H.E.R.’s take on the iconic double-cut is one of the most visually distinctive Strats we’ve seen in some time, thanks to a Chrome Glow-finished alder body and matching headstock, inspired by the Grammy winner’s favorite nail polish color.
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That’s complemented by a one-ply anodized aluminum pickguard, while a trio of Fender Vintage Noiseless pickups tap into H.E.R.’s penchant for ultra-clean R&B tones.
Other features include a 9.5” radius, one-piece maple neck with a mid-’60s ‘C’ profile, as well as a vintage-style Synchronized tremolo and custom neckplate engraved with H.E.R. artwork.
According to Fender, the model has been in the works for some time, going right back to its first collaboration on H.E.R.'s head-turning clear acrylic Strat made for the 2019 Grammy performance, and the all-black Strat for the 2020 Pepsi Big Game commercial (later used in a live collaboration with A Boogie Wit da Hoodie on The Tonight Show).
“The coolest thing about it all is being the first black woman to have her own signature guitar with Fender,” H.E.R. told GW in a new in-depth interview to celebrate the launch.
“I think it will inspire a lot of young black girls - and actually a lot of young girls in general - to pick up the guitar, which is something we don’t see enough of.”
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To coincide with the launch, Fender will also be adding a host of H.E.R. songs to its Fender Play learning platform.
Mike is Editor-in-Chief of GuitarWorld.com, in addition to being an offset fiend and recovering pedal addict. He has a master's degree in journalism from Cardiff University, and over a decade's experience writing and editing for guitar publications including MusicRadar, Total Guitar and Guitarist, as well as 20 years of recording and live experience in original and function bands. During his career, he has interviewed the likes of John Frusciante, Chris Cornell, Tom Morello, Matt Bellamy, Kirk Hammett, Jerry Cantrell, Joe Satriani, Tom DeLonge, Ed O'Brien, Polyphia, Tosin Abasi, Yvette Young and many more. In his free time, you'll find him making progressive instrumental rock under the nom de plume Maebe.