The ax is a carbon copy of McCready’s coveted 1960 Stratocaster
Pearl Jam guitarist Mike McCready has teamed up with Fender to release his signature guitar – The Mike McCready Stratocaster. The all-new ax is a carbon copy of his original 1960 Stratocaster. Check out the video of Mike jamming and discussing the guitar below, and a full photo gallery of his killer signature Strat.
“Fender has remained a staple throughout my musical career, most notably when Fender’s Custom Shop recreated my first ever Stratocaster® two years ago,” McCready stated. “They did such an incredible job replicating the sound and feel of the custom shop, even I get confused which one is the original! Now, with the release of my artist signature, I’m deeply honored to not only further solidify my partnership with the brand, but to deliver a more approachable guitar to the hands of the next generation of guitar players featuring the state-of-the-art craftsmanship Fender is known for and a distinct tone that hold a special place in my heart.”
The Mike McCready Stratocaster captures the unmistakable sound and timeless spirit of one of rock’s most enduring and influential bands. Designed in collaboration with the Pearl Jam guitarist, the Mike McCready Stratocaster is the ultimate Strat for any guitarist seeking to channel the potent power and electrifying intensity of this grunge guitar icon. The Mike McCready Stratocaster features a hand-crafted, heavily Road Worn lacquer finish over an alder body, recreating the battle scars Mike’s own Strat has earned over three decades of grueling, sold-out tours and legendary performances.
The comfy 9.5” radius slab rosewood fingerboard on a slim “C” maple neck are shaped to match McCready’s treasured 1960 Strat, while the custom Mike McCready Stratocaster pickups are voiced to replicate Mike’s vintage single-coils for the same timeless tone, passion and energy that define his signature sound. The vintage-style synchronized tremolo, bent-steel saddles and cold-rolled steel block ensure the purest Fender tone and performance. With its well-worn finish and bold tones, the Mike McCready Stratocaster resonates with the soulful essence of the iconic Strat that has powered Pearl Jam’s chart-topping hits and transcendent live performances across countless studios and stages.
The Mike McCready Stratocaster retails for $1,899.99 USD, £1,649.00 GBP, €1,899.00 EUR, $3,499.00 AUD, and ¥242,000 JPY and is available now HERE.
Pearl Jam, the pre-eminent Seattle alternative rock icons, have cemented their status as one of the best-selling rock bands of all time and at the core of the band’s distinctive sound and unwavering appeal lies Mike McCready – a founding member whose blues-infused approach to guitar playing became an integral part of the band’s sonic identity. McCready’s soulful and emotive playing style set him apart from his contemporaries, infusing their music with a raw, electrifying energy. Best known for playing a 1960 Strat guitar (although for years he thought his beloved was a ‘59), his searing leads are steeped in blues and classic rock reminiscent of Jimi Hendrix, Pete Townshend and Keith Richards.
His peerless work on hits including “Yellow Ledbetter”, “Even Flow”, “Nothing As It Seems” and countless others helped pave the way for Pearl Jam’s 2017 induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Inspired by Stevie Ray Vaughan, McCready set out early on to acquire his own ’59 Strat, and, serendipitously, with his first ever vintage guitar purchase, he found “the one” that has been his primary Fender instrument ever since. Now, some 28 years later, McCready’s iconic Strat can be heard featured on tracks “Superblood Wolfmoon” and “Dance Of The Clairvoyants” from Pearl Jam’s most recent studio LP, Gigaton.
“We’re thrilled to continue our partnership and work with McCready to provide more players and fans access to his signature Strat,” said Justin Norvell, Executive Vice President of Product at FMIC. “McCready’s influence has undeniably shaped the sound of past and modern day rock music and this signature guitar embodies the spirit of craftsmanship that Fender has stood for throughout its history. Players will appreciate the guitar’s vintage worn look while possessing features like its custom pickup set that will allow players to add their own modern twist to its large sound.”
Pearl Jam released their eleventh studio album Gigaton in March of 2020. It was the group’s first all-new studio outing in seven years. The critically-acclaimed album hit No. 5 on the Billboard Top 200 and No. 1 on Billboard’s Rock and Alternative album charts. The band finally got out on the road to support the album last year.
