Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Culture

Fender Debuts the Limited-Edition Saleen Stratocaster 1 Guitar

Chelsea Batten
By

Let’s say you’ve got an extra several thousand dollars lying around. Bills are taken care of, contributions to savings and 401(k) have been made, perhaps a charitable donation has given you the good feels … now what? How do you reward yourself for being a hard-working, responsible, male-identifying human being?

It’s okay if you’re stuck. We’ve got an idea for you.

Fender Saleen Stratocaster 1
Fender

Fender guitars just announced its latest collaboration. If you’ve been following the brand, you’ve seen a veritable pageant of innovative, creatively imagined, handcrafted guitars coming down the line, from Game of Thrones-inspired shredders to vintage instruments built to recreate the sounds that defined rock and roll. This one, though, is something different altogether. The inaugural release from Fender’s annual Prestige Collection reimagines the Fender Stratocaster as a turbocharged sports car. The look is fearsome, the specs are top-of-line, and the sound is somewhere between a feral snarl and a shimmering glissando.

Recommended Videos

Each year, Fender issues a challenge to its Master Builders to build the guitar of their dreams. No rules, no specifications, no boundaries — just the instrument maker and whatever is inspiring him at that time. For Master Builder Ron Thorn, one of the world’s most respected guitar builders, that inspiration came from the new Saleen 1 (S1), a mid-engine 4-cylinder turbocharged sports car that parallels the Fender Stratocaster in sleek design, high performance, and sexy handling.

1 of 4
Fender Saleen Stratocaster 1
Fender
Fender Saleen Stratocaster 1
Fender
Fender Saleen Stratocaster 1
Fender
Fender Saleen Stratocaster 1
Fender

A devotee of fast, good-looking cars, Thorn says the beautiful lines, carbon fiber construction and unique details of the Saleen 1 guided him in producing the one-of-a-kind Fender Saleen Stratocaster 1 for the Prestige Collection. The handlaid carbon fiber body ensures a feather-light weight, while the tinted “rear window” over the bridge and sculpted “ribs” on either side nod to the instrument’s origin in high-end automotive design. Unique tech features like the high-output TV Jones Power’Tron Plus bridge pickup, custom “6-Stack” bridge, and custom pedalboard enhance the musician experience with custom volume, tone, and controls.

Building the SALEEN STRATOCASTER 1 | Dream Factory | Fender

Featuring a quartersawn roasted maple neck and carbon fiber headstock overlay, and finished in Saleen’s own candy apple red, the Fender Strat 1 is a guitar built to shred at the speed of sound. In Thorn’s words, “It was an extremely challenging yet fulfilling build, utilizing methods, materials, and concepts new to both the Fender Custom Shop and myself, resulting in an exciting homage worthy of representing both brands’ products.” Collectors, musicians and design lovers of every stripe will be dreaming of this dream machine that blends the beauty and expertise of two iconic American makers.

Editors' Recommendations

Chelsea Batten
Chelsea Batten
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Chelsea Batten is a writer, photographer, and Kerouac groupie. One of the original digital nomads, she was seduced from life…
The 10 best Dominican cigars I’ve tried and tested in 2024
Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic.

Every seasoned cigar lover has a preference for where their cigars come from. Cuban and Cuban cigars are the more obvious choices, but there is also Nicaraguan tobacco, Central African, Indonesian, Mexican, Ecuadorian, and Dominican. Some tobacco is even grown in the United States. Each region has a distinct flavor profile that adds a little something extra to the tobacco grown locally, as well as the cigars made there. The Dominican Republic is prized by many connoisseurs because of exactly this -- a rich, unique profile that enhances Dominican-grown cigars. That's in no small part due to the fertile soil and thriving climate of the region, which is ideal for tobacco growth and cultivation. If you've never tried a Dominican cigar, you're in for a real treat, there are some fantastic options out there.
The best Dominican cigars I've tried

Out of all the cigar guides I've put together so far, this one was one of the more interesting experiences for me. I had a great time trying out Dominican cigars, and I've definitely come away with an appreciation for blends made in the region. I'd also like to point out that Corey Suarez helped recommend some of these. If you haven't tried the JR Cigars or Cigars.com concierge service yet, you really should. Here's a little more about all of the best Dominican cigars I've tried:
Ashton Symmetry

Read more
The 12 best Connecticut cigars I’ve tried and tested in 2024
Best Connecticut cigars up close and personal

Connecticut cigars are the clear winner for smoking on a hot summer day, in the morning with some coffee, or when you just don't want a swift kick in the teeth (of pepper). There's no shortage of options, either. Connecticut shade wrappers are one of the most prevalent in the world of cigars, and it's certainly the most common natural shade. Maduro is also popular, but the two wrapper types couldn't be any more different. Connecticut wrappers, and by proxy Connecticut cigars, are typically mild to medium in strength and brimming with creamy, smooth flavors. They're composed of tobacco leaves grown in the Connecticut River Valley in the United States -- which is where the name Connecticut comes from. Consistent and flavorful, some of the best beginner-friendly cigars are Connecticut-wrapped, but you should never sell them short. A Connecticut shade cigar can be just as refined, elegant, and premium as any other. If you know where to look, you may even find some of your favorite blends in the category across a wide range of brands and cigar makers.

I'm about to take you on a magical, doughy, and delicious trek through the broad range of Connecticut cigars. In short, here are the best Connecticut cigars tried and tested by a genuine enthusiast of the craft: yours truly.
The best Connecticut cigars I've tried and tested
While the Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper is considered a Connecticut shade, I did my best to steer clear of recommending them for this list. They're better classified as a Maduro shade or darker cigar. That doesn't mean you should avoid them, quite the contrary. But for this list, I wanted to stick to smooth, relaxing smokes that are strong on flavor but not quite so strong on pepper and spice. I also tried not to choose a lot of repeats. If you see your favorite cigar missing, that might be because it was recommended on another list or it just didn't make the cut. If you have any recommendations of your own, I'm always available through social media or email. Without further ado, let's get this thing started.
Aganorsa Leaf Connecticut

Read more
This is when the Hulu, ESPN+, Disney+ password sharing crackdown starts
The Disney Plus sign-up menu is displayed

The era of password sharing is slowly but surely coming to an end. Netflix has already begun cracking down on people sharing passwords across households, and now, other streaming services are following suit. Before 2024 is over, Disney Plus password sharing will be a thing of the past.

Disney's streaming services are now preparing to crack down on those who are sharing passwords, and the consequences for doing so could be severe. Users across Hulu, Disney Plus, and ESPN Plus will be warned about password sharing, and if they don't Disney CEO Bob Iger even laid out a timeline for when the crackdown will start, although he didn't get into too many specifics.
Bob Iger says Disney will start its password-sharing crackdown over the summer

Read more