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Post subject: BC Special
Posted: Fri Aug 13, 2010 11:34 am
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Joined: Sat Apr 05, 2008 5:44 am
Posts: 1
Location: Rockport, TX
Tried posting this previously - hope I haven't repeated myself.
About 3 years ago I purchased from Gruhn Guitars a very collectible Strat. I have been unable to gather any information about it, however.
It is a 1994 Custom Shop guitar and a description follows. It has a 2-tone sunburst finish over a Flame Maple Top. The neck is a highly figured Birds-Eye Maple and has a special Gold Metal (appearance) logo rather than a standard decal. All gold: Bridge/Trem with gold String logo-stamped pieces, gold Trem Bar, Ash-Tray, Inset Cord Plugin. All gold Screws, gold Tuners, gold PU Pole Pieces, Strap Buttons, and very large gold Frets. The neck plate is also gold and inscribed: "1954 - 1994; 40th Anniversary; BC Special". Bill Carson, of course, is often referred to as the Father of the Stratocaster.
Inquiring of the factory they report they have no records on this guitar. A message to John Page, however, brought his very nice personal response - after examining the detailed photos and the information I sent - that it is indeed one of his creations, and that good records were not kept on many Custom Shop instruments. He told me that Bill Carson special ordered a lot of guitars for special purposes and that this was indeed probably one of those.
The neck has hand written "Carson 7/20/94" and stamped "Custom
Shop" and "Gastellum". The neck pocket has stamped in it "57 STR" and "Chavez". It has stamped on it "09 of 10" on the tuning head.
The pickguard is single-ply white.
The Fender Vintage Tweed Case has all the case candy, including Booklet, Strap, Trem Bar, Polish Cloth, Cord, and even Strings - all unopened. I added to that an article about Bill Carson and an original 1954 Fender Manual (downloaded).
The guitar is unplayed. The case still has the plastic protection on the lock and catches.
Any thoughts about this guitar?
I've tried posting some photos but cannot get 'er dun! Suggestions for a Mac user?


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Post subject:
Posted: Fri Sep 03, 2010 6:41 am
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Joined: Tue Oct 30, 2007 10:42 am
Posts: 3
This guitar is very special, you're very lucky. I have three of Custom Shop Bill Carsons in Cimmaron Red (out of a run of 100) all with Chavez body, Gastellum necks. I also had a 007/10 which sounds a bit like yours but its was highly flamed maple on ash in translucent cimarron red, not sun burst - but I sold it, again Chavez Gastellum combination. It didnt have a neck plate like yours - http://www.doonicans.com/equipm2.jpg. Bert Gastellum was one of the great Fender neck makers - you can google him. Your guitar may have been presented at NAMM in 93/94? Also in his book Myt Life and Times, there are pictures of guitar like your being presented to him from memory. Good luck finding more info - certainly great guitars.


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Post subject: Re: BC Special
Posted: Fri Sep 03, 2010 7:17 am
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Joined: Sat Feb 07, 2009 3:09 pm
Posts: 863
Location: Columbus, Ohio
gotyachts wrote:
Tried posting this previously - hope I haven't repeated myself.
About 3 years ago I purchased from Gruhn Guitars a very collectible Strat. I have been unable to gather any information about it, however.
It is a 1994 Custom Shop guitar and a description follows. It has a 2-tone sunburst finish over a Flame Maple Top. The neck is a highly figured Birds-Eye Maple and has a special Gold Metal (appearance) logo rather than a standard decal. All gold: Bridge/Trem with gold String logo-stamped pieces, gold Trem Bar, Ash-Tray, Inset Cord Plugin. All gold Screws, gold Tuners, gold PU Pole Pieces, Strap Buttons, and very large gold Frets. The neck plate is also gold and inscribed: "1954 - 1994; 40th Anniversary; BC Special". Bill Carson, of course, is often referred to as the Father of the Stratocaster.
Inquiring of the factory they report they have no records on this guitar. A message to John Page, however, brought his very nice personal response - after examining the detailed photos and the information I sent - that it is indeed one of his creations, and that good records were not kept on many Custom Shop instruments. He told me that Bill Carson special ordered a lot of guitars for special purposes and that this was indeed probably one of those.
The neck has hand written "Carson 7/20/94" and stamped "Custom
Shop" and "Gastellum". The neck pocket has stamped in it "57 STR" and "Chavez". It has stamped on it "09 of 10" on the tuning head.
The pickguard is single-ply white.
The Fender Vintage Tweed Case has all the case candy, including Booklet, Strap, Trem Bar, Polish Cloth, Cord, and even Strings - all unopened. I added to that an article about Bill Carson and an original 1954 Fender Manual (downloaded).
The guitar is unplayed. The case still has the plastic protection on the lock and catches.
Any thoughts about this guitar?
I've tried posting some photos but cannot get 'er dun! Suggestions for a Mac user?


I REALLLY want to see this, so use www.tinypic.com and select however big you think it would be, then copy the link that has "[IMG]" in it.

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http://www.twitter.com/CAE_Music


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Post subject:
Posted: Fri Sep 03, 2010 9:36 am
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Joined: Wed Jul 11, 2007 4:01 pm
Posts: 614
"...Any thoughts about this guitar? .."

What is that you would like to know? Can I help in any way?

ME


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Post subject: Re: BC Special
Posted: Fri Mar 11, 2011 6:29 am
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Joined: Fri Mar 11, 2011 6:04 am
Posts: 1
Mike:
I'm traveling and not always able to be a part of this forum.
You asked what I'd like to know, and the big question is, what's with the Gold Inlay Logo?
Don't know how to send a photo but I do have one.
Thanks,
Dennis


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Post subject: Re: BC Special
Posted: Fri Mar 11, 2011 6:53 am
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Joined: Wed Jul 11, 2007 4:01 pm
Posts: 614
Find a photo hosting website (photobucket, etc) and you should be able to figure it out.

ME


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Post subject: Re: BC Special
Posted: Fri Mar 11, 2011 7:19 am
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Joined: Thu Dec 31, 2009 10:34 pm
Posts: 10760
Location: Athens, Greece
Here's the guitar in question:

Image

The guitar you're talking about it the Bill Carson signature Stratocaster, a replica of Bill's original Fiesta Red 1959 Strat.

The neck was personally shaped by Bill to suit his own playing preference ((1 7/16" nut width, shallow depth). It has a thick slab rosewood fingerboard and a matching headstock. "Carson" is stamped in the neck pocket.


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Post subject: Re: BC Special
Posted: Fri Mar 11, 2011 10:05 am
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Joined: Thu Nov 04, 2010 12:13 am
Posts: 1174
gotyachts wrote:
Tried posting this previously - hope I haven't repeated myself.
About 3 years ago I purchased from Gruhn Guitars a very collectible Strat. I have been unable to gather any information about it, however.
It is a 1994 Custom Shop guitar and a description follows. It has a 2-tone sunburst finish over a Flame Maple Top. The neck is a highly figured Birds-Eye Maple and has a special Gold Metal (appearance) logo rather than a standard decal. All gold: Bridge/Trem with gold String logo-stamped pieces, gold Trem Bar, Ash-Tray, Inset Cord Plugin. All gold Screws, gold Tuners, gold PU Pole Pieces, Strap Buttons, and very large gold Frets. The neck plate is also gold and inscribed: "1954 - 1994; 40th Anniversary; BC Special". Bill Carson, of course, is often referred to as the Father of the Stratocaster.
Inquiring of the factory they report they have no records on this guitar. A message to John Page, however, brought his very nice personal response - after examining the detailed photos and the information I sent - that it is indeed one of his creations, and that good records were not kept on many Custom Shop instruments. He told me that Bill Carson special ordered a lot of guitars for special purposes and that this was indeed probably one of those.
The neck has hand written "Carson 7/20/94" and stamped "Custom
Shop" and "Gastellum". The neck pocket has stamped in it "57 STR" and "Chavez". It has stamped on it "09 of 10" on the tuning head.
The pickguard is single-ply white.
The Fender Vintage Tweed Case has all the case candy, including Booklet, Strap, Trem Bar, Polish Cloth, Cord, and even Strings - all unopened. I added to that an article about Bill Carson and an original 1954 Fender Manual (downloaded).
The guitar is unplayed. The case still has the plastic protection on the lock and catches.
Any thoughts about this guitar?
I've tried posting some photos but cannot get 'er dun! Suggestions for a Mac user?



Sounds like you got a great guitar there. Very nice.


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