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A gathering of super guitarists who deeply love the Fender Stratocaster

Since its debut in 1954, Fender’s Stratocaster has remained an electric guitar beloved by players around the world, securing an unshakable position as a staple model.

It’s such a standard instrument that you see it in live footage and promotional videos everywhere, and you could even say it’s invariably used in the music we listen to every day.

With high potential as a musical instrument and a beautiful form, this guitar is cherished by countless guitarists both overseas and in Japan.

Here, we’ll introduce some of the most renowned Stratocaster players—true masters of the instrument.

Super Guitarists Who Deeply Love Fender Stratocasters (11–20)

Tomo Fujita

Tomo Fujita Just Funky Dynamic Solo
Tomo Fujita

Tomo Fujita is a Japanese guitarist who, remarkably, teaches at Berklee College of Music, which has produced countless top-tier musicians.

He’s also known as John Mayer’s mentor.

His overwhelming sense of groove and delicate tone control are truly world-class.

KEN

L’Arc~en~Ciel flower
KEN

Ken from L’Arc~en~Ciel, one of Japan’s most iconic and charismatic bands, primarily plays a Strat.

His playing style and tone have greatly influenced Japanese guitar kids—truly charismatic.

He’s also highly praised for his excellent songwriting sense.

Nile Rodgers

Nile Rodgers, who helped define an era as the guitarist for CHIC in the 1970s and ’80s and produced signature tracks for musicians including Madonna and David Bowie.

His lifelong beloved instrument is the Fender Stratocaster “Hitmaker,” and the cutting rhythms he creates with his Stratocaster are outstanding.

Robert Cray

Robert Cray – Smoking Gun
Robert Cray

Robert Cray is an American blues guitarist.

His signature 1986 song “Smoking Gun” became a hit, reaching No.

22 on the Billboard chart despite being in the blues genre.

He is a guitarist whose vocals, as well as his guitar playing, are steeped in the essence of the blues.

The Edge

U2 – With Or Without You (U2 At The BBC)
The Edge

The Edge of U2 uses many guitars, but he’s also known as a Stratocaster player, and Fender has released his artist model.

In this live performance of “With or Without You,” he showcases techniques that make use of the Strat’s signature tremolo arm.

HIRAM BULLOCK

David Sanborn & Hiram Bullock
HIRAM BULLOCK

Hiram Bullock was an American guitarist whose playing style blended blues and rock.

Although he was actually born in Sakai, Osaka, his trademark was the Stratocaster.

He was popular not only for his musicianship but also for his distinctive stage presence.

Super Guitarists Who Deeply Love Fender Stratocasters (21–30)

Michael Landau

Fender Studio Sessions | Michael Landau Group Performs ‘Renegade Destruction’ | Fender
Michael Landau

Michael Landau is a guitarist who not only releases solo work but also plays on many recordings as a session guitarist.

In fact, you can hear his playing on tracks by Japanese artists like Eikichi Yazawa and Yumi Matsutoya.

That crisp, pleasing guitar tone is quintessential Stratocaster.