Tom Delonge Signature Stratocaster from Fender
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(Click for a close-up) |
March 16, 2001Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC) has announced the introduction of its new Artist Model guitar, the
Tom Delonge Stratocaster. As a driving force behind the band Blink
182, Tom has brought a unique sound to the forefront of popular music
with a no-nonsense approach that has encouraged thousands of would-be
musicians to pick up a guitar and learn to play.
"When you look at Tom's guitar and his playing style with Blink 182,
they're really straight forward," says Richard McDonald, vice president
of marketing for Fender electric guitars. "He's helped show a lot of
people that you don't need to be a maestro to make good music, and he's
reminded even more that you can still have fun doing it."
In working with Fender's Custom Shop on his personal guitars, Tom came
up with a very basic, classic design that would provide him with the
growling tone and sustain needed for a band like Blink 182, yet with a
twist. The result was a stripped-down Stratocaster with a single
Seymour-Duncan Invader humbucking pickup in the bridge position and
only one control knob: Volume!
The new production model is the same - it's all Tom. In addition to the
single pickup configuration, the Tom Delonge model features a
string-through-body hardtail and bridge. The body is non-veneered
alder, and it has a maple neck with rosewood fingerboard.
There's also the same vintage feel that Tom prefers on his own guitars,
with the large '70s Fender headstock and a choice of four finish
options: Graffiti Yellow; Daphne Blue; Surf Green; or Black. A white
perloid pickguard and vintage tuners complete the classic look.
"This is a very fun guitar," adds McDonald. "I can't tell you how many
requests we've gotten to make this, so it goes to show that Tom has
really turned people on to just plugging in a guitar and cranking it
up."
The new Tom Delonge model Stratocaster will be made at Fender's
state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Ensenada, Baja California,
Mexico. US MSRP is $699.99. For more information, visit their web site at www.fender.com. | 
