Buddy Guy Guitar
Today, we dive deep into the story of one particular six-stringed Buddy Guy‘s partner in crime who has accompanied him in his melodic journey – the Fender Buddy Guy Standard Stratocaster.
Table of Contents
Buddy Guy: The Titan of the Blues
Now, let’s journey back in time, all the way to Lettsworth, Louisiana, in 1936. Here, in this quaint locale, was born a boy named George “Buddy” Guy, unaware that his fingers would one day dance on guitar strings creating ripples that would influence an entire generation of musicians.
From the juke joints of Baton Rouge to the smoky blues clubs of Chicago, Buddy Guy’s journey has been nothing short of legendary. A seven-time Grammy Award winner, he’s been an inspiration to greats like Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, and Stevie Ray Vaughan.
His playing style? Electric, raw, and profoundly emotional. But let’s get to the meat of the matter. The tool of his trade, – his signature guitar.
Fender Buddy Guy Standard Stratocaster
The Fender Buddy Guy Standard Stratocaster isn’t just another guitar. It’s an emblem, a symbol, an extension of Buddy himself.
Polka-Dot Passion
First things first, one cannot talk about the Buddy Guy Standard Stratocaster without mentioning its iconic polka-dot finish. While the dots might seem quirky to some, they carry a deeper, more sentimental value for Buddy. The polka dots are a tribute to his late mother, whom he often visualized in a polka-dot dress.
The Sound of Soul
Beyond the aesthetics, what truly stands out is the sound. Equipped with three Standard Single-Coil Strat pickups, this guitar delivers a tone that’s crisp, clear, and yet profoundly soulful. It captures the essence of the blues while giving enough room for Buddy to experiment, improvise, and create his signature licks.
The maple neck, combined with a 9.5″-radius rosewood fingerboard, ensures playability, smoothness, and tonal clarity that is the hallmark of Buddy’s sound.
If you’re the proud owner of a Buddy Guy Standard Stratocaster, check how old your “polka-dot” guitar is.
Specification Table: Fender Buddy Guy Standard Stratocaster
| Category | Specification |
|---|---|
| General | |
| Brand: | Fender |
| Configuration: | SSS |
| Strings: | 6 |
| Made in: | Mexico |
| Series: | Artist |
| Colors: | Black Patterns |
| Left-Handed Version: | No |
| Body | |
| Type: | Solid Body |
| Body Material: | Alder |
| Bridge: | 6-Saddle Vintage-Style Synchronized Tremolo |
| Neck | |
| Neck Joint: | Bolt-On |
| Tuners: | Vintage-Style |
| Fretboard: | Maple |
| Neck Material: | Maple |
| Decoration: | Black Dot |
| Scale Size: | 25.5″ |
| Shape: | Fender Soft V |
| Thickness: | 1st Fret: 0.9” (22.9mm) – 12th Fret: 0.99” (25.1mm) |
| Frets: | 21 Medium Jumbo |
| Fretboard Radius: | 9.5″ |
| Nut: | Synthetic Bone |
| Nut Width: | 42mm (1.654”) |
| Electronics | |
| Switch: | 5 Way |
| Knobs: | Bell |
| Volume Controls: | 1 |
| Tone Controls: | 2 |
| Bridge Pickup: | Fender Standard Single-Coil Strat (Single Coil / Passive) |
| Middle Pickup: | Fender Standard Single-Coil Strat (Single Coil / Passive) |
| Neck Pickup: | Fender Standard Single-Coil Strat (Single Coil / Passive) |