In 2021, to celebrate Ken's 30th anniversary as the guitarist of L'Arc - en - Ciel, Fender released this redesigned Japanese signature Stratocaster. Inspired by Ken's image of 'gold - piece Japanese pottery', it features an original white body, a matching headstock, and gold hardware. The elbow cut, minimized and painted in gold, along with the gold acrylic pickguard, control panel, pickup, control, and spring cavity, gives it a unique look. This guitar combines 'V - Mod II' and 'Fat 50s' pickups directly attached to a highly rigid body with a thick neck profile modeled after Ken's actual guitar. Specifications include: Stratocaster® body shape made of Alder with a Gloss Urethane finish; Ken 'U' Shape neck profile; Maple fretboard with a 9.5' (241 mm) radius, 22 Vintage - Style Frets, and Black Dot Inlays; Fat 50's Single - Coil Strat® at the bridge and V - Mod II Single - Coil Strat® in the middle and neck; a 6 - Saddle Pure Vintage Synchronized Tremolo bridge; Nickel Plated Steel strings (.009 -.042 Gauges); Locking Tuner Gotoh® SG381 - 07 - L6 MG - T GG tuning machines; gold hardware finish; and it comes with a Deluxe Gig Bag.
Using this Fender Japan Ken Stratocaster is a breeze. First, tune your guitar using the locking tuners. You can experiment with different pickups to get the sound you want - the 'Fat 50s' at the bridge gives a rich, classic tone, while the 'V - Mod II' in the middle and neck offer a more versatile sound. When playing, the ergonomic design with the Ken 'U' Shape neck profile provides a comfortable grip. For maintenance, keep your guitar in a dry place to prevent the wood from warping. Clean the strings regularly with a soft cloth to keep them sounding great. After playing, put your guitar back in the Deluxe Gig Bag to protect it from scratches and dust. Be careful when using the tremolo bridge - don't over - bend the strings as it might affect the tuning. And always remember to handle your guitar gently to ensure it lasts for a long time.
