Fender Limited Edition Gary Moore Stratocaster

Known for his fierce, take-no-prisoners virtuosic guitar playing that encompassed every style from jazz-fusion and progressive rock to heavy metal and blues, Irish guitarist Gary Moore set the world afire every time he took the stage or entered a studio. Since 1987, when he first joined Fender’s production line, Custom Shop Master Builder John Cruz has dreamed of creating a reproduction of the 1961 Fiesta Red Stratocaster Moore, his favorite guitarist, favored in the ’80s, as “the ultimate tribute to the man and his fans.” When he was offered the chance to analyze Moore’s original instrument and create this peerless reproduction, he enthusiastically obliged. Cruz experimented endlessly with the notoriously variable Fiesta Red color, matching the precise shade on Moore’s guitar, and lovingly reproduced every hard-won battle scar on the guitar. Moore’s instrument was close to “stock,” including the original-spec low-output pickups and traditional 3-way pickup switch. The only modifications were the addition of copper shielding in the cavity and jumbo frets. Cruz’ masterful replica accurately reflects these modifications—even going so far as incorporating a 10”-radius rosewood fingerboard that reflects the original after many years of hard play and multiple re-frets. The pickups are Cruz’ own “Bonetone” design, hand wound by Josefina Campos, and packed full of soulful, authentic Fender tone.

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