Fender launches Kenny Wayne Shepherd Stratocaster

Racing stripes like this make you play faster. Fact.
Racing stripes like this make you play faster. Fact.

After nearly two decades of wielding Fenders onstage, modern blues star Kenny Wayne Shepherd has been honoured with a signature Fender Stratocaster.

The Kenny Wayne Shepherd Stratocaster is based on Shepherd's own 1961 instrument, which will soon be exhibited at the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame And Museum.

Three custom-voiced Kenny Wayne Shepherd pickups mean that the guitar will have a voice all of its own, while the rosewood fretboard has a bend-friendly 12-inch radius and 21 jumbo frets.

The black model (pictured) comes complete with a cool racing stripe graphic, while three-colour sunburst and arctic white versions are also available.

Shepherd commented: "It's an honour to be a part of the Signature Series guitar line. My goal throughout the design process was to combine top notch quality with unique appearances and road proven components at an affordable price.

"These guitars will help a new generation of guitarists develop their own signature sound the way Fender has helped me to develop mine."

Chris Vinnicombe worked with us here on the MusicRadar team from the site's initial launch way back in 2007, and also contributed to Guitarist magazine as Features Editor until 2014, as well as Total Guitar magazine, amongst others. These days he can be found at Gibson Guitars, where he is editor-in-chief.