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For many guitarists and fans of Pink Floyd especially, the 'Black Strat' is the holy grail of guitars. Never before has it been possible to buy a Stratocaster that look this much like David Gilmour's legendary Strat. Clearly, Fender's Custom Shop hasn't spared any expense in making this model as authentic as possible. Its nitrocellulose lacquer finish has been aged, so that this guitar has all the mojo of an instrument that has been thoroughly broken in. This sublime Stratocaster comes with high-end accessories like a deluxe hard-shell case and an Evidence Audio instrument cable. You even get a 3-disc version of Live in Gdansk and the book The Black Strat. A certificate of authenticity should mean that this instrument will retain its value too.
Custom Shop David Gilmour Stratocaster Relic: The Sound
Part of the typical Gilmour sound is down to the pickups. On this model, you will find a Seymour Duncan SSL-5 in the bridge position. This single-coil pickup features extra wiring, meaning it provides a bit more sustain and output than a regular model, while still having that typically vintage tone. At the neck, you'll find a Custom Shop Fat '50s single-coil pikcup for those classic smooth solos and warm cleans. Finally, the uniquely wound single-coil in the middle gives you those sparkling cleans we've come to expect from a Fender Stratocaster. You can adjust the sound just to liking using the 5-way pickup switch and tone controls. In short, it's an incredibly versatile guitar!
Construction, Look and Feel
You'll be familiar with the original black Stratocaster's balanced, full sound if you've ever listened to Pink Floyd classics such as 'Money', 'Comfortably Numb' and 'Shine On You Crazy Diamond'. The Fender Custom Shop has taken great care to faithfully reproduce this guitar. To start with, a light black alder body from 1968 has been joined to a one-piece maple neck with a thin-shouldered C profile from 1983. The sound, feel and look of the original 'Black Strat' have been perfectly executed in this excellent solid-body thanks to a collaboration between Fender, David Gilmour and his regular guitar technician Phil Taylor. It wouldn't be surprising if you find yourself saying to this guitar 'wish you were here'!
