- This is a mid 1970 Stratocaster per the fretted maple neck with the truss rod installed under the "skunk stripe" and walnut plug. 1965 thru early 1970 had a maple cap.
- There is a lot of wear on the nut end of the neck for such a short period. Jimi played up and down the neck so it's unusual to see the wear concentrated near the nut (looks like right handed rhythm guitar wear to me).
- It was purchased on the 14/7/70. Jimi flew to UK on his last tour before he died on 27/8/70. So this guitar was used in the studio, including the Electric Lady Land studio opening 26/8/70, for a maximum of 44 days. Much more wear than his white Strat he had been using in the studio and live since 1968.
- The front side of the body has faded so much it looks like a 2 tone Strat (a la early '50s). The back shows the original 3 tone sunburst colour. It probably has been hanging on a wall, exposed to the sun, since 1970.
- The signatures on the back of the body (even if it is Noel's) would have reduced the value of the guitar (in my opinion).
- This construction detail: 4-bolt, maple with skunk stripe, 2 serial numbers on the headstock, date the build to mid early 1970.
Lot closed - Winning bid: $187,500 (2 bids)
ESTIMATE: $150,000 - $200,000
Fender Stratocaster in sunburst finish, serial number 274200, dated on neck: 22 (signifying a Stratocaster)-3(month)-70 (year), alder body, maple neck with skunk stripe, 21 fret fingerboard with black dot inlays, three pickups, three rotary controls. The guitar has been restrung, presumably by Hendrix himself for left-handed play.
The back of the guitar is signed "Good Luck/ Noel Redding" with other inscriptions to a previous owner. This guitar was purchased by Hendrix at Manny's Musical Instruments in New York on July 14, 1970, as he was recording in his new Electric Lady Studios. Hendrix passed away a mere two months later but was known to have been working in his studio for 10 days of those two months on his posthumous album "The Cry of Love."
Accompanying this lot are a copy of the original Manny's Music receipt from when Hendrix purchased the guitar for the amount of $275.60. The original was signed by Eugene McFadden, Hendrix road manager; a handwritten letter on Manny's Music form from Stuart Muskowitz confirming the guitar was signed for by Eugene McFadden and hand selected for Hendrix; a from Eugene McFadden confirming the authenticity of his signature on the receipt for this guitar; handwritten letter from Noel Redding dated October 4, 1994 stating that this Fender was the guitar used at the Electric Lady Studios opening party in August 1970; two notes written by Albert and Arthur Allen (Also known as The Aleem Twins, Hendrix backup singers under the moniker "Ghetto Fighters") stating that they also saw Hendrix play this guitar at the Electric Lady Studio opening party. Fender hard shell case with "J.H. EXP" stencilled on side also present.
The guitar will be on display at The GRAMMY Museum® in Los Angeles until February 13, 2011. The guitar will be on display at Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino during this auction exhibition and returned to The GRAMMY Museum for public viewing at the end of the Julien's 2010 Music Icons Auction.
PROVENANCE Lot 147, "Pop Memorabilia and Guitars Auction," Christie' East, New York, November 29, 1995.
On August 27th, Jimi flew to London, and most likely left the guitar at the Electric Lady Studios, since it was not seen at any of the gigs played between August 27th and Jimi’s passing on September 18th.
From that point, it’s not exactly clear what happened to the guitar and with whom it ended up. It was signed by Noel Redding at some point, apparently when it was first sold.
Then at some point in 2010, the guitar was put on the auction at Julien’s, maybe by the same person who had Noel sign it, maybe not, eventually selling for $187,500. [LOT128 OF 562:JIMI HENDRIX FENDER STRATOCASTER, Julien’s]. It seems however that this was not the first time it went on the auction, as there are mentions online of an auction held at Christie’s in 2009, and possibly one way earlier, in 1995.
