2022 Fender Stratocaster George Harrison "Rocky" Limited Artist Series + OHSC

2022 Fender Stratocaster George Harrison's "Rocky"
BRAND NEW, MINT CONDITION
ALL INDIVIDUALLY HAND PAINTED
Production #: 366/1000
All Original, No Modifications (OHSC + Original Fender tags)

Adult owned only. Children-free, Smoke-free household. No gigging, no outdoor play.
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For all you Beatles fans...

Up for sale is an absolutely iconic guitar when it comes to the Fender Stratocaster + Beatles history.

This guitar is in mint condition - straight from the Fender factory. Has a total of less than 30 minutes of play time (testing electronics, pickup selectors, etc). Still has all the original factory plastic stickers on neck plate as well.

After testing the guitar + taking pictures, the guitar has been placed inside the original case in a humidified room.

This guitar has been modeled after George Harrison's personal 1961 Fender Stratocaster in original Sonic Blue finish. After acquiring his 61' Strat, Harrison then painted the guitar in this beautiful acid-inspired colorway that mirrors the colors of the rainbow.

Since all 1000 produced units have been personally hand-painted by Fender, no ONE Rocky Stratocaster will be 100% identical... each will have it's own unique touch that differs depending on who painted the guitar.

You got the colors green... yellow... orange... red... pink... white... blue... scattered all throughout the guitar. The most notable aspect of this guitar IMO is how the headstock has been painted with the words "ROCKY"...

Apart from the visual aspect of this guitar... let's now talk about playability/tone.

The guitar plays EXCELLENT and is set up PERFECTLY straight from the Fender factory. 

STOCK Vintage 60's influenced pickups sounds incredible playing straight through any quality Tube Amp (Fender Princeton Reverb was used for me). The neck is very nicely carved out... it is clear that Fender put a lot of effort, time and care when building out these 1000 legendary Rocky guitars.

The neck pickup sounds smooth and very clean with volume level around 8-9 and tone dialed back to around 5.

The bridge pickup sounds excellent both clean/gain... with Volume Level around 7-8 and Tone level around 7.

The middle pickup gives you the best of both worlds by combining the smoothness of the neck pickups + the sharp bite from the bridge pickup.

Overall, this is a guitar that both collectors + players will greatly enjoy alike. The George Harrison/Beatles history just adds an extra historical flair to the guitar that most other guitars do not have.

Very impressed by this particular Artist Signature release by Fender... and I'm sure you will be as well.

Comes with:
- 2022 Fender Stratocaster George Harrison "Rocky"
- Original Fender Brown Hardshell Case
- Original Fender factory hangtags, etc.
- KORG GA-2 Guitar/Bass Tuner
- Rainbow Fort Bryan Strap (Made in USA)

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Payment must be completed 24 hours upon purchase.

Mandatory signature confirmation delivery.

❤️ Will be shipped with love and care :) ❤️

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The Fender Stratocaster associated with George Harrison is one of the most iconic guitars in rock history, particularly because of Harrison's use of it during his time with The Beatles. While George Harrison was often seen with a Rickenbacker 360/12 and a Gibson SG during the early Beatles years, he famously played a Fender Stratocaster during the later years of the band’s career, particularly in the 1960s.

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George Harrison's Fender Stratocaster

George Harrison was known for his exploration of different sounds and styles. By the time of the Beatles' later albums, such as "Rubber Soul" (1965) and "Revolver" (1966), Harrison began experimenting more with electric guitars, and the Fender Stratocaster played a crucial role in shaping his tone during this era.

Key Features of George Harrison's Fender Stratocaster:

• Model: The specific Fender Stratocaster used by George Harrison was a 1961 model, though he had several Strats over the years. The 1961 Stratocaster was known for its vibrato bridge, alder body, and maple neck.
• Color: The Stratocaster that Harrison famously played was originally Fiesta Red, a vibrant and striking color. Over time, the guitar was refinished in a more customized look with a sunburst finish.
• Pickups: Like most Strats, it featured three single-coil pickups, contributing to the guitar's bright, cutting sound. Harrison was known for using the bridge pickup for his sharp, trebly tone.
• Bridge: The vibrato bridge was a key feature of Harrison’s Strat, allowing him to add subtle pitch bending to his solos and melodies.

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Harrison’s Stratocaster in The Beatles’ Music

George Harrison’s use of the Fender Stratocaster is most notable during the "Revolver" and "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" albums. His playing on these records marked a shift in his guitar work, as he began to experiment with new sounds and techniques.

• "Rubber Soul" (1965): Although not as prominent, Harrison used the Stratocaster to experiment with new textures and tones, moving away from the more traditional sounds of his earlier work.
• "Revolver" (1966): Harrison’s Stratocaster played a key role in his innovative lead lines and experimental tones, particularly on tracks like "Taxman" and "Love You To".
• "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" (1967): The Fender Stratocaster was used on several tracks, including the famous "A Day in the Life", where Harrison’s bright, sharp lead lines and his use of effects like reverb and delay helped define the sound of the album.
• "The White Album" (1968): Harrison's Stratocaster was featured prominently in his solo work, including tracks like "While My Guitar Gently Weeps", where he played a lead solo that became iconic. The song is one of the most famous examples of the Stratocaster’s warm, rich tone in Harrison’s hands.

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Harrison’s Stratocaster and Influence

George Harrison's use of the Fender Stratocaster had a significant impact on both the Beatles' sound and the way the guitar was perceived in rock music. His ability to blend rock, blues, and Indian influences into his Stratocaster playing was a key part of his musical identity.

• Influence on Sound: Harrison’s use of the Stratocaster helped shape the distinctive Beatles sound of the mid-to-late 1960s, with its bright, cutting tones and ability to handle both clean and distorted sounds.
• Tone Experimentation: Harrison was known for experimenting with different tones, and his use of the Stratocaster allowed him to do so, particularly with the vibrato arm, which he used to add subtle pitch bends to his solos.
• Musical Evolution: His Stratocaster playing, especially on tracks like "While My Guitar Gently Weeps", showed his growth as a guitarist, moving beyond the traditional roles of rhythm guitar to become a leading figure in the band's overall sound.

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Legacy and Collectability

George Harrison's Fender Stratocaster, particularly the 1961 Fiesta Red Strat that he used during the later Beatles years, is considered one of the most famous guitars in rock history. Its association with Harrison’s innovative playing and the Beatles' transformation into a more experimental band makes it a highly coveted piece for collectors and Beatles fans.

• Value and Collectibility: The Fender Stratocaster once owned by George Harrison is now considered a highly valuable collector's item. It has been auctioned for millions of dollars at various points in time.
• Harrison’s Influence: His playing on the Stratocaster helped solidify the guitar’s place in the rock and roll pantheon, influencing countless musicians who sought to emulate his tone and style.

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Conclusion

George Harrison’s use of the Fender Stratocaster was a pivotal moment in both his career and the history of the guitar. His experimentation with tone and his unique approach to lead and rhythm playing helped shape the sound of The Beatles' later albums, and the Stratocaster became an integral part of his musical identity. Today, the Fender Stratocaster associated with George Harrison remains one of the most iconic guitars in rock history.