1997 Jimi Hendrix Monterey Pop Stratocaster - Fender Custom Shop Prototype #4 – (USA, Hand-Painted, COA)

Few guitars carry as much cultural weight as the hand-painted Stratocaster Jimi Hendrix played—and famously set alight—at the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967. It was a moment that didn’t just cement Hendrix’s legend, but redefined the electric guitar as a tool of pure expression, spectacle, and rebellion.

This faithfully recreated tribute is Prototype #4 of Fender’s 1997 Custom Shop Monterey Stratocaster. Built in 1996 and officially dated March 1, 1997, it predates the limited production run and stands as one of the earliest examples of Fender’s homage to that iconic instrument.

The body was hand-painted by renowned artist Pamelina H., whose custom work helped define the aesthetic of Fender’s boutique offerings through the 1990s. It captures the original’s psychedelic flourishes in striking detail, wrapped in a light relic finish that complements the period-correct styling.

Importantly, this piece also reflects the early era of the Fender Custom Shop itself—a time when builds were rare, detail-focused, and highly individual. Featuring early Custom Shop branding and presentation, it offers a snapshot of the division before it became the globally scaled operation it is today.

Included in the original set:

• Certificate of Authenticity signed by Custom Shop manager John Page

• White leather fringe gig bag

• Hendrix photograph and ephemera

• Custom Shop strap

• Aluminium flight case with turquoise plush lining

Highly collectible and historically significant, this is both an instrument and an artifact—honouring one of the most pivotal moments in guitar history, and showcasing the early artistry of Fender’s Custom Shop.

Made in the USA
Serial: PROTO JH 04
Hand-painted by Pamelina H. ’96