In most photos of Hillel Slovak available online, he is seen playing a sunburst Fender Stratocaster with a rosewood fretboard. The guitar features a large headstock and a black Fender logo with 2 patent numbers, indicating it was manufactured in the late 1960s, around 1968 to be more precise. This distinguishes it from the early-60s Strats favored by his successor in the Red Hot Chili Peppers, John Frusciante.
Although there is limited information regarding Hillel’s guitars, it is highly likely that he relied on one primary instrument, as photographic evidence shows a clear increase in wear on his Stratocaster over the years. He likely maintained backups as well.
Again, we’re just guessing, but it’s very likely that this 1968 Fender Stratocaster was Hillel’s main guitar on all the stuff he recorded with the Red Hot Chili Peppers, since it’s the one he used pretty much always for live gigs.
Buried with Hillel
According to an interview that JF Gear did with Hillel’s brother, James, the guitar was put alongside Hillel in his coffin and buried together with him.
James seems to regret making this decision now, but at the time, he thought it was fitting.
My mind wasn’t right, and at the time, I thought: “You know what, I’m going to bury him, and put his Strat in the coffin”, you know, because I thought at the time, it was the right thing to do, but I was young and dumb…
JF EFFECTS INTERVIEWS: JAMES SLOVAK (HILLEL’S BROTHER) (2026)
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