Fender Custom Shop 9/11 Tribute Guitars

On the tenth anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001, the Fender Custom Shop has come up with a trio of custom Stratocaster guitars commemorating "the events and the heroes at the World Trade Center complex."

The trio of Stratocaster models is designed to honor the New York City Police Department, New York City Fire Department and Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. Each guitar has a custom graphic finish depicting imagery related to each agency and to the events of that day.

Also, inlaid into the custom finish of each Stratocaster are various commendation pins and badges of each agency; several related specifically to the events of Sept. 11, 2001. Among these are three specially commissioned badges—one for each guitar—noting the number of fallen officers, firefighters and paramedics that day—23 for the New York City Police Department, 37 for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and 343 for the New York City Fire Department.

After going on brief display at a Fender event in California in mid-September, Eric Clapton will play the guitars during fall dates on his 2011 world tour, after which they will be donated to Sept 11, 2001, first-responder organizations.

New York Fire Department Stratocaster

“Survivor” pin bearing two stars and numeral 343; the number of firefighters and paramedics killed at the World Trade Center complex on Sept. 11, 2001.

“Rescuer” pin bearing one star and numeral 343; denotes a responder on the scene within 24 hours.

“Campaign” pin bearing numeral 343 (no star); denotes any New York City Fire Department responder on the job on Sept. 11, 2001, present or not at the World Trade Center.

Specially commissioned New York City Fire Department badge commemorating the agency’s 343 officers, firefighters and paramedics lost on Sept. 11, 2001.

11 individual commendation bars signify acts of bravery not specifically related to Sept. 11, 2001.

New York Police Department Stratocaster

“U.S. Flag” pin bearing 09–11–01. Clarke notes that these were issued to New York Police and Port Authority officers in the wake of the tragedy.

“WTC” pin issued to New York police and Port Authority officers.

NYPD Medal of Honor; a green bar with 12 stars denoting “Individual acts of extraordinary bravery in the line of duty at imminent and personal danger to the police officers’ life above and beyond the call of duty.”

NYPD Police Combat Cross; a solid green bar denoting “Members who have successfully and intelligently performed an act of extraordinary heroism while engaged in personal combat with an armed adversary under circumstances of imminent personal hazard to life.”

NYPD Medal for Valor; a solid blue bar denoting “Acts of outstanding personal bravery intelligently performed in the line of duty at imminent personal hazard to life under circumstances evincing a disregard of personal consequences.”

NYPD Meritorious Award; multi-colored bar denoting “An act of extraordinary bravery.”

Pistol expert pin.

Specially commissioned New York City Police Department badge commemorating the agency’s 23 officers lost on Sept. 11, 2001.

Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Stratocaster

“U.S. Flag” pin bearing 09–11–01. Clarke notes that these were issued to New York police and Port Authority officers in the wake of the tragedy.

“WTC” pin issued to New York police and Port Authority officers.

NYPD Police Combat Cross; a solid green bar denoting “Members who have successfully and intelligently performed an act of extraordinary heroism while engaged in personal combat with an armed adversary under circumstances of imminent personal hazard to life.” Also issued to Port Authority officers.