Why? It's so hateful. Sometimes I wonder why I bother with that part. Idk about you but, I don't need that kind of negativity in my heart but I'm a very empathetic person. Not everyone is. Some find humor in cruelty. I don't know if that's you but it kind of sounds like it could be. Although, I'm not hear to tear you down or call you names. I just found your comment strange that you would enjoy these comments that are mostly hateful and toxic. Maybe you meant the other comments that aren't? Or not, you're entitled to your own opinions.
HOW I MISS SRV!!! IN MY OPINION THE VERY BEST PLAYER I IN MY 60 YEARS HAVE EVER HEARD, BAR NONE, THERE ARE SOME GREAT ONES OUT THERE FOR SURE, BUT THE PASSION YOU FELT FROM HIS SOUL IS UNBELIEVABLE,!!! R.I.P. SRV !!!😔😕😞
Yeah, man, it's just like Genius says. If you suddenly switch to enthusiasm and encouragement, then you'll spontaneously be able to afford their prices. Thousands of dollars will materialize in your bank account for the express purpose of purchasing an overpriced guitar. It's just your piss-poor attitude that makes those prices seem high and your financial position so low. Shape up, will ya?
Yeah I'm pretty sure every single SRV guitar is known and he only had a very select few. As a matter of fact pretty sure his brother has tried to get his hands on them.
Yeah, it really does sound great but whatever decide to charge for it will be too much unless it's absolutely confirmed which won't happen. They wouldn't be able to get documents so idk who would buy it and everything in there is a down payment on a new house! Even if it's real it won't matter because of no proof but it's not real. No, I don't know that for certain but it all points to bs. It's interesting. Nothing more to me.
I own a srv my dad baught in 92.. ive never actually checked the serial numbers to see how early it is. The tone is amazing. Obviously being a 92 or older its a early model . Would be nice to find out its actual age as far as production date
I don’t have an SRV guitar but I do have some picks that he used at Much More in Richmond Ava in 84. I got them off the stage after the show. Was great to see him in a nightclub.
back in 2004 I was bidding on a strat on ebay that had been signed by SRV. Had all kinds of pictures and docs about the origin, some guy that was roadie had been given the guitar (so the story went). I after bidding about $4k for the guitar I asked the guy what was used to sign the guitar (as it looked like a silver sharpie) and he confirmed it was indeed a silver sharpie. Curiosity led me to talk to the people at Sharpie and a silver wasn't made until 2001. Fake.
+Ken Johnson I'm only going by what the seller told me. He said "Silver sharpie". As you know, when you ask the seller a question on eBay the questio and response shows up on the page. After I got my response and verified with Sharpie, I posted another question asking if he could verify how it was signed (BTW he claimed he was very close to the relative that received the guitar from SRV) because sharpie disputed his claim. He took the listing down immediately. Just the way everything transpired I think he was pulling a scam.
+Niki Barber that's a possibility I guess. When I asked the seller about it he never replied when I called him and then he pulled the auction down. Interesting to think about that silver paint pens were available but no, Sharpie did not make one at that point. I'm not an expert SRV autographs, I was just trying protect against getting ripped off. Thanks for the info!!
+mike “watcher” smith yes Mike, it was stupid to bid without researching first. I'm such a huge fan and had never really invested in anything like this before so when I saw it...I bid immediately (bids can be withdrawn obviously). I just wanted to share my experience so others could maybe learn from my potential mistake. Maybe I'm just not as concerned about embarrassing myself as you apparently are. Makes me wonder why you posted too. Have a great day!
In case you didn’t know this, H. Gastelum on the neck heal stands for Herbie Gastelum and he was Fender’s premier neck shaper. He would be the guy to do a neck on rare, custom shop pieces like that.
Yes...I have one on a Fender Squier which was Made in USA. That neck is wonderful. This is one of ones the made during that two year period they were made in the USA instead of Mexico. The picks and pots are crap plus rusted but I replace all the internals. It plays great.
I wish there was a museum for brilliant youtube comments. Your's should be in there... but then we'd have to prove the provenance. Maybe you can handwrite a note?
I read an article about the prototypes they were working on when Stevie was still alive. They originally wanted something with those mailbox letters on the pickguard but went with the scrolled version. That's a beautiful piece. Maybe you could reach out to Rene martinez, SRV;s guitar tech and see if he has any knowledge of it
'88 serial number with '91 stamp and 90's style hardware,, and the only verification of its autenticity, is some weird piece of paper that any random person could've written. Am I the only one smelling the fact that the person who bought this for 30k was ripped of big time?
Hispanicpanick0 ye, my bet is that it is frenken strat made out of custom shop parts. They could easily just check with the Fender custom shop wether or not it is what they think it is.
kyatzz It's a nice sounding guitar but definitely a Frankenstein or some odd knockoff. Guitar is worth $3000 judging by build quality and overall tone.
There was a SRV signature strat in a local pawn shop in my town, and the guy that owned the shop was your typical "local pawn shop shyster"...He swore up and down it was one of the few SRV stratocasters that were released before Stevie actually died. He had an outrageous price on it. I was young then and didn't know enough about it to argue with him, and it was before most households had a computer or the internet so it wasn't really possible to look it up on the net. Knowing what I know now, I would have argued with the guy...I think I remember he wanted $10,000 for it...But this was the kind of guy that would put outrageous prices on anything and make up a story to go with it....His shop had the perfect name too...."Middle Man's Pawn"...
So what did fender themselves say? That's were I 'd start, if someone knew it be the custom shop or fender usa... I am sure they have accurate log for these sort of things...
I know I’m a few years late, however... The early SRV signatures all in early 90's have serial numbers that were leftover from the late 80's, Fender didn't bother tossing them, Instead, reused them.
Not unless someone who was working in the custom shop back then still works there now. I called them about a 93 Custom Shop Telecaster with the certificate and gave them all numbers and details about the guitar guitar, you thought I was speaking Chinese by their reaction. They're clueless on anything that those prior lto 95. Y You would think Fender would be on top of stuff like this but apparently that doesn't seem to be very important.
and Fender wouldve taken better care of such a priceless guitar. im refering to absolutley no surface cloth on the top or bottom of the guitar body with the strings splayed all over the top. Made me cringe. I will never buy from this place or bring anything to them if thats how they treat a rare guitar.
Norms, I’m going to settle the mystery for you because I believe this was my guitar at 1 time. Stevie Ray was a close friend of mine as was Cesar Diaz. I have pictures and other people to back it up. There were for sure 3 prototypes of the SRV Guitar made and then I was told a 4th. What happened was 2 of the prototypes were left at Fender for a while after they were made. After a couple years a few of the more well known builders finished them hence the stamp. I know mine and and the one Cesar got have the Charvez stamp and I think the another had an Art Esparza or Castillo stamp and I’m told the 4th possible no stamp. I got mine through Diaz and it was sold to a well known buyer here in NJ who sold it at a Valley Forge PA Guitar show. I remember distinctly because I was never paid fully. There were at least 10 deals of vintage pieces or custom pieces of mine that guys dead belated on part of. And actually the guitar was sent with the guy to show off not sell. He pleaded saying he had a huge deal but another partner of his had sold the guitar already and would make it up to me. I was bent outta shape because it was sentimental and I had just 2 years prior returned a very sentimental piece of gear to Gregg Allman plus Stevie hadn’t been gone that long. From there I lost track of the guitar. So it’s either mine, Diaz’s or #3? Like I said Possible #4 was rumored and said to have either no stamp or another well known custom shop builders name. Hope the info helps.
To those that are out of control with their language, & mouth. SMH !!!! To have lost him after he cleaned up, & sobered up, to have lost him at all is tragic. We are all less without his music. If this guitar is 1 of his, it should be coveted, & loved because there arent anymore to hold. Stop arguing over things. The man is dead, honor him by embracing his music together as fans of the beauty he gave us.
Four SRV custom build guitars was made for Stevie Ray from march 1990 until may 1990. He tried them all. I only know that one of them was sold to Scandinavia.
I have a first year SRV. I too was confused about the serials. I found a website- probably the same you found- that said Fender bought or printed a load of signature serials. They don't follow the nomenclature of normal serials. Mine would make you think it was an 89, but I figured out it was a 92.
If I had the signature guitar from Stevie I would eat breath and sleep with it 💜 For now I have my squire and need te save money for a very long time before I can afford it 😓 Am such a big fan of Stevie I even have a tattoo of him ❤ the way he plays his style his songs saved my live when l was 21 years old ! If l never would have come in contact with his music a would be not alive and well to this day ... So Stevie thank u so much for saving me with ur music 💜it will always live on in my heart and my six string baby 💜 R.I.P Hero
Obviously it isn't an 89 if it has a 91 neck. You take the newest neck, body, or pot date if they have differing dates and date the guitar to that timeline.
I seen srv 15 times and am a great fan sincerely I loved his music ever since I heard him play live , I didnt know he played a upside down tremolo ? no shit , nice axe thanks for sharing , noke.
Holy crap! That is Stevie's handwriting. He collaborated with Fender to make his first signature guitar. He might have put this one together by his own hands. You might have a true treasure in your hands. Wow.
I've owned a lot of strats most of them I had customized and I noticed the sound on this one compared to the signature srv I've played in the past they do not sound a like. So that strat is special.
One of the most interesting guitars ever shown by Mark & Norman - so, what is it ? We can't ask the master himself, as he kis now entertaining angels.... I saw his last show, after which he crashed with his helicopter - a monumental loss for the entire musical community. RIP Stevie, one of my heroes forever.
Custom shop 88 neck stamp could mean only one thing "prototype" and was going to Stevie himself! Find Fender luthiers H. Gastelum or A.Chavez and ask them "whatsup" and if they can remember anything about the guitar? Damn also this guitar has absolute brilliant resonance and great intonation so who ever buys the guitar will be more than pleased!
Or easily removed from another guitar and assembled on to it. I smell fake all the way through this. And after 5 years no proof whatsoever? They want it to merely go away! And that piece of paper? LMAO. Thats was the capper hahaha
This is one of the ones SRV worked on in Gibsons British Columbia shortly before he died in Sept of 1990. He wasn't satisfied with it yet but he liked it. He said he was waiting for pods. I saw it disassembled in my uncles living room, I can give you his name if you want it and track him down to verify. It looks the same, except now there are pods where once there was none. He had sent it back, I think, with a red line on the stamp because they had stamped it really lightly and that pissed him off and he wasn't having it. He red lined things that needed changing when he sent them back. It had instructions to sand that part and re-stamp it.
I own one . They were released in 92 but mine was made in 91 . Mine is a Brazilian rosewood fretboard model. But I’ll never sell it. It was gave to me by my dad and I have played music my whole life. A lot of people try to say they have a rosewood model to get a higher price since they are so rare. Very few made. I own one and I can tell very easily if I get decent pics of the fretboard. Rosewood have very distinct characteristics
I remember hearing about this guitar from a friend that played with Stevie and he told me he had seen this guitar right after SRV helped build it. it is indeed the first one actually constructed of the 3 and he hand picked the neck from a batch in the Custom Shop that were around.... I also heard that Jimmy Vaughn had it after Stevie passed... Jimmy still owns at least one of the other 2. Very Cool.Rudy@Guitar Relics NY
I've got one of the very first SRV Strats made. Cost me $1900 back then and took me 9 months to get it as Fender wanted to use it to promote sales. Fender claims it has "hand wound" Texas Special pickups, but personally, I find that hard to believe. Ive tried numerous times to verify such by way of the serial numbers, also wanted to know how early in the run it was. They refuse to give out that info. No idea why, youd think they would let their customers know. But ive had very little luck getting any info out of them about my guitar. Its never been played (by me at least), I do change the strings and tune it from time to time, but thats it. Its a display model in my house and it goes to my son when i pass.
Stevie was known to put a guitar together from other guitars (His #1 is a Frankenstein guitar) I'm guessing he walked through the custom shop and found the neck he liked and had them put it on a very early version of what became the SRV Strat. Either way, it sounds incredible and that fretboard is sexy as hell!!
What acool guitar anything associated with srv is unique saw him I San Antonio at the majestic theater helping a local radio station from going under kexl I believe on my birthday had front row center balcony what a performance by the greatest blue's player ever known really miss him
Glen Nielsen You really believe they wouldn't?! The Chinese export in every industry is all rip off cheap cloning of real products. They don't care. They employ children and companies need to start building in their home country again. Especially here in the U.S. I want to support my own nation and start buying quality products again.
Ok you got me. I built the strat out of left over Jimmy Hendrix guitar parts when I touring as Jimmy's guitar tech! I got Eric Clapton to write the note for me. The case did belong to someone who heard SRV on the radio once. I had a letter of authenticity but my dog ate it. My dog also heard SRV on the radio and his name was Jeff Beck! Before you get all righteous on me I am just kidding. My dog's name was Les Paul! Respect to all late legends!
Call the boys at fender, they will gladly help you! But what I really think this video is about is to stir up some mystery and perhaps a potential buyer , I think you guys are pretty sure you have an original prototype. And good for you, great find! Wish you would of said who you bought this guitar from..
The problem is that fender doesn't like norm, he's what they refer to as a "dickhead". Im no hater I'm just stated what dozens other seem to be saying here in he comments
Well when are you going to come up with some new material Johnny? It's been a while. I'll be waiting I guess. Are you on tour? You should come to the lunar surface where I'm currently held up here with Hendrix and he says he has an idea that would be right up your alley!
I think ive nailed it. You said a celeb of ours brought guitar in to shop, me thinks that celeb was Jimmy Vaughan. That tone/sound is 100% srv period. A very special guitar indeed. Some celebs are laid back and Jimmy Vaughan is one of them, great guitarist too.
If the pots are 90 or 91, how could the guitar be earlier than that? Also, they did not always use sequential serial numbers. Also, the 3 original prototypes had a plain black pickguard, no initials.
yeah I've seen early strat plus models with E4 serials but none of those were made that early. Earliest I've seen were 87 or 88 just for one example. It's no secret Fender would keep using old stock on serial # markings.
Nooooo way!!! I have a 91' custom shop (obviously with stamp), the stamp is posted July 91. I received the guitar in June. So they had some stamping issues. I think that's the issue.
That is Stevie's handwriting right there! If that really belongs to the guitar then he really did help to make it at the custom shop. I know for a fact he collaborated with Fender to make this model.
seems like a silly question but.... Have you tried getting in touch with fender custom shop about it.... There should be some form of record of what went out the door... and to who.....
Since that guitar was produced in December of 91 I'm almost certain that's a Brazilian Rosewood SRV strat they are very sought after and between 50-100 even exist!
Excellent Guitar Geek discussion......this is great stuff to watch!!! more like this!! There has to be a prototype around, why not this one........sounds fantastic! Why Fender can not have any other records on this is mind blowing.
And he didn’t get into the fretboard material discussion. Is it Brazilian rosewood? Major thing for collectors. I suppose if it’s as was a prototype it would have to be Brazilian. All of that got mixed up a bit later. I own a 92 srv. Looks to be Brazilian due to the grain but haven’t had it checked. To me just above the nut the is about a 1/4 inch section of fretboard that has the gloss finish and brings out the grain greatly. I’ve compared it greatly to Brazilian rosewood and Peu ferro ( can’t remember the spelling) but it looks like rosewood
same here man. i bought into the hype of the "Hendrix" strat when it released. I paid for a mexican strat that sounded like one, and paid an American strat price. i have a standard MIM 95 that sounds fantastic. way better than that Hendrix did. moral of the story, dont get caught by the gimmicks. people may get close, but nothing will sound like SRV exactly.
So, everything about that guitar says is was made in '91 or later except for a "serial number" on the head stock from "88 and a piece of unsigned paper that claims the guitar was "tooled by his [SRV's] hand" in Fender's Custom Shop? Really? I hope you didn't pay money for this guitar. First, the neck very well could've been made in 1988. That does not mean the guitar itself was assembled in 1988. If this was a neck-thru-the-body or a glue on neck like the way they connect the necks to Les Pauls, then, I would give the serial number on the headstock a little more weight in deciding when this instrument was made. Its a very complicated and expensive process to change out a glued on neck and impossible to change out a neck-thru. However, its a bolt on neck and its very probable that the serial number on the neck, if its authentic, simply means the neck belonged to another guitar probably made in 1988. The signatures and the Custom Shop dates should be the dead giveaway that SRV did not make this guitar nor did he own this guitar given the date of his death compared to the dates and signatures on the other components. This is someone's lame attempt to try and make this guitar seem "collectible" when its anything but collectible.
Well my rebuttal is I would think it might have a new neck because maybe Jimmy broke it in half on stage before as for the story with Frank and his son I think most of that sounds right it's just they don't really know that before Jimmy had it what it is you sound like you have a lot of knowledge so I believe you and the way the rest of the guitar looks maybe the neck was just ruined but because of that prominence is probably still worth 10000.Mr.Big Heart you know when Rick on Pawn Stars See's a note from nobody that goes along with the special thing it's a red flag. Shur resembles BS they probably already threw away that note. This week I was lucky enough to restore 71 Harmony classical back into the music. Thank you I just thought of this but Jimmie Vaughan probably knows the whole story.
That's amazing how SRV was able to hand assemble this, himself, a year after he passed away.
Wow Mark Agnessi you're full of authentic information
This guitar has a date stamp of 1988, Stevie Ray Vaughan died in 1990, so it's possible that it could've been his.
@@jimmyhawke the work was done in 91 at the custom shop it's dated inside
@@jimmyhawke Fender SE serial numbers are not sequential, they don't mean anything. Not sure where Mark got his info from.
2PAC is still recording records so maybe STV built his own guitar too lol!
A guy from China knows the answer to your "mystery guitar".
it's more fun reading all the comments than watching the clip. Thanks!
Göran Sundström they are pretty funny.
Why? It's so hateful. Sometimes I wonder why I bother with that part. Idk about you but, I don't need that kind of negativity in my heart but I'm a very empathetic person. Not everyone is. Some find humor in cruelty. I don't know if that's you but it kind of sounds like it could be. Although, I'm not hear to tear you down or call you names. I just found your comment strange that you would enjoy these comments that are mostly hateful and toxic. Maybe you meant the other comments that aren't? Or not, you're entitled to your own opinions.
Hell yeah
HOW I MISS SRV!!! IN MY OPINION THE VERY BEST PLAYER I IN MY 60 YEARS HAVE EVER HEARD, BAR NONE, THERE ARE SOME GREAT ONES OUT THERE FOR SURE, BUT THE PASSION YOU FELT FROM HIS SOUL IS UNBELIEVABLE,!!! R.I.P. SRV !!!😔😕😞
every things a mystery at norms rare guitars especially the prices lol
Yeah, man, it's just like Genius says. If you suddenly switch to enthusiasm and encouragement, then you'll spontaneously be able to afford their prices. Thousands of dollars will materialize in your bank account for the express purpose of purchasing an overpriced guitar. It's just your piss-poor attitude that makes those prices seem high and your financial position so low. Shape up, will ya?
@@cosaosa2855 critical seed is marijuana.which crop do you want
Yeah, Norm sez..... “Baby needs a new pair of shoes”! So, get down here and pony up for one of these guitars!😂😂😂
Millions of guitars in the market... And Norman gets all the rare ones?
Reel Tech His prices are all rare.
Bottom line, SRV never touched this guitar.
Yeah I'm pretty sure every single SRV guitar is known and he only had a very select few. As a matter of fact pretty sure his brother has tried to get his hands on them.
@@Jaqen-HGhar Big thing too is the stamps...91' ..he died in 90'
It’s a FAKE
If SRV did touch this guitar, it was in Heaven!
5$ that's Mark's guitar
No way on earth Stevie Ray had a personal guitar look that good. He played the shine off in the first five minutes
He was working with Fender to make a signature series and that guitar might have been one of the prototypes is what the guy is saying.
Poor listening comprehension skills there bud?
Whatever the history of this guitar it sounds absolutely gorgeous.
Which begs the question, not answered in the notes, "What amp is he playing through?" It sure sounds like Stevie. Dumble maybe?
Yeah, it really does sound great but whatever decide to charge for it will be too much unless it's absolutely confirmed which won't happen. They wouldn't be able to get documents so idk who would buy it and everything in there is a down payment on a new house! Even if it's real it won't matter because of no proof but it's not real. No, I don't know that for certain but it all points to bs. It's interesting. Nothing more to me.
I own a srv my dad baught in 92.. ive never actually checked the serial numbers to see how early it is. The tone is amazing. Obviously being a 92 or older its a early model . Would be nice to find out its actual age as far as production date
I don’t have an SRV guitar but I do have some picks that he used at Much More in Richmond Ava in 84. I got them off the stage after the show. Was great to see him in a nightclub.
@@colebowman2833 are we listening to the same guitar? this does not sound great... it sounds like trash
Vaughan :-)
They must not know how to edit their titles. That is not the AUTHENTIC name.
Thank you! I will correct myself from now on and I sincerely mean that :) I can’t stop listening to him.
I have a really old Lincoln penny... I wonder if it belonged to Lincoln?😎✌🏼
Tree best comment here!🥇
Don't be stupid. Of course it did!
It has Lincoln's name all over it.
Becauseima Genius Jesus who hurt you, it’s a joke you dung beetle
check the signature for awfulenticity
Prolly
It's probably just a custom shop guitar with an SRV pick guard on it
Brody Wise left handed tremolo, plus all the other irregular things with it
...which could be purchased and bolted onto the guitar.
Mike Waddell.. it had been pre routed for the lefty tremolo so not just bolted on there
Brody Wise lol
Just a replica custom shop whoopty
The sound is so clean crisp and clear I love it
Wouldn't be a prototype if it has a serial number on it.
ikr
back in 2004 I was bidding on a strat on ebay that had been signed by SRV. Had all kinds of pictures and docs about the origin, some guy that was roadie had been given the guitar (so the story went). I after bidding about $4k for the guitar I asked the guy what was used to sign the guitar (as it looked like a silver sharpie) and he confirmed it was indeed a silver sharpie. Curiosity led me to talk to the people at Sharpie and a silver wasn't made until 2001. Fake.
+Brian Remington sure it wasn't silver paint pen? I had Dimebag's autograph and it was done in silver paint pen.
+Ken Johnson I'm only going by what the seller told me. He said "Silver sharpie". As you know, when you ask the seller a question on eBay the questio and response shows up on the page. After I got my response and verified with Sharpie, I posted another question asking if he could verify how it was signed (BTW he claimed he was very close to the relative that received the guitar from SRV) because sharpie disputed his claim. He took the listing down immediately. Just the way everything transpired I think he was pulling a scam.
Good on you for questioning a scam.
+Niki Barber that's a possibility I guess. When I asked the seller about it he never replied when I called him and then he pulled the auction down. Interesting to think about that silver paint pens were available but no, Sharpie did not make one at that point. I'm not an expert SRV autographs, I was just trying protect against getting ripped off. Thanks for the info!!
+mike “watcher” smith yes Mike, it was stupid to bid without researching first. I'm such a huge fan and had never really invested in anything like this before so when I saw it...I bid immediately (bids can be withdrawn obviously). I just wanted to share my experience so others could maybe learn from my potential mistake. Maybe I'm just not as concerned about embarrassing myself as you apparently are. Makes me wonder why you posted too. Have a great day!
In case you didn’t know this, H. Gastelum on the neck heal stands for Herbie Gastelum and he was Fender’s premier neck shaper. He would be the guy to do a neck on rare, custom shop pieces like that.
Yes...I have one on a Fender Squier which was Made in USA. That neck is wonderful. This is one of ones the made during that two year period they were made in the USA instead of Mexico. The picks and pots are crap plus rusted but I replace all the internals. It plays great.
@@chrisg1577 I have 1974 hard tail Mocha strat that’s 6 lbs 11 oz with his neck and it’s fantastic!
If this guitar was used to push my mom out of a boat I wouldn't be half as angry as the people posting in here.
lmao My all time favorite comment!
HAHAHAHAH
Ya, it's bad.
I wish there was a museum for brilliant youtube comments. Your's should be in there... but then we'd have to prove the provenance. Maybe you can handwrite a note?
After reading all the deeply analytical replies, I am left to wonder: Why did your mom take a guitar onto a boat?
its Vaughan not Vaughn
OH NO IT"S THE CYBER SPELLING POLICE!
Randy Johnson That's right Ronda Jackshit everyone knows spelling is irrelevant.
Jess and Grace Who the hell is Rhonda Jackshit ?
PRE CBS STRATOCASTER'S Ronda deleted her entry.
Got it!
I read an article about the prototypes they were working on when Stevie was still alive. They originally wanted something with those mailbox letters on the pickguard but went with the scrolled version. That's a beautiful piece. Maybe you could reach out to Rene martinez, SRV;s guitar tech and see if he has any knowledge of it
FAKE as hell.
'88 serial number with '91 stamp and 90's style hardware,, and the only verification of its autenticity, is some weird piece of paper that any random person could've written. Am I the only one smelling the fact that the person who bought this for 30k was ripped of big time?
Could be a forgery, with period correct fender guitar and parts. It'd be expensive to put together but def well under 30k damn.
Hispanicpanick0 ye, my bet is that it is frenken strat made out of custom shop parts. They could easily just check with the Fender custom shop wether or not it is what they think it is.
kyatzz It's a nice sounding guitar but definitely a Frankenstein or some odd knockoff. Guitar is worth $3000 judging by build quality and overall tone.
Yo I needed the money lol
There was a SRV signature strat in a local pawn shop in my town, and the guy that owned the shop was your typical "local pawn shop shyster"...He swore up and down it was one of the few SRV stratocasters that were released before Stevie actually died. He had an outrageous price on it. I was young then and didn't know enough about it to argue with him, and it was before most households had a computer or the internet so it wasn't really possible to look it up on the net. Knowing what I know now, I would have argued with the guy...I think I remember he wanted $10,000 for it...But this was the kind of guy that would put outrageous prices on anything and make up a story to go with it....His shop had the perfect name too...."Middle Man's Pawn"...
So what did fender themselves say? That's were I 'd start, if someone knew it be the custom shop or fender usa... I am sure they have accurate log for these sort of things...
I know I’m a few years late, however...
The early SRV signatures all in early 90's have serial numbers that were leftover from the late 80's, Fender didn't bother tossing them, Instead, reused them.
I always loved the tremolo bar on top, it seems much easier to access and control 🎸
Sorry for being Captain Obvious, but wouldn't Fender have the best info on this?
Yeah
David Eckels but this is 'so mysterious' LOL - I'm sure Fender won't even talk with this guy.
Uhhh .........yahhhh!!
Not unless someone who was working in the custom shop back then still works there now. I called them about a 93 Custom Shop Telecaster with the certificate and gave them all numbers and details about the guitar guitar, you thought I was speaking Chinese by their reaction. They're clueless on anything that those prior lto 95. Y You would think Fender would be on top of stuff like this but apparently that doesn't seem to be very important.
and Fender wouldve taken better care of such a priceless guitar. im refering to absolutley no surface cloth on the top or bottom of the guitar body with the strings splayed all over the top. Made me cringe. I will never buy from this place or bring anything to them if thats how they treat a rare guitar.
Norms, I’m going to settle the mystery for you because I believe this was my guitar at 1 time. Stevie Ray was a close friend of mine as was Cesar Diaz. I have pictures and other people to back it up. There were for sure 3 prototypes of the SRV Guitar made and then I was told a 4th. What happened was 2 of the prototypes were left at Fender for a while after they were made. After a couple years a few of the more well known builders finished them hence the stamp. I know mine and and the one Cesar got have the Charvez stamp and I think the another had an Art Esparza or Castillo stamp and I’m told the 4th possible no stamp. I got mine through Diaz and it was sold to a well known buyer here in NJ who sold it at a Valley Forge PA Guitar show. I remember distinctly because I was never paid fully. There were at least 10 deals of vintage pieces or custom pieces of mine that guys dead belated on part of. And actually the guitar was sent with the guy to show off not sell. He pleaded saying he had a huge deal but another partner of his had sold the guitar already and would make it up to me. I was bent outta shape because it was sentimental and I had just 2 years prior returned a very sentimental piece of gear to Gregg Allman plus Stevie hadn’t been gone that long. From there I lost track of the guitar. So it’s either mine, Diaz’s or #3? Like I said Possible #4 was rumored and said to have either no stamp or another well known custom shop builders name. Hope the info helps.
@G Man you my friend are an asshole . if it his guitar I think it should be returned to him , dick .
Was this story ever verified?
@@CastilloinaSpeedo nope he could not prove 100% it was his but he did have a purchase receipt
@@CastilloinaSpeedo it's true and has been verified. Stevie did indeed rub his nutsack on the guitar.
G Man this is one of the funniest things I've ever read, thanks for the laugh g man
To those that are out of control with their language, & mouth. SMH !!!! To have lost him after he cleaned up, & sobered up, to have lost him at all is tragic. We are all less without his music. If this guitar is 1 of his, it should be coveted, & loved because there arent anymore to hold. Stop arguing over things. The man is dead, honor him by embracing his music together as fans of the beauty he gave us.
I like where your heart and head are :)
Fano More thank you very much!
To Jimmy Vaughn; I understand your loss, your pain. I lost my younger brother in 2009 to a drunk driver. Nothing makes the pain easier even today.
AMEN
+Pat Allen !!
Regardless who put it together, one fine piece of work. Thanks for showing us.
Nice demo Mark. I love all the videos from Norman's. I wait a while and binge watch. You guys are the best! Peace out
Four SRV custom build guitars was made for Stevie Ray from march 1990 until may 1990. He tried them all. I only know that one of them was sold to Scandinavia.
I have a first year SRV. I too was confused about the serials. I found a website- probably the same you found- that said Fender bought or printed a load of signature serials. They don't follow the nomenclature of normal serials. Mine would make you think it was an 89, but I figured out it was a 92.
cool video. what a sweet sounding guitar! and very nice job playing some Stevie!
That guitar is stunning, what an incredible fingerboard
If I had walked through those doors with that exact guitar these guys would cry its a fake etc...
If I had the signature guitar from Stevie I would eat breath and sleep with it 💜
For now I have my squire and need te save money for a very long time before I can afford it 😓
Am such a big fan of Stevie I even have a tattoo of him ❤ the way he plays his style his songs saved my live when l was 21 years old ! If l never would have come in contact with his music a would be not alive and well to this day ...
So Stevie thank u so much for saving me with ur music 💜it will always live on in my heart and my six string baby 💜
R.I.P Hero
I have a first year model. It’s amazing. My dad got it and a Roland jc 120 amp for 800 bucks back the . Worth a tad more now.
man that store is probably the most haunted store on the planet so many outstanding souls stored in one place
I have a one of a kind guitar ..it belongs to me . Thank you for sharing you have beautiful guitars some one has to preserve these classic instruments
Anyone else looking at all those guitars in the background thinking "dominoes"
+ mr muck ...ACTUALLY, AN, , 8.7 EARTHQUAKE !...¿ ??!!!
Obviously it isn't an 89 if it has a 91 neck. You take the newest neck, body, or pot date if they have differing dates and date the guitar to that timeline.
goosebumps and a lump in my throat. thanks!
I have a 1988 USA standard strat. The inspector stamp on the tag was also Alfredo Chavez! So the body may well be late 80s :)
Turns out SRV was really Alfredo Chavez.
@@BerserkerVision I am Alfredo Chavez!!!!!
I think it may have been Hugo Chaves former leader of Venezuela LOL.
All these explanations to say we want 30 000$ for the Strat.
Norman’s rare guitars don’t know about rare guitars 🎸 hmmmmmmmm,really?
Just a thought, what if the neck was a leftover from 88 and assembled in 91?...
I seen srv 15 times and am a great fan sincerely I loved his music ever since I heard him play live , I didnt know he played a upside down tremolo ? no shit , nice axe thanks for sharing , noke.
I got $5 if they deliver. Must be delivered by Jimmy Vaughn in person plus a bucket of fried chicken. Final Offer......
I laughed harder than I should have at that comment lol
+dalstar925 you're welcome
Now is that Kentucky fried chicken or just fried chicken. LOL
Guy's name was Elvis. He seemed legit.
Ive got 4.78 and a cold slice of pepperoni pizza.
Holy crap! That is Stevie's handwriting. He collaborated with Fender to make his first signature guitar. He might have put this one together by his own hands. You might have a true treasure in your hands. Wow.
awesome!
lol
Jimi Hendrix’s dug up corpse also played Stairway to Heaven on it before it was built. It says so on a post it note under the pickguard.
why you are not going to fender company and ask?
+נוה שת too boring! i wouldn't mind spending my entire life trying to find out it's origins
+נוה שת because Fender would confirm it is a fake and they would have to admit it.
Synapse2k Fender don't like Norman!! He's the equivalent of a Scalper
Because fender haven’t kept good records over the years.
A vendor wouldn't hype a "mystery" guitar just to make money - would they? They're just in it for the love of music - right?
Nice playing man, sounds awesome.
So the serial is dated '88 but the electronics/pots are from '91? Hmmmmm.
WOW that is one beautiful sounding guitar.
The most gorgeous Strat I've ever seen.
I've owned a lot of strats most of them I had customized and I noticed the sound on this one compared to the signature srv I've played in the past they do not sound a like. So that strat is special.
Yes true but so are Jimmie's and they are stock mexstrats
One of the most interesting guitars ever shown by Mark & Norman - so, what is it ? We can't ask the master himself, as he kis now entertaining angels.... I saw his last show, after which he crashed with his helicopter - a monumental loss for the entire musical community. RIP Stevie, one of my heroes forever.
It’s unprovable hype. In other words, it’s overpriced bull shit. A Norm’s specialty from what I have heard.
Contact SRV's bandmates or his brother. They might be able to help
Tooled by Stevie himself? Didn't know he was a luthier.hahaha
I'm sure he could turn a screw driver but actually man he was really into comedy and firearms
Excellent video! Nothing like a good mystery.
Custom shop 88 neck stamp could mean only one thing "prototype" and was going to Stevie himself! Find Fender luthiers H. Gastelum or A.Chavez and ask them "whatsup" and if they can remember anything about the guitar? Damn also this guitar has absolute brilliant resonance and great intonation so who ever buys the guitar will be more than pleased!
Or easily removed from another guitar and assembled on to it. I smell fake all the way through this. And after 5 years no proof whatsoever? They want it to merely go away! And that piece of paper? LMAO. Thats was the capper hahaha
Man, all these comments make me weep for humanity.
makes me weep even more when someone is trying to make a living from a dead man's soul.
dogroferifno iiiiii
@@flashy5150 not just ANY dead man's soul either.
This is one of the ones SRV worked on in Gibsons British Columbia shortly before he died in Sept of 1990. He wasn't satisfied with it yet but he liked it. He said he was waiting for pods. I saw it disassembled in my uncles living room, I can give you his name if you want it and track him down to verify. It looks the same, except now there are pods where once there was none. He had sent it back, I think, with a red line on the stamp because they had stamped it really lightly and that pissed him off and he wasn't having it. He red lined things that needed changing when he sent them back. It had instructions to sand that part and re-stamp it.
Stevie died on August 27, 1990.
mysteryjesus You just served this Bert Wrendelds guy! Whatsup mysteryjesus long time no see brother.
PRE CBS STRATOCASTER'S Well, you know me brother, always trying to make sure the facts, stay the facts! lol
That's right!
I'm sorry but , what's a "pod" ?
Mark I swear you have one of the best jobs to be had playing with all those guitars
that sounded great on that amp !!
one of the best sounding electric guitars ive ever heard!
I've played an SRV guitar in a shop, smooth as buttered silk
I own one . They were released in 92 but mine was made in 91 . Mine is a Brazilian rosewood fretboard model. But I’ll never sell it. It was gave to me by my dad and I have played music my whole life. A lot of people try to say they have a rosewood model to get a higher price since they are so rare. Very few made. I own one and I can tell very easily if I get decent pics of the fretboard. Rosewood have very distinct characteristics
I remember hearing about this guitar from a friend that played with Stevie and he told me he had seen this guitar right after SRV helped build it. it is indeed the first one actually constructed of the 3 and he hand picked the neck from a batch in the Custom Shop that were around.... I also heard that Jimmy Vaughn had it after Stevie passed... Jimmy still owns at least one of the other 2. Very Cool.Rudy@Guitar Relics NY
Except that Stevie was in his grave long before the parts of this guitar were manufactured...
That sounded amazing
It's pieced together like a Frankenstein.
I'm just glad he's not slicing it up with the zipper on his biker jacket.
Phil M
Or norms son douching Tom petty out of the shop
I don't play but i dig the aura of guitars... Great video
beautiful one ..... awesome video :)
I've got one of the very first SRV Strats made. Cost me $1900 back then and took me 9 months to get it as Fender wanted to use it to promote sales. Fender claims it has "hand wound" Texas Special pickups, but personally, I find that hard to believe. Ive tried numerous times to verify such by way of the serial numbers, also wanted to know how early in the run it was. They refuse to give out that info. No idea why, youd think they would let their customers know. But ive had very little luck getting any info out of them about my guitar. Its never been played (by me at least), I do change the strings and tune it from time to time, but thats it. Its a display model in my house and it goes to my son when i pass.
Why don’t you play it? It’s not like SRV played it himself then I would understand.
Stevie was known to put a guitar together from other guitars (His #1 is a Frankenstein guitar) I'm guessing he walked through the custom shop and found the neck he liked and had them put it on a very early version of what became the SRV Strat. Either way, it sounds incredible and that fretboard is sexy as hell!!
I think this makes sense
What acool guitar anything associated with srv is unique saw him I San Antonio at the majestic theater helping a local radio station from going under kexl I believe on my birthday had front row center balcony what a performance by the greatest blue's player ever known really miss him
Its the earliest SRV I've ever seen. Norman's is trustworthy. I wish I could play it right now.
I hear the chinese make any stamp you want on any part you need it on.
Fuzz Labrador i doubt if that's true, thqt they would put a bunch of different dates on it.
Glen Nielsen Nah, I have a chibson lp body to mod and they will stamp anything on your guitar to make it look authentic
Glen Nielsen You really believe they wouldn't?! The Chinese export in every industry is all rip off cheap cloning of real products. They don't care. They employ children and companies need to start building in their home country again. Especially here in the U.S. I want to support my own nation and start buying quality products again.
Cole Bowman me too..i try to buy USA or JAPANANESE guitars when I can...istray away from chinese/vietnamese/indonesian
Cole Bowman korea is fine tho, for me
My guess someone in the Fender custom shop made himself a custom SRV
Ok you got me.
I built the strat out of left over Jimmy Hendrix guitar parts when I touring as Jimmy's guitar tech!
I got Eric Clapton to write the note for me.
The case did belong to someone who heard SRV on the radio once.
I had a letter of authenticity but my dog ate it. My dog also heard SRV on the radio and his name was Jeff Beck!
Before you get all righteous on me I am just kidding. My dog's name was Les Paul!
Respect to all late legends!
That guitar sounds so damn good.
Call the boys at fender, they will gladly help you! But what I really think this video is about is to stir up some mystery and perhaps a potential buyer , I think you guys are pretty sure you have an original prototype. And good for you, great find! Wish you would of said who you bought this guitar from..
The problem is that fender doesn't like norm, he's what they refer to as a "dickhead". Im no hater I'm just stated what dozens other seem to be saying here in he comments
The fender guys probably don't know more than anyone else because the serial numbers got all screwed up on these guitars.
Hello ...I'm Johnny Cash
Well when are you going to come up with some new material Johnny? It's been a while. I'll be waiting I guess. Are you on tour? You should come to the lunar surface where I'm currently held up here with Hendrix and he says he has an idea that would be right up your alley!
And Hello. I forgot to say hi
How's June
I think ive nailed it. You said a celeb of ours brought guitar in to shop, me thinks that celeb was Jimmy Vaughan. That tone/sound is 100% srv period. A very special guitar indeed. Some celebs are laid back and Jimmy Vaughan is one of them, great guitarist too.
completely amazing, the number of experts that flock to YT comment sections. mind. blown.
Someone got taken for a ride...
If the pots are 90 or 91, how could the guitar be earlier than that? Also, they did not always use sequential serial numbers. Also, the 3 original prototypes had a plain black pickguard, no initials.
yeah I've seen early strat plus models with E4 serials but none of those were made that early. Earliest I've seen were 87 or 88 just for one example. It's no secret Fender would keep using old stock on serial # markings.
Lenny is such a beautiful song
Nooooo way!!! I have a 91' custom shop (obviously with stamp), the stamp is posted July 91. I received the guitar in June. So they had some stamping issues. I think that's the issue.
Exciting stuff! Would Fender have any records of this build? I have heard that they were pretty lax on maintaining records back in the day
That is Stevie's handwriting right there! If that really belongs to the guitar then he really did help to make it at the custom shop. I know for a fact he collaborated with Fender to make this model.
+Tommy Katona you are a expert hand writing analyst?
+Joe Cool No. He's a dumb fuck.
All the experts commenting. This is tommy katona talking.. whot the the fuck are you nobodys? Exactly that.. fuckin nobody’s
@@joecool8308 tommy is a srv expert period. An expert in all things srv. Tommy deserves lots of respect in the srv world.
The rosewood has really nice color to it. Love to have that.
What ever it is it looks to be in incredible shape
I think the neck is a left over on a neck that Stevie rejected in the design process of the sig model
seems like a silly question but.... Have you tried getting in touch with fender custom shop about it.... There should be some form of record of what went out the door... and to who.....
Since that guitar was produced in December of 91 I'm almost certain that's a Brazilian Rosewood SRV strat they are very sought after and between 50-100 even exist!
Me dio escalofríos cuando empezó a tocar lenny maravillosa guitar
Saludos
Excellent Guitar Geek discussion......this is great stuff to watch!!! more like this!!
There has to be a prototype around, why not this one........sounds fantastic!
Why Fender can not have any other records on this is mind blowing.
And he didn’t get into the fretboard material discussion. Is it Brazilian rosewood? Major thing for collectors. I suppose if it’s as was a prototype it would have to be Brazilian. All of that got mixed up a bit later. I own a 92 srv. Looks to be Brazilian due to the grain but haven’t had it checked. To me just above the nut the is about a 1/4 inch section of fretboard that has the gloss finish and brings out the grain greatly. I’ve compared it greatly to Brazilian rosewood and Peu ferro ( can’t remember the spelling) but it looks like rosewood
To me though if he thinks it’s an original prototype the best way to tell would be the fretboard…. If it’s that early
Everything about it screams "fake".
Except the sound.
Considering Texas Special pickup can be bought for around 200 bucks, it isn't that hard to get that "sound."
I have plyed Mexican strats that sound just as good lol your one of these dudes that sees an srv pickguard and automatically says it sounds great
same here man. i bought into the hype of the "Hendrix" strat when it released. I paid for a mexican strat that sounded like one, and paid an American strat price. i have a standard MIM 95 that sounds fantastic. way better than that Hendrix did. moral of the story, dont get caught by the gimmicks. people may get close, but nothing will sound like SRV exactly.
Yeah , I'll get China to make me a 87' model. :-)
That is a beauty.
good video. it was cool watching you guys break it down looking for info.
So, everything about that guitar says is was made in '91 or later except for a "serial number" on the head stock from "88 and a piece of unsigned paper that claims the guitar was "tooled by his [SRV's] hand" in Fender's Custom Shop? Really? I hope you didn't pay money for this guitar.
First, the neck very well could've been made in 1988. That does not mean the guitar itself was assembled in 1988. If this was a neck-thru-the-body or a glue on neck like the way they connect the necks to Les Pauls, then, I would give the serial number on the headstock a little more weight in deciding when this instrument was made. Its a very complicated and expensive process to change out a glued on neck and impossible to change out a neck-thru. However, its a bolt on neck and its very probable that the serial number on the neck, if its authentic, simply means the neck belonged to another guitar probably made in 1988.
The signatures and the Custom Shop dates should be the dead giveaway that SRV did not make this guitar nor did he own this guitar given the date of his death compared to the dates and signatures on the other components.
This is someone's lame attempt to try and make this guitar seem "collectible" when its anything but collectible.
i agree
Well my rebuttal is I would think it might have a new neck because maybe Jimmy broke it in half on stage before as for the story with Frank and his son I think most of that sounds right it's just they don't really know that before Jimmy had it what it is you sound like you have a lot of knowledge so I believe you and the way the rest of the guitar looks maybe the neck was just ruined but because of that prominence is probably still worth 10000.Mr.Big Heart you know when Rick on Pawn Stars See's a note from nobody that goes along with the special thing it's a red flag. Shur resembles BS they probably already threw away that note. This week I was lucky enough to restore 71 Harmony classical back into the music. Thank you I just thought of this but Jimmie Vaughan probably knows the whole story.
Sounds like the plot of a Scooby Doo episode, just less well thought out.
Ha!
Jinkies Scoob
Yeah Shaggy. Rooby Dooooooo
awesome stuff guys !
Once I saw that note written on a piece of loose leaf paper I KNEW it was DEFINITELY the real deal. 😂
LMMFAO