A rare 1958 Pre-CBS Fender Stratocaster, considered by many to be the Holy Grail of electric guitars, is to be sold in Tennants Auctioneers’ Scientific and Musical Instruments Sale on 15th May with an estimate of £10,000-15,000 (all figures exclude buyer's premium).
The Fender Stratocaster, a name synonymous with Rock and Roll, was first designed in 1953 by Leo Fender six years after he had established Fender Guitars. His first guitar, the Broadcaster (later renamed the Telecaster), was criticised for being too square and uncomfortable to use. The Stratocaster was his response, with its sleek curves and contoured body to fit snugly against the musician, and a host of new features that set its place in musical history and influenced the design of electric guitars for generations to come. Aided by the legendary Stratocaster, by 1965 Fender was one of the largest musical instrument manufacturers in the world, and Leo Fender sold his company to CBS (Columbia Broadcasting System).
The Stratocasters made by Fender before the sale to CBS are regarded as the finest Fenders ever made. Only produced during the narrow window from 1953-65, Pre-CBS Fender Stratocasters are rare and much sought-after by collectors of vintage guitars. The present example is finished in its original cream body and white scratchplate. The Fender is part of a Private Collection in the sale, which includes modern high-quality guitars, and vintage Fender amps, such as a Fender Princeton Amp, offered with an estimate of £800-1,200.
A further guitar of note in the sale is a Jimi Hendrix Woodstock 25th Anniversary Guitar, Number 1 of a limited edition of 26 (estimate: £1,000-1,500). Made in 1994 to celebrate the anniversary of Hendrix’s legendary Woodstock appearance, this Fender is a re-issue of the 1968 Fender right-handed guitar, which Hendrix played at Woodstock, strung for a left-handed player but held upside down by Hendrix in his idiosyncratic manner. Adorned with a facsimile of Hendrix’s signature and engraved 'Polygram Jimi Hendrix Woodstock 25th Anniversary 1994 01/26', the guitar is sold with certificate, photographs, tremolo arm plectrums and an inspection card.
From a much earlier musical era is a good early Cello, with a 20 3/16” two piece back (estimate: £8,000-10,000). According to accompanying paperwork from a stringed instrument specialist, the cello dates from the late 18th century and is attributed to Vincenzo Panormo. Born in Sicily, Panormo moved to Naples, but later lived in Paris, Dublin and London. He was a skilled maker, and highly influential to British instrument making. From the same vendor is a good Cello Bow, stamped ‘C Thomasin a Paris’ and offered with an estimate of £2,500-3,000.
Mechanical music in the sale is well represented by a Classix Wurlitzer Model 1800 Jukebox, made between 1955 and 1958 (estimate: £6,000-9,000). With 52 45rpm records, it has 104 possible selections, and is finished in cream and chrome. Also of note is a fine and rare Coin-Operated upright 22-Inch Polyphon Disk Musical Box-on-Discbin (estimate: £3,000-5,000). Rarely offered at auction, this late 19th century model has a twin glockenspiel accompaniment, and a superb tonal quality when played.
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