Hehe - dunno which forum that was, but given what we all tend to be like here when someone crops up claiming to have a rare guitar they want to authenticate, I just can't imagine the blizzard of scornful disbelief that must have hit Mr 53 strat when he first showed up saying he had a Stratocaster built in 1953!

That must have been uphill work for him, for sure! What we see on this thread is testament to his staying power, at the least...

- C

Amen to that brother. I really don't mind the disbelief and the questions. I would expect that and will answer any questions. I only ask that before any one makes any claims that this is a lie or a fraud that they do thier homework and and find some answers before they make these claims. I am by no means an expert but I have done a lot of digging to find as many of the answers as to the history of this guitar as is possible and before someone insinuates or even says "I'm not calling you a lier, but" then they should also do some homework and be armed with some real facts. I will as always try to remain civil although I have very little patience for anyone that is not willing to put in a little time reading up on the facts before they comment. I do find it interesting that someone would think I would make these claims without the substance to back them up. If I tried to sell a fake guitar like this dozens of real experts would spot it in a second.

Thanks for listening

53 Strat

Actually, "JM" did not get that Blizzard of Scornful Disbelief at that forum. But then, he didn't start out calling it a 1953 (right 53 strat?!). I wrote above:



The folks at that forum got behind him right from the start and helped figure out what he had. I reread the start of that thread yesterday.

53 strat has gotten more grief from this forum and other forums.

It's hard to pop into a guitar forum, mention you have a prototype Strat body, and not expect a lot of questions! You really ought to detail the full story on a web site, 53 strat. It would be a lot easier just to give a link than try to tell the details over and over and over.

Cheers

_________________
Member #26797
My other guitar is a Strat.

Uh-huh? But then you and I, Orville, can remember certain fellas turning up here with Strats from 1955 and later that they found such places as their granddaddy's attic - and having a very bumpy ride getting taken seriously.

(And to be fair, we see plenty of dodgy stuff too, though much more often just recent guitars with fake decals.)

Still. Based on almost no experience I'd somehow got the idea this was one of the more polite guitar forums around. Sounds like maybe I have that wrong. Perhaps we need to work on our collective manners a bit.

Nobody's trying to pull money out of our pockets, after all...

Cheers - C

If I found a "famous rare" guitar forgotten under the bed or in the closet, I'd sell the thing for a truck load of money.

I don't give a flying fig who owned it or played it or whatever.
It's just a guitar. Play the thing or profit from it in some other way.

_________________
"Life is like eating jalapenos. What you do today may burn your arse tomorrow"

OV, thanks for the tip. I have been going back and forth about doing a web site but with a possible plan to sell the guitar I thought it would be a waste of time. I am not sure a web site would be of any use anyway, the nay-sayers and conspiracy theorist would find a reason not to believe it no matter what it said.
For me, this whole trip has been quite fun and except for only a few doubting thomas's { who quite frankly are doubting because they are uniformed ie "If I don't know about it, it can't be true"} I would do it again.

Fenders unoffical "keep us informed of any sale" may have been just a PR move on their part as I don't know of any purchases they have made of anything like this, certinley nothing that has ever been publicized. They didn't buy the Tele prototype when it was available a few years back.

Someone from Christys must be reading this forum. I just got an email from them reminding me that the deadline for the October auction is in July. Now I have to decide if I want to make the trip to New York for the evaluation and auction. I hate to fly. I have been on long plane trips about a dozen times and every time there has been a problem with the plane- "this is the captain - we have a slight problem with a engine and had to shut it down, we will be landing in Texas with only one engine" is not something I want to hear again.

I hope i wasn't being rude, but I am kind of an information sponge on this stuff. It is just my curiosity that made me ask, and as big O stated above, the links were very handy. You should include them in your signature lol!

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I'm not an expert, but I play one on the internet.

CHRISTIE'S is always having autions at there various sites around the world so I would think anytime would be fine. And I no they will come to you if interested.

Christie's is pleased to provide, at no charge, auction estimates for items that are of a type and value typically sold at Christie's. Complete our online request form and we will provide you with a response within 4-6 weeks.

Please note that all estimates are provisional and subject to revision on personal examination by a specialist. Any property submitted under this service must be owned outright by the party seeking an estimate of value.

Please have the following information available:
Clear color images of the front and back, and a close-up of the signature or maker's mark
Dimensions, medium and other details available
History of the item (when, where and how was it acquired)
Copies of appraisals or any literature relating to the item or certificates of authenticity, if available
How many items may I submit per request?
You may submit up to six items per request, with a maximum of thirty items allowed per day. For example, in a single day you may submit 5 requests containing six items each, or 30 requests containing one item each.

If you are submitting an estimate request for books, musical instruments, or wine, please note:


For entire book collections, you may complete one entry form and attach a list of the volumes in your collection, including the author, title, publisher, date and place of publication, and information about the bindings.
For entire wine collections, you may complete one entry form and attach a list of the bottles in your collection, including the type of wine, producer, vintage, size, quantity, vineyard (if applicable) and storage conditions.
To evaluate violins and other stringed instruments, we require six different views of the instrument. All images should be in color and in focus. No three-quarter shots or other angle shots. The views required are as follows:
What is the required file format for my digital images?
The auction estimate request form only accepts JPEG images. If your image is not currently a JPEG, open it in your photo editing software and save it as a ‘.jpg’ file.

What is the maximum file size allowed for my digital images?
Individual images may not exceed 4 MB (4,000 KB). The total size of all images within a single request may not exceed 10 MB (10,000 KB). If your image is too large, open it in your photo editing software and save it at a lower resolution.

I only have print photographs. Can I still submit an auction estimate request?
Yes. Select the “Send photographs by postal mail” option in the auction request form, and submit. Print the confirmation page containing the confirmation number for your request. Label the back of each photograph with the confirmation number and item number (e.g., AE00016X, Item 1). Mail the photographs and a copy of the confirmation page to the following address:
Christie's

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The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.

Thomas Jefferson

When I spoke to the people at Christys they would not do an online appraisal or evaluation because of the rarity of the piece. I then spoke with Kerry Keane,{ their instrument specialist} and he said only he would do an evaluation of the piece which requires a trip to New York. I could ship the guitar to them but as yet I don't have enough insurance on it to do that. I need the evaluation to get the insurance and the insurance to get the evaluation. Needless to say I am still trying to work out the logistics of this.

Thanks to all of you that had kind words.

I am pretty sure after you fill out the request and send the photos with the information they will come to you. Katie Banser is the musical instruments specials and does travel for these things and Kerry Keane is always on travel (London). Something of this possible importants would no doubt receive a visit from either. They just don's ask people to bring Million dolllar paintings and other art work in for estimates so if I were you I would fill put the request form and send it, if they like they will do the work for to get there piece of the action.

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The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.

Thomas Jefferson

53 Strat: A couple of pages back you mentioned that you wanted to get in touch with G&L about your instrument, but were having a hard time reaching them. I have a good contact over there, and would be happy to make the introduction. Send me your e-mail address and I'll give you more info.

Cheers.

Thanks , although right now I am not sure viewing the original pictures would be of any real consquence. The auction house may want to see first generation copies of the pics instead of the third or fourth generation ones we are seeing now. I will get that info from you and thanks for the hookup and I will have it if I need it.
It seems the pm isn't working. Just send the info to
jerryjmproduct@aol.com and I will get it. Thanks again.

It is also my understanding that those old pictures are not property of G&l but belong to Leo's widow Phyllis. Any permission to see them or make copies may have to come from her.

I don't think that would be a problem at all. Wiki Info I no to be true:
Quote
Phyllis Fender, passed the management of G&L to John C. McLaren of BBE Sound. George Fullerton remains as a permanent consultant, and Leo's wife Phyllis remains as Honorary Chairman of G&L. End Quote

Also I have no doubt that if anyone from Chistie's asked for this info. on this it would take all of a day to find what they want. I don't think writen authentication would not be to difficult if you push hard enouge. What writen information did Fender give you when you were able to send it to them to look at?

_________________
The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.

Thomas Jefferson