Gabriella Wilson, better known professionally as H.E.R., has become the first Black female artist in Fender’s 74-year history to have a dedicated Signature guitar.
The GRAMMY award-winning singer-songwriter revealed her new guitar during the “In Memorium” segment of the 2020 Primetime Emmy Awards, where she performed a cover of Prince’s “Nothing Compares 2 U.” The guitar features an ovular “C”-neck mold, and an alder body that’s decorated with an iridescent “Chrome Glow” colorway. Furthermore, the Stratocaster electric also comes with the company’s signature Noiseless pickups, seen in vintage models, that provide a clear tone. As a final touch, H.E.R.’s artwork is engraved at the instrument’s neck plate.
“My father taught me how to play my first blues scale on a mini black-and-white Strat, so it’s absolutely surreal I have partnered with Fender to design my own Signature Stratocaster. By designing a Stratocaster with a color, shape and sound that is one-hundred-percent my own, my hope is that other young women and players from all backgrounds feel inspired to pick up this guitar, tap into their thoughts, and create amazing music,” the singer stated.
H.E.R. (a backronym for Having Everything Revealed) Signature Fender Stratocaster is now available on Fender’s website and retails for $1,099. Watch her session below.