Next-Generation Domestic Fighter Jet-Style Guitar

For boys, being a pilot has long been a dream job on par with being a baseball player. Fighter jets, in particular, continue to captivate the hearts of men with their sleek, streamlined design and speed. This aircraft, known as the "Shinshin," has long been the focus of attention as a demonstrator of Japan’s advanced technology.

Concept Sketches And now, as the next installment in our line of original Japanese-made guitars, the “TACHIKOMAGT,” this project aligns perfectly with our vision—if it’s a purely Japanese-made fighter jet, then we should create a purely Japanese-made guitar. The men at our shop are already buzzing with excitement.

When creating the rough design, we didn’t worry about balance—we simply pursued a style that looked cool. For the body, we placed the distinctive image of the main wings, horizontal stabilizers, and canopy at the center. It’s a guitarist’s instinct to want to produce a spacey sound using the tremolo arm on a jet-inspired guitar. If we treat the headstock as the nose, the overall image is complete.

Initially, we considered equipping it with two humbuckers and incorporating designs like national flags on the fretboard. The headstock design was scrapped in favor of a standard V-shape, and we had also envisioned an engine air intake on the upper part of the body. Additionally, the prototype was built with a body top featuring a raised arch in the center.

Now, on to making the dream a reality. A delivery ceremony (with a toast of beer) was held for the first mass-produced model at TCGAKKI, where the condition of the aircraft was inspected. The wings, featuring the Japanese flag design extending from the center to both sides, and the bright red horizontal stabilizers are joined using different materials on each side, with some parts lightened to enhance combat effectiveness.

The canopy features a rugged "Single Humbucker" design, giving it a powerful presence. An FX5 Turbo Kahler engine is mounted at the rear, enabling versatile variable arming.Combined with the Extreme Distortion Amp Burner, thrust soars to levels reminiscent of the screaming 80s heavy metal era. Furthermore, the black-painted nose is equipped not with an AESA radar, but with the ultimate KKTS (Black, Hard, Sharp, and Awesome) tip.

The X-2 is an experimental aircraft developed by Japan’s Agency for Defense Equipment to demonstrate advanced technologies applicable to next-generation stealth fighters. With Mitsubishi Heavy Industries as the prime contractor and the cooperation of 220 domestic companies, including Fuji Heavy Industries and IHI, it successfully completed its maiden flight on April 22, 2016, from Nagoya Prefectural Airport.Before the “X-2” designation was announced, the official name was Advanced Technological Demonstrator-X (ATD-X). However, the nickname “Shinshin” (meaning “Mount Fuji”), which was used internally during the early stages of the project, has become widely popular among the media and aviation enthusiasts.Incidentally, the Komaki South Plant of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries’ Nagoya Aerospace Systems Works (formerly Nagoya Aircraft Works), where ground tests are being conducted, is the very facility that once produced the Zero fighter. This fact makes the Shinshin—the first “Hinomaru stealth aircraft”—feel particularly special.