Fender relaunches its viral Hello Kitty Stratocaster to celebrate the character’s 50th anniversary
You might remember back in 2022, when the internet started going nuts for the Squier Hello Kitty Strat, sending its used price skyrocketing on online gear marketplace Reverb.
The Hello Kitty Strat first launched in 2006 to little reception, and was discontinued some years later. But after YouTuber TheDooo began uploading videos of himself playing a Hello Kitty Strat to users on Omegle in the late 2010s, searches for the crossover six-string dramatically increased, according to an article published by Reverb.
READ MORE: “We refer to it as the ‘sports car’ of the Fender lineup”: Fender launches its “most advanced” line of electric guitars to date, the American Ultra II series
As a consequence, prices for the Hello Kitty Strat increased from $275 to an average $700, representing a 254 percent growth.
Now, Fender has revived that highly sought-after model, meaning guitar players won’t have to head to reverb and pay inflated prices. Sort of.
Yes, the Hello Kitty Strat is back, but this time in two configurations: the Squier Limited Edition Hello Kitty Stratocaster, the more affordable of the two at $499; and the higher-end Made in Japan Fender Limited Edition Hello Kitty Stratocaster, a model exclusive to Fender’s Japan flagship store in Tokyo and clocking in at 330,000 Japanese Yen (approximately $2,145).
Both guitars make up part of the Fender x Hello Kitty 50th Anniversary Collection, which celebrates 50 years of Hello Kitty. Also up for grabs are a Hello Kitty-themed fuzz pedal, and a range of accessories and apparel.
Credit: Fender
Let’s take a look at the specs of each of the products on offer. First up, the Squier Limited Edition Hello Kitty Stratocaster is available worldwide, and comes with either a pink or white body, with Hello Kitty graphics on the pickguard, headstock and body.
The pricier Made in Japan Fender Limited Edition Hello Kitty Stratocaster, meanwhile, comes with a Pearl White body, Hello Kitty ribbon inlay on the 12th fret of the fingerboard, custom Hybrid II pickups, plus a Hello Kitty-engraved neckplate and hardshell case.
The Hello Kitty Fuzz is a pink-clad pedal with white Fender witch hat knobs, Japanese translated labels and Hello Kitty herself on the front panel. This vibrant stompbox offers guitarists “woolly, splattering gain tones with unmistakable character”.
Credit: Fender
There’s also a range of both globally available and Japan only accessories, apparel and collectibles, too.
“Hello Kitty has a global community of devoted fans, and much like Fender, has transcended generations, culture, and geography. This partnership speaks to the joy and creativity both brands have inspired worldwide,” adds Edward ‘Bud’ Cole, president, Fender (APAC). It’s about more than just a guitar – this is about giving players a platform to express their individuality.”
For more information, head to Fender.
The post Fender relaunches its viral Hello Kitty Stratocaster to celebrate the character’s 50th anniversary appeared first on Guitar.com | All Things Guitar.
Source: www.guitar-bass.net
