Fender Announces the New Japanese-Made Signature Model 'Limited Shigeru Suzuki Stratocaster®︎' for Shigeru Suzuki, Available May 13, 2026
Fender Musical Instruments Corporation has announced the release of the 'Limited Shigeru Suzuki Stratocaster®︎', a new Japanese-made signature model for legendary guitarist Shigeru Suzuki. It features custom specifications reflecting his precise tonal demands and will be available starting May 13, 2026.
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- 📰 Published: April 13, 2026 at 20:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 13, 2026 at 16:35
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Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (Located in Shibuya, Tokyo) - We have announced the 'Limited Shigeru Suzuki Stratocaster®︎', a signature model that embodies the unique sound and style of Shigeru Suzuki, a guitarist who has continued to have a profound impact on the Japanese music scene through his activities with the legendary rock band "Happy End", session work with Tin Pan Alley, and solo career represented by the masterpiece album "BAND WAGON". This model will be available for purchase starting Wednesday, May 13, 2026. In addition, pre-orders will begin on Monday, April 13 at Fender Flagship Tokyo and the official Fender online shop.
This model is a Japanese-made recreation of the 1962 Stratocaster that Suzuki has favored for many years. It is more than just a reissue; it has been crafted as a special piece that reflects the "obsession with sound" he has cultivated over his long playing career.
Shigeru Suzuki made his professional debut after forming Skye in 1968, and has had a major influence on the Japanese rock scene, working with Haruomi Hosono, Takashi Matsumoto, and Eiichi Ohtaki as "Happy End". In 1974, he released his solo album "BAND WAGON" in Los Angeles. Since then, he has participated in numerous sessions as a member of Tin Pan Alley, continued his activities as a solo artist, and is widely active as an arranger and producer. He celebrated his 50th anniversary in 2019 and continues to be highly acclaimed as one of the leading guitarists in the Japanese music scene.
The 'Limited Shigeru Suzuki Stratocaster®︎', which is being released this time, is the signature model following the 'Fender Custom Shop Shigeru Suzuki '62 Stratocaster® Journeyman Relic®' released by the Fender Custom Shop in 2020. Developed with the high-precision manufacturing technology unique to Japanese-made models, it is designed to embody Suzuki's sound and feel for a wider range of players. This model can be said to be an evolutionary form reflecting the "ideal sound" that Suzuki has pursued throughout his long career.
Shigeru Suzuki commented on his signature model as follows: "I think the appeal of the Stratocaster is its 'almighty' nature, responding to all kinds of expressions, from clean to flashy and wild sounds. With this model, they gave shape to the ideal 'this is the sound I want' that I have been seeking for many years. In particular, we adjusted the thickness of the low end, the overall balance, and the Fiesta Red color multiple times to bring it closer to the atmosphere of when I first got it back then. I would be happy if you could pick it up, play it, and feel the unique charm of this guitar."
The Fiesta Red color, a trademark of the 'Limited Shigeru Suzuki Stratocaster®︎', reproduces the shade when he first acquired it by applying a Desert Sand undercoat. For the topcoat, nitrocellulose lacquer is used, and by keeping the finish to the absolute minimum necessary, it is specified to allow players to enjoy natural aging like a vintage guitar.
For the pickups, it is equipped with special single coils developed to achieve the "thick low end" that Suzuki demands. After multiple prototypes and verifications, it produces a solid and rich low end by winding about 20% more than usual. Furthermore, by adopting 500kΩ pots to ensure clear highs and combining them with vintage SPRAGUE "BLACK BEAUTY" capacitors, an expressive sound is realized. The neck is profiled based on his actual guitar, balancing playability and feel. Carefully selected rosewood is used for the fretboard, and based on his strong preference, alder wood with a weight balance close to the original is used for the body.
This model comes with a special neck plate engraved with Suzuki's signature and serial number, and a certificate of authenticity, making it a special signature model unique to this limited edition.
'Limited Shigeru Suzuki Stratocaster®︎' Release Commemorative Event Held
To commemorate the release of the 'Limited Shigeru Suzuki Stratocaster®︎', a special event for purchasers will be held.
This model is a Japanese-made recreation of the 1962 Stratocaster that Suzuki has favored for many years. It is more than just a reissue; it has been crafted as a special piece that reflects the "obsession with sound" he has cultivated over his long playing career.
Shigeru Suzuki made his professional debut after forming Skye in 1968, and has had a major influence on the Japanese rock scene, working with Haruomi Hosono, Takashi Matsumoto, and Eiichi Ohtaki as "Happy End". In 1974, he released his solo album "BAND WAGON" in Los Angeles. Since then, he has participated in numerous sessions as a member of Tin Pan Alley, continued his activities as a solo artist, and is widely active as an arranger and producer. He celebrated his 50th anniversary in 2019 and continues to be highly acclaimed as one of the leading guitarists in the Japanese music scene.
The 'Limited Shigeru Suzuki Stratocaster®︎', which is being released this time, is the signature model following the 'Fender Custom Shop Shigeru Suzuki '62 Stratocaster® Journeyman Relic®' released by the Fender Custom Shop in 2020. Developed with the high-precision manufacturing technology unique to Japanese-made models, it is designed to embody Suzuki's sound and feel for a wider range of players. This model can be said to be an evolutionary form reflecting the "ideal sound" that Suzuki has pursued throughout his long career.
Shigeru Suzuki commented on his signature model as follows: "I think the appeal of the Stratocaster is its 'almighty' nature, responding to all kinds of expressions, from clean to flashy and wild sounds. With this model, they gave shape to the ideal 'this is the sound I want' that I have been seeking for many years. In particular, we adjusted the thickness of the low end, the overall balance, and the Fiesta Red color multiple times to bring it closer to the atmosphere of when I first got it back then. I would be happy if you could pick it up, play it, and feel the unique charm of this guitar."
The Fiesta Red color, a trademark of the 'Limited Shigeru Suzuki Stratocaster®︎', reproduces the shade when he first acquired it by applying a Desert Sand undercoat. For the topcoat, nitrocellulose lacquer is used, and by keeping the finish to the absolute minimum necessary, it is specified to allow players to enjoy natural aging like a vintage guitar.
For the pickups, it is equipped with special single coils developed to achieve the "thick low end" that Suzuki demands. After multiple prototypes and verifications, it produces a solid and rich low end by winding about 20% more than usual. Furthermore, by adopting 500kΩ pots to ensure clear highs and combining them with vintage SPRAGUE "BLACK BEAUTY" capacitors, an expressive sound is realized. The neck is profiled based on his actual guitar, balancing playability and feel. Carefully selected rosewood is used for the fretboard, and based on his strong preference, alder wood with a weight balance close to the original is used for the body.
This model comes with a special neck plate engraved with Suzuki's signature and serial number, and a certificate of authenticity, making it a special signature model unique to this limited edition.
'Limited Shigeru Suzuki Stratocaster®︎' Release Commemorative Event Held
To commemorate the release of the 'Limited Shigeru Suzuki Stratocaster®︎', a special event for purchasers will be held.