Fender Albert Hammond Jr. Strat in Olympic White

This signature model from The Strokes guitarist Albert Hammond Jr may look like a standard Stratocaster, but behind the familiarity lies something more unconventional. This model is a recreation of Hammond Jr’s modified 1985 reissue of a ‘72 Strat. A reissue of a reissue is already out-of-the-ordinary but the unique switching layout and ceramic single-coil pickups mean this guitar is capable of things you can’t recreate on a regular model. Whether you’re a fan of The Strokes or not, the unconventional features that Hammond Jr has brought to the Strat help it stand on its own as a unique creative instrument.

Body and Neck

For the most part, the Albert Hammond Jr has everything you’d expect Strat to have as far as construction goes. An alder body and a maple neck paired with rosewood fingerboard. Its a tried and tested formula that’s been a staple of Fender guitars for decades. The rosewood offers a smooth and natural-feeling playing surface, while the vintage-style 7.25” fingerboard radius makes playing chords and rhythms a breeze. As it’s based on a ‘72 reissue there are several 70s-era features such as the larger headstock, 70s-style logo, bullet truss rod, and the F-stamped three-bolt neck plate with MicroTilt adjustment hole.

Pickups and Switching

The sound of this Strat, on the hand, is anything but traditional. For starters, this guitar features ceramic single-coil pickups which provide a crisp, powerful, and more modern tone than vintage-style Alnico pickups. When it comes to switching, Albert Hammond Jr prefers to think outside of the box. On this Strat, position 4 activates the neck and bridge pickups together for Tele-style tones that you just can’t get on most standard Stratocasters. Positions 1 and 3 are also reversed from the traditional format, giving you a new creative workflow on the Strat.

Specifications

Body

Body Material: Alder
Body Finish: Gloss Polyester
Body Shape: Stratocaster®

Neck

• Neck Material: Maple
  Neck Finish: Gloss Urethane
  Neck Shape: Modern "C"
  Scale Length: 25.5" (648 mm)
  Fingerboard Material: Rosewood
  Fingerboard Radius: 7.25" (184.1 mm)
  Number of Frets: 21
  Fret Size: Medium Jumbo
  Nut Material: Synthetic Bone
  Nut Width: 1.650" (42 mm)
  Position Inlays: White Dot
  Truss Rod: Bullet Style
  Truss Rod Nut: Bullet Style

Electronics

• Bridge Pickup: Custom Ceramic Single-Coil
  Middle Pickup: Custom Ceramic Single-Coil
  Neck Pickup: Custom Ceramic Single-Coil
  Controls: Master Volume, Tone 1. (Neck Pickup), Tone 2. (Bridge Pickup)
• Switching: 5-Position Blade: Position 1. Middle Pickup, Position 2. Bridge and Middle Pickup, Position 3. Bridge Pickup, Position 4. Bridge and Neck Pickup, Position 5. Neck Pickup
• Configuration: SSS

Hardware

• Bridge: 6-Saddle Vintage-Style Synchronized Tremolo Set Flat to Body
• Hardware Finish: Nickel/Chrome
• Tuning Machines: Fender® Vintage "F" Stamped
• Pickguard: 3-Ply Parchment
• Control Knobs: Parchment Plastic
• Switch Tip: Parchment
• Neck Plate: 3-Bolt "F" Stamped with Micro-Tilt™

Miscellaneous

• Strings: Fender® USA 250L Nickel Plated Steel (.009-.042 Gauges)
• Other Features: Tremolo set flush to body, No tremolo arm included with guitar, Special set of 4 custom guitar picks

Accessories

• Case/Gig Bag: Deluxe Gig Bag
• Included Accessories: Pack of 4 custom picks