How much would you pay for a Gold Strat??

[BrianD]

Bearing in mind the income Lewis Hamilton earns per annum both from his retainer at McLaren and through the advertising work he does the amount he has paid for this guitar is probably the equivalent of us mere mortals buying a packet of peanuts in the pub! Perhaps the heading of this thread should read "
WHAT PERCENTAGE OF YOUR ANNUAL INCOME WOULD YOU PAY FOR A GOLD STRAT?"

Brian

[dave robinson]

Fully agree with that Brian, it can be disheartening but I decided long ago that I wouldn't envy anyone - life's too short. I enjoy what I have and the friends that I'm able to share it with, especially the music, though at times there are those who crop up from time to time who try to dampen ones enthusiasm. My advice to those folks is always the same - go partake in airborne intercourse.

[Stratpicker]

Dave
Can I assume that it is NOT a re-spray etc? If it is original colour, THAT is exactly how I remember it being c1962.
And in the end I bought a sunburst cos I'd got into American music by then and FR Red wasn't the 'cool' colour. Twit!!!
cheers
ian

[MartcasterJunior]

1. He's not called The Artist Formerly Known As Prince, he's called Prince. Has been for years. He did a residency at the O2 Arena a couple of years ago under the name Prince.

2. If you think he can't play guitar, then you should do your research a bit better. He's a very well regarded all-round musician but is particularly known for his guitar playing. You may not like the style of music that he plays, but I'd be willing to bet that he can play most people under the table *in his particular genre*.

This is a bit of an over-the-top example, but the likes of Harrison (Junior), Petty and Lynne were willing to give him centre-stage at the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame tribute to George Harrison, so he certainly has his well-known admirers: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=madax7-lMvM

[dave robinson]

Hi Ian,
It's all original and is finished in the 'Fiesta Red' of the day. My guess it's probably the same batch of paint, as most Strats being made at the time were sunburst or blonde, the fiesta red ones being very special orders. This was a 'transition' model in as much as the pickguard is single ply, but has a rosewood slab board, which wasn't the normal the combination as they fitted three ply white/back/white from 1960. The rosewood is the darker and nicer of the two (Brazilian or Indian) I can't remember which way round it is.

Someone from Music Ground turned up offering a cheque for £25,000 but was told to go forth. The guitar is valued at £50,00 + because of it's age and history, apart from being owned by blues man Taj Mahal, it features on the Paul Simon track 'Mother And Child Reunion'.

The guitar plays and sounds like a dream and one other thing, the colour is 99% identical to my 1989 USA Vintage Reissue see the pic in my gallery of the two guitars side by side - which shows that Fender do remember the mix for THAT red.

[BrianD]

1. He's not called The Artist Formerly Known As Prince, he's called Prince. Has been for years. He did a residency at the O2 Arena a couple of years ago under the name Prince.

2. If you think he can't play guitar, then you should do your research a bit better. He's a very well regarded all-round musician but is particularly known for his guitar playing. You may not like the style of music that he plays, but I'd be willing to bet that he can play most people under the table *in his particular genre*.

This is a bit of an over-the-top example, but the likes of Harrison (Junior), Petty and Lynne were willing to give him centre-stage at the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame tribute to George Harrison, so he certainly has his well-known admirers: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=madax7-lMvM

Matthew. Thanks for the YouTube link. I confess I knew nothing about this player and probably will never be a fan but I can certainly respect the capability demonstrated in this and a number of other links this led me to watch. He is obviously in the mould of T-Bone Walker and Hendrix, both of whom successfully combined showmanship with their ability to play which stood them apart in their respective times. Personally, I prefer slower more melodic playing, (a sign of my age!) but I can fully respect and admire what "Prince" (Does he have another name) is doing in these clips.

Brian

[cockroach]

I think his name is, or was, Prince Rogers Nelson?

I've not seen him playing a Strat, all the footage I've seen of him , he used a custom built odd shaped job or a cheap Hohner Telecaster copy, which he apparently likes.

The only gold Strats I've seen much of are the ones which Dick Dale used for years, and the very early gold model given by Leo Fender to Eldon Shamblin of the Bob Wills band.

[Pol]

"Anyone out there with a 1959 Strat serial close to Hanks?"

We have one in our midst. Pictures in my gallery on this site.

Hank's was 34346 , 170 between this one and the 'famous one'. It's owned by the son of our rhythm guitarist who bought it from Manny's in NY after Taj Mahal sold it to them.


gallery/image.php?album_id=18&image_id=634&view=no_count

gallery/image.php?album_id=18&image_id=635&view=no_count

Thanks Dave for your information & picture link. Was suprised to note that 34516 was fitted with a rosewood neck. Standard stock Stratocaster production vise , it seems to indicate that 34346 was one from of the last batch fitted with a maple neck ? Brazilian or Indian rosewood, beautiful woods both, agreed. Used on fingerboard it`s easy to spot the Brazilian variant. Search for silver-like streams that "lights" when viewed up close. Gibson used a lot of Brazilian rosewood on instruments from the golden 50`s.
Look for nice instruments http://burstserial.com/gallery View the collection of 1959 Burst pics. You`ll find the Peter Green # 9 2208 and my 9 2215.

[Iain Purdon]

I wouldn't pay anything. I'd just issue a general instruction, as in 1961, to Find Me A Golden Strat