Hendrix played left-handed, so he converted standard right-handed models by restringing them. According to Stephen Stills, Hendrix told him "they play a lot better upside-down." The Fender Stratocaster was Jimi Hendrix's guitar of choice for ninety percent of his work, both in the studio and in concert. Always in demand, the Strat has to be one of the most popular collectors' items. When I started, even though it was still a relatively expensive guitar, it was still within the price range of most collectors and/or players who were looking for something to keep into their old age. The other key detail: It would be made in the U.S.A. To make sure no one missed the point, the new guitar would be called “American Standard.” Conspicuous designation of the U.S. origin of certain models or whole series would be a regular fixture of Fender strategies from now on. (American Standards built in 1994 bear a red, white, and blue medallion on the headstock, commemorating the instrument’s 40th anniversary. The reissues of ’82 were okay, but many players had the real thing and they were still affordable. Case Cheapest Guitar.
