Spearheaded by Master Builder Dennis Galuszka, the Monochrome Strat boasts a two-piece alder body and NOS utherane riftsawn ’63 C-shaped maple neck, decked with a Lecia ‘red dot’ inlay at the 12th fret. What really makes this guitar special, however, is the unique photo collage wrapped around the body, acting as a tribute to Summers’ own passion for photography as well as the collaboration with Leica.
The Monochrome Stratocaster is loaded with hand-wound Custom Shop ’60s Stratocaster pickips, and utilises Modified #2 for a distinctive image. Interestingly enough, this guitar features a transparent pickguard, and the usual tone and volume knobs are switched out for Leica camera knobs, which is a nice little nod to the revered camera brand. Other appointments include a bone nut and wing string tree, an American Vintage synchronised tremolo arm, a signed Andy Summers neckplate and a hardshell case with a custom Fender camera strap. Say cheese!
Fender Custom Shop have stated that they’re only building 50 Andy Summers Monochrome Stratocasters, and given the insane retail price, we can see why. It’s a cool visual collaboration, but it’s hard to picture anyone actually performing with one of these things.
Check out this distinctive instrument further over at the Fender Custom Shop website.
