Fender team up with Foo Fighters’ Chris Shiflett for new signature Cleaver Telecaster Deluxe guitar

Chris Shiflett of the Foo Fighters has collaborated with Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC) to release a guitar.

Called the Chris Shiflett Cleaver Telecaster® Deluxe, and made by Fender, the instrument comes in two colours – Dakota Red and Charcoal Frost Metallic.

“We put a lot of love and research into creating the American-made version of my signature model, The Cleaver,” said Shiflett on his new Fender Signature guitar. “It’s been road-tested, dropped on its head, kicked around, x-rayed, strummed, chicken-picked, and arpeggio swept!

“I’m excited to announce we’ve made a great guitar that’s adaptable to all situations. Can’t wait to get this into the hands of players everywhere.”

The guitar has a classic alder body with a comfortable belly cut, a 25.5″ scale Maple neck with a 12″ radius Rosewood fingerboard and 21 medium jumbo frets.

In a video made with Fender, Shiflett explains his design process and gives insight into the making of the guitar – including a nugget about how the Dakota Red model was inspired by his love for Arsenal football club.

Shiflett joined Foo Fighters in 1999, shortly after the release of their third album ‘There Is Nothing Left to Lose’. He has played on all eight of their albums since then.

He has released three solo albums since 2017. Last year he revealed he is finding his solo career challenging, and that he continues to feel more at home on the side of the stage than under the central spotlight.

Speaking to Classic Rock (via Music News), he described the transition to frontman as being “challenging”, adding: “Guitar playing is my comfort zone.”

“But to be the singer and then also have to talk to the crowd, I had to work at that. What you realise is that people want to have a good time. They’ve hired a sitter, bought tickets, bought a few drinks, maybe bought a t-shirt, they’ve invested in the evening.”

In other Fender-related news, the brand announced a series of Hello Kitty guitars to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the iconic character.

The collection includes a limited edition Squier Stratocaster guitar and fuzz pedal along with a series of accessories including an electric pink instrument cable, gig bag, and unisex clothing.