This 1957 Fender Stratocaster formerly owned by ZZ Top guitarist Billy Gibbons forty years ago is an instrument with a colorful, storied history. The story begins soon after Gibbon's band, The Moving Sidewalks, appeared in support of the Jim Hendrix Experience during a four-city swing through Texas, in February 1967. After a post-concert jam between Jimi and Billy in Fort Worth on February 17th, Hendrix gave Gibbons a pink Fender Stratocaster. Soon after, fellow musician Kurt Linhof and Gibbons, purchased two late-50's Strats, refinishing them in Gibbon's garage, in the same pink finish resembling the gift from Hendrix. One was set up left-handed ala Hendrix; the other right-handed. The guitar being offered here is the afore-mentioned right-handed model. When contacted by the current owner, who purchased the guitar in 1994, Kurt Linhof revealed that Gibbons did, in all probability, use this pink Start on early ZZ Top recordings. A number of Texas musicians who knew Gibbons in 1970 also offered unsolicited information about markings on the guitar that confirms Gibbons ownership; most notably, a double Z scratched on the front, and "W.G." scratched on the back (a reference to Gibbon's nickname during the era, namely "Willie G." or "Reverend Willie G."), both marking faint, but still visible. When the current owner had occasion to ask Gibbons about the guitar; the ZZ Top front-man would not confirm or deny the existence of the unique markings, but would only say that he remembered the guitar. As you can easily determine from the photos, the instrument now shows the signs of a half-century of hard playing. The Strat has relentlessly been put through its paces since Billy Gibbons and Kurt Linhof repainted it in 1968; only a partial remnant of the pink finish still visible. The excessive wear to the maple fretboard confirms a half-century of heavy use. The serial number on the neck plate (023286), and a second serial number under the neck plate (25594) confirm the 1957 lineage. The tuners, bridge, and pickups all appear to be original, although the tremolo cavity cover is missing. Even without the connection to Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Billy Gibbons, this 1957 Fender Stratocaster is a highly desirable instrument. Estimate $40,000-$60,000.
