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Blackmore signature strat
Fender is reintroducing the Ritchie Blackmore Signature Stratocaster model. The 2009 reincarnation of the guitar features alder body, maple neck, scalloped rosewood fingerboard, big headstock, two Seymour Duncan Quarter Pounder pickups (middle pickup is fake), vintage F-style tuners, and comes in one colour only. MSRP is $1,500 and online retailers have it at around $1,200.
Video courtesy of GrearWire.
Unauthorized copying, while sometimes necessary, is never as good as the real thing
This should strike up some kind of discussion, I’ll pass the mic on…
February 2nd, 2009 at 06:47At least it’s cheaper than a used old one, don’t remind me.
It has a bolt-on neck which the earlier(American)Blackmore strat didn´t have. It had a “neck through body” construction which is a different story, so this looks like a cheaper job altogether. Probably an enhanced version of the Japanese model which was available at a cheaper price before. Or, it could in fact be the Japanese model which is re-activated.
February 2nd, 2009 at 11:33Shame they don’t make left hand ones !!!
February 2nd, 2009 at 11:41Now it’s a job that just suits me
A window cleaner you would be
If you can see what I can see
When I’m cleanin’ windows
George Formby signature banjolele
February 2nd, 2009 at 13:17I dont play guitar so maybe I can buy and bloody well boot it.
February 2nd, 2009 at 14:22Smash it maybe….
Thinking about old teachers or suggesting I m Russian throwing my glass on the fire after dinner.
Read some more about this guitar, it comes with a gigbag, not even a real case for transportation which is standard if you buy a decent guitar. I’m pretty sure it’s the Japanese version sold earlier.. Maybe Blackmore ran out of 2nd rate guitars to smash on stage? Not that he seems to be smashing anything anymore…
February 2nd, 2009 at 14:51I prefer to buy the Blackmore’s already smashed fender guitar on a charity. If it really happens, I could go travel around the world to find that. At any cost..
February 2nd, 2009 at 14:53This is the Mexican version of the Japan made model that was discontinued in 2005. I don’t see it as a “Signature” guitar since it doesen’t come close to what Blackmore was/ is using, but it is a nice tribute to him since it looks like his eighties Strat.
You’re better off saving your money, buy a Japanese or Mexican 70s reissue and modify it closer to the real deal.
February 2nd, 2009 at 15:38It’s just the new version of the same old one. He clearly mentions “Insanada” which is a small town in Mexico I’ve visited twice and had great times.
Money grabs should be more lucrative, they must cost very little to make or something, otherwise it seems a small yield for such a craft. lol!
February 2nd, 2009 at 16:42And now we just want Blackmore to find his Strat, re-form Rainbow with Dio and play rock again. Blackmores Night could then be support!
February 2nd, 2009 at 18:08No need for Purple or Rainbow necessarily, just get back to rocking business as we once knew it, for a much needed change, and it better be a real burner if he ever does.
February 2nd, 2009 at 20:25It’s a shame its really just a mexican standard strat with a scalloped rosewood fingerboard and crap pickups. I used to have the Japanese version, which was a really nice guitar but the body wood sounded just awful.. might have been basswood? My other jap strat is basswood and sounds real nice.
Sadly the only way to do the blackmore I think is grab an old ’77 or ’74 strat, put in gibson frets, scallop it, put strange holes in the guitar in weird places and then dance around the stage like a girl (watch donnington 1980!) 🙂
He is the man and it is a nice tribute to him. He is my hero.
The jap ones were good, you can still pick them up on ebay from time to time… wish i’d kept mine! 🙁
February 2nd, 2009 at 23:31Never having met a guitar I didn’t like, I have to admit to a bias where guitars are concerned. I currently own 28, and each has its own feel, sound, character–its own mojo–and its own purpose. I’m going to like the Blackmore model by default.
The fact that this guitar comes from the Ensenada plant is relatively unimportant. Parts are Corono-based and assembled in Mexico for a substantial decrease in cost that is passed down to the consumer. Despite the best wood being saved for certain American models, I have a natural Mexican Telecaster with the nicest grain and finish I have ever seen on a Tele. My wife found it, and I got for next to nothing. Although not as powerful as my much more twangy American Standard, the Mexican models put guitars into the hands of people on a budget. I have heard of “The Real Deal” going for $4,800.
I do prefer the larger 70’s headstock and graphic, and the Blackmore signature emblem makes this model an instant collectible–bolted neck or not. But this one would end up on the wall or kept in the case like a few others too special to use on a daily basis–partly due to its collectibility and partly due to the set-up.
I do NOT prefer scalloped fretboards, and frankly many people (but not all) who use them do so more for bragging rights. It takes a light touch to play one properly as too much pressure will put the note out of tune. The advantage is a much more aggressive finger vibrato, but scalloped action tends to be high, and I like the action as low as possible on a flat fretboard. I prefer maple necks on a Fender as well.
Another downside of this model is the three-bolt neck. Even a four-bolt can become disjointed. I don’t have a single three-bolt in my collection–but I have a six! On the other hand, I do like the accessible bullet truss rod.
As far as left-handed models… I am a left-hander who plays right-handed. With practice, one can make the switch and have a much more available choice of guitars.
Last week end, I played a used American Standard Stratocaster and a Music Man side-by-side. I was disappointed with the Music Man that didn’t justify its hefty price tag, but it’s a matter of preference, and that particular Strat seemed out of sorts as well. Even instruments of the same make and model will vary from unit to unit.
The latest Blackmore model may not be historically accurate, but it’s not likely to be manufactured in as large numbers as some other Signature Series models, and given the Blackmore name is on it, I’d take one if you twisted my arm hard enough. 😉
February 3rd, 2009 at 03:47Hi Matt
Saw your myspace
I completely empathize with your taste in music and women
A pity Amanda did not bite….
Cheers, Mark
February 3rd, 2009 at 16:05I’m glad to see they are reissuing these guitars. I have two of the 1997 Jap models which – very lucky for me – I was able to have signed by Ritchie. I always wanted to get another but the ebay prices are way to high. Sorry to see that it is a Mexican with such a hefty price tag. I suspect these also will one day fade away due to low sales. But, I’ll get one anyway to have as a player. I must disagree that the earlier Jap ones play great. Ritchie has been one of my idols since 1970. No matter what he plays, he’s amazing… moody but amazing.
February 3rd, 2009 at 17:36I have a jap Strat that I bought in 1990 – great guitar! I get exactly the sounds that I want from it, and it plays really well. Wouldn’t trade it for anything.
February 3rd, 2009 at 22:14Purplepriest1965,
Glad you liked my page! Amanda is my girlfriend… I met her at a gig when I played in a Deep Purple tribute band a year or 2 ago… purple music helped me get a girlfriend… oh and my ’75 strat (geeky yes!)
MATT
February 4th, 2009 at 09:31#13 T this copy needs to be in your collection. Then you can place it next to the signed “Gillian” strat. lucky stiff.
February 4th, 2009 at 12:24Matt, you kill me!!!!
So maybe there is hope for me as well
February 4th, 2009 at 14:04Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmhhhhhhhhhhhh, I dont play the guitar, darn……
Fay Miller…..is that Matt Loves mother?
February 4th, 2009 at 16:52I don’t play guitar, but I do play drums….
Too bad this Guitar isn’t truly a ‘Signature Guitar’ as is the Pearl Ian Paice Signature Snare drum, whereby Mr. Paice actually had a major part in designing it, and then putting his signature on an attached emblem. Very nice snare and is also what he plays on. I got the head signed by him and removed it for display on the wall. The actual drum is a fine instrument and I do use it.
Maybe Ritchie will put out his own signature mandolin or lute some time in the future…..
Cheers
February 4th, 2009 at 19:27I’d buy it!!
February 5th, 2009 at 09:05An I.Paice signature drum set wow–start production. One of the best drummers–fantastic player.
February 5th, 2009 at 16:06About Paice’s drum kit; does he ever use the two large tom-toms above the floor toms?
February 8th, 2009 at 16:39Ok, it may be a Japanese junko-caster, a Mexican turd,
February 10th, 2009 at 00:38or what ever! My Daddy has. . .let’s see. . .at least
two Japanese fender strats, and we LOVE ’em!
At least we can afford this one, unlike the Tommy Bolin Dean. Also, why did Dean do a guitar for a guy who did a fender????
Ritchie actually does play this guitar, I’ve seen it on stage, but… What he also does is take the neck off the signature and glue it on a Standard American body if he wants a different colored Strat. Maybe he does this with an Olympic white version as well… Just place black pickups inside and a signature neck, and we all assume he’s playing the signature model. This is just a thought, but that he glues this neck on different Standard Americans is a fact especially the sunburst. However, although Mexican made, this guitar is just phenomenal! Tried it, loved it more than an American standard, maybe it’s the pickups or maybe it is just a better instrument but the workforce in Mexico is cheaper than in USA, so that is why it is actually cheaper, but IMHO better. (Not as versatile though)
October 28th, 2009 at 13:57i have a smashed strat body that blackmore smashed in japan. it may be a knockoff, but true story. got it from the road mgr of deep purple in the 70’s
March 7th, 2010 at 23:15I personally have owned the original issue of this guitar from Japan since day one when it first arrived in the music store. being a drummer as my forte. I chose to play this one as my second instrument. I noticed that having this guitar adjusted and setup was a feather in this guitars cap. I highly recommend to have all your guitars adjusted and setup; it’s a hoot.
October 9th, 2010 at 16:18I have the MIJ one. 97 model. It’s the best guitar i’ve ever played!
September 7th, 2012 at 21:19I have a 1979 Fender Stratocaster that belonged to Ritchie Blackmore. Also have documents proving it’s authenticity from Dawk Stillwell.
September 19th, 2014 at 18:21I’m interested in selling this guitar.