Fender has meticulously recreated John Frusciante’s iconic 1962 Stratocaster for its latest Limited Edition Masterbuilt Custom Shop signature guitar release.
Over the decades, numerous Strats have achieved legendary status, including David Gilmour’s Black Strat and Eric Clapton’s “Blackie,” but Frusciante’s heavily relic’d sunburst model holds its own among these classics.
The ’62 Strat has been central to Frusciante’s work with the Red Hot Chili Peppers, featuring prominently in the recording and performance of many of the band’s biggest hits. It has become an integral part of Frusciante’s renowned guitar tone and the broader RHCP sound.
Rumors of a Frusciante signature Strat began circulating in May last year after he was seen playing a replica of his original model. Now, after much anticipation, his first-ever Fender signature model has arrived. This is not just any signature guitar; it’s a top-tier Custom Shop replica crafted by Senior Masterbuilder Paul Waller, priced at a significant $20,000.
The price reflects the meticulous attention to detail in this replica. Fender has emphasized that it “spared no expense” in replicating every aspect of the original, from the dings and scratches on the headstock and neck to the heavily aged sunburst finish.
The guitar’s electronics and playability mirror Frusciante’s original model, providing a “worn-in quality” typically found only in vintage instruments. It features an ILLITCH hum-canceling system for the pickups, enhancing its authenticity.
The specs include a select two-piece alder body, a rift-sawn maple neck, and a slab rosewood fingerboard with 21 narrow tall frets and a vintage 7.25” radius. Additional features include vintage-style tuners, a bone nut, vintage Strat wiring, and a synchronized tremolo.
This guitar represents an unparalleled opportunity to experience a near-exact replica of the Stratocaster that Frusciante acquired in the late 1990s upon rejoining the band for the Californication era.
“The main guitar that I played was my ’62 Strat, which I got when I rejoined the band back in 1998,” he recalled in 2022. “I didn’t have money for a Strat, but Anthony [Kiedis] lent me the funds to get one, and it was the one that spoke to me.”
While the $20,000 price tag may be out of reach for many players, Fender has previously released similar models for other artists, such as Mike McCready. Fans are hopeful that a more affordable variant of Frusciante’s Strat could eventually be produced.
Waller remarked, “Frusciante’s Strat is among the most iconic Fenders of all time; recreating this instrument’s unique imperfections was a true privilege. Behind every ding and dent is a story, and our job is to ensure this guitar’s narrative is told with stunning detail.”
The dedication to craftsmanship and history in this release showcases Frusciante’s profound impact on the guitar world and the legacy of his music.
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