SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (August 21, 2008) — To celebrate Harley-Davidson’s 105th Anniversary celebration in Milwaukee, Wis. Aug. 27-31, 2008, the Fender Custom Shop has created three special edition Fender Stratocaster guitars commemorating the event. The first guitar (#1 of 3) will be auctioned online at www.h-d4mda.com with proceeds going to the Muscular Dystrophy Association.  The auction runs from Aug. 21 through Sept. 4, 2008.  The guitar is valued at $10,000 and will be exhibited on the Summerfest grounds August 29-30 at Harley-Davidson’s Wreck Room exhibit. 

The custom black Stratocaster features black cherry pin striping and a combination of black chrome and black nickel hardware. Other features include the Harley-Davidson bar and shield logo engraved on the jack plate, head stock appliqué, serialized neck plate and a Harley-Davidson inlay on the neck in black polycarbonate. The guitar also highlighted by a perforated alloy pick-guard and back plates assembled with the use of caps screws commonly used by Harley-Davidson their motorcycles.
"MDA is honored and grateful to benefit from this stunning work of art. Fender has created a guitar that perfectly conveys the spirit of the Harley-Davidson 105th Anniversary, and MDA is thrilled to be associated with this piece of history," MDA Director of Program Development Scarlett Marchman said.
“Harley-Davidson greatly appreciates Fender’s donation to MDA and to our new Museum. These custom guitars are a work of art that not only support fundraising efforts for MDA but are an ideal gift commemorating Harley-Davidson’s 105th Anniversary Celebration, our Museum’s grand opening, and the solid line-up of music that will be performed at the event next week” says Joanne Bischmann, Harley-Davidson’s vice president of licensing and special events.

The guitars were designed and built by revered 20-year Custom Shop veteran Master Builder Scott Buehl. Buehl created the design in collaboration with the Harley-Davidson Styling Department.  Buehl also built the Harley-Davidson 90th Anniversary guitar which debuted in 1993 with a production run of 109 guitars. 

“The 90th Anniversary Limited Edition Fender Custom Shop guitar continues to be a highly sought-after guitar among collectors and artists, and we are extremely confident that the 105th edition will be, too, as the run is only three guitars,” said Mike Eldred, Fender Custom Shop marketing director.”

Later this year, the second guitar (#2 of 3) will be donated by Fender to the new Harley-Davidson Museum in Milwaukee, Wis., while the third guitar (#3 of 3) will be exhibited at the Fender Museum in Corona, Calif. 

For more than two decades, the Fender Custom Shop has been a “dream factory,” producing guitars that are to playing what Harley-Davidson’s are to motorcycling. From beginnings in Fender’s original Southern California home, the Custom Shop has grown to become the world’s preeminent maker of custom “instantly collectible” instruments; making Fender’s finest the world’s finest and astounding players and collectors worldwide with marvels of creativity, ingenuity and artistry.

About FENDER MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS CORPORATION

Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC) is the world’s leading guitar manufacturer, and its name has become synonymous with all things rock ‘n’ roll. Iconic Fender® instruments such as the Telecaster®, Stratocaster®, Precision Bass® and Jazz Bass® guitars are known worldwide as the instruments that started the rock revolution, and they continue to be highly prized by today’s musicians and collectors. FMIC brands include Fender®, Squier®, Guild®, Gretsch®, Jackson®, Charvel®, EVH®, SWR® and Groove Tubes®, among others. For more information, visit www.fender.com.

About HARLEY-DAVIDSON MOTOR COMPANY

Harley-Davidson Motor Company, the only major U.S.-based motorcycle manufacturer, produces heavyweight motorcycles and a complete line of motorcycle parts, accessories, and general merchandise.  For more information, visit Harley-Davidson’s Web site at www.harley-davidson.com.

About MDA

MDA is a voluntary health agency working to defeat muscular dystrophy and related diseases through programs of worldwide research, comprehensive services and far-reaching professional and public health information. For more information, please visit www.mdarides.org.