If you’re wondering whether Fender Jimi Hendrix Stratocaster is worth it or not, you’ve come to the right place! In today’s review, we’re going to take a close look on this really interesting guitar. Undoubtedly, Hendrix was one of the best guitarists of all time, but is his signature model actually that good?
The answer is… YES! It’s definitely one of the coolest guitars offered by Fender right now. The Fender Jimi Hendrix Stratocaster looks and sounds absolutely fantastic. It features an iconic reverse headstock, which impacts the sustain of the guitar. Although it’s not cheap, it’s perfect for all fans of classic rock and vintage tones.
Let’s dive deeper with research and find out what makes this guitar so special. I had the pleasure to test out this guitar for a while, so I feel like I’m in a good spot to share my thoughts. In addition, you’ll see a few other sound demos and reviews, so today’s thoughts are not based solely on my opinion.
My Experience With Fender Jimi Hendrix Stratocaster
I’ve had a lot of Stratocasters in my hands throughout my life, but I’ve never used a Strat with a reverse headstock before. At first, it’s a really strange experience – you get the impression that something isn’t right.
Still, after a while you start getting used to that unusual feeling. It’s particularly great when you’re just jamming or improvising – although it doesn’t make you a better player, it kind of pushes you to be more creative on the fretboard. I told myself something in the lines of “okay, it’s Jimi’s guitar, so you better step up your guitar game“.
Before we jump to the specs of this guitar, it’s really important to hear how it sounds. Here’s a really good video review and demo, so make sure to check it out. I’ll be reviewing this Stratocaster on my YouTube channel soon too, so make sure to click the subscribe button!
As you can hear, the tone of this guitar is spectacular. Of course, the final tone depends on your amp and guitar pedals as well, but the truth is that the Fender Jimi Hendrix Stratocaster is capable of really great things. That muddy, vintage overdrive will be ideal for lovers of ’60s and ’70s music.
In addition, the guitar feels great too. The neck of this guitar is pretty thin, so it’s perfect for faster riffs. I think that it offers a lot of versatility, so whether you want to play something heavy or clean, you won’t be disappointed.
I’m extremely happy that I had the chance to jam on that guitar. I always liked Jimi Hendrix and he definitely inspired me to become a better guitarist. In addition, using this Strat pushed me to practice more and learn some new licks in the style of Jimi. I totally recommend this guitar to any lover of his music – you’re going to love it!
Specs & Pricing
The Fender Jimi Hendrix Stratocaster features an alder body and a C-shaped maple neck with a reverse headstock. In addition, there’s a maple fingerboard, which looks absolutely fantastic. And of course, the guitar has a vintage tremolo bridge.
When it comes to pickups, it’s a classic setting – three single coil pickups. Still, it is worth mentioning that Fender decided to equip this axe with a reverse-slanted ’65 American Vintage bridge pickup, which offers the legendary tone of Jimi Hendrix.
The price of this guitar is pretty high and it may discourage some guitarists from buying it. But the truth is that when you consider the high quality of this guitar, the pricing actually seems to be really reasonable. Still, it seems to be one of the most expensive Fender guitars that come from their factory in Mexico.
Who Is It For?
In my opinion, this guitar will be perfect for all fans of ’60s and ’70s rock. If you’re into that psychedelic sound, the Jimi Hendrix Stratocaster should be an excellent choice for you. Nevertheless, the versatility of this guitar makes it a good choice even for other genres – such as jazz, blues or indie.
What’s more, I think that it will be great for both beginners and more advanced players. Of course, more intermediate guitarists will be able to use the full potential of this guitar. But if you’re just starting fun, you’ll definitely enjoy the unique design and comfortable neck of this guitar. It will definitely push to you to become a better musician!
Here’s another demo which is worth checking out – this time it’s the black color version.
Alternatives To Jimi Hendrix Stratocaster
If you’re not satisfied with the price of Fender Jimi Hendrix Stratocaster, don’t worry! There’s a few really good alternatives out there. The most common alternative guitar for that Strat is the Fender Vintera Stratocaster. There are three versions of this Strats and I recently wrote an article about all of them – make sure to check out that comparison.
Another budget-friendly option is the Squier Affinity Stratocaster. I own that guitar and I have to admit that it sounds great and it does the job. It’s a far more affordable option, but at the same time, it’s one of the cheapest Squier guitars out there. The quality of pickups and tuners is not ideal, but it still offers a nice tone.
Nevertheless, if you’re a massive fan of Jimi Hendrix, there are no good alternatives. It’s the only Fender guitar that enhances the spirit of this legendary guitarist. In the end, it features the iconic reverse headstock, which symbolizes the story and heritage of Jimi. Undoubtedly, it’s the only option for die-hard Hendrix fans.
About Jimi Hendrix
Jimi Hendrix was an American guitarist and singer. He was born In Seattle, Washington on November 27th 1942. His music and unique playing style made him one of the most influential guitarists in the history of popular music. Although his mainstream career was short and he died at a really young age, he became a true icon and inspiration for millions of musicians all around the world.
It is worth mentioning that Jimi was mainly known for playing on a Fender Stratocaster, but he actually used a lot of different guitars too. That includes such guitars as Gibson Flying V, Gibson SG Custom, Danelectro Bronze or Fender Jazzmaster. Still, he’s mostly associated with playing on a white Strat with a maple fretboard.
FAQ
What was so unique about Jimi Hendrix’s guitar?
For those who don’t know, Jimi Hendrix was left-handed. Back in the days, there weren’t too many left-handed guitars available on the market, so Jimi had to figure out a way to modify his guitar and make it suitable for his style of playing.
That’s why he took the guitar strings off and reversed them to create his own left-handed guitar. In addition, this change impacted his guitar tone.
How much did the original Jimi Hendrix’s guitar cost?
The original Strat that belonged to Jimi Hendrix was available to buy on an auction back in the ’90s. It was bought by Paul Allen, the co-founder of Microsoft for a stunning price – $2 million. Undoubtedly, it’s a legendary guitar. In the end, it was used by Jimi on the Woodstock Festival in 1968!
If you want to see this guitar in real life, you can do it by visiting the EMP Museum in Seattle, Washington.
Did Jimi Hendrix take guitar lessons?
Similarly as a lot of other legendary guitarists, Jimi Hendrix claimed to be a self-taught guitarists. Still, he was significantly influenced by the blues and R&B musicians around him.
Why did Jimi Hendrix use a Stratocaster?
Hendrix really enjoyed the sound of a classic Stratocaster. Three single coil pickups with a little bit of overdrive and distortion definitely created his favorite guitar tone. Undoubtedly, he’s one of the musicians who significantly increased the popularity of Stratocasters among the public.
What year Strat did Hendrix use?
Jimi used a lot of Strats, but his most famous electric guitar was a 1968 Fender Stratocaster with three single coil pickups and a maple neck with black dotted inlays.
Summary
As you can see, Fender Jimi Hendrix Stratocaster is a really interesting guitar. Although there are other interesting options out there (such as guitars from Vintera or American Professional Series), this Strat is also really good.
Undoubtedly, fans of Jimi Hendrix will consider it as the best guitar in the world. On the other hand, some players may not feel that magic – they may think that this is just a regular Strat with the reverse headstock.
What do you think about this Stratocaster? Would you add it to your guitar collection? Let me know in the comments below!
Thanks for checking out today’s review, I hope that it was helpful. If you enjoyed this article, you may also like:
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