Category: Current Inventories

Left Handed 1958 Fender Strat which looks a lot like Buddy Guy’s 1958 Fender Strat as seen in the movie, Festival Express (1970 train tour of Canada featuring The Grateful Dead, The Band, Janis Joplin, Buddy Guy, etc).

The Strat is in EXC overall condition. It has been physically inspected by George Gruhn (see photo). It’s just missing the original trem arm as noted in the report. It does have the original trem back plate which was missing at the time of the report.

Serial # 33753
Neck Date: 3-58
Pot Codes: 304839
“LH” in trem cavity

$45K  or possible trade up or down for a left handed 1959-64 Gibson stop tail ES-335/345.

This is a Left Handed 2013 Gibson L-4CES Jazz Box, Mint/As New and Un-played, Crimson Series from the Gibson Custom Shop, OHSC, COA and all paperwork.

This L-4 is basically an L-5, it even has the same tailpiece as an L-5 but without the L-5 engravement. What makes it even more rare is that just like an L-5, it has a Mahogany (one piece) back and Mahogany sides. It also has the same Ebony fretboard of an L-5, and  Includes a letter from the Gibson Custom Shop verifying the Ebony Fretboard. It also has a Florentine cutaway, giving it a 60s look (started in 1961), and even has some mild figuring on the top.

If you are a lefty and looking for a Gibson jazz box, you know they are extremely hard to find. Gibson hasn’t made a jazz box in years, and they certainly aren’t going to start now with their emphasis on rock guitars, primarily the Les Paul.

The guitar is as clean as you will find, looks brand new and un-played with no fret wear or any other wear. This really is a dream Gibson jazz box for the left handed player!

Was $11,995 Now $9,995

For Sale: 1961 Left Handed Sonic Blue Fender Strat with OHSC, EXC Condition!

1961 Left Handed Sonic Blue Strat, beautifully refinished by Kip Elder at Starr Guitars. The guitar was originally Sonic Blue. Note the writing on the masking tape on the back of the pickguard (SB Left hd S-550). This differs from the masking tape writing from 2 of the 3 1961 Strats I’ve had: T-981 and Rush S-397.

The Strat had been refinished to a Surf Green with matching headstock. Of course, that was a typical Surf Guitar appointment (Jaguars and Jazzmasters) and not a correct look for a Strat. The current owner wanted to have the guitar refinished to its original color, Sonic Blue. Vintage Strats in the custom color, Sonic Blue, particularly from 1961, have historic importance: John Lennon and George Harrison both bought 2 matching 1961 Sonic Blue Strats, and Ike Turner also owned one.

So I recommended to the owner to have the guitar sent to Kip Elder at Starr Guitars in Winter Park, FL (I have no affiliation with them). Kip has been entrusted as chief luthier for the legendary Hard Rock vault guitars – see video with Jimi’s white SG Custom and Lefty Flying V: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nUCGy9mZIM
Kip’s specialization is actually finishing work. He worked on several of my friend’s vintage and newer Gibsons (refrets, set-ups, refinishing, etc.) with outstanding results, so I thought Kip would be the perfect choice for the job.

As you can see from the pics, the guitar turned out great. The shading beneath the pickguard and hardware is spot on. The finish has a mild relic treatment, and the back of the neck has a smooth, worn-in feel to it, like my 63 Strat. The owner is very happy with the way the guitar turned out. I am too!

Guitar Dates/Specs:
Neck Plate: 68913
Neck DatNe: 10/61
Pot Codes: 304 6134
Weight: 7 lbs, 9 oz.

Comes with the original brown tolex hardcase and trem arm. The interior has been relined with non-original fabric, but the exterior is untouched.

The guitar has been professionally refretted with a new nut installed. The original frets and nut are inside the case pocket. Also, 4 pickup adjustment screws have been replace, with the originals inside the case pocket.

Was $25K  Now $23K