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 (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.
Adrian Belew
Adrian Belew, the guitarist known for his work with King Crimson and others.
Although he produces sounds that you wouldn’t think come from a guitar by using effects pedals, he’s also known as a Stratocaster user.
In live footage from his King Crimson days, you can see him singing while pulling unbelievable sounds out of a Stratocaster.
Michiya Haruhata
Michiya Haruhata, the guitarist of TUBE, has a signature model released by Fender.
It has the sharpness and bite unique to a Strat, and instead of playing like “as long as I stand out, that’s all that matters,” he brings out the best in everyone and unleashes technical phrases at just the right moments.
It’s the kind of tone that makes you want to say, “I’ve heard this on a CD!”
Pete Townshend
Pete Townshend, known as the guitarist for The Who, is also one of the guitarists who mainly uses a Stratocaster.
His powerful playing, perfectly described as strumming the guitar with force, is striking.
His live performances, where you can see intense stage antics, are a must-see.
Dave Murray
The legendary heavy metal band Iron Maiden has three guitarists.
Among them, the one who consistently uses a Stratocaster is Dave Murray.
It’s surprisingly rare to see a guitarist using a Strat in classic heavy metal.
MAMI
MAMI from SCANDAL, a popular Japanese all-girl band, is also a Strat user.
When they debuted, most of the attention was on their cute looks, but recently her guitar skills have improved and she’s being recognized as a guitarist as well.
Scott Henderson
Scott Henderson, a guitarist who mainly plays fusion, also primarily uses a Stratocaster.
In jazz and fusion, the technique of “deliberately playing outside” is often used, and he’s truly brilliant at it.
He pushes that delicate line where the notes are technically outside but still feel great.