Fender Ritchie Blackmore Stratocaster Review & Prices

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Fender Ritchie Blackmore Stratocaster Review
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  • From Fender's 2009 Artist series
  • Ritchie Blackmore Signature
  • Made in Mexico
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 7.25" Fretboard Radius
  • Alder body
  • Maple neck
  • Graduated Scalloped Rosewood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Seymour Duncan Quarter Pound Strat SSL-4 Flat Pole RWRP (Single Coil/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Seymour Duncan Quarter Pound Strat SSL-4 Flat Pole (Single Coil/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 2 tone Bell knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • 6-Saddle Vintage-Style Synchronized Tremolo bridge
  • Ritchie Blackmore U Bolt-On neck
  • 21 Vintage frets
  • Fender Vintage F Stamped tuners
  • Compare Specs >

Our Scores and Tone Evaluation

Playability 70
Sound 73
Build quality 65
Value for money 69
Overall Score 69
Tone Evaluation
  • Heavy Metal
  • Hard Rock
  • Jazz
  • Blues
  • Funk
  • Country
Strengths & Weaknesses
Fender Ritchie Blackmore Stratocaster
  • Expensive Wood
  • Synthetic Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Tremolo
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in Mexico
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

Price Overview

Its average competitor's price is $1060, which means that the Fender Ritchie Blackmore Stratocaster costs around 37% more than the competition. It might be due to it having additional features, but know that you can find cheaper similar alternatives. This takes into account all instruments of the same category in our database with 6 strings and Tremolo bridge that are made in Mexico.

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Videos

Fender Ritchie Blackmore Stratocaster SOUND TEST
Fender - Ritchie Blackmore Stratocaster Demo at GAK
Fender Ritchie Blackmore Signature Series Mexican Stratocastor
Ritchie Blackmore Stratocaster ON FIRE on HIGHWAY STAR !
Fender Ritchie Blackmore Stratocaster
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Your feedback

Not all instruments are created equally. That's why it's important to have different opinions. Here's what our users who have played this instrument say. If you've played it before, help others by voting below!

Weight

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Tuning stability

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Is it Easy to Play?

The Fender Ritchie Blackmore Stratocaster meets 3 out of our 8 criteria items for beginner friendliness, which means that it's not recommended for complete beginners. This takes into account the type of frets, scale length, nut width, bridge type, fretboard radius, and neck profile to determine the easiest combination for new players to get used to.

New Player Friendliness

Fender Ritchie Blackmore Stratocaster
  • Comfortable shape
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Narrow nut
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Tall frets
  • Short scale
  • Comfortable neck
  • Locking tuners

Hand Size Comfortability

After taking into account the neck profile, scale size, fretboard radius, and nut width, we can conclude that the Fender Ritchie Blackmore Stratocaster's construction favors people with relatively big hands.

Nevertheless, this comes down in the end to personal preference. Make sure you test this guitar—or another one with similar characteristics—before buying.

Big Hands
Small Hands

Scale Length

Scale length is the distance the strings will span between the bridge and the nut. It can tell you a lot about the overall playability and tone of the instrument. A longer scale length means longer distance between frets, brighter tone and more string tension—which means lower action, but more difficult bending of the strings.

Here's the Fender Ritchie Blackmore Stratocaster's 25.5" scale length compared to other common sizes:

Fender Ritchie Blackmore Stratocaster Scale Length Comparison
Fender Ritchie Blackmore Stratocaster's scale length (at the top) compared to other popular sizes

This is the same scale length used in Stratocaster guitars, and it's one of the main reasons they have such a bright sound. It's considered a long scale when compared to most non-baritone guitars.

Since the distance between bridge and nut is relatively long, you'll need to give the strings more tension to get them in tune. This higher tension will allow for a couple of things. First, you can get a lower action (get the strings closer to the fretboard) because the strings won't 'wiggle' too much when pluck and won't cause fret buzz. This can allow you to use lower tunings without increasing your string gauge, and it will make it easier to press down the strings fast.

However, the frets will also have a wider separation between each other, which can make it harder to play, especially if you got small hands. The higher tension will also make the strings feel stiffer, so bending will require more strength.

More with the same scale length:

Neck Profile

Fender Ritchie Blackmore Stratocaster Neck Profile
Fender Ritchie Blackmore Stratocaster's neck profile

The neck profile tells you the thickness (neck depth) and shape in cross section. Every difference will completely change the feeling and comfortability of the neck. This is a highly subjective thing, but most players indeed prefer certain types of necks (like Cs and Ds) because they feel nice in most hands.

The Fender Ritchie Blackmore Stratocaster's neck thickness is approximately 0.83'' (21.1mm) at the first fret, and 0.89'' (22.6mm) at the twelfth.

These measurements were taken either from the official Fender website, or, in case this information wasn't provided, by researching multiple online marketplaces and forums where owners of this model have posted their measurements.

It has a U type neck. This shape usually has more 'shoulders' than a C neck. It's great for guitarists who love the feel of a vintage neck. Most of them are thick, which makes it better for people with big hands. However, some of them can be thin like a C neck but with more mass to the sides for a better grip.

More for different hand sizes

Fretboard Radius

When it comes to fingerboard radius, personal preference will dictate which one is better for you. However, most people seem to agree that a more curved (lower) radius will make it easier to play chords while a less curved (higher) radius is better for soloing and bending.

The Fender Ritchie Blackmore Stratocaster has a 7.25" fingerboard radius.

Here's an image comparing this fretboard radius to other popular choices:

Fender Ritchie Blackmore Stratocaster Fretboard Radius Comparison with Fender Stratocaster and Gibson Les Paul
Fender Ritchie Blackmore Stratocaster's fretboard radius compared to others

This type of radius is considered vintage because it's a lot shorter than what is used in modern guitars. It'll make chords easy to play without muting the strings because the curve will give more space for your fingers, and it adapts more naturally to your hand. However, this comes at a disadvantage. Bending the strings will be more difficult because you will have to adapt your bends to the curve. Also, you won't be able to set the action of the strings low because your strings will ''fret out'' and get muted when bending due to the curve making the string hit the other frets.

Compound radius fingerboards give the best of both worlds. Unfortunately, the Fender Ritchie Blackmore Stratocaster has the same radius across the board.

More with the same fretboard radius:

Playability compared to main competitors

25.5'' Scale Length
U Neck Profile
1.654'' Nut Width
7.25'' Fretboard Radius
25.5'' Scale Length
C Neck Profile
1.675'' Nut Width
Compound Fretboard Radius
25.5'' Scale Length
Soft V to C Neck Profile
1.654'' Nut Width
9.5'' Fretboard Radius
25.5'' Scale Length
C Neck Profile
1.654'' Nut Width
12'' Fretboard Radius
25.5'' Scale Length
C Neck Profile
1.654'' Nut Width
12'' Fretboard Radius

Nut Width

Fender Ritchie Blackmore Stratocaster Nut Width
Fender Ritchie Blackmore Stratocaster Nut Width

The Fender Ritchie Blackmore Stratocaster has a nut width of 42mm (1.654''). This is considered a narrow width for a 6-string guitar. This means that this guitar will have a narrower string separation at the nut, which will affect your fretting hand.

If you are a player with big hands, you might find it difficult to play chords without muting strings. However, this is good for players who have smaller hands, as it will allow them to reach each string more easily at the nut.

Frets

The Fender Ritchie Blackmore Stratocaster has 21 frets. Even though 24 frets has become really popular, there's still a good reason to get fewer frets; the pickup at the neck position will be further away from the bridge. This makes the neck pickup achieve a warmer tone. You might want this if you're playing Jazz or similar genres.

However, if you don't care about the warmer neck pickup, more frets will always be better. It's always nice to have the option to play higher notes if you want to.

It comes with nickel silver frets, so they won't last as long as stainless steel frets. If you use your instrument a lot, you might need to replace the frets after a few years. But this is unlikely as most people change instruments before this happens.

More with the same amount of frets:

Fret Size

Fender Ritchie Blackmore Stratocaster Fret Size Comparison
Fender Ritchie Blackmore Stratocaster's fret size (in orange) compared to other popular sizes

Finally, let's talk about fret size. Some people prefer tall frets because it's easier to press the strings and perform bends since there's less friction against the fretboard. On the other hand, some people like shorter frets because they like to touch the fretboard when playing, or because they got heavy hands and tend to press too much on the string and alter the of the note pitch accidently.

The Fender Ritchie Blackmore Stratocaster's frets are Vintage size. This is one of the shortest fret sizes you can find. Most modern guitar players prefer taller frets because it's easier to bend and press down the strings. However, some people love the feeling of a small fret that lets them feel the fretboard while playing. We recommend newbies choose a taller size for an easier experience.

More with the same type of frets:

Playability Score

Bending & Vibrato Ease 60
Chord Playability 100
Solo Playability 50
Playability 70

Tone Analysis

Wood will have little influence in the final tone of an electric guitar or bass. Instead, the hardware, especially the pickups, will be the most important thing to look at. Bur first, let's see the quality of the wood.

Wood

Alder wood pattern used for guitar building
Alder Body
Maple wood pattern used for guitar building
Maple Neck
Rosewood wood pattern used for guitar building
Rosewood Fretboard

Alder Body: This is a lightweight type of wood that was popularized by Fender. According to them, it's a wood that offers a balanced tone but that favors the upper midrange slightly.

Maple Neck: This is one of the most popular types of wood used in all kinds of guitars. It's heavy, strong and compact, which makes it great for necks. However, it's also used for fretboards, bodies and tops due to its light color, resistance and beautiful patterns. When it comes to tone, it highlights the mid and high frequencies.

Rosewood Fretboard: Since the ban of Brazillian Rosewood, this has become a rare and expensive wood. It's not usually used for guitar bodies because of this, and also because it's heavy. Instead, it's used mainly for fretboards. Sometimes it's also used for necks because it's an extremely hard wood (even harder than maple). Its tonality tends to favor warm tones.

More made with the same wood:

Pickups

This guitar comes with pickups from one of the top brands: Seymour Duncan. So you can expect well built pickups with great sound that shouldn't need an upgrade anytime soon.

These are passive pickups, so you can expect a rounder sound and a moderade level of output.

The Fender Ritchie Blackmore Stratocaster's configuration is SS. This is the classic Telecaster configuration and it's used mainly for playing clean or with low-gain distortion. It doesn't give you as much versatility as a Strat SSS configuration, but you might like the cleaner look of a guitar body with fewer pickups.

More with the same pickups

21 Frets
Tremolo Bridge
Seymour Duncan Quarter Pound Strat SSL-4 Flat Pole RWRP Bridge Pickup
Non-Active Dummy Middle Pickup
Seymour Duncan Quarter Pound Strat SSL-4 Flat Pole Neck Pickup
22 Frets
Floyd Rose Bridge
Seymour Duncan Custom Design Warren DeMartini Bridge Pickup
Middle Pickup
Seymour Duncan Quarter Pound Strat SSL-4 Flat Pole Neck Pickup
22 Frets
Floyd Rose Bridge
Seymour Duncan Custom Design Warren DeMartini Bridge Pickup
Middle Pickup
Seymour Duncan Quarter Pound Strat SSL-4 Flat Pole Neck Pickup
22 Frets
Floyd Rose Bridge
Seymour Duncan Custom Design Warren DeMartini Bridge Pickup
Middle Pickup
Seymour Duncan Quarter Pound Strat SSL-4 Flat Pole Neck Pickup

Versatility

It comes with the popular 3-way switch that is present in most guitars. For more versatility, players tend to prefer a 5-way switch, although it all depends on what you want to use your guitar for.

Unfortunately, it doesn't come with more options for coil split or coil tapping. This makes it less versatile than some competitors.

Diagram

Fender Ritchie Blackmore Stratocaster pickups switch and push knobs diagram
Fender Ritchie Blackmore Stratocaster's switch options

What music genre is it good for?

As a 6 strings, Solid Body guitar with SS configuration and Passive pickups, we'd recommend it for genres like Funk or similar. However, you can use almost any guitar for any genre. This is just the typical type of music for this particular one.

Sound Score

Pickups 100
Sustain 60
Versatility 66
Tuning Stability 65
Sound 73

Build Quality Analysis

Country of Origin

Knowing where the instrument is produced is a good way to know how well it's built. Some manufacturing countries are known for having higher quality standards. For example, most expensive instruments are made in the US or Japan, but there are some exceptionally great countries—like South Korea—that are building a good reputation.

The Fender Ritchie Blackmore Stratocaster is made in Mexico. This is the country that some American brands choose for building really good, but cheaper guitars. You can expect a guitar that offers a good price-quality relationship, although they don't get the same quality control as the ones built in Japan or the United States.

Bridge

6-Saddle Vintage-Style Synchronized Tremolo: This type of bridge allows you to change the pitch of the notes by pulling the bridge with the attached bar, which gives you better versatility. Also, since the bridge is not fixed to the guitar body, the bridge will move as you bend the strings. So you'll have to increase the distance of your bends to reach the same tension (note) compared to a fixed bridge. This allows you to perform smoother bends but will also make you slower. Finally, remember that this type of bridge requires a bit more maintenance than fixed ones, especially when changing strings.

More with the same type of bridge:

Nut Material

Another important thing to analyze is the nut material, as it's one of the most important aspects that can affect the sound and playability of your guitar. A well-cut nut will make sure it stays in tune and will make it more comfortable to play.

In this case, the Fender Ritchie Blackmore Stratocaster has a Synthetic Bone nut. One of the best nuts you can have is a Bone nut thanks to their rich tonality and resistance. The problem is that they're a natural material, so different bone nuts will have inconsistent tonal properties. In other words, one bone nut might not sound as well as the other even when they're made from the same piece. Synthetic bone helps with this by giving you a high-quality, consistent nut that resembles the tone produced by bone.

More with the same nut material:

Neck Joint

The neck joint is the part where the neck of the guitar meets the body. There are three main techniques to attach both parts together: Set-In, Bolt-On and Neck-Through. The latter two provide different advantages, although neck-throughs are the most expensive.

This guitar has a Bolt-On neck joint. Even though this type of neck was looked down upon for a long time, nowadays bolt-on necks are well built and provide just as much sustain as any other join method. First of all, it's cheap to make because it consists of simply 4 bolts that attach the neck to the body. And you can travel with the guitar more easily, swap out the neck if you damage it, or upgrade to a more comfortable neck later on.

More with the same build:

Build Quality Score

Quality of materials 66
Features 55
Quality Control 75
Build Quality 65

All Specs

Fender Ritchie Blackmore Stratocaster
General
Brand: Fender
Year: 2009
Configuration: SS
Strings: 6
Made in: Mexico
Series: Artist
Colors: White
Left-Handed Version: No
Body
Type: Solid Body
Body Material: Alder
Bridge: 6-Saddle Vintage-Style Synchronized Tremolo
Neck
Neck Joint: Bolt-On
Tuners: Fender Vintage F Stamped
Fretboard: Graduated Scalloped Rosewood
Neck Material: Maple
Decoration: White Pearloid Dot
Scale Size: 25.5"
Shape: Ritchie Blackmore U
Thickness: 1st Fret: 0.83'' (21.1mm) - 12th Fret: 0.89'' (22.6mm)
Frets: 21 Vintage
Fretboard Radius: 7.25"
Nut: Synthetic Bone
Nut Width: 42mm (1.654'')
Electronics
Switch: 3 Way
Knobs: Bell
Volume Controls: 1
Tone Controls: 2
Bridge Pickup: Seymour Duncan Quarter Pound Strat SSL-4 Flat Pole RWRP (Single Coil / Passive)
Middle Pickup: Non-Active Dummy (Single Coil / Passive)
Neck Pickup: Seymour Duncan Quarter Pound Strat SSL-4 Flat Pole (Single Coil / Passive)

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