At first glance, the Monterey Strat was a 1965 Fender Stratocaster with a Fiesta Red finish. However, for his big debut before the American audience, Hendrix transformed it into a canvas. Using nail polish and markers, he drew a vibrant floral and psychedelic design on its red and white body—a perfect reflection of the “Summer of Love” and the countercultural explosion the festival represented.
Interestingly, it wasn’t his main guitar. Hendrix played most of his fiery set with a black Stratocaster, saving the painted one for the grand finale. He knew the night needed an unforgettable climax, and this guitar was chosen for the sacrifice.
The Sacrifice: Music, Fire, and Rebellion
After a performance that left the audience speechless with his virtuosity and overflowing energy, Hendrix closed his set with a chaotic and visceral version of “Wild Thing”. As the final chords still echoed, he knelt before his Stratocaster as if it were an altar. With ritual calm, he doused the guitar in lighter fluid, gave it a farewell kiss, and struck a match.
Flames engulfed the instrument. It wasn’t an act of mere destruction—it was a performance. It was the declaration of an artist pushing musical expression into entirely new territory, 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 several times, scattering its remains like relics of a sacred ritual.
In just a few minutes, Jimi Hendrix went from being a sensation in the UK to a legend in the United States. 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 today they are considered sacred relics. But its legend is far greater than its physical remains.
The Monterey Strat represents a turning point. It symbolizes boundless artistic freedom and the exact moment when 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, both by Fender in commemorative editions and in exact replicas that aim 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 an intensity that lights up history. They are more than wood and strings; they are 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 the greatest myths of rock. Get your tickets here and prepare for an unforgettable journey!
