Limited Edition Fender Masterbuilt John Frusciante Stratocaster

"Frusciantes’ Strat is right up there with the most iconic Fenders of all time; being able to work on his first-ever Signature model was a true privilege," says Paul Waller of the Custom Shop. "Recreating this instrument’s many beautiful imperfections was no easy feat, but behind every ding and dent is a story and it’s our job to make sure that this guitar’s narrative is told in full, stunning detail."

"For an instrument this heavily reliced, it still retains so much of its original beauty. A ton of work went into this one, and while much of that can be reflected in its visual components, the whole team is tremendously proud of how this thing plays. The neck has that singular worn in quality that is usually only attainable with a pre-owned vintage guitar and the Abby hand-wound pickups really speak to Fruscinate’s expressive, crystalline tone."

Frusciante may have used several different Fender models during his career, but his 1962 Sunburst Stratocaster is by far the most famous. Much of Frusciante's style can be attributed to good technique and a fusion of punk rock intensity with complex funk rhythms. Still, the Stratocaster's tone was a legitimate influence on his playing.

While many guitarists limit themselves mostly to a bridge or neck pickup plus one middle position, Frusciante taps into the Strat's true potential by frequently switching between all five pickup combinations. With the robust output and midrange of the bridge single, his solos cut through the band mix with ease, and when switched into the five-position switch to the neck single coil, he's able to get a crystal-clear tone from the Strat ideal for lively rhythm lines with all the roundness and warmth you'd expect from a neck pickup.

As with the original, the patinated body is constructed from two pieces of alder, while the maple neck with an early-'60s Oval C profile carries a 3A rosewood fretboard with a period 7.25-inch radius, fitted with 21 Dunlop 6105 frets and bone nut. The hardware consists of the time-tested Synchronized tremolo fitted with bent steel saddles plus vintage-style machines. A trio of single-coil Custom Shop Hand-Wound Abigail Ybarra '60s Strats are complemented by Ilitch Electronics' Hum-Canceling system, eliminating the typical hum of single-coil pickups at higher gain levels.

The model's detailed Heavy Relic 3-Color Sunburst finish has a final coat of nitro lacquer, allowing the wood to breathe and improving its resonant qualities. Of course, the Fender Custom Shop Masterbuilt John Frusciante Stratocaster Limited Edition has a deluxe case, certification, instrument strap and other accessories. The price of this collector's jewel is slightly over 20,000 euro.