Fender Musical Instruments Corporation honored Raphael Saadiq today with a limited edition Telecaster carrying his name. The singer, songwriter, musician, and producer has been innovating R&B music for more than three decades as a member of Tony! Toni! Tony! and as a solo artist. Saadiq has collaborated with D’Angelo, Mary J. Blige, Beyoncé, Whitney Houston, Adele, Stevie Wonder and many more. His Lucy Pearl supergroup with Dawn Robinson, Joi, and Ali Shaheed Muhammad was a brief but unforgettable music moment of the late ’90s and early 2000s.
The Raphael Saadiq Limited Edition Telecaster has a ’59 “C” shaped neck, shiny red metallic finish, and a psychedelic custom-tooled pickguard inspired by his Instant Vintage album. The chrome hardware and black headstock add to the guitar’s striking appearance. Saadiq was impressed with the instrument and shared his feelings in a press statement.
“Fender truly went hard in the paint with my signature Tele. It goes beyond the richness and snap I love to play with. Thanks to mentors like the incomparable Tony Maiden, Prince, and Ray Parker Jr., Eric Gales, Rob Fonksta Bacon, I’ve learned to play the Telecaster to amplify sound like no other. Collaborating with the iconic Fender brand to introduce my own signature Telecaster is a great honor. I’m excited for young musicians to pick up this guitar, write with it, and take the stage with confidence.”
Saadiq is the latest artist to be honored through the Fender Artist Signature Series. Go to Fender.com to find a retail partner in your area.
