Fender Custom Shop releases new Hendrix Strat in honour of Woodstock’s 50th anniversary

Almost 50 years ago to the day, Jimi Hendrix delivered an electrifying performance of Star Spangled Banner at Woodstock, defining the voice of a generation. To honour that once-in-a-lifetime performance, Fender Custom Shop have announced the launch of the Limited Edition Jimi Hendrix Stratocaster.

With only 250 made available, this guitar is a highly collectible replica celebrates a milestone in American culture and global music history. Nicknamed Izabella, this 1968 Olympic White Strat is synonymous with Hendrix due to his Woodstock performance, which included spellbinding performances of Purple Haze, Voodo Child (Slight Return) and Red House, with Star Spangled Banner being the apex.

Fender Custom Shop VP of Product Development Mike Lewis said this of the new limited model: “We’re especially excited about this release because not only is the Izabella one of the most iconic instruments of our time, it represents a moment in history that will forever be woven in our cultural make-up. The Fender Custom Shop has done tributes to many extremely meaningful artist guitars through the years, but there was an extra sense of awe and privilege in the air in recreating the Izabella.”

Priced at $6,459 and fully authorised by Authentic Hendrix, this guitar was painstakingly crafted by the Custom Shop team, capturing each detail from the iconic Woodstock guitar. Featuring an alder body in Olympic White and a 3-ply parchment pickguard, it’s complimented by the flatsawn 60s C-shaped neck and maple fingerboard and 21 vintage-style frets.

To accomplish that signaure Woodstock tone, the guitar has three custom hand-wound ’69 single-coil Strat pickups plus a six saddle American Vintage synchronised tremolo. Closet classic nickel hardware is included throughout, whilst the guitar is also shipped with a deluxe hardshell case, custom strap, custom headband, coiled cable, commemorative booklet and a Certificate of Authenticity.

For more information head to Fender.com.