Jimi Hendrix's Main Guitar: The Fender Stratocaster
Jimi Hendrix is most famous for playing a Fender Stratocaster, a solid-body electric guitar that became so linked to his name that many people assume he designed it or that Fender built it specifically for him. He did not — the Stratocaster existed since 1954 — but Hendrix's technique and tone made it the guitar people think of when they picture him.
Hendrix typically played Stratocasters with the strings reversed and the guitar restrung for left-handed playing. He was left-handed and played the instrument upside down rather than buying a left-handed model. This setup meant the thicker bass strings ran along the top of the headstock instead of the bottom, which affected how the guitar balanced and how the tremolo arm (the whammy bar) responded.
The specific Stratocasters Hendrix owned varied over his career. He played sunburst finishes, white models, and other colors depending on what was available or what suited a particular performance. He was not precious about owning one specific guitar — he played what worked and what he could get his hands on.
Key Takeaways
- Hendrix played a Fender Stratocaster restrung for left-handed playing, which he played upside down rather than using a left-handed model.
- He owned multiple Stratocasters throughout his career in different colors and conditions, and did not rely on a single instrument.
- His technique — bending strings, using feedback, and playing with the tremolo arm — worked on the Stratocaster but would have sounded different on other guitar types.
- Hendrix also played Gibson guitars, particularly the SG and the Flying V, especially in his later years and studio sessions.
- The guitar itself did not make Hendrix's sound; his hands, amplifier, and effects pedals did most of the work.
Why the Stratocaster Suited Hendrix's Playing Style
The Stratocaster's design gave Hendrix specific tools he used constantly. The tremolo arm let him bend the pitch of notes and chords without moving his fingers — a technique that became a signature part of his sound. The three pickups (the magnetic coils that capture string vibration) gave him options for different tones, from bright and cutting to warm and thick.
The Stratocaster's body shape also mattered. It was comfortable to play sitting down or standing up, and the cutaway near the neck let him reach the highest frets easily. For a player who wanted to move around on stage and play fast passages high up the neck, the Stratocaster's design was practical.
That said, the guitar alone did not create Hendrix's sound. His amplifier — usually a Marshall stack, a pair of large cabinets stacked on top of each other — and his use of effects pedals like the fuzz box and wah-wah pedal shaped his tone as much as the guitar did. A different player with the same Stratocaster would sound completely different.
Other Guitars Hendrix Played in the Studio and Live
While the Stratocaster was Hendrix's main instrument, he played other guitars too. He used a Gibson SG, a semi-hollow-body guitar with a thinner, warmer tone, on some recordings and live performances. The SG's design is quite different from the Stratocaster — it has a smaller body and a different pickup configuration — and it gave him access to different sounds when he wanted them.
Hendrix also played a Gibson Flying V, a guitar with an angular, futuristic shape that was uncommon at the time. The Flying V has a solid body like the Stratocaster but a different tonal character. He used it less often than the Stratocaster or SG, but it showed up in photographs and on some recordings.
In his final years, Hendrix experimented more with different instruments. He was not locked into the Stratocaster — he was curious and willing to try whatever might produce a sound he wanted to hear. This openness to different tools was part of what made him innovative.
How Hendrix Modified and Maintained His Guitars
Hendrix did not baby his instruments. He played them hard, and they showed wear. He would adjust the action (the height of the strings above the fretboard) to suit his playing, and he changed strings frequently because his aggressive technique broke them often.
He also experimented with pickup configurations and wiring. Some of his Stratocasters had non-standard setups — different pickups installed, or the electronics rewired in unusual ways — to get the sounds he wanted. This was not uncommon among working musicians of his era; if a guitar did not do what you needed, you modified it.
Hendrix's approach to his instruments reflected his larger philosophy: the guitar was a tool to make the sounds in his head, not an object to preserve. He cared about what came out of the amplifier, not about keeping the guitar in mint condition.
The Fender Stratocaster After Hendrix
After Hendrix's death in 1970, the Stratocaster became even more closely associated with rock and blues guitar. Fender eventually released signature models — Stratocasters designed to look like the ones Hendrix played, with reversed headstocks and left-handed configurations available. These are marketed to players who want to own a guitar similar to the ones Hendrix used, though they are modern instruments with modern construction.
The original guitars Hendrix played have become valuable artifacts. Some are in museums, and others are owned by collectors. A Stratocaster that Hendrix played at a famous performance can sell for hundreds of thousands of dollars, far more than an identical guitar without that history would cost.
What Made Hendrix's Sound, Beyond the Guitar
It is straightforward to assume that owning a Stratocaster like Hendrix's would let you sound like him. It would not. His sound came from his hands — his finger strength, his bending technique, his sense of timing — combined with his amplifier and effects. A beginner with Hendrix's exact guitar would sound like a beginner.
Hendrix also played with a pick in an unusual way, sometimes using the side of his thumb to strike strings, and he used his fingers to mute and control the strings while playing. These techniques were personal to him and took years to develop. The guitar was the instrument, but Hendrix was the one making the music.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Fender make a special guitar for Jimi Hendrix?
No. Hendrix played standard Fender Stratocasters that he restrung for left-handed playing. Fender did not build a signature model during his lifetime. After his death, Fender released Stratocasters designed to match the look and setup of the guitars he played, but these are modern instruments made for collectors and players who want that aesthetic.
Why did Hendrix play his guitar upside down instead of buying a left-handed model?
Left-handed guitars were harder to find and more expensive in the 1960s. Playing a right-handed guitar upside down and restringing it was a practical solution. Hendrix may have also preferred the feel — the tremolo arm and controls ended up in different positions, which suited his playing style.
Can I buy a guitar like the one Jimi Hendrix played?
Yes. Fender makes Stratocasters in many configurations, including left-handed models and signature editions designed to look like Hendrix's guitars. You can also buy a standard Stratocaster and restring it the way Hendrix did. The guitar itself is widely available; what made Hendrix's sound was his technique and equipment, not the rarity of the instrument.
What amplifier did Hendrix use with his Stratocaster?
Hendrix typically played through a Marshall amplifier, usually a Marshall stack — two large cabinets with a head unit on top. The Marshall's natural distortion and power were central to his tone. He also used various effects pedals, including a fuzz box and wah-wah pedal, which shaped his sound as much as the guitar and amplifier did.
Did Hendrix ever play acoustic guitar?
Yes, though rarely in performance. He played acoustic guitars in the studio and in private, but his reputation and most of his famous recordings were made on electric instruments. His style — heavy use of effects, feedback, and amplifier distortion — was built for electric guitar.