As an avowed Stratocaster fanatic, Jimi Hendrix had many of these iconic guitars pass through his hands—but one in particular stood out. The “Izabella” Strat, which even inspired a song of the same name, appeared most famously during Hendrix’s August 18th, 1969 performance of “Star Spangled Banner” at Woodstock. The artisans at the Fender Custom Shop have recreated this legendary instrument in painstaking detail—even down to the scratches and dings—leaving no (third) stone unturned. The Limited Edition Jimi Hendrix Stratocaster is an accurate representation of the way the Olympic White Stratocaster looked when Hendrix strapped it on that Monday morning at Yasgur’s Farm to serenade the rising sun.
Purchased at Manny’s Music in NYC in ’68, this guitar (Serial Number 240981) was slightly modified to reflect Hendrix’ needs as a left-handed player, including being drilled for a strap button on the lower horn—a modification we reproduced here. This model is period-correct, from the stripeless “‘60s Oval C”-shaped maple neck with a 7.25”-radius round-lam maple fingerboard, bearing 21 vintage-style frets. The period-accurate 3-ply Parchment pickguard is loaded with a trio of hand-wound ’69 Strat® pickups tied together with vintage-style wiring and a 3-way pickup switch. Other features include vintage-style “F” tuning machines, bone nut and wing string tree. Includes deluxe hardshell case, custom strap, custom headband, coiled cable, commemorative booklet and Certificate of Authenticity.
