Fender CEO, Andy Mooney pledged last year to launch more signature modeled guitars for women artists in 2020. Today, (Tuesday, September 22) Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC) released “H.E.R. Signature Stratocaster” in collaboration with the Bay’s very own, Grammy-Award winning R&B singer-songwriter, H.E.R.
“Fender was the reason I began playing guitar,” said H.E.R. “My father taught me how to play my first blues scale on a mini black-and-white Strat, so it’s absolutely surreal I have partnered with Fender to design my own Signature Stratocaster. As an artist, I find that my most personal thoughts make the most relatable music. By designing a Stratocaster with a color, shape and sound that is one-hundred-percent my own, my hope is that other young women and players from all backgrounds feel inspired to pick up this guitar, tap into their thoughts and create amazing music.”
EVP of Fender Products Justin Norvell also shared that,
"This is the culmination of a years-long relationship between Fender and H.E.R., and a testament to everything she has done to inspire a new generation of players. This guitar was in the works alongside the custom clear acrylic Strat we made for H.E.R.’s 2019 Grammy performance and the all-black Strat for her 2020 Pepsi Big Game commercial. This is a guitar that’s just as eye-catching as those iconic pieces and finally accessible to everyone. Players that are drawn in by the unique look of the guitar are going to be rewarded with a neck, pickups and bridge that have stood the test of time and are up to H.E.R.’s high standards for recording and touring.”
This makes H.E.R. now the first Black female musician to have a fender artist signature guitar. Watch the Vallejo native's recent Emmy performance below!
Photo: GettyImages.