1989 Fender Custom Shop Prototype Hank Marvin Stratocaster
In 1989 in collaboration with Ivor Arbiter (UK Fender Importer) Hank Marvin comissioned a run of Custom Shop Stratocasters bearing his name. The first few prototypes were created in the Fender Customshop by legendary Fender Builder JW Black (Who had previouly built for Clapton, Bon Jovi, Bob Dylan etc). After the first prototypes were made and shipped to Hank/Arbiter a small handful of them were sold without Hanks final approval. After Hank decided to recall the model for a few finer tweaks a few of the original batch survived in their original form (around only 12 guitars). The guitar then took another 3 years to develop into the Hank Marvin 'Signature Edition' with its final release in 1992. Hank and Fender collectors regard this stratocaster as one of the Holy Grails of Custom shop collecting due to its premature release.
Specification of the instrument is as follows:
Fender Custom Shop Hank Marvin Prototype
- 1989
- Custom Shop
- Built by JW Black
- Fiesta Red
- Flamed Maple Neck
- Fender Custom Shop Active Mid Boost
- Lace Sensor Pickups
- Satin Gold Sperzel Machineheads
- Single ply guard
- Tremolo
- Original Tweed Case