The Squier Venus (also known as the Fender Vista Venus ) is a subscription electric guitar for the Vista series, created as a result of a collaboration between Courtney Love and the Squier brand. The model was first introduced in 1997 . At the time of the release of the guitar, Courtney Love was only the second female musician, who had her own signature guitar (the first performer was Bonnie Raitt).
The Squier Venus shape was based on Mercury , Fender Stratocaster and Rickenbacker solid body electric guitars designs . Venus was produced in two variations: six- and twelve-string (the latter was later named Venus XII ).
The guitar was available in black, sunburst and foam green.
At the time of the official release of the guitar, the price of Venus was $ 699.99, and at Venus XII - $ 999.99. The price included the cost of the cover from Fender .
Squier Venus was discontinued in 1998.
Custom Models
Courtney Love often appeared on stage with guitars made for her by order, and which differed from the official models.
The list of these guitars includes:
- Venus color baby blue with picgard turtoise shell
- Pearl picgard model
- Model with finish hot pink. Pink (hot pink) model can be seen in the video clip Hole to the single Celebrity Skin.
These models were equipped with only one, one Seymour Duncan sound pickup SL591 Little 59 .
Serial Numbers
Serial numbers on the Venus guitars were placed on the fingerboard and consisted of one letter and six numbers. Serial numbers that began with the letter V meant that the tool was produced in 1997. Serial numbers with the letter A indicated that the tool was produced between 1997 and 1998.
Interesting Facts
In the early 1990s, while touring with Hole, Courtney Love was known for giving one of her Venus guitars to female audience representatives. Only one case of Venus’s gift to a man is known - it happened in 1999, and the happy owner turned out to be a thin, fair-haired boy who looked like Kurt Cobain .
Performers who were seen with Squier Venus on the shows:
- Shirley Manson ( Garbage )
- Crispian Mills (Kula Shaker) (12-string model)
- Claire Ingram (Ikara Colt)
- Laura-Mary Carter (Blood Red Shoes)