Can anyone tell me which Strat model Hank B. Marvin used on the Shadows final tour? Why isn't Hank featured on the list of Stratocaster artist on Fenders homepage? In my opinion he is "Mr Stratocaster".

Hi mentus, welcome to the Forum. Nevermind Hank not appearing on that list of artists ( http://www.fender.com/artists/ ) - at present the only Fiesta Red Strat available outside Japan is the Mexican made Classic '50s.

The reason being I guess that Hank Marvin and the Shadows were always much better known outside America. I can't give you a full rundown on dates and such, but at times Fender have done Hank Marvin Signature guitars specifically and only for sale in Europe and the Far East, where demand lies. I believe Fender Japan currently do a Marvin Sig Strat (with the gold hardware): they usually have one in the catalog.

Hank does appear on the artist list on this "international" Fender site:

http://www.fender.co.za/artists/index.p ... ank_marvin

At the bottom of that page it says he's been playing a Custom Shop Strat in Fiesta Red with gold hardware. Obviously.

I have a strong memory that he also played his Signature red Burns of London guitar on that tour, too.

Still, it seems a bit mean not to squeeze him onto the artist list on this website, doesn't it? After all, the vast number of Fiesta Strats that have been sold over the decades thanks to him. Why, even Mark Knopfler sang about a "red Strat", didn't he? All thanks to Hank...

Cheers - C

I think it was just a Stratocaster for more info read this article on wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hank_Marvin

The expert on the Forum for this artist is alainlafrance. I'll see if I can stir him up.

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"Another day in paradise!"

Thanks, Ceri, for swift and thorough reply. Even though Hank is represented on the international site it is still very strange that a "legend" like him is omitted here. As you point out; few people have contributed more to the success of Fender than he and the Shadows.

Yeah. But in the past on this Forum I've seen people posting things like, "hey, have you heard of Hank Marvin? This guy should be better known."

Neither Cliff nor the Shads ever really happened in the States, and that is the constituency the .com website primarily addresses.

Of course, all kinds of other places in the world, entirely different. I remember one time in India having a flock of excited adolescent girls asking me if, as an Englishman, I knew Cliff Richard - personally. They were most surprised that I didn't.

And a few months ago there was a gentleman in South Africa on this Forum wanting info on his dad's red '60s Strat. You can bet it was Hank's influence that sold a Strat of that color in that part of the world back then.

And of course, the time honored tradition known as "big in Japan". Hence the constant availability of Fiesta Red Strats in the Japanese catalog, with or without the gold hardware.

Cheers - C

Hello Mentus,

Welcome to the site.
zzdoc called me and I'm here
Just to reply to your questions one by one. Two today

1) For The Shadows Final Tour-not so Final as starting from Sept 09, The Shadows are starting a 50th Anniversary Tour together with Cliff Richard_, Hank Marvin used Custom Shop Fiesta Red Strats as per his sig one but fitted with his beloved pick ups : Kinmans.
http://www.kinman.com/
He usually used three depending on the tunes he played fitted with different string gauges: 12-52 for the Early Years Shadows tunes; 10.46 for his Classic Years , 09-42 for his Modern Tunes.
As he was directly endorsed by the UK Company Burns of London ( managed by Barry Gibson-yes,indeed); he did play a couple of tunes with his namesake Burns.

2) Hank Marvin signature Stratocasters were in fact a Dealer's choice: Arbiter the UK importer of Fender Instruments for many years.
They released several series of Hank Marvin Signature Strats from let say 1992 (I may come on that later if you wish so) till 2008, being USA Custom Shop Strats, MIJ Strats, Squier Strats, MIM Strats. All Limited Editions no more available as new.
So he has never been a direct Fender Endorsee although as you mentioned he triggered thousands of young players worldwide to buy Fender Stratocasters specially in the famous Fiesta Red Colour.
I'll come back more precisely on the various series if you wish so, as I can see some erratic info on these.

(to be followed)
In the meantime just peruse mines:

http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/alb ... 4473CuoGgL

Alain

BTW I'm Administrator of the Perth Australia Shadows site

http://shadowsperth.proboards.com/index.cgi?

Ask and ye shall receive...

- C

zzdoc and alainlafrance - notice how you never see them posting at the same time??

Nah - it couldn't be...

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Ignorance IS bliss - and I am the happiest person here!

I live in France so I'm 7 hours ahead to be in ( now 3 PM Paris time) and to be out (11 PM Paris time.)

Is that satisfactorily for you ????

That was a joke, alain...

_________________
Ignorance IS bliss - and I am the happiest person here!

he was implying that you two were the same person!

Anyhow. Since we have the expert on hand, may we continue with this bit, please?



Thank you! - C

I knew, thanks. The reply was also just for fun...

you need to post a picture of a guitar you haven't posted here yet to prove you're the real alain!!