Richie Kotzen Teases New Signature Fender Stratocaster: Is This His Best Model Yet?

Virtuoso guitarist Richie Kotzen has all-but-confirmed that a brand-new signature Fender Stratocaster is officially on the way.

While guitarists had to wait years for the global release of his previous main instrument, this new model is set to follow in its wake very soon.

It was back in the mid-1990s when the former Poison and Mr. Big guitarist first teamed up with Fender to release a signature Stratocaster and Telecaster as Japan-exclusive models. That original Stratocaster was only made available worldwide last summer, and Fender now seems eager to make up for lost time.

This upcoming release could easily be the finest signature guitar of his career. The stunning Baby Blue Stratocaster features a flame maple top, a smooth maple fingerboard, DiMarzio pickups, and striking gold hardware—a true head-turner in every sense.

“For everyone who’s been asking about my blue Strat, 2027 might bring some exciting news,” Richie Kotzen teased in a recent Instagram post. “And while we’re at it, don’t be surprised if you see me back on a few stages next year. Stay tuned…”

It is a double-barreled tease for rock fans. Richie Kotzen spent a solid portion of 2025 and 2026 touring alongside Iron Maiden guitarist Adrian Smith in support of their second collaborative studio album.

Speaking about the guitar with Guitar World, Richie Kotzen revealed that the Baby Blue instrument started as a special one-off custom build outfitted with DiMarzio pickups. However, it seems it will not remain a one-off for much longer.

“They used a really nice piece of maple for the neck,” Richie Kotzen explained. “It almost looks like birdseye, and it’s not quite as chunky as the Telecaster [the other guitar taken on the road for the Smith/Kotzen tour].”

Several fans commented that the striking blue colorway perfectly matches the guitarist's own eye color—a touch that may well have been intentional on Fender’s part.

In other news, Richie Kotzen revealed the single factor that prevented him from joining Nine Inch Nails—a decision frontman Trent Reznor did not enjoy making—while Adrian Smith outlined the key differences and stylistic synergies that make their surprise collaborative project a resounding success.