Virtuoso rock guitarist Richie Kotzen has long wowed audiences with his impeccable chops and passionate and captivating playing style. His prolific career spans from stints in Poison and Mr. Big to solo artist to front man of The Winery Dogs to his recent collaboration with Iron Maiden guitarist Adrian Smith in the group Smith/Kotzen. Richie’s incredibly unique musical voice has influenced countless guitar players around the globe. And now, the Richie Kotzen Stratocaster - once available only in Japan - is available worldwide!

Featuring a striking combination of upscale appointments and high-performance playability, the Richie Kotzen Stratocaster pairs a beautiful flame maple top finished in exclusive Trans-Burst finishes with a comfortably contoured ash body and a fast-playing thick “C”-shaped neck. Gold hardware completes the upscale look and an array of custom DiMarzio® pickups provide a host of excellent sounds.

This Stratocaster perfectly harnesses the flare of Richie’s virtuosic playing style and delivers sweet, punchy tone ready for the studio and stage.

Features

• Ash body with flame maple top --  The select ash body provides classic Fender tones, chiming highs, balanced lows, and a prominent midrange to result in greater harmonic content. Together, the ash body and flame maple top create a guitar with exceptional looks. This tonewood pairing pays tribute to Fender's heritage while taking it to new levels of elegance and performance.
• Custom DiMarzio® Pickups  --  For specially voiced tone, the Richie Kotzen Stratocaster is armed with three custom DiMarzio® single-coils, ideal for hard rock, shred, and metal.
• Thick “C”–shape maple neck --  The profile of Kotzen’s thick “C”-shaped neck offers players a substantial and comfortable grip. The profile is rounded and fills the palm, providing stability and control. This thicker neck reduces hand fatigue during long practice or gigging sessions. The “C” shape strikes a balance between the slim fast-playing necks and old-school chunky vintage profiles. It facilitates complex chording and fast runs up and down the fretboard.
• Gold Hardware --  Gold hardware imparts an elegant, gilded look to these instruments – a pleasingly high-end appearance that isn’t overdone or ostentatious, but rather the right touch of refinement.
• 12” radius fingerboard with 22 jumbo frets --  The flatter 12" fingerboard radius provides a smooth feel and allows for easier bending compared to more curved fingerboard profiles. The jumbo fret wire is taller and wider than standard frets, giving more surface area for fretting notes up and down the neck.
• Trans-Burst finishes --  Available in either a custom Olympic White-Burst or Transparent Cherry-Burst, these cool finishes give the Richie Kotzen Stratocaster a unique eye-catching look while showing off the beautiful flame-maple top.

PRODUCT SPECS General Series: Made in Japan Artist Orientation: Right-Hand Color: See-through White Burst Country Of Origin: JP Platform: Japan Exclusive

Neck Neck Material: Maple Neck Finish: Satin Urethane Neck Shape: Thick "C" Fingerboard Radius: 12" (305 mm) Fingerboard Material: Maple Position Inlays: Abalone Dot Number of Frets: 22 String Nut: Synthetic Bone Nut Width: 1.650" (42 mm) Nut Material: Synthetic Bone

Hardware Bridge: 6-Saddle Vintage-Style Synchronized Tremolo Pickguard: 3-Ply Pearloid Pickup Covers: White Pickup Covers Control Knobs: White Plastic Switch Tip: White Hardware Finish: Gold Tuning Machines: Gotoh® with Pearl Buttons Strings: Nickel Plated Steel (.009-.042 Gauges) Neck Plate: 4-Bolt

Body Body: Ash with Flame Maple Laminated Top Body Finish: Gloss Polyester Body Shape: Stratocaster® Body Material: Ash with Flame Maple Laminated Top

Electronics Bridge Pickup: DiMarzio® Custom Single Coil Middle Pickup: DiMarzio® Custom Single-Coil Neck Pickup: DiMarzio® Custom Single-Coil Pickup Configuration: SSS Controls: Master Volume, Tone 1. (Neck Pickup), Tone 2. (Middle Pickup) Switching: 5-Position Blade: Position 1. Bridge Pickup, Position 2. Bridge and Middle Pickup, Position 3. Middle Pickup, Position 4. Middle and Neck Pickup, Position 5. Neck Pickup
Model #: 5258090350 Case/Gig Bag: Included: Gig Bag