in the mid-to-late 1970s. This guitar can be seen on the DVD George Clinton: The Mothership Connection, which was filmed in 1976. Soon, other guitarists and luthiers would also apply similar custom modifications to their instruments. Many sources cite Grover Jackson as one of the first (and most influential) guitar makers to have crafted custom shop guitars with all the features of superstrats, doing so as early as 1981. Later all these improvements were integrated in the factory-produced Jackson Soloist model. Mass production Starting about 1983–1984, companies such as Kramer, Jackson, Charvel, Yamaha, Aria, Ibanez, Washburn and Hamer started mass production of superstrat design guitars due to growing market demand. The rising popularity of heavy metal music led to a new generation of guitarists that employed fast and complex techniques which demanded thinner and more versatile guitar necks and stable tremolo systems. Some examples of guitars marketed to this specific audience include: Kramer Baretta (1983–1991) – an early guitar with Floyd Rose, one slanted humbucker, but more traditional neck and body contours. Baretta has a close connection to Eddie Van Halen's Frankenstrat—it was designed to be marketed as Van Halen's signature model, but Eddie never endorsed the Baretta in terms of playing it on stage. Dean Bel Aire (1983–1984) — an early HSS guitar dubbed "superstrat", despite still using bolt-on neck construction with 22 frets and vintage tremolo). Jackson Soloist (officially produced starting August 28, 1984) – HSS guitar with neck-through construction, 24 frets and Floyd Rose/Kahler bridge—the fullest embodiment of Superstrat features to date in a mass-produced guitar, considered by many the first "definitive" superstrat. During the rest of the 1980s, due to the style's huge marketing success, most guitar companies had at least one model of superstrat in mass production. Makers of superstrat models besides the companies mentioned elsewhere in this article also included Fernandes, Schecter, Carvin and ESP. Fender's response Fender responded to the superstrat fashion in the mid-1980s, producing a number of models based on the standard Stratocaster. Fender Contemporary Stratocaster Japan (1984–1987) Fender Performer (1985–1986) Fender HM Strat (1988–1992) Fender Prodigy (1991–1993) Fender Showmaster (1998–2009) Fender also released several superstrat models, such as Talon, under Fender/Heartfield name from 1989 to 1993. Gibson's response Gibson also produced some models inspired by the superstrat: Gibson WRC (1985–1986) – an early and rare Wayne Charvel model, a line of guitar manufactured exclusively by Wayne Charvel and branded as