Fender Custom Shop David Gilmour “The Black Strat” Relic. 2009 1st Run. 9.9/10. Mint condition.

A rare opportunity to own one of the most exacting replicas of “The Black Strat” every created! This particular guitar is from the very first year of production and is as untouched as you are ever likely to find one. An absolute must for the Pink Floyd or David Gilmour fan (as we all are!). As you may already know “The Black Strat” is an icon in its own right and one of the most expensive instruments ever to sell at auction, making the earliest versions of these highly desirable amongst collectors and investors alike.

Back in 2008 Fender announced that the Custom Shop would be re-creating the David Gilmour Signature Black Stratocaster in limited numbers. The highly skilled artisans at the Fender Custom Shop worked closely with the guitar, David Gilmour and his guitar technician Phil Taylor to recreate the Black Strat in all its glory with every exacting detail. The model was first Launched in October 2008 with this particular example has a certificate date of April 2009. Within the very first 6 months of manufacture, making it all the more collectible and desirable. Phil Taylor is also the author of a book “The Black Strat” included in the case candy which covers in depth all the modifications and changes made to the Black Strat, along with its use on Pink Floyd tours and albums. The black strat was a cornerstone of Pink Floyd’s revolutionary and incomparable sound, featured extensively on The Dark Side of the Moon, Wish You Were Here, Animals, The Wall and Gilmour’s solo work.

In both looks and tone this one is every bit as close as us mere mortals will ever get to David Gilmours sound and style. An absolute must for the discerning player, collector or investor. One of the best strats to ever hit the shop!

Gilmour modified his guitar over the years – changing its pickups, switches, inputs, tuners, and neck etc in the quest for the perfect sound – it even had a Kahler tremolo cut into the guitar at one stage which was later removed and then filled, and just like his original black strat, you can see the signs of this modification on this replica – the attention to detail is absolutely astounding. It features a ‘black over sunburst’ relic finish that accurately recreates all of Gilmour’s wear over the years, and it is absolutely covered in lacquer checking on close inspection. This has been a case-queen since purchase and barely played. There is no fretwear, additional marks or indents to those it arrived with from the Fender Custom Shop.

Gilmour’s spec includes a select Alder contoured body with nitro finish, 1-Piece Maple neck with a comfortable 1983 Thin-Shouldered “C” profile and dark-tine nitro lacquer finish, 7.25″ radius, Fender/Gotoh vintage-style tuners, American Vintage Synchronized Tremolo with custom beveled tremolo block and shortened tremolo arm, 1-ply pickguard, and original .010 strings.

It’s fitted with a Custom Hand-Wound Fat ’50s Strat at the neck, Custom-Wound Strat pickup in the middle position, and a Seymour Duncan SSL-5 at the bridge. Controls include a Master Volume, Tone 1 (Neck Pickup), Tone 2. (Middle Pickup) and a 5-position Blade. In addition, Gilmours’ 2-way toggle switch activates the neck pickup in the middle and bridge positions.

The guitar is a fantastic example and comes with its original custom case with crushed green lining, certificate of authenticity, paperwork, shortened trem arm, all case candy as pictured (with highlights including a sealed 2xCD/2xDVD of Gilmour ‘Live in Gdansk’, fantastic ‘History of the Black Strat’ book and The David Gimour signature “cross” leather strap).

Guitar will be well packed and sent fully insured with reputable courier.

Thanks for viewing!

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