A Fender Stratocaster electric guitar, Serial #525552, in black finish. Owned and played on stage and in-studio by famed neoclassical metal guitarist Yngwie Malmsteen. The guitar was used during the Alcatrazz 1984 Japan tour and the 1986 Trilogy World Tour. From 1986-1997, this Stratocaster was mainly a studio guitar and appeared on Malmsteen’s 1997 solo album Facing The Animal. This guitar can be seen and heard in the 2018 release of Alcatrazz Live in Japan 1984 Complete Edition. Yngwie has made notes of the guitar’s use on the back of the guitar and signed it in silver pen, dated 2017, with a Ferrari sticker affixed below.

The guitar is made up of a Fender Japan ST-72 neck with the serial number scratched out. At this point, Malmsteen is synonymous with scalloped fretboards, a technique by which wood is removed between each fret so that vibrato can be achieved by pressing down on the string rather than with a side-to-side motion. This neck is no exception, with its scalloped maple fretboard, large ‘70s style CBS headstock, and Fender “F” tuners.

The body of the guitar is a vintage 1974 Fender body, finished in black, with the correct routing pattern for the era as well as a three-bolt neck plate which bears the serial 525552, which dates to 1974. Electronics have been modified, DiMarzio pickups, and disconnected tone controls.

Includes a tweed Fender hardshell case, a Certificate of Authenticity signed by Malmsteen certifying his use of the guitar, photos of Malmsteen with he guitar and using it on-stage, and a DVD copy of Alcatrazz Live in Japan 1984 Complete Edition.

Guitars & Instruments