Watch On
In an exciting collaboration, Iron Maiden has teamed up with Fender to unveil a series of signature guitars for the iconic members of the band. Among the highlights is a heartfelt story that showcases the craftsmanship of the luthier behind the project.
The Journey of a Master Builder
Andy Hicks, a Master Builder at Fender’s Custom Shop, recalls how picking up a Fender Stratocaster at the age of 12 transformed his life. His two greatest passions are his family and the art of guitar building.
A Dream Come True
Creating a Stratocaster for Dave Murray, who is not only a legendary guitarist but also Hicks’ personal idol, was a surreal experiance for him.
“When I think about my favorite builds, the Dave Murray Strat always comes to mind,” he shares in a recent Fender video titled Meet the builder. “I crafted this guitar for him two years ago for his tours with Iron maiden.”
“Receiving a call asking if I wanted to build a guitar for my ultimate guitar hero was surreal,” he beams. “It’s incredible to see photos of him on tour with my guitar,and I can spot my signature decal on the headstock. It feels like a piece of my spirit is performing with my favorite band every night.”
Signature Models and Legacy
As part of Iron Maiden’s latest signature series,Murray’s pristine white Stratocaster has been reissued as a Masterbuilt model. Additionally, Steve Harris received a Precision Bass, while Adrian Smith and Janick Gers also showcased their own signature instruments.
This isn’t the first time Hicks has expressed how important this project is to him. During a recent Fender Japan event, where he unveiled his Godzilla Strat, he mentioned that both the Murray strat and the Godzilla guitar are his top creations.
“This guitar is the most enjoyable project I’ve worked on. It’s a close tie between this and the Dave Murray Strat. Dave is my favorite guitarist,” he remarked.
The Role of a Master Builder
“To truly understand what it means to be a Master Builder, one must first grasp the essence of the Custom Shop,” hicks elaborates in the Fender interview. “It’s a dream factory where we turn your vision of the perfect guitar into reality.”
“I engage with customers from the initial stages of their order until I personally deliver the guitar to the shipping department. I oversee every detail of the instrument,” he added.
Reflections on Success
In related news, Murray recently credited much of Iron Maiden’s achievements to the fact that their led songwriter is a bassist. Meanwhile, his bandmate Adrian Smith reminisced about a memorable afternoon spent with Kirk Hammett’s renowned “Greeny” Les Paul.
