Fender Musical Instrument Corporation announced this week that it has created 16 unique guitars in its custom guitar shop as part of a collaboration with Mattel and inspired by Hot Wheels vehicles.
“We’re honored to be working with Mattel to bring this Hot Wheels collection to life,”said Mike Lewis, VP Product Development, Fender Custom Shop. “For years, we’ve taken a deep source of inspiration from the automobile industry and with such a unique take on cars, Hot Wheels was always a dream partner. Each builder crafted their own guitar with world-class creativity and we can’t wait for people globally to see these collectible products.”
The guitars are pretty expensive, ranging from between $10,500 and $16,500 but each is one-of-a-kind and was built by one of the Fender Custom Shop‘s 11 master builders or its five apprentice builders. The design of each guitar was inspired by Hot Wheels models and comes with unique designs, graphics, and color shades that stay true to the die-cast vehicles.
Each guitar also comes with a strap and a pick, as well as a custom Hot Wheels Hardshell case adorned in the brand’s signature orange and blue livery. To top off the whole offering, the guitar also comes with the model that inspired its design.
The guitars themselves, meanwhile, are all established models for Fender, including the Stratocaster, Telecaster, Precision Bass, Jaguar, and Katana. The finishes, pickguards, and color combinations are all chosen specially for the particular model they represent.
“The Hot Wheels team is thrilled to create such a special collection of guitars with the global leaders of musical instruments at Fender Custom Shop,” said Ted Wu, Global Head of Hot Wheels Design at Mattel. “Both of our brands trace their roots back to California, with Hot Wheels embodying SoCal car culture and Fender synonymous with Los Angeles rock ‘n’ roll. We can’t wait for artists and car enthusiasts alike to see these one-of-a-kind designs.”
The features and prices for each model are listed below:
Hot Wheels Mod Rod Strat, Dark Blue with Gold Leaf Competition Stripes -($14,000.00 USD)
Masterbuilt by Paul Waller, the Mod Rod Strat has a NOS WLS finish on a two-piece select Alder body. This custom guitar has a Rift Sawn Maple Neck with 60s Oval “C” back shape and a round-lam ebony fingerboard with stainless steel side dots. This guitar further boasts vintage-style elements with a Josefina Hand-Wound Texas Special bridge, fat 50’s Strat pickups, vintage modified #2 working with tone-saver bleed, and vintage-style tuning machines. A single-ply Black pickguard keeps an eye-catching color combination with the Dark Blue body and Gold Leaf Competition Stripes.
Hot Wheels Night Shifter Fretless Precision Bass, Black with Blue Competition Stripes -($16,500.00 USD)
Masterbuilt by Vincent Van Trigt, the Nightshifter Fretless Precision Bass has a NOS Satin Urethane finish with Gold hardware on a two-piece select Alder body. This custom has a Quartersawn Maple Neck with ‘60 Style “C” back-shape and a flat-lem fretless ebony fingerboard. This guitar includes vintage and customized elements with a Curtis Novack T-Bird pickup, vintage wiring, BABICZ full contact bridge, Gotoh GB640 Res-o-Lite tuning machines and a custom pickguard.
Hot Wheels Bone Shaker Precision Bass, Flat Black with Bone Shaker Graphic -($15,500.00 USD)
Masterbuilt by Jason Smith, the Bone Shaker Precision Bass boasts a NOS Satin WLS finish on an two-piece select Alder body. This custom bass includes a one-piece 3A Flame Maple Neck with ‘60s Oval “C” Back-Shape and a Lace Alumna pickup. Vintage wiring, an RSD HiMass bridge and Fender Deluxe tuning machines promote strong and clear use.
Hot Wheels Mod Rod Tele, Burnt Orange with Pinstriping by Pamelina H -($14,500.00 USD)
Masterbuilt by Greg Fessler, the Mod Rod Tele promotes a NOS Lacquer finish on a two-piece select Alder body with pinstriping completed by artist and painter Pamelina H. This custom includes a Quartersawn Maple Neck with ‘60s Oval “C” back-shape, a Josefina Hand-Wound original Blackguard Tele bridge and Twisted Tele (Neck) pickups. This guitar further boasts both vintage and modern elements with modern Tele wiring with Greasebucket tone and a ‘67 Tele® bridge with slotted steel saddles. An ebony fingerboard with Hot Wheels 12th fret banner inlay and a Black anodized pickguard further create a distinct and unique aesthetic.
Hot Wheels Twin Mill Strat, Floral Blue -($15,500.00 USD)
Masterbuilt by Kyle McMillin, the Twin Mill Strat has a NOS Urethane finish on a two-piece select Alder body. This custom promotes an oil-finished Quartersawn Maple Neck with Modern “C” back-shape and contoured heel in addition to an ebony fingerboard with a Mother of Pearl circle flame inlay. This guitar further boasts Bare Knuckle Impulse pickups with radiator covers, mase volume & tone controls with three-way toggle, recessed Floyd Rose prolocking tremolo & nut and Gotoh SG381 tuning machines.
Hot Wheels Bull Whip Strat, Hot Wheels Chrome Vinyl Wrap -($16,500.00 USD)
Masterbuilt by Dennis Galuszka, the Bull Whip Strat® boasts a NOS WLS finish on a two-piece select Alder body. This custom features a Quartersawn Maple Neck with ‘60s Oval “C” back-shape and an ebony fingerboard with Mother of Pearl face dots. This guitar combines modern and vintage elements with its JosefinaHand-Wound Fat ‘60s Strat pickups with RWRP middle, modern Strat wiring, a five-way switch, two-point custom classic strat tremolo and Fender Deluxe locking tuning machines. Color contrast between the Chrome Vinyl body and the Black anodized pickguard are a visual delight.
Hot Wheels Fast-Bed Hauler Tele, Taos Turquoise -($12,750.00USD)
Masterbuilt by Ron Thorn, the Fast-Bed Hauler Tele features a NOS Urethane finish on a two-piece select Alder body. This custom has a Quartersawn Maple Neck with ‘65 Style “C” back-shape and an ebony fingerboard. Further specifications include Fender Tele® Mágico pickups with diamond plate bezels, modern Tele wiring, a three-way switch, Fender CustomShop™ Subsonic hardtail bridge and vintage-style tuning machines.
Hot Wheels Rip Rod Jaguar, Black with Red Competition Stripes -($13,500.00USD)
Masterbuilt by Dale Wilson, the Rip Rod Jaguar has a NOS Satin WLS finish on a two-piece select Alder body. This custom uniquely boasts a roasted 4A Flame Maple Neck with ‘62 style Jaguar back-shape and a round-lam Rosewood fingerboard. Featured vintage elements include Josefina Handwound ‘62Jaguar pickups, vintage wiring and vintage-style tuning and a vintage Jaguar Tremolo with RSD J-Bridge. The red and black aesthetic is tied together by the single-ply Red acrylic pickguard.
Hot Wheels Night Shifter Tele, Pearl White with Red Competition Stripes -($12,000.00 USD)
Masterbuilt by Todd Krause, the Night Shifter Tele has a NOS Urethane finish and features a two-piece select Alder body with graphics by painter and artist Pamelina H. This custom guitar has a Quartersawn Maple Neck with ‘60 Style Ovac “C” Back-Shape and an ebony fingerboard with Mother of Pearl face dots. This guitar features combined vintage and modern elements, including a Josefina Handwound Original Blackguard Tele (Bridge), Twisted Tele (Neck) Pickups, modern Tele wiring, vintage-style tuning machines and a ‘58-’63 Tele bridge with threaded steel saddles. More color is introduced with the single-ply red acrylic pickguard on the body of the instrument.
Hot Wheels Deora Strat, Blue Sparkle -($13,000.00USD)
Masterbuilt by Yuriy Shishkov, the Deora Strat boasts a NOS Urethane finish on a two-piece select Alder body with graphics by artistand painter Pamelina H. This custom guitar further promotes a Roasted 2A Birdseye Maple Neck with ‘60 Style Oval “C” back-shape and a flat-lam Rosewood fingerboard. Vintage elements are woven throughout the instrument, featuring 21 vintage-style frets, Josefina hand-wound Fat ‘50s Strat® pickups, American vintage synchronized tremolo and vintage-style tuning machines. Other elements include modern Strat wiring, a five-way switch and a Gold Anodized pickguard.
Hot Wheels Mad Manga Strat, Magenta Sparkle -($14,000.00 USD)
Masterbuilt by Carolos Lopez, the Mad Manga Strat features a NOS Lacquer finish on a two-piece select Alder body. This custom further features a Flat Sawn Maple Neck with ‘66 Style “C” Back-Shape and Round-Lam Rosewood Fingerboard with Mother of Pearl Face dots. Vintage elements Josefina Hand-Wound ‘60 Strat Pickups, Vintage Modified #2 Wiring with Tone-Saver Bleed and American Vintage Synchronized Tremolo. This guitar is further customized through its custom engraved Black Anodized pickguard.
Hot Wheels Night Shifter Strat, Hot Wheels Red -($14,500.00 USD)
Apprentice-built by George Ruiz, the Night Shifter Strat promotes a NOS Urethane finish on a two-piece Selecter Alder Body with Custom Graphics. Further specs include a 5A Flame Maple Neck with ‘60s Oval “C” Back-Shape and Contoured Heel and an Ebony Fingerboard with eye-catching Sterling Silver Tube Face Dots and Hot Wheels 12th Fret Banner Inlay. This custom guitar also boasts EMG JH “HET” Bridge Pickups, Recessed Floyd Rose Original Double-Locking Tremolo & Nut and Hipshot Griplock Open-Gear Tuning Machines. This guitar is further customized with a custom Pickup Switching that includes a Remote Fender Volume Pedal.
Hot Wheels Muscle Bound Strat, Metallic Cadallic Green -($13,000.00 USD)
Apprentice-built by Levi Perry, the Muscle Bound Strat has NOS Lacquer finish on a two-piece select Alder body with custom graphics. This custom features a Quartersawn Maple Neck with ‘60s Oval “C” Back-Shape and a Round-Lam Ebony Fingerboard withBlack Face Dots. Further features include Josefina Hand-Wound ‘60s Strat Pickups, modern Strat® wiring, American Vintage Synchronized Tremolo, vintage-style tuning machines and a three-play painted pickguard.
Hot Wheels Rip Rod Tele, Hot Wheels Blue -($13,250.00 USD)
Apprentice-built by Nick Saccone, the Rip Rod Tele boasts a NOS Lacquer finish on a two-piece select Ash body. This guitar has a Quartersawn Maple Neck with a ‘52 Style “U” back-shape and an Ebony Fingerboard with Orange Face Dots, fabricated from Hot Wheels tracks. Other specifications include vintage-style frets, a Curtis Novak Gold Foil GT-V (Bridge) and Josefina Hand-wounded Open Loade ’51 Nocaster (Neck) pickups. This custom further features modern Tele wiring, Sawed Off Tele Bridge with RSD Compensated Brass Saddles and vintage-style tuning machines. An Orange Anodized Pickguard creates a distinct look against the Hot Wheels Blue body.
Hot Wheels Bad to the Blade Katana, Black Sparkle with Orange and Teal Green Trim -($10,500.00 USD)
Apprentice-built by Dylan Delpizzo, the Bad to the Blade Katana features a NOS Urethane finish on a two-piece select Alder body. This custom has a 4A Flame Maple Neck with Modern “C” back-shape and an ebony fingerboard with Mother of Pearl Shark Fin inlays. Further features include a Seymour Duncan Invader Humbucking Pickup, Rear Loaded Volume & Tone controls, two-point Custom Classic Strat Tremolo and vintage-style tuning machines.
Hot Wheels Baja Truck Strat, Grey with Mint Green Striping -($12,500.00 USD)
Apprentice-built by Dan Gonzalez, the Baja Truck Strat has a NOS Urethane finish with Gold hardware on a two-piece select Alder body. This custom guitar has a matching painted Flat Sawn Maple Neck with ‘62 Style Jaguar back-shape and a Flat-Lam ebony fingerboard with Mother of OPearl Face Dots. More features include Seymour Duncan Lipstick Tube pickups, rear-loaded volume & tone controls with three-way toggle, vintage-style Jaguar tremolo with RSD J-bridge, and vintage-style tuning machines.
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Keyword: Hot Wheels Partners With Fender To Create 16 One-Of-A-Kind Guitars