Description: You've heard the legend of the "Rhinestone Stratocaster®", here's your chance to own one!! This baby's the real deal: part art, part blues machine, and part collectors dream...
In 1975, sculptor Jon Douglas felt that most guitars looked "boring", and Ivor Arbiter, the UK distributor of Fender® invited him to do better. Douglas came up with a Stratocaster® body made from cold-cast bronze, employing a metallic layer over a fiberglass shell. A prototype was made, followed by 6 more models. Arbiter suggested setting rhinestones into the body's surface, and the "Rhinestone Strat®" was born. The small batch of Strats were put on sale at the Fender® Soundhouse store in London in 1975, but unfortunately a fire destroyed the premises soon afterward. Two were sold prior to the fire, but the other four perished in the flames. In the early 1990's Douglas made molds for a futher run of a planned 50. There is a plaque set into the molding on the rear of the body, numbered x out of 50, this being #11. Douglas passed away, though, after only completing 25, making this "Rhinestone Stratocaster®" a rare bird indeed! Some of the 25 guitars used actual parts from the 70's, some used modern components, this one is all 70's. A true legend. A true work of art. A rare piece of history!
Summary
Body: Cold-cast bronze, employing a metallic layer over a fiberglass shell with rhinestones set in the body!
Neck: Maple neck with a rosewood fretboard dated 1970's.
Pickups/Hardware: Three single coil pickups (the middle pickup is the only one with a legibie date stamp, which dates to 1975). One volume and two tone controls with potentiometers dating to 1974. Tremolo bridge.
Cosmetic Condition: Beautiful! A true work of art! The artist signature and authentic brass plate on the back are intact.
Modifications: None
Weight: 7 lbs 15 oz
Case: 70's Fender® Hardshell