Why Jeff Beck’s Iconic Stratocaster Guitar Is being Loaned To Famous Musicians
via fernando perdomo / Youtube
Steve Lukather recently took to the stage with a very special guitar that belonged to the late Jeff Beck, only weeks after John Mayer played the same white Fender Stratocaster.
The guitar, easily recognized by its unique reverse headstock, has been making the rounds among some of the most notable guitarists. Mayer first used it during Dead & Company’s June residency at the Sphere, and rumors swirled that it might be a custom creation. However, Joe Bonamassa later confirmed the instrument’s authenticity. Lukather was seen with the same Stratocaster at Toto’s homecoming concert at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles this past weekend.
Introducing the guitar on stage, Lukather shared, “I’ve got something special to do tonight. If you’re wondering, I normally don’t play a white Stratocaster. … This is a special one. This was brought from England. This is Jeff Beck’s guitar.” The crowd erupted in applause, and Lukather took a moment to clarify how this unique instrument has been shared among musicians in a heartfelt tribute to Beck.
The Story Behind Jeff Beck’s Iconic White Stratocaster
Explaining more about this initiative, Lukather revealed:
“His lovely wife Sandra and his closest friend and guitar tech … brought this out, and they’ve been bringing it out to guitar players to put a little love on it. They asked a certain amount of guitar players, but they’re just getting started. They asked Billy Gibbons, John Mayer and me – and they’ve probably got a long list.”
With Beck’s guitar in hand, Lukather then led Toto through a powerful seven-minute rendition of Jimi Hendrix’s “Little Wing.” Reflecting on playing Beck’s guitar, he joked:
“I wish this would make me sound like Jeff Beck, but it won’t.”
The iconic white Stratocaster, crafted by the Fender Custom Shop around 2014, was a favorite of Beck’s in his later years. His passing in early 2023 left a void in the music world, but the continued use of his beloved guitar keeps his spirit alive on stage.
