It's been a while but I was eager to share my latest project. A few months back I was introduced to Jon Fuentes by a Forum member who was helping Jon with advice on selecting a Strat that would be uniquely his. I had previously posted some shots of one of my Monterey Strat Tributes and he initially was interested in one of those. Jon is a big Mayer, Hendrix fan and wanted something in that vibe.

Jon has his new CD being released on Saturday (Dreams on 17th) and he is performing live in McAllen Tx at Cine El Rey. (www.jonfuentes.com) Click through to the new web site for info on the release show.

Jon contacted me and we set about planning for a Strat that would be his. The original plan was to build a Monterey but using his favorite Strat color, Charcoal Frost. There is a longer story about this that I can elaborate on, but we go back to May of this year when we started talking about what he wanted. His choices changed almost weekly and finally I asked him to trust me to come up with a design. We had written and talked so much that I felt I had a handle on what his soul was saying to me. I wasn't sure if he would like it, but I felt we should take the plunge.

Here are a few shots of the project and hopefully you may be able to see Jon playing this Strat (along with a traditional Fiesta Red Monty that he ultimately had to have too) at his show on Saturday that will be streamed live and recorded on video. I'm super happy for Jon and if the forumites can support Jon in any way, I am sure he would appreciate it.

This is the first mock up after the graphics were complete to get his approval.

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Here it is just after completion



Back side. Jon wanted the neck back to be sanded, so I did a relic treatment to add some of the relicing that he really wanted.



Closer peak. The idea was to give it the hand painted look just like Jimi's were on his Monterey and Flying V. You can pick out the parts that were inspired from various Hendrix graphics. The rest was mine and a carefully placed "17" in the graphic as a tribute to the title of his CD. The guitar has been named "17"



I don't want to get too indulgent here with the details, but if anyone is interested to know more of the story and what went into this one, let me know. I'd be happy to post more if requested.

I guess the point is that there are some great friendships that we all make here on this forum because of the elements here that we all are passionate about. I appreciate the confidence that another member (sorry I don't recall your user name, and I lost all me emails in a PC crash) had given to connect us both. Sometimes you feel like you know someone pretty well just by reading their posts regularly here, even though you've never actually met in person. I've yet to meet Jon although we have spoken numerous times during this project. I'm pulling for his success and I am sure that we will be friends forever. Thanks to the Fender Forum for initiating a great experience.

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"You can never have too many guitars."

Sweet Stuff,

A remarkable, inspiring story. Not to mention a guitar thats a credit to you both!

I am assuming it is Big Dipper loaded?

No. Jon actually had some pickups that Mike Aldred made for him based on the 1960 Custom Shop pickup. He put those into another Strat and had been playing those. He really has a preference for those pups. I found a loaded Custom Shop 60 relic assembly with the relic Mint Green Pick guard that he wanted and installed that. I have to say, that after plugging this guitar in and hearing those pickups, that I was mighty impressed. For Jon's type of music I think they are perfect. I think it was a good choice because it gives him his own personality on the guitar instead of emulating his hero's.

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"You can never have too many guitars."

I actually read Jons thread over in the Ask Mike Eldred section about these PUPs when he got them!

Would love to hear Jon chime in on this one...I think its great that he has put his own individual mark to the guitar when so many others would of gone with a straight clone in the footsteps of their heros.

Rob

awesome work man! I had seen it on Jon's facebook and flipped out! I loved it! I also thought that Monty you made him looks fantastic. I may have to get in touch with you in the future on some ideas I have for a crash-esque Strat...

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http://www.twitter.com/CAE_Music

Thanks very much. Jon had his CD release party tonight but unfortunately his live UStream feed wasn't working. Well at least it wasn't for me.

I was able to finish another Monterey for Jon (which is what he originally wanted) so that he had it in time for the concert this evening. So in addition to the 17 he got this one to play as well.



It was Jon Birthday last week and he gave himself a few really nice B-Day gifts. The Monty above had a set of Van Zandt Reverse Stagger pickups with Blender pot, fully copper shielded and 62 Reissue Hot Rod neck (bigger frets, 9.5 radius)

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"You can never have too many guitars."

yeah nice indeed! that Two-Rock SSS Custom is freaking awesome. can't wait to hear his demos of your guitars with that amp!

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http://www.twitter.com/CAE_Music

Jon texted last night and said that everything went really well. The UStream feed had problems and didn't work properly but I believe he will have some UTube video soon. He loves the Two Rock amps and reported to me yesterday that he is in love with the sound of the 17 Strat. Hopefully we will get to hear it on the video.

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"You can never have too many guitars."