What is the primary finish on the Mike McCready Stratocaster?

The guitar features a Road Worn nitrocellulose lacquer finish. This finish is designed to replicate the specific wear patterns and 'battle scars' of Mike McCready’s personal vintage 1960 Stratocaster.

Which body wood is used for this signature model?

The guitar is constructed with an alder body. Alder is a traditional Fender tonewood known for its balanced response across the frequency spectrum.

What type of pickups are installed in this guitar?

It is equipped with custom Mike McCready Stratocaster single-coil pickups. These are specifically voiced to capture the vintage-style tone and energy associated with the artist's signature sound.

What kind of bridge system does the guitar use?

The model features a vintage-style synchronized tremolo. It includes bent-steel saddles and a cold-rolled steel block for enhanced tone and performance.

What is the typical price for the Fender Mike McCready Stratocaster?

In the UK market, this model typically retails for approximately £1661. Prices may vary slightly depending on the specific retailer and current stock availability.

Does this guitar feature a rosewood or maple fingerboard?

This model features a rosewood fingerboard (indicated by the 'RW' designation). This choice is consistent with the early 1960s aesthetic of the original guitar it pays tribute to.

What makes the 'cold-rolled steel block' important?

The cold-rolled steel block in the tremolo system is used to improve sustain and note clarity. It is a premium feature often found on high-end or vintage-accurate Fender models.

Who was this guitar designed in collaboration with?

The guitar was created in direct collaboration with Pearl Jam lead guitarist Mike McCready. The design intent was to capture the 'unmistakable voice and timeless spirit' of his most famous instrument.

What colour is the Mike McCready signature model?

It is finished in a 3-Color Sunburst. The finish is heavily aged to reflect the appearance of a vintage instrument that has been used extensively on tour.

Is the finish gloss or matte?

The finish is a 'Road Worn' lacquer, which is more textured and distressed than a standard high-gloss finish. It is designed to feel like a naturally aged instrument.

How does the sound of this guitar compare to a standard Stratocaster?

While it retains the classic Stratocaster 'spank,' the custom pickups and steel block are designed for the 'raw power' of grunge and rock. It offers a slightly more aggressive vintage character than a standard American Professional II.

Is this a limited edition model?

While signature models are often produced in smaller quantities than standard lines, this is a featured artist model in the Fender catalogue, designed to offer McCready's specific specifications to the public.

Gear article

Fender Mike McCready Stratocaster

The Fender Mike McCready Stratocaster is a signature electric guitar developed in collaboration with the Pearl Jam guitarist to replicate his primary 1960-era instrument. It features a heavily reliced Road Worn lacquer finish and custom artist pickups designed to capture the specific single-coil tonal character associated with the Seattle grunge era.

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Overview

The Fender Mike McCready Stratocaster is a tribute to the Pearl Jam lead guitarist, meticulously designed to emulate his iconic 1960 Stratocaster. This model is built around an alder body featuring a 3-Color Sunburst finish that has undergone a heavy Road Worn lacquer treatment. This process recreates the 'battle scars' and physical character of McCready's original stage-worn instrument, providing the feel of a vintage guitar that has seen decades of use.

Hardware and Construction

The guitar utilizes traditional Fender construction methods, including a rosewood fingerboard (RW) and an alder body. A significant technical feature is the bridge assembly, which includes a vintage-style synchronized tremolo with bent-steel saddles. Underneath, the guitar employs a cold-rolled steel block, a component favoured by purists for its ability to maintain tuning stability and enhance the purity of the instrument's resonance.

Electronics and Tone

To achieve the specific voice required for rock and grunge styles, this Stratocaster is equipped with custom artist-spec pickups. These single-coil units are voiced to provide a vintage-style output with the 'raw power' and 'intense energy' characteristic of McCready's lead lines. The electronics are designed to provide a high degree of clarity and touch sensitivity, allowing the player to transition between clean passages and saturated overdriven tones.

Player Suitability

While primarily aimed at fans of Pearl Jam and the 1990s Seattle sound, the Mike McCready Stratocaster serves any player seeking a high-performance vintage reissue with a 'broken-in' feel. The combination of the lacquer finish and the cold-rolled steel block makes it a professional-grade tool for both live performance and studio recording where a classic 60s-style Stratocaster voice is required.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the primary finish on the Mike McCready Stratocaster?: The guitar features a Road Worn nitrocellulose lacquer finish. This finish is designed to replicate the specific wear patterns and 'battle scars' of Mike McCready’s personal vintage 1960 Stratocaster.
Which body wood is used for this signature model?: The guitar is constructed with an alder body. Alder is a traditional Fender tonewood known for its balanced response across the frequency spectrum.
What type of pickups are installed in this guitar?: It is equipped with custom Mike McCready Stratocaster single-coil pickups. These are specifically voiced to capture the vintage-style tone and energy associated with the artist's signature sound.
What kind of bridge system does the guitar use?: The model features a vintage-style synchronized tremolo. It includes bent-steel saddles and a cold-rolled steel block for enhanced tone and performance.
What is the typical price for the Fender Mike McCready Stratocaster?: In the UK market, this model typically retails for approximately £1661. Prices may vary slightly depending on the specific retailer and current stock availability.
Does this guitar feature a rosewood or maple fingerboard?: This model features a rosewood fingerboard (indicated by the 'RW' designation). This choice is consistent with the early 1960s aesthetic of the original guitar it pays tribute to.
What makes the 'cold-rolled steel block' important?: The cold-rolled steel block in the tremolo system is used to improve sustain and note clarity. It is a premium feature often found on high-end or vintage-accurate Fender models.
Who was this guitar designed in collaboration with?: The guitar was created in direct collaboration with Pearl Jam lead guitarist Mike McCready. The design intent was to capture the 'unmistakable voice and timeless spirit' of his most famous instrument.
What colour is the Mike McCready signature model?: It is finished in a 3-Color Sunburst. The finish is heavily aged to reflect the appearance of a vintage instrument that has been used extensively on tour.
Is the finish gloss or matte?: The finish is a 'Road Worn' lacquer, which is more textured and distressed than a standard high-gloss finish. It is designed to feel like a naturally aged instrument.
How does the sound of this guitar compare to a standard Stratocaster?: While it retains the classic Stratocaster 'spank,' the custom pickups and steel block are designed for the 'raw power' of grunge and rock. It offers a slightly more aggressive vintage character than a standard American Professional II.
Is this a limited edition model?: While signature models are often produced in smaller quantities than standard lines, this is a featured artist model in the Fender catalogue, designed to offer McCready's specific specifications to the public.