Fender Jimi Hendrix Stratocaster

Guitarist february 2016

hen we heard that another Hendrix

tribute Strat was in the offing,

the groans were audible. Often in

the past, the great man’s name has been used

with less sensitivity than we would have liked.

After all, he’s not here to sanctify any of these

products or decisions. The spec, too, seemed

odd – a right-handed guitar with upside-down

headstock and reverse-angled bridge pickup;

surely it could only end up being the proverbial

canine’s supper?

But it’s nothing of the sort. Built in Fender’s

Ensenada, Mexico factory, the Jimi Hendrix

Stratocaster is available in Olympic White or

Black, both with maple neck, tinted pickups

and knobs on a white-black-white pickguard.

Mexican Fenders are built supremely well;

their polyester finish is exemplary and their

necks never anything but great. Yes, this

one’s headstock is upside down and, yes, its

bridge pickup is reversed, but these facets

– the consequence of Jimi turning a regular

Strat upside down – contributed greatly to its

playability and sound in his hands.

Words Neville Marten Photography Neil Godwin

Fender introduces a Hendrix-inspired guitar

priced to appeal to younger fans, but which

could inspire any guitarist lusting after that

elusive ‘cool’ factor

first play

FENDER JIMI HENDRIX

STRATOCASTER

£689

WHAT IS IT? Mexican-made

Stratocaster tribute to one of the

greatest guitarists of all time

If Left

Was Right

GIT403.rev_fend.indd 12 17/12/2015 16:14

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f i r st p l ay FENDER JIMI HENDRIX STRATOCASTER £689 WHAT IS IT? Mexican-made Stratocaster tribute to one of the greatest guitarists of all time If Left Was Right Fender introduces a Hendrix-inspired guitar priced to appeal to younger fans, but which could inspire any guitarist lusting after that elusive ‘cool’ factor Words Neville Marten Photography Neil Godwin W hen we heard that another Hendrix tribute Strat was in the offing, the groans were audible.
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Video Demo http://bit.ly/guitaristextra Fender Jimi Hendrix Stratocaster first play february 2016 Guitarist GIT403.rev_fend.
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first play FENDER JIMI HENDRIX STRATOCASTER 2 1 For example, the longer bass string travel to the farthest tuners meant greater tension and better tuning stability when drop tuning, as Jimi did, and the consequently slacker treble strings meant smoother bends and vibrato. Also, the ‘wrong way round’ pickup served to moderate the treble for a slightly thicker tone on the top strings and marginally more twang one on the lower ones.
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Video demo FENDER JIMI HENDRIX STRATOCASTER http://bit.ly/guitaristextra first play 4. A four-bolt neck-plate proclaims ‘Authentic Hendrix’ to denote that this is an official release in conjunction with Jimi’s estate. His image etched into the plate, and ‘Jimi Hendrix’ signature on the headstock, are registered trademarks 5.