1956 Fender Stratocaster Played by George Harrison On “The Story of the Fender Stratocaster: Curves, Contours, and Body Horns”

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Dave Brewis, owner of Rock Stars Guitars, is pictured here holding his all-original 1956 Fender Stratocaster, serial number 08863, played by George Harrison during the filming of The Story of the Fender Stratocaster: Curves, Contours, and Body Horns.

In 1995, musician and author Ray Minhinnet and Bob Young set out to create a television documentary and accompanying book exploring the history of the Fender Stratocaster. With assistance from Fender, they approached some of the world’s most famous Fender players to share their experiences and insights. Among those who participated were Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Nile Rodgers, Keith Richards, and many other legendary musicians. One of the most notable contributors was George Harrison.

George rarely gave interviews about guitars, but he agreed to take part in the project, bringing along his famous hand-painted Rocky Stratocaster and his guitar technician, Alan Rogan. As Rocky was set up for George’s trademark slide playing, an all-original 1956 Fender Stratocaster was borrowed for the filming and set up for standard playing. During the interview, George explained how he and John Lennon acquired their matching blue Stratocasters on the same day and used them together to play the guitar break on the Beatles’ song Nowhere Man. George then demonstrated the song’s guitar solo on the 1956 Stratocaster he was holding throughout the interview. The footage includes two particularly interesting segments:

• 17:57–18:25: George plays the guitar solo from Nowhere Man.
• 20:40–21:00: George plays a short country-style passage.

After filming, the Stratocaster was returned to its owner. We subsequently acquired the guitar and have owned it since approximately 2001. It remains in the same original condition, accompanied by its original tweed case, a copy of the book, and a DVD copy of the television programme. The Stratocaster was such a fine example of a mid-1950s instrument that it features several times in the accompanying book, both in standalone photographs and in the section dedicated to George Harrison. The photographs show the guitar alongside George, and its distinctive fingerboard wear and body characteristics correspond to those of the instrument offered here.

The guitar also has an exhibition history. It was displayed at the National Music Museum in Bologna, Italy, alongside Rory Gallagher’s famous Stratocaster, as part of an exhibition organized by Fender Europe. A photograph of the guitar displayed on its stand at the Bologna exhibition is included. It was also exhibited at the British Music Experience in Liverpool, England.

Guitars documented as having been played by George Harrison are exceptionally rare. This example offers particularly compelling documentation: George is seen playing the actual instrument on film, demonstrating the solo from a Beatles song while discussing his experiences with the Stratocaster. For collectors of the Beatles, George Harrison, and vintage Fender guitars, this is a remarkable opportunity to own an instrument with a direct connection to George Harrison and a surviving film record of him playing it. Price upon request. Please call or email for further details.

George Harrison photograph credits: Ray Minhinnet and Bob Young / Scheme Global Limited.