Fender and Dark Horse Records Introduce Three Custom George Harrison Stratocasters
Available in Olympic White, Black and Orange, the guitars feature signature Dark Horse artwork, gold hardware and engraved neck plates.
by Zoe Leung · HypebeastSummary
Fender and Dark Horse Records celebrate George Harrison's legacy with a Japan-exclusive collection.
Highlights include three custom Stratocasters andcollectible accessories.
The collection features archival Dark Horse graphics, Japanese craftsmanship and Harrison-inspired designs.
George Harrison‘s creative legacy takes on a new form as Fender joins forces with Dark Horse Records for a Japan-exclusive collection spanning musical instruments and accessories. Celebrating the late Beatles guitarist’s influence beyond music, the collaboration draws inspiration from his personal style, artistic independence and the visual identity of Dark Horse Records, the label he founded in 1974.
Harrison’s longstanding relationship with Japan, particularly his celebrated 1991 tour of the country, provides a fitting backdrop for the project, which also coincides with the Year of the Horse in 2026. Bringing together Fender’s instrument-making heritage and the Japanese craftsmanship of its lifestyle imprint F Is For Fender, the collection reinterprets archival imagery and recognizable Dark Horse motifs across a range of contemporary designs.
Leading the release is the George Harrison Dark Horse Records Stratocaster, available in Olympic White, Black and Orange. Each guitar features custom Dark Horse graphics, gold hardware and an engraved neck plate, pairing the classic Stratocaster silhouette with artwork referencing Harrison’s independent record label. The instrument is constructed with an alder body, maple Modern “C” neck and rosewood fingerboard, alongside three Player Series Alnico 5 single-coil pickups and a two-point synchronized tremolo.
Complementing the guitar is a limited-edition strap featuring textured-grain detailing and Dark Horse artwork, as well as a collectible set of 12 uniquely designed picks housed in a matching tin. The lineup also includes the existing Dhani Harrison Signature Ukulele, extending the creative connection between Fender and the Harrison family.The Fender x Dark Horse Records collection began rolling out in Japan on October 16, 2026, with availability varying across products. The Stratocaster retails for ¥198,000 JPY (approx. $1,320 USD), while the limited-edition strap and pick set are priced at ¥10,450 JPY (approx. $70 USD) and ¥3,850 JPY (approx. $26 USD), respectively. For more information, head over to Fender Japan’s website.