BLUES MUSIC and the Fender Stratocaster have been favourable bedfellows for a long time. It makes sense on many levels as the considerable tonal choices that the Stratocaster offers are so ideal for the expressive style of blues. It’s for this reason that we decided to have this issue’s prime feature focus on 12 of the best Stratocaster players and how they use Fender’s finest to sound so stunning. Fine-tuning the list to just these guitarists wasn’t easy, and many great players fell through the net. That said, the dozen that we’re spotlighting are all very well respected for their blues-based music and stunning Stratocaster tones.

Spanning six decades, our chosen guitarists range from Jimi Hendrix to Eric Clapton, SRV to Buddy Guy and Robin Trower to John Mayer. It’s an informative deep dive that pairs up two guitarists over six great mini pieces and will reward you with many evenings of involving study and exquisite playing.