Famous musicians like Eric Clapton, George Harrison of the Beatles, and Jimi Hendrix, among others, have all graced the stage with a Fender Stratocaster guitar in their hands.
The iconic Stratocaster, introduced in 1954, has solidified its place in music history. Now, for approximately $6500, and a bit of luck, you may have the chance to acquire a special edition Strat produced in collaboration with Lexus. I reached out to a local Fender retailer here in Texas, and they mentioned that the available unit was swiftly claimed within 12 minutes, now sporting a waiting list.
Todd Blickenstaff, a Senior Analyst at Lexus, was deeply involved in this project. Recently, during the Texas Truck Rodeo event, he previewed an image of the guitar before its public unveiling. Our conversations often revolve around music, and his enthusiasm for the Fender Lexus guitar was palpable.
During the creation phase, Blickenstaff mentioned that Fender’s designers were given a virtual tour of the Lexus LC, highlighting its distinctive design features. As a result, Fender decided to emulate the appearance and layout of the volume knobs from the LC’s Mark Levinson audio system, utilizing two knobs instead of the usual three on a Stratocaster. Additionally, carbon fiber was employed on the pickguard for the first time.
The standout feature of the Fender Lexus Stratocaster is the utilization of Structural Blue paint from the LC 500 Inspiration Series. With only 100 coupes and 100 convertibles sporting this finish, it presents a mesmerizing appearance in person. The LC 500 stands out as one of my top vehicles, regardless of the new infotainment system, and in this hue, it greatly piques my desire. (For an in-depth look at the Structural Blue process, check out Chris’ insights.)
Similar to my preferred external paint choice–Mazda’s Soul Red Crystal Metallic–Structural Blue entails a complex 12-step procedure to achieve its deep shade. Blickenstaff explained that the materials used in the pigment are colorless, offering no inherent hue. Although devoid of any blue elements, the Structural Blue pigment is engineered to reflect specific light wavelengths (in this case, blue). Mind-boggling indeed.
Blickenstaff mentioned the tremendous response to this project; he has been flooded with calls and emails from enthusiasts worldwide inquiring about acquiring a guitar. With only 100 units slated for production, these guitars are poised to become coveted collector’s items in future auctions.
Have a fantastic build tip? Drop the writer a message: kristin.shaw@thedrive.com
