Why Switch to a White Guitar?

If you find yourself staring off into the distance at that question, then congratulations — you’ve just earned an honorary resident certificate for my website.

In Japan during the early 1970s, the white guitar carried a very different image: it evoked the vision of a graceful, pure woman in a long white skirt, her hair flowing down to her waist. By the late 1970s, however, that image had changed dramatically — the white guitar became a badge of glory, associated with musicians who had achieved wild, unforgettable feats on a certain television program. By the 1980s, it had evolved yet again, becoming an icon of the visual kei movement, played by artists so striking that children would literally point at them in the street.

This particular guitar was made in 1984, placing it firmly in that final category.

I may have written about this with a slightly tongue-in-cheek tone, but truth be told, a Les Paul–style guitar actually looks quite elegant in white. Strictly speaking, this one isn’t pure white but cream, and its softly contoured top has a certain charm — like a pie crust supporting delicate ornaments. It’s the kind of guitar that would really stand out on stage, especially in the hands of a young, energetic band.

Everything on this instrument remains completely original. The pickups are Smooth Crush, and it’s a true heavyweight, tipping the scales at 4.78 kg (including strings).

(Updated May 29, 2016)