The Complete Combat Guitars Tokyo Price Guide 2026: ST WARM, Custom Order, Modern Pro Bass, Benchcraft, and Used Values

Last updated: September 2026

Handcrafted in Tokyo, Japan since 1988, Combat Guitars stands as one of the most revered independent boutique custom workshops in Japanese luthiery history.

In an era dominated by automated computer-numerical-control (CNC) mass production, Combat Guitars has fiercely preserved the ethos of pure manual benchcraft. Inside their Tokyo workshop, master luthiers shape every body contour, carve every neck profile, and route every pickup cavity using hand-operated lathes, manual pin routers, and traditional bench chisels. Famous across Tokyo's professional recording studios and progressive rock stages, Combat creates bespoke one-off electric guitars and basses—including the warm chambered ST WARM, the vintage-inspired Classic ST Custom, and the thumping Modern Pro DJB-5 active bass featuring Darkglass electronics.

Whether you are seeking a hand-carved ST WARM with vintage acoustic bloom, an extended-range DJB-5 5-string active bass, a tour-grade 7-string Evertune metal weapon, or a mastergrade LP-STD Custom, this 2026 fair market valuation guide outlines secondary prices, bespoke construction techniques, and pre-purchase inspection guidelines.

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Combat Guitars Market Overview 2026

Because Combat Guitars operates as a true bespoke custom shop building individual instruments to order rather than shipping standardized catalog inventory, every used Combat guitar on the market possesses unique specifications. Secondary market prices reflect both the artisan labor involved in hand-shaping and the extraordinary discount savvy buyers can obtain compared to original commissioning costs.

Key Market Statistics (2026 Secondary Real Data):

• Average Used Combat Instrument Price: $1,580 (up 4.5% year-over-year)
• Active Secondary Listings: ~75 instruments globally across Digimart, Tokyo workshop direct consignment, Reverb, and Bass Japan Direct
• Monthly Sales Velocity: ~16 instruments sold monthly
• Price Range: $780 (player-grade bespoke builds or older S-types) to $3,600+ (Mastergrade 5A quilt/flame maple custom orders with Brazilian rosewood fingerboards)
• New vs. Used Price Spread: Commissioning a custom Combat build in Tokyo typically begins at ¥280,000 – ¥500,000+ JPY ($1,900 – $3,500+ USD). Clean pre-owned examples on the secondary market trade for 35% to 50% below original build costs, representing exceptional value for handmade Japanese benchcraft.
• Pawnshop Liquidation Floor: $600 – $800 across Japanese second-hand channels.
• Top Value Drivers: ST WARM chambered body construction, mastergrade quilt/flame maple top, Darkglass Tone Capsule preamp in 5-string basses, boutique pickup brands (Bare Knuckle / Curtis Novak / Seymour Duncan Antiquity), and original Tokyo warranty card / build sheet.

┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                   Combat Guitars Price Tier Breakdown 2026             │
├──────────────────────────┬──────────────────────┬──────────────────────┤
│ Tier                     │ Core Models          │ Used FMV (USD)       │
├──────────────────────────┼──────────────────────┼──────────────────────┤
│ Mastergrade Custom Order │ 5A Quilt/Flame Tops  │ $2,400 – $3,600+     │
│ Combat ST WARM Series    │ Chambered Mahogany   │ $1,450 – $2,100      │
│ Modern Pro DJB-5 Bass    │ 5-String Darkglass   │ $1,250 – $1,750      │
│ Classic ST / TE Custom   │ Vintage Spec Models  │ $1,150 – $1,650      │
│ Combat LP-STD Singlecut  │ Carved Top Singlecut │ $1,800 – $2,800      │
│ Player Grade One-Off     │ Studio Player Builds │ $780 – $1,150        │
└──────────────────────────┴──────────────────────┴──────────────────────┘

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What Makes Combat Guitars Unique?

1. 100% Manual Hand Benchcraft (No CNC): Unlike large industrial manufacturers, Combat utilizes no automated CNC routing programs. Every neck is hand-carved with spokeshaves and rasps, and every pickup cavity is manually routed using templates. This human touch ensures that each instrument responds uniquely to the natural grain and density of its specific tonewood blank.
2. ST WARM Acoustic Chamber Architecture: The ST WARM model incorporates precision acoustic chambers hollowed inside a solid mahogany or alder body. This acoustic airspace tames harsh treble frequencies and rounds off single-coil spikiness, producing a velvety, flute-like vocal sustain coveted by jazz and fusion players.
3. Advanced Active Bass Electronics (Darkglass Tone Capsule): Combat was among the first boutique workshops in Japan to integrate the renowned Darkglass Tone Capsule onboard preamp into its Modern Pro DJB-5 series. Instead of a traditional treble boost/cut, the circuit provides dedicated Bass (70Hz), Low-Mids (500Hz), and High-Mids (2.8kHz) controls for surgical presence in modern progressive mixes.
4. Tailored Ergonomics & Zero Tone Compromise: Because Combat builds custom orders for demanding session pros, neck carves, fret wire selections (Jescar stainless steel or vintage nickel), and fingerboard radii are customized to individual player anatomy, resulting in sublime playability.

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Benchmark Combat Models & Valuation Breakdown

1. Combat ST WARM: $1,450 – $2,100 Used

Combat's flagship electric guitar design, engineering acoustic chamber warmth into an S-style silhouette.

• Specifications: Chambered Honduran mahogany or alder body, hard rock maple neck with Madagascar rosewood or maple board, Seymour Duncan Antiquity or Curtis Novak single-coil pickups, Gotoh 510 tremolo bridge with steel block, thin nitrocellulose or semi-gloss urethane finish.
• Tone Profile: Lush, vocal, and warm. It delivers classic Strat chime and glassy in-between 'quack' without the strident, ice-pick high frequencies often found in bright swamp ash guitars.
• Fair Market Value:
  • Clean Pre-Owned ST WARM: $1,450 – $2,100 (New Build Cost: ~$2,400 – $3,200)
  • Exotic Top (Quilt / Koa): $1,850 – $2,600
  • Player Grade: $1,100 – $1,350
• Market Benchmark: Search live Combat Guitars listings on Digimart for Tokyo inventory.

2. Combat Modern Pro DJB-5DG (5-String Active Bass): $1,250 – $1,750 Used

A thunderous boutique 5-string bass engineered for modern rock, gospel, and progressive metal.

• Specifications: Heavyweight white ash or alder body, quarter-sawn maple neck with 21 or 24 frets, Nordstrand or Combat custom dual-coil pickups, Darkglass Tone Capsule 3-band active preamp (18V operation), Gotoh high-mass bridge.
• Tone Profile: Ferocious low-B note definition with razor-sharp midrange punch. The Darkglass EQ shapes aggressive slap bite and heavy fingerstyle drive with zero sub-bass rumble.
• Fair Market Value:
  • Clean Pre-Owned DJB-5DG: $1,250 – $1,750 (New Build Cost: ~$2,200 – $2,800)
  • Passive MMPB / JB Version: $1,050 – $1,450
  • Player Grade: $850 – $1,150
• Market Benchmark: Compare current Combat bass listings on Digimart or Bass Japan Direct.

3. Combat LP-STD / Custom Order Singlecut: $1,800 – $2,800 Used

Bespoke hand-carved singlecuts rivaling the finest Japanese boutique replicas.

• Specifications: Hand-carved flame maple cap, solid African or Honduran mahogany back (non-weight relieved), long tenon deep set-neck, Bare Knuckle or custom hand-wound PAF humbuckers, CTS 500k pots with paper-in-oil capacitors.
• Tone Profile: Enormous vintage sustain, woody acoustic bloom, and rich harmonic complexity across all registers.
• Fair Market Value:
  • Clean Pre-Owned: $1,800 – $2,800 (New Build Cost: ~$3,500 – $4,500)
  • Player Grade: $1,400 – $1,750

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Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist for Used Combat Guitars

When inspecting a pre-owned Combat instrument, remember that each piece is a bespoke creation:

1. Verify Build Sheet & Factory Specification Sheet: Because Combat instruments are built to custom order, always request the original Japanese spec sheet or warranty card. This confirms the exact body wood, neck carve radius, and factory pickup model (e.g., whether it came with Bare Knuckle, Seymour Duncan, or Combat proprietary pickups).
2. Inspect Fret End Polish & Fingerboard Edges: Combat luthiers meticulously hand-roll fingerboard edges and hand-crown fret ends. Check for fret sprout or aftermarket refretting that may not match factory standards.
3. Examine Control Cavity Wiring: Inspect the rear electronics cavity. Authentic Combat instruments feature immaculately dressed cloth or shielded wiring, high-grade Japanese switches, and neat solder joints. Check that aftermarket modifications have been done cleanly.
4. Test Darkglass / Active Preamp Operation: On active bass models, test both 9V or 18V battery snaps. Ensure the bass, low-mid, and high-mid EQ pots turn smoothly with clear center detents and produce no DC offset popping through the amp.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Combat Guitars located?

Combat Guitars operates out of their dedicated custom workshop in Tokyo, Japan, where every instrument is built by hand by master Japanese luthiers.

What is the Google Product Taxonomy for Combat instruments?

The exact Google Product Taxonomy is Arts & Entertainment > Hobbies & Creative Arts > Musical Instruments > String Instruments > Guitars > Electric Guitars and ... > Guitars > Bass Guitars.

How can I verify the custom build history of a Combat guitar?

Combat serial numbers are typically recorded on the back of the headstock or inside the control cavity / neck pocket. Because Combat maintains thorough archives of all custom build orders, contacting the Tokyo workshop with photos of the instrument and serial number will confirm original ownership specs and manufacturing year.