DiMarzio Richie Kotzen signature Strat replacement pickguard available at last!
Richie Kotzen Strat Tones?
DiMarzio has just unveiled the Richie Kotzen Strat Replacement Pickguard. That’s a pretty big deal given that you his signature series of Stratocaster pickups were formerly only available on a rare Japanese Fender Kotzen signature model.
DiMarzio Richie Kotzen Signature
Richie Kotzen is known as a Telecaster player and Fender Japan produced a Rochie Kotzen signature Telecaster many years ago. That model was only available in Japan. It proved so popular, though, that a few years back Fender finally released it worldwide!
Mr Kotzen gained fame playing in the band Poison, though after his departure he developed a solo career based on his phenomenal playing and song-writing skills. He built up a huge following in Japan and Europe, and fans seeking his classic Strat tones will be thrilled with this announcement.
A Strat that’s hard to find
Fender also made a signature Stratocaster, which is even more difficult to find, and is sought after by players and fans alike. What sets it apart from many other Strats is that they come loaded with a set of Richie Kotzen DiMarzio pickups.
The electronics on this new pickguard are modelled after the specifications of those found on his two signature Stratocasters that Fender Japan designed for Kotzen all the way back in 1996. For the first time, you can buy this setup without having to find one of his ‘rare’ signature Stratocasters.
Medium Gain
I have owned an original Japanese Kotzen Telecaster for around 12 years now and it is one of my main gigging guitars. The Stratocaster has always been on my radar as one to get, but they are even harder to come by. This news from DiMarzio has got my attention. It means you can add the basic tonality of Richie’s signature Stratocaster model to your favourite Strat without the hassle of hunting one down and importing one from Japan!
The pickguard is pre-wired with three medium gain Alnico V single-coils all wired to a five-way switch. Additionally, the centre pickup has a reverse-wound magnet for hum cancelling in switch positions two and four.
RRP – USD 469, though the street price appears to be closer to USD 299
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