A unique beautiful sounding Strat with a wonderful history”
"Back in the summer of 1982 my friend, the late great Irish Blues Rock guitarist Rory Gallagher told me, that a well known vintage guitar dealer Phil Harris in Catford, London had a really lovely ’63 Strat for sale and a week later I headed over from Dublin to London, played a few chords and had to buy my dream guitar.
Throughout the last four decades this guitar became my constant companion.
Hard to explain how deep the connection between a guitar and a player can be – but THIS happened to me. I had some more astoundingly beautiful sounding guitars. But HERE was this aura that shone when I or some of my friends played this instrument.
The ’63 appeared on every show, festival, tour and album I made. It was with me for nearly five years when I lived and played in the USA. It was my No. 1 guitar as I toured across Europe opening for ZZ Top, Johnny Winter, Eric Burdon, Jan Akkerman, George Thorogood, Walter Trout, Nils Lofgren and Tony Joe White and more….
Along the way, many well-known guitarists, not only commented about the fantastic sound of this guitar. They asked if they could have a go of it and actually played it.
This list includes Rory Gallagher, Jan Akkerman, George Thorogood, Walter Trout, Nils Lofgren and Brian ‘Robbo’ Robertson ( ex. Thin Lizzy and Motörhead)."
- Eamonn McCormack
Model: Fender Stratocaster 1963 made in March ’63
Construction: Bolt on neck
Body: Ash
Neck: Maple
Fingerboard: Rosewood
Frets: Renewed (Not Original)
Tuners: Kluson Vintage locking (Not Original)
Bridge: Original Fender 1963 Bridge with Tremolo arm
Saddles: Fender Vintage 60’s saddles (Not Original)
Pickup (Neck): 1963 Original Fender Pickup
Pickup (Middle): 1963 Original Fender Pickup
Pickup (Bridge): 1963 Original Fender Pickup
Controls: 1 Volume – 2 Tone (Neck/ Middle & Bridge), 5 way switch added. Original 3 way switch still available
Color: 3 Tone Sunburst, old refin from Olympic White (visible in the trem spring cavity)
The guitar is in pretty good condition and feels beautiful to play. Naturally it’s authentically road worn, as it’s over 60 years old. The neck is a beauty (it’s not the large chunky style neck) it’s smooth and easy to play. The action is a treat and surprisingly, the fret board shows only a little wear on a couple of frets, but not serious. I believe the fret board remained very good due to a combination of two things…..there was something about the very hard dark Brazilian rosewood they used in the 60’s, plus I oiled the fret board with lemon oil at almost every string change for 40 years! I read a tip about this, from Paul McCarthy in a magazine. The tremolo system also works like a gem and stays in tune.
Something special
"I took the springs on the back off, so you can see I super glued 3 “Lucky Mojo” charms into the tremolo area, over 30 years ago."
- The BB King badge, was given to me by the man himself when I met him in Dublin, Ireland, back in the late 80’s. I guess one “B” fell off, probably from my belt buckle.
- If you look above the BB King badge there is a tiny piece of red material. That was cut from a sweatband worn and owned by Jimi Hendrix.
- I was brought up in Catholic Ireland and my uncle sent me a book to read about the life story of Catholic Capuchin Priest, now Saint Padre Pio. Some months later I was given a small card from an aunt of mine, which contained a tiny relic of Padre Pio. I was not so religious or anything, but somehow I got the notion to super glue the tiny black relic next to Jimi’s.
See the picture.
Insured shipping via UPS or personal delivery/pickup.
This is on consignment sale. Guitar is NOT in our shop in Tuusula. All inquiries to shop@tonefestguitargallery.com and +358443737376 / Pete
Videos & music made with the exact instrument: