Masterbuilt Re-creation of George Harrison’s Rocky Strat
George Harrison came into ownership of the Rocky Strat in 1965, one of a pair delivered to him and John Lennon by Beatles roadie Mal Evans. Originally painted in Sonic Blue and bearing a Grimwood's Music Store decal on the back of its headstock, the Rocky Strat made its debut on Help!, providing the droning rhythm guitar part on "Ticket to Ride" and taking center stage during the solo for "You're Going to Lose That Girl." After that, Rocky would make numerous appearances on Beatles songs. In 1967, it acquired a new look, a psychedelic paint job by Harrison himself, and, after being featured on the Magical Mystery Tour film in 1967, it became one of the most recognizable guitars in rock 'n' roll history. To pay tribute to both Harrison's and Rocky's contributions to popular music, Fender master builder Paul Waller has lovingly re-created this iconic Stratocaster. Every detail, from the DIY paint job to the Grimwood's decal, has been reproduced. Guitarists at Sweetwater note that this is not merely a guitar upon which to gaze. It is a performer, with premium electronics, Abigail Ybarra hand-wound pickups, a curated alder body, and a supremely comfortable 1960 Oval "C" flame maple neck. Rocky is a museum piece that yearns to be played and evokes an era of joyful musical expression that is impossible to deny.
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George Harrison's DIY paint job, meticulously re-created
George Harrison's Rocky Strat began its life dressed up in Fender Sonic Blue. And it stayed that way until 1967 when George broke out his paints and brushes and bestowed it with its now-legendary look. A swirling array of Day-Glo paint and psychedelic shapes, it perfectly encapsulates the spirit and aesthetics of the late 1960s — a period in which the Beatles were reshaping popular music by breaking down accepted conventions and creating a guidebook for generations of artists striving to embrace their unique voices. George's paint job is meticulously duplicated down to the "Bebopalula" inscription climbing up toward the bass-side horn. A museum-quality recreation, this stunning piece of art is a joyous proclamation of the power and beauty of music.
Masterbuilt by Paul Waller
Paul Waller built his first guitar at age 14 in his high school woodshop, and his woodworking career took off from there. After a stint at a cabinet shop and another at a small Southern California guitar maker, he attended the acclaimed Roberto-Venn School of Luthiery in Phoenix, taking the skills he learned there to Fender in 2003. After an extensive 7-year apprenticeship, Waller became a Master Builder in 2010. His Fender Custom Shop work includes guitars for U2's Adam Clayton and Bono, Teles for the Rolling Stones' Keith Richards and a Strat for Ronnie Wood, Stratocaster guitars for Buddy Guy, the Nile Rodgers "Hitmaker" Stratocaster, and a custom double-neck Jazzmaster for Queens of the Stone Age guitarist Troy Van Leeuwen.
Abigail Ybarra Hand-wound pickups
Abigail Ybarra began her career as a string winder at Fender in 1968. Over the course of her tenure, she became one of Fender's most treasured employees, and her pickups have attained something of a cult status, with countess musicians requesting Abigail-wound pups. It is likely that many of the Fender guitars used by iconic artists who emerged during the 1960s — including George Harrison — contained pickups wound by Abigail Ybarra. So, it is only fitting that the limited edition Rocky strat does, too.
Fender Custom Shop Limited Edition George Harrison Rocky Stratocaster Features:
- A loving recreation of George Harrison's Legendary Rocky Stratocaster
- Meticulously replicated by Fender master builder Paul Waller
- Features a reproduction of George Harrison's Day-Glo DIY paint job
- Aged Grimwood's Music Store back-headstock decal
- Abigail Ybarra hand-wound 60's strat pickups
- Alder body and 1960 Oval "C" flame maple neck
- Hand-wired, vintage-style electronics
- 6-saddle, vintage-style synchronized tremolo
- Includes a deluxe hardshell case, strap, and a certificate of authenticity
