It was one of the most exciting announcements to come out of 2017's Summer NAMM, and now Fender's collaboration with Radiohead guitar genius Ed O’Brien has been released in the form of the EOB Sustainer Stratocaster.
Ed has kitted his Strat out with an intriguing combo of pickups: a Seymour Duncan JB Jr humbucker in the bridge, Texas Special single coil in the middle and Fernandes Sustainer in the neck, which is where the model gets its name.
Control over the Sustainer’s infinite sustain comes via an on/off switch, intensity knob and three-position switch, to adjust between fundamental-only, harmonic-only or blend modes.
Elsewhere, there’s a vintage-style synchronized tremolo bridge, vintage-style tuning machines, a ‘10/56 V’ neck profile, 21 narrow-jumbo frets and a synthetic bone nut.
Ed’s model is also notable for eschewing the any form of signature on the instrument, instead opting for a custom ‘Flower of Life’ engraved neck plate.
This is surely the most intriguing signature Strat Fender has produced for some time, and more importantly, it’s the first piece of Radiohead signature gear ever.
The EOB Sustainer Stratocaster is available now for £979/$1,099.
Any chance of reissuing Jonny Greenwood’s favoured Telecaster Plus while you’re at it, Fender?
“Personally owned and used by one of Britain’s most favoured of all rock ‘n’ roll guitarists”: One of Status Quo legend Rick Parfitt’s stage-played Fender Telecasters is up for sale
“Open your mind and heart to this delightful instrument and you’ll discover a faithful musical pal for almost any occasion”: Gibson ES-330 review
