Fender Custom Shop Stratocaster 1966 Relic "Coodercaster" Greg Fessler R126115

If Ry Cooder weren't the exact opposite of a guitar hero by nature, he would certainly be known to a much wider audience today. Since he was rather reserved and with self-doubt in his luggage ("My sound live is never what I actually imagine it to be. It's better in the studio, but I can't really get that right either.") It took a few well-known colleagues, to put his qualities as a guitarist and arranger in the right light. Already in 1965 he played on an album by Taj Mahal, in 1967 he collaborated with Captain Beefheart. Since Cooder didn't even own an electric guitar at the time, the record boss sent him to the nearby Fender showroom in Fullerton. There he saw a Stratocaster in Daphne Blue, which would become his main guitar on stage and in the studio for the next 12 years. In this showroom, Fender was happy to show visitors what was technically and visually feasible, and so Cooders model had a matching headstock and fretboard binding.
The original variant can be seen and heard on numerous videos. From the mid-70s, however, a Gibson P-90 was installed on the bridge, with which Ry Cooder wanted to achieve a fatter tone for his slide playing. On "Bop till you Drop" Cooder can be seen with this guitar on the cover.
The model shown here was built by Greg Fessler. We have ordered further reissues of this guitar from Ron Thorn, Vince Van Trigt and Dale Wilson.
Additional Notes: Route for P-90 in bridge position in a straight position, Patching Painted Peg Head, Duncan Antiquity P-90 Cream