Top Ten Collectible Stratocasters - One Opinion

by Staff

"Mike C.", an employee of Fender Europe, has compiled his list of the top ten "to die for" Stratocasters. While each entry qualifies as a vintage Strat, it's primarily the guitar's association with a famous musician that earned it a spot on the list.

Here's a rundown of the list and some brief info:

1. Clapton's "Brownie" (1956 sunburst). Sold at a Christie's auction on August 24, 1999, for $497,000. Now in the possession of the Experience Music Project Museum in Seattle, Washington.

2. Hendrix's "Woodstock Strat" (1968 Olympic White). Sold at a Sotheby's auction in 1990 for around $300,000 and resold in 1993 for over 1.3 million dollars. Now in the possession of the Experience Music Project Museum in Seattle, Washington.

3. Gilmour's "#001, 1954 Strat" (custom white/blonde finish). In Gilmour's collection and not for sale.

4. Holly's "1958, 3-tone Sunburst" (his last Strat). After Holly's death a collector bought it for $125,000. Actor Gary Busey paid $242,000 for it in 1990. The instrument is now on display in the city of Lubbock, Texas, as part of their Buddy Holly collection, though it's unclear if they bought the Strat from Busey or if it's on loan. If they bought it, the purchase price is unknown.

5. Harrison's "Rocky" (1961, custom painted). A part of the Harrison estate.

6. Vaughan's "Number One" (1959 body and pickups with 1962 neck). In the possession of the Vaughan family, probably brother Jimmie.

7. Gallagher's "Ex-Sunburst" (1961 3-tone sunburst). In the possession of his brother, Donal.

8. Marvin's "Flamingo Pink" (1959). Currently owned by Bruce Welch of the "Shadows".

9. Clapton's "Blackie" (hybrid assembled from 3 Strats in 1970). Still owned by Clapton.

10. "Hendrix/Zappa Strat" (1965 sunburst). Currently owned by Frank Zappa's son, Dweezil, who has put it up for auction twice so far, but it failed to sell. The reserve price in the last auction (Cooper-Owen auction house) was over $750,000. The highest bid was over $500,000, but was refused by Dweezil.

Click here for more text from Fender.

Anyone interested in collecting celebrity owned Stratocasters should visit the Rock Stars Guitars website. Their current inventory includes two Hendrix Strats (a 1965 and a 1967) and a Ritchie Blackmore Strat (1974).

A Stratocaster once owned by the late George Harrison is scheduled for auction on November 20, 2003. Awaiting detailed information about the auction and will post an update as soon as it's received.