websurfer
I don't really understand the discrepancy regarding the description of the color. I mean, it looks like classic Fiesta Red doesn't it? Unless Fender was using a much lighter shade and it darkened over time. Usually "coral" colored guitars that turn up these days are attributed to faded Fiesta red, so the normal wisdom I think is that they actually _lighten _over the years.

Actually, the original Shadows Strat has been repainted twice: originally by Cliff to a white color (I suspect since it got quite worn down while Hank used it '59-'61 - the boys kept very busy during that time!), and that was its color when Bruce first got it from Cliff around '76 - Bruce kept it white until sometime in the mid-'80s, at which point he had it painted red, though not fiesta red - it certainly didn't look anything like a fiesta red in person. So, the discrepancy is simply based on Hank and Bruce's memory, that when they received it the guitar was described as being painted in 'flamingo pink' color (which no one at Fender acknowledges having even ever heard of), and their memory is also that it was much more pinkish rather than orangeish in hue - and fiesta red isn't pinkish, it is orangeish. So, that's the discrepancy. However, there's no doubt that the instruments they played in The Young Ones move (for The Savage) were painted fiesta red.

So Ivan, given the choice of owning either Hank Marvin's or Dick Dale's Stratocaster, which would you choose?

Dick's Strat was in such bad shape, in was unbelievable he could even play it. But its resonance was remarkable, it really sounded like HIM. It just had that sound. I didn't get a good feel for the Shads strat because Bruce had very thin strings on it, and no tremolo as well as jumbo frets, so playing it was a very different experience than Hank would have had with that instrument. It didn't really have any kind of special sound or feel, besides being a nice vintage Strat. So, I honestly don't know what Id choose between those two. Dick's Strat really seems to have assumed his personality, having been with him for the past 50 years, while Bruce's Strat really felt much more like a rhythm guitar, which it is, really, given that Hank only used it for two years, while Bruce has now used it for 34! It would be a tough choice.

Ivan
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Great thread.
Ivan, having handled DD's Strat, and your comment on its resonance, was wondering if it was light weight, average or one of the heavy ones.
I remember your previous comment on the slender neck profile of "The Beast" as well.

strats, the most expressive guitars ever made--according to ivan--and i agree with him!!!
great thread ivan!!!

Enjoying the surf,sun and sand!!

Brian, no luck with finding that letter? After you mentioned it, I got faint recollection of having a picture of it and sending it to you. For me that was probably a couple of computers before, and I can't find it anymore.

Strat-o-rama
Great thread.

Thanks everybody, glad you enjoyed it!

Ivan, having handled DD's Strat, and your comment on its resonance, was wondering if it was light weight, average or one of the heavy ones.

You know, this was back in '04, so my memory may not be so accurate anymore, and I know there are other people on this forum, like Ferenc for example, that had a chance to hold and play DD's Strat so maybe they can add to this, but I remember the guitar being very light. Strangely enough, I don't really have any particular memory of the weight of Bruce's Strat (which I got to check out less than a year before that, in '03), I suspect cause it was fairly average.

I remember your previous comment on the slender neck profile of "The Beast" as well.

Yeah, a surprisingly thin neck - now every time I read someone as saying that the key to having a big-sounding Strat is to make sure it has a chunky neck, I just think back to Dick's Strat and call "Bullshit!"

Ivan
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You will probably think i'm splitting hairs but the first Stratocaster in the UK that I can find using web recourses belonged to Buddy Holly when he toured the UK in 1958. Admittedly it wasn't here for long but there is photographic proof of the event.

I can't find any reference the so called "board of trade ban on American imports". As far as I can tell post WW2 restrictions were lifted in 1954 and American luxury goods were in the shops.

Corvair in Brittan in 59? To test the waters and see if there was a demand, it was a 1960 model year introduction here in America. GM could have built the car at Opel or even Vauxhall if there were interest. It was to compete with VW/Porsche. Unsafe At Any Speed, the book, killed the car in the US market. Not unlike surf music, it has a cult following to this day.

http://www.reverbnation.com/thegreasemonkeyz

Oh boy old cars can release passionate emotions! Best we don't too far astray from the original topic but thanks for the info it helps.

I have a feeling there was no real Fender overseas Dealership at the time. I'm having problems understanding this so called "board of trade ban on American imports" I just doesn't ring true.