Fender Custom Shop: Reverse Proto Strtocaster; Pamelina H: Bettie Page Strat

Last year I wrote an article titled Seven Fender Stratocaster Models That Pay Tribute to Jimi Hendrix in which I talked about a 1980 reverse headstock Stratocaster with a front-side belly-cut contour. As far as I could tell from my research, only four protoypes of this model were made, though John Page recalls that 25 may have been subsequently produced for marketing representative Mudge Miller.

Since that article was published, I've been unable to find one of the 25 discussed above, or anyone that claims to have owned one. I have, however, been contacted by the owner of the fourth prototype, who in fact bought it in Japan where it had once been owned by a collector. Seems there were only four prototypes made and each has been accounted for.

Also of interest, the Fender Custom Shop has announced a limited edition (100 pieces) called the "Reverse Proto Stratocaster Closet Classic" that, guess what, has the word "Proto" stamped on the back of the headstock. In other words, it's a tribute to the 1980 prototype I spoke about in last year's story. I suppose that I now have to update last year's article and make it Eight Fender Stratocaster Models That Pay Tribute to Jimi Hendrix. This new limited edition run includes a DVD that features an interview with Master Builder Dennis Galuszka.

Here's a photo of the new Proto:

New Creation from Pamelina H

Pamelina H recently completed a Bettie Page Stratocaster that Pamelina will offer for sale at ComicCon (July 14 - July 17 at the San Diego Convention Center. Visit the event website for more information). In 1955, Page won the title, Miss Pin-up Girl of the World and was the centerfold in Playboy's January issue. For more information about Bettie Page, please visit www.bettiepage.com. Pamelina's tribute Strat will be autographed by Bettie Page. The image below is Pamelina's conceptual artwork for the guitar.