A Well-worn Replica of Mike McCready's 1960 Stratocaster
Across three decades and more than 10 albums, Mike McCready’s lead guitar work with Pearl Jam defined the instrument’s very role within the world of grunge and alternative rock. His 6-string of choice? A well-loved 1960 Stratocaster that’s served as a staple part of the band’s sound since 1992. The Fender Mike McCready Stratocaster is an exact replication of that very instrument, boasting all the bones of a true pre-CBS Fender, including a lightweight alder body, slim maple “C” neck, and a 9.5-inch-radius rosewood fingerboard. A trio of custom pickups directly modeled after the single-coils in Mike’s Strat instantly unlock the sound of legendary Pearl Jam leads and solo, with a remarkably dynamic feel and classic Strat sparkle. Finally, a Road Worn nitrocellulose lacquer finish sets this guitar apart from a sea of vintage-inspired Strats, with every nick, ding, and scratch mirroring the play wear from Mike’s beloved 1960 Stratocaster.
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Expertly aged nitro lacquer finish
From the buckle-rashed back to the neck’s worn-away clearcoat, every scratch and ding found on the Mike McCready Stratocaster is an visual testament to 30-plus-years of hard playing in Mike’s hands. Every detail of Mike’s vintage 1960 Stratocaster was captured in full detail, right down to the mismatched knobs and switch tip. Finally, the Fender Mike McCready Stratocaster’s Road Worn finish was sprayed with authentic nitrocellulose lacquer — the same finish found on a true vintage Stratocaster that will continue to age and develop right along with you.
An even flow of ’60s-style tones
The Fender Mike McCready Stratocaster comes equipped with a trio of Custom Mike McCready ’60s single-coil Stratocaster pickups, exactly modeled after the vintage pickups found in Mike’s own Strat. What do they sound like? While they fit the legendary vintage-Strat formula to a T — bell-like highs, springy lows, and an unmatched level of note-to-note definition — all you need to do is throw on a few classic Pearl Jam tunes like “Daughter” or “Nothing As It Seems” to hear the Mike McCready Stratocaster’s ripping tone in action.
Mike’s #1 Strat since 1992
Originally acquired in 1992, Mike’s #1 Strat has played a pivotal role in Pearl Jam’s music — so much so that Mike has the number 59 tattooed on his wrist to honor the guitar's supposed year of birth. Funnily enough, when Mike sent his Strat in to Fender for the original Custom Shop run of Mike McCready Stratocasters, a rather startling discovery was made — Mike’s ’59 Strat was actually a 1960 model! Regardless of its year of birth, Mike’s Strat sports all the must-have hallmarks of a golden-era rosewood-fingerboard Stratocaster, including a slim “C” maple neck, slab rosewood fingerboard, and period-correct 9.5-inch fingerboard radius.
Fender Mike McCready Stratocaster Electric Guitar Features:
- An exacting replica of Mike McCready of Pearl Jam’s 1960 Fender Stratocaster
- Lightweight alder body
- Fast-playing maple neck in a slim “C” profile
- 9.5-inch-radius rosewood fingerboard, studded with 21 medium vintage frets for a thoroughly vintage-style playing experience
- Three Custom Mike McCready ’60s Single-coil Stratocaster pickups, precisely modeled after the pickups in Mike’s Strat
- Modern 5-position blade switch and treble bleed circuit master volume to keep your signal clear when rolling down the volume
- Classic early 1960s Strat appointments, including a vintage-style synchronized tremolo with bent steel saddles, 3-ply mint pickguard, and vintage-style Fender tuners
- Road Worn nitrocellulose lacquer finish that mirrors the wear on Mike’s Strat, from the back’s buckle rash to the mis-matched knobs
