polishing the frets, checking all electronics/pots, and installing a fresh set of premium strings.
Can I trade in my old gear toward a purchase? +
Absolutely. We offer a highly competitive part-exchange program. You can bring your gear directly to our Huntingdon showroom for an on-the-spot valuation, or contact us online with photos and details to receive a preliminary trade-in estimate.
The Legend of the Mad Cat: Prince's Ultimate Weapon
The story of H.S. Anderson is forever intertwined with one of the most iconic guitars in music history. Originally designed in 1973 by Hidesato Shiino and manufactured by Morris in Japan, the H.S. Anderson Mad Cat featured a unique construction: a sen ash body with a walnut center strip, a highly figured maple top and back, and a distinctive leopard-print pickguard and matching headstock detail.
In the late 1970s, Prince acquired a Mad Cat (branded under the Hohner name, which was licensed for export) and made it his primary instrument. It was the guitar he used to record and perform his most legendary tracks—including Purple Rain, Let's Go Crazy, and Kiss.
Today, the Prince Mad Cat guitar is a holy grail for collectors. H.S. Anderson continues to manufacture these instruments in Japan in extremely limited, handcrafted batches, adhering strictly to the original 1973 specifications to preserve their unique voice, resonance, and aesthetic brilliance.
Uncompromising Japanese Craftsmanship
While the Mad Cat is the crown jewel, the entire H.S. Anderson philosophy is built on uncompromising quality. These are not mass-produced factory guitars; they are built by a small, dedicated team of master luthiers in Japan who treat guitar making as an art form.
From the selection of premium, resonant sen ash and maple to the hand-wired electronics and custom-voiced pickups, every H.S. Anderson instrument is built to deliver a highly responsive, dynamic playing experience that stands out in any studio or stage environment.
The MusicStreet Difference: Workshop-Prepared Playability
At MusicStreet, we don't believe in "box shifting"—especially when it comes to rare, handcrafted instruments of this caliber.
Every single H.S. Anderson guitar that leaves our Huntingdon showroom undergoes a rigorous, multi-point inspection and a professional workshop setup (worth £75) by our expert guitar techs. We adjust the action, relief, intonation, and fretwork to ensure your new instrument plays flawlessly straight out of the box.
- No Drop-Shipping: Every guitar listed on our site is physically in stock at our Huntingdon store.
- 1-Year Warranty: We back every instrument we sell with a comprehensive 1-year warranty.
- Free UK Shipping: Enjoy free, fully insured UK shipping on all orders over £99, with competitive rates worldwide.
- Flexible Financing: Buy with confidence using Klarna or PayPal split payments.
4. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is the current H.S. Anderson Mad Cat an exact replica of the 1973 original?
Yes. The current H.S. Anderson Mad Cat is handcrafted in Japan using the exact same construction methods and specifications as the 1973 original. This includes the sen ash body with a walnut center strip, maple top and back, custom-voiced single-coil pickups, and the iconic leopard-print pickguard and matching headstock detail.
Why are H.S. Anderson guitars so limited?
H.S. Anderson guitars are handcrafted in very small batches in Japan to maintain the absolute highest standards of quality control and craftsmanship. Because they do not mass-produce their instruments, global demand consistently exceeds supply, making them highly sought-after by collectors and professional musicians.
Does my H.S. Anderson guitar come set up?
Yes. Every H.S. Anderson guitar purchased from MusicStreet receives a professional, custom setup in our in-house workshop before dispatch. If you have specific preferences for string gauge or tuning, simply let us know when placing your order, and our techs will configure it to your exact specifications.
Can I try these guitars in person?
Absolutely. We welcome you to visit our independent showroom at 10 Chequers Court, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire. You can get hands-on with our collection, test them through premium amplifiers, and get honest, expert advice from our team of working musicians.
