Jimi Hendrix’s 1963/64 Fender Stratocaster – Monterey Pop Strat
This guitar was first used by Jimi sometime in March 1967, likely on the 30th when the band appeared on Top of the Pops TV program. All the photos from that day are black and white, unfortunately, so it’s hard to tell the exact color of the body, but it did seem to be finished in a solid color. Likely, it was red, since that would make most sense based on later photos.
Also, since this seemed to have been the only red Strat with a rosewood fretboard that Jimi ever played, and it perfectly matches the Monterey Strat specs, aside of course, from the hand drawn design. As far as these things go, it’s pretty much a sure thing that this is the Monterey Strat.
Usage
The guitar wasn’t used all that much until May 1967. Then, during the short European tour that spanned throughout that month, Jimi was seen alternating between this guitar, and another red Stratocaster with a maple neck.
Interestingly, both of these red Stratocasters shown in the photo above were later decorated by Jimi. The one with the rosewood neck was the Monterey Strat, of course, while the one with the maple neck was the famous Seville Strat.
The Year of Manufacture
Based on what can be concluded from the photos, the Monterey Strat was made in 1963 or early 1964. It has a small headstock with spaghetti Fender logo, the narrow dot spacing on the 12th fret of the neck, and pickguard screw layout of the models made later than early 1963. By late 1964, the design on the model changed significantly.
Monterey Pop Festival
As you probably already know, Jimi set this guitar on fire at the end of the Monterey Pop Festival gig, making it probably the best known guitar that he ever used. Worth noting is that he used a different guitar throughout the concert, and switched to this guitar just prior to playing the last song of the set – The Troggs’ Wild Thing.
After setting the guitar on fire, he smashed the Strat into several pieces, and threw them all into the audience. To our knowledge, only one of those piece is accounted for – and it’s kept safe at the Museum of Pop Culture (formerly EMP) in Seattle.
Fender’s Monterey Strat Replica
It’s perhaps important here to note that Fender released (it seems) several different version of the Monterey Strat. None of these seem to match the original Monterey Strat exactly, but play around the some motif.
For example, the more “premium” early tribute models, some of which were acquired by public figures like John Mayer, featured some significant changes. Among those – the design itself was heavily modified, and the Fender logo on the headstock was that from the transition era. Apparently, these were very limited, and hand-decorated by Pamelina H.
The more recent and budget friendly Fender Jimi Hendrix Tribute Stratocaster also deviates from the original design somewhat. While it keeps the original early 60s Strat design of the original guitar, the drawings (prints in this case) are somewhat different.
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In case you want to talk to me privatly, please use the contact form and I will get back to you as soon as possible. (Dan)
go back to the Jimi Hendrix gear list
is there more parts of this guitar that has been found?
As far as I know – no.
I would assume as the cavity’s of the surviving piece are painted red that would be the original colour of the guitar.
The guitar was red originally. The opening paragraph is in regard to the possibility of March 1967 being a different Stratocaster, due to black and white photos. I will edit things to make it more clear. Dan.
What about where frank zappa son claims to have the strat jimmy set on fire, repaired it and plays it now? You read so much you’re not sure what’s correct. Maybe I missed something on the article. ?? Appreciate any help.
Dwezil Zappa has the sunburst strat that was burned at the Astoria before the Monterey one. It was the 1st to be burnt.
Thanks for clearing that up!! I never did understand or get that clear.
Thanks again!!
https://www.groundguitar.com/jimi-hendrix-gear/jimi-hendrixs-1960s-fender-stratocaster-frank-zappa/
Better photo attached.
The Monterey Strat was fiesta Red, not black. There’s plenty of photo’s of it prior to Monterey.
I never meant to claim that the guitar was black, just that it was neither black nor white, but it was hard to tell exactly from the footage. Bad wording on my part, should be fixed now.