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.
- [Western Music] A Compilation of the World’s Famous Hard Rock Guitarists
- Japanese shred guitarist
- A song with cool power chords
- A feature on guitarists who use the famed Telecaster—an instrument beloved even by vocalists
- Famous guitarists of the world. Great guitarists who have etched their names into history.
- [2026] A compilation of Japanese songs/J-pop with cool guitar solos
- Supreme guitar riffs from both Japanese and Western music: songs with badass intros
- [2026] A roundup of classic Western songs with awesome guitar solos
- Feature on skilled female guitarists from popular bands
- [Easy Chords] A collection of popular Japanese songs that are easy to play on guitar
- Makes you want to play it! Japanese rock with the coolest guitar riffs
- [J-Pop] A compilation of popular songs with irresistible guitar cutting [2026]
- Guitarists who use PRS
Super Guitarists Who Deeply Love Fender Stratocasters (11–20)
Char
Char, a leading figure of Japanese rock guitar, often plays a Stratocaster.
His numerous sessions with world-renowned guitarists on television programs attest to his high level of skill.
His playing style is classic rock ’n’ roll, characterized by a solid, pentatonic-driven sound.
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.
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.
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
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)
Buddy Holly
In the 1950s, during the dawn of rock and roll, Buddy Holly was a musician who worked in a style that foreshadowed the modern rock scene—using electric guitar and performing with a small band lineup.
Although he passed away at the young age of 22, his impact was immeasurable.
It’s said that the sight of him playing a Stratocaster was a major inspiration to young people at the time.