H.E.R. plays the US national anthem on a swanky custom shop Fender Strat to close the 2024 Olympics in Paris. Let’s get a closer look at the specs.
Gold Strat for Gold Position
Well, in a blink of an eye, the 2024 Paris Olympic games have concluded. Taking the top spot, the United States managed to bag 40 gold medals! Totalling 126 medals overall.
However, for us eagle eyed guitarists, there was more than just gold medals to focus on during the closing ceremony. Award winning Californian musician, H.E.R. took to the stage with a custom built Fender Strat.
Shredding the US national anthem, she had a pretty good guitar to work with.
Custom Fender Strat
Well, what do we know? Initially, it just looks like a white Strat with a funky chrome gold pickguard. However, it goes a lot further than that.
We’ve got an Alder body in arctic pearl white, which has sculpted rear contours for enhanced playability. H.E.R. was also able to make use of three ultra noiseless vintage single-coil pickups which are are also gold.
Further gold accents can be found across the volume and tone pots, as well as the 5-way pickup selector. Arguably adding a touch of elegance, potentially tacky for some. Appropriate though for this performance.
Brian Thrasher pro luthier
Naturally, this wasn’t just some regular custom shop job. Along with Fender, the guitar was put together by renowned luthier, Brain Thrasher.
In addition to the comfortable body, there is also a compound radius fretboard with 22 medium jumbo frets. Complete with a modern ‘D’ shape profile neck in a satin finish, nervous sweaty hands would not have been a problem whilst performing.
The artist is no stranger to custom Fender Strats. Earlier this year she played with Usher at The Super Bowl with another Brian Thrasher instrument.
Coming Soon?
Personally, I love the look and specs of H.E.R.’s custom guitar. However, there has been no indication as to whether a signature model will be produced.
Of course, you could do a DIY job with a new pickguard, but it wouldn’t quite be the same would it?
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