Securing a signature model with Fender is comparable to obtaining a sponsorship contract with Nike for an athlete. It’s a significant accomplishment, both metaphorically and literally. Fender stands as one of, if not the largest, guitar brands worldwide. It demands admiration, and its guitars are cherished and utilized by legendary musicians, both past and present.
In 2005, John Mayer received his own Fender signature model. Following years of performing and releasing numerous successful albums, Mayer had amassed a substantial fanbase. Many considered him the modern blues champion and likened him to Hendrix. Fender took notice of his prominence and collaborated with John to create the John Mayer Signature Fender Stratocaster.
A more enthusiastic and young Mr. Mayer gladly agreed to Fender’s proposal of creating a unique signature model Strat for him, possibly fulfilling a lifelong dream he had since childhood. It’s important to note that not everyone is granted a Fender signature model. The selection process is exclusive, and Fender is quite particular about who they choose.
His Signature Fender Stratocaster
In 2005, the John Mayer Signature Fender Stratocaster was launched, offering two color choices: Olympic White and Sunburst. Fender also produced a limited number of guitars in other colors, but finding these online today is nearly impossible.
Stevie Ray Vaughan’s Strat somewhat inspired Mayer’s unique Strat, and it featured Big Dipper pickups, which enhanced the low and high-end frequencies, unlike most traditional Strats. Mayer was aiming for a more contemporary sound with his version, so he collaborated closely with Fender to develop a distinct design that set it apart from the typical Strat configuration.
The guitar was in high demand and widely available until 2014. Fender experienced significant sales of this particular model, largely due to Mayer’s popularity during that period. However, when Fender and John Mayer decided to go their separate ways in 2014, the production of this model was discontinued.
Making the Switch to PRS
The separation of Mayer from Fender was akin to a high-profile celebrity divorce within the guitar community. It was an event that captured the attention of many, as it’s not common for someone to simply walk away from Fender. The surprise and shock were palpable when Mayer announced his departure from Fender and transition to PRS. Typically, Fender guitarists stay loyal to the brand for life–such as Jimi Hendrix.
John Mayer’s departure from Fender boils down to a straightforward reason: he aimed to modernize his Stratocaster. Although Mayer had numerous ideas for achieving this, Fender was not keen on altering their Stratocaster, a guitar with a history dating back to the 1950s. Mayer claims that Fender disregarded his suggestions, prompting him to search for another company that could create a guitar tailored to his precise requirements.
This all began around late 2013 or early 2014. The separation caused quite a stir in the guitar community, as it was unusual for such a renowned guitarist to leave a highly recognized guitar brand. Despite the attention-grabbing headlines, there was no actual animosity between Fender and Mayer.
Fender seemed unwilling to entertain Mayer’s suggestions for some reason. The company has established methods and practices, as well as clear boundaries on what it will and will not do. It does not make exceptions or implement significant changes, especially when it comes to its prized Strat and Tele guitars.
These instruments are the foundation of the company. Minor adjustments can be made, but the central design and configuration must remain untouched. Fender considered any deviation from this approach as blasphemous.
Conclusion
Following extensive conversations and an extended research and development phase, PRS and John Mayer finally launched the PRS Silver Sky in 2018. The development of this guitar, which resembles the Strat, took quite some time.
As Mayer mentioned in later interviews, creating a guitar inspired by the Strat requires extreme precision, as even a single millimeter can make a difference. This means that there is no room for shortcuts when producing a guitar that aims to be the spiritual successor to the legendary Fender Strat.
The primary aspect of Mayer’s first PRS guitar was its intention to be nothing more than an updated Strat. In fact, Mayer mentioned in post-release interviews that he couldn’t envision playing anything other than a Strat-style guitar.
Even though John Mayer switched from Fender to PRS, he remains a loyal supporter of Fender. He advises all PRS Silver Sky players to use Fender amplifiers with their guitars. According to Mayer, the PRS Silver Sky was created to complement Fender amps.
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