The 'Monterey Strat': The Guitar That Burned to Become a Legend
Rock and roll is full of iconic moments, but few are as visual, wild, and definitive as the one starring Jimi Hendrix at the 1967 Monterey Pop Festival. In an act that fused art, sacrifice, and sonic fury, Hendrix didn’t just play his guitar; he turned it into a flaming offering to the gods of rock. That guitar, a hand-painted Fender Stratocaster, is now known as the “Monterey Strat,” and its story is that of an instrument born to die — and in the process, become immortal.
A Work of Art for a Historic Night
At first glance, the Monterey Strat was a 1965 Fender Stratocaster finished in Fiesta Red. However, for its big debut before the American audience, Hendrix transformed it into a canvas. Using nail polish and markers, he decorated its white-and-red body with a vibrant psychedelic floral design — a perfect reflection of the “Summer of Love” and the countercultural explosion the festival represented.
Interestingly, it wasn’t even his main guitar. Hendrix played most of his incendiary set with a black Stratocaster, saving the painted one for the grand finale. He knew the night needed an unforgettable climax, and this was the chosen guitar for the sacrifice.
The Sacrifice: Music, Fire, and Rebellion
After a performance that left the audience speechless with its virtuosity and raw energy, Hendrix ended his set with a chaotic, visceral version of “Wild Thing.” As the final chords still rang out, he knelt before his Stratocaster as if it were an altar. With ritual calm, he doused the guitar in lighter fluid, kissed it goodbye, and struck a match.
Flames engulfed the instrument. It wasn’t mere destruction; it was a performance. It was a statement from an artist pushing musical expression into a new territory — one where danger, passion, and spectacle were inseparable from sound. As the fire consumed the wood, Hendrix lifted the guitar and smashed it against the stage repeatedly, scattering its remains like relics of a sacred rite.
In just a few minutes, Jimi Hendrix went from being a UK sensation to a US legend. And his burning guitar became the image that would forever define the transformative power of rock.
The Legacy of the Ashes
What happened to the original Monterey Strat? It was smashed to pieces. Only a few fragments were recovered and are now considered sacred relics. But its legend far outshines its physical remains.
The Monterey Strat marks a turning point. It symbolizes unlimited artistic freedom and the exact moment the electric guitar stopped being just an instrument and became a symbol of rebellion and an extension of the artist’s soul.
Its iconic design has been recreated many times — by Fender in commemorative editions and through exact replicas that try to capture the magic of that night. It’s not just about copying a design; it’s about paying tribute to a moment that changed music forever.
Live the Legend at Guitar Legends Hall
The story of the Monterey Strat reminds us that some guitars weren’t made to last — they were made to burn with a brilliance that lights up history. They are more than wood and strings; they’re time capsules that transport us to moments of pure genius.
Want to feel the energy of that golden era up close? At Guitar Legends Hall, you can see an exact replica of this legendary guitar and immerse yourself in the era that gave birth to rock’s greatest myths.
Get your tickets here and prepare for an unforgettable journey!
