To celebrate the recent US holiday, Fender posted a video of the build process for “The Eagle”, their incredible custom built tribute to America.
Master Builder Kyle McMullin collaborated with painter Pamelina H to build a distinctive strat, complete with artwork that is “a tribute to her army brat upbringing and America’s core values of democracy, freedom of religion and opportunity”.
One of the most interesting aspects of the build was Panelina’s choice to use transparent paint, which meant that the wood for the guitar was chosen more for how it worked with her paints than necessarily for it’s tonal qualities.
The eventual choice was an alder body built to 1960s specs, with a roasted maple neck, 22 frets, American Standard truss rod, Ron Thorne inlays, 60s handwound pickups with a reverse wound middle pickup, modern wiring and a satin top coat.
A Fender employee for 15 years, McMullin served as Principal Master Builder Yuriy Shishkov’s apprentice for five years and over 1000 instruments before joining the master builder team himself.
The video also features the playing of Luke McQueary of Don Kelley’s band who last year ended a legendary run at Robert’s Western World on Lower Broadway, which some call “the last of the true honky tonks”.
