Let’s start by introducing the man behind the Michael Landau Coma Stratocaster. And that of course is Mr, Michael Landau.

For those unfamiliar with his history and credentials here is the introduction via his Wiki page:

Michael Christopher Landau (born June 1, 1958) is an American musician, audio engineer, and record producer. He is a session musician and guitarist who has played on many albums since the early 1980s with Boz Scaggs, Minoru Niihara, Joni Mitchell, Rod Stewart, Seal, Michael Jackson, James Taylor, Helen Watson, Luis Miguel, Richard Marx, Steve Perry, Pink Floyd,[1] Phil Collins on “Two Hearts” and “Loco in Acapulco”, Roger Daltrey, Stevie Nicks, Glenn Frey, Eros Ramazzotti, Whitney Houston, and Miles Davis.

With a resume full of recordings with some of the biggest bands and artists of all time, we think it was only a matter of time before Michael got his own signature Fender guitar. And Fender really did produce the goods with the Michael Landau Coma Stratocaster.

The Michael Landau Coma Stratocaster began its journey with Michael after he purchased the guitar from a local LA guitar store at the tender age of just 16 years old. We bet he had no idea at the time that he would be leaving that guitar’s sound on some of the most influential albums ever recorded.

MICHAEL LANDAU COMA STRATOCASTER By FENDER

Guitar Features:

• ’59 Alder Body with Coma Red Satin Nitrocellulose Lacquer Finish
• Custom ML Ultra Noiseless Strat and Custom ML CuNiFe Wide-Range Humbucker
• 7.25” Radius Slab Rosewood Fingerboard
• Custom “C” neck shape
• 4-Bolt Neck Plate with Custom Coma Artwork, Serialized

Guitar Specs:

Body:

• Body Material: Alder
• Body Finish: Satin Nitrocellulose Lacquer
• Body Shape: Stratocaster®

Neck:

• Neck Material: Maple
• Neck Construction: 4-Bolt Standard
• Neck Finish: Satin Nitrocellulose Lacquer Finish with Gloss Headstock Face
• Neck Shape: Custom “C”
• Scale Length: 25.5″ (64.77 cm)
• Fingerboard Material: Slab Rosewood
• Fingerboard Radius: 7.25″ (184.1 mm)
• Number of Frets: 21
• Fret Size: Narrow Tall
• Nut Material: Bone
• Nut Width: 1.650″ (42 mm)
• Position Inlays: White Pearloid Dot – 7mm
• Side Dots: White Pearloid
• Truss Rod: Vintage-Style Butt Adjust
• Truss Rod Nut: Vintage-Style Butt Adjust

Electronics:

• Bridge Pickup: Custom ML CuNiFe® Wide-Range Humbucker
• Middle Pickup: Custom ML Ultra Noiseless™ Single-Coil Strat®
• Neck Pickup: Custom ML Ultra Noiseless™ Single-Coil Strat®
• Controls: Master Volume, Tone 1. (Neck/Middle Pickups), Tone 2. (Bridge Pickup)
• Switching: 5-Position Blade: Position 1. Bridge Pickup, Position 2. Bridge and Middle Pickup, Position 3. Middle Pickup, Position 4. Middle and Neck Pickup, Position 5. Neck Pickup
• Configuration: HSS

Hardware:

• Bridge: 6-Saddle Vintage-Style Synchronized Tremolo with Bent Steel Saddles
• Hardware Finish: Nickel/Chrome
• Tuning Machines: Fender® ClassicGear™
• Pickguard: 4-Ply Tortoiseshell
• Control Knobs: Black Stratocaster®-Style Skirt
• Switch Tip: Aged White
• Neck Plate: 4-Bolt with Custom Coma Artwork, Serialized

Check out the “Michael Landau Coma Stratocaster” video below:

Coma Stratocaster GMG Rating

The “Coma Strat” is very versatile in both clean and crunchy tones, which makes sense for a session guitarist. Being able to adapt styles and sounds on the fly is probably critical when you are involved in many different projects.

The Custom ML CuNiFe Wide-Range Humbucker really amps up the rock roots of the guitar, complemented by the two single coils that bring the “Coma” back to its traditional and classic Fender sound. In addition, the Synchronized Tremolo turns heads with a “Mark Knopfler-ish” high-quality sound and performance.

Finished with that red satin nitrocellulose lacquer which just adds to the retro vibe of the guitar. Micheal explains it as adding a “hippy vibe” which originally attracted him to the guitar in the first place.

If you watch the video above Michael covers the history of the guitar and goes deep into the setup and changes he made during this collaboration with Fender. At the end of this signature guitar project what you are left with is a beautiful guitar in both sound and look. It would by no means go down as affordable at the price point of $2,799, but for serious pro guitarists with a budget the Coma would be the perfect choice.

Check out the guitar on Get my Guitar by clicking the link below:

Michael Landau Coma Stratocaster

GMG Rating: 8/10

Let us know what you think of the “Coma” guitar in the comments below.