• Model: Hellecasters Limited Edition John Jorgenson Stratocaster
• Finish: Black Gold Sparkle
• Body: Maple
• Neck: Maple
• Neck Finish: Gloss Vintage Tint
• Headstock: Large Inverted Strat Headstock
• Fingerboard: Rosewood
• Inlays: Gold Sparkle Dot Inlays
• Frets: 22 Jumbo
• Pickups: 3 x Seymour Duncan Custom Voice Split-Coil Pickups
• Controls: Master Volume, Bass Cut Control, Push / Pull Switching
• Switching: 5-Way Selector with Additional Push / Pull for 7 Total Pickup Combinations
• Bridge: Custom 2-Point Tremolo
• Tuners: Schaller Locking Tuners
• Pickguard: Gold
• Hardware: Gold
• Case: Non-Original Gig Bag
• Country: Japan
• Year: 1997
• Limited Edition: 500 Pieces

This is one of the most unusual and collectible Fender Japan signature models from the late ’90s, and a really interesting part of the short-lived Hellecasters run. Fender Japan released the Hellecasters series in 1997 around the three very different players in the band — Jerry Donahue, Will Ray and John Jorgenson — and that is exactly why these guitars are so compelling now. They were not lazy signature models at all. Each one had its own identity, its own wiring ideas and its own visual personality, which makes the whole series feel much more special than a standard artist run. The John Jorgenson model is probably the most extravagant of the three visually, with the Black Gold Sparkle finish, gold hardware and oversized reverse headstock giving it a proper late-’90s custom-shop-meets-stage-guitar feel.

Spec-wise it is also one of the cleverest. The three Seymour Duncan split-coil pickups give it a broader, quieter and more flexible voice than a normal Strat, and the switching system is a big part of the appeal. You still get the regular Strat sounds, but the push / pull control opens up extra combinations, including a really useful Tele-style neck and bridge sound. The bass cut control is another very smart feature and not something you see often on a Strat, but it makes a lot of sense here because it helps clean up the warmer pickup voices and adds even more range for live use. That is really what this guitar feels like — a proper working player’s instrument with loads of tonal options, wrapped up in one of the boldest visual packages Fender Japan ever did. A very rare and very cool piece from a fascinating little series.

Collector’s condition excellent. A very well-preserved example that remains in top overall condition. Supplied in a non-original gig bag, as these were originally delivered without a case.

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