Yeah it's true, George Harrison was a huge fan of Carl Perkins. and he was part of the Sun Records crew, which included. Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison, Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis Presley, and others. that is before Elvis was sold to RCA records. something that Sam Philips regretted. Carl Perkins wrote the song "Blue Suede Shoes". even though Elvis Presley got a smash hit from it. Carl Perkins was master of Rockabilly music, which is something else that George Harrison really liked.
George Harrison often purchased matching or very similar guitars. and he would hand one of them to John Lennon. he did it with matching Gibson acoustics, and the Rickenbackers, and the Epiphone Casino's, and the Gretsch guitars. John removed all the finish off of his casino. because he liked the tone better. and the Gretsch guitars were ultimately George Harrison's favorite guitars. even though he had others he really liked, take for instance the the rosewood Tele. but he always reverted back to the Gretsch guitars. if you notice the Beatles, footage especially older footage. you will often see George and John playing the same or similar guitars. George is responsible for that, I think he liked getting John Lennon's approval. although he was a much more skilled guitarist then John Lennon was.
The used market price increase reminds me of the Alex Lifeson Epiphones, $900 new, but I’ve seen them being listed for $1800+ and actually selling! (Lately it’s been slightly less, around $12000-$1300.) Epiphone seems to have stopped making these (rumor is they were losing money due to the higher cost of the Ghost bridge system.)
It would be cool if they went the Jimmy Page tele way and offered this colorful psychedelic model made in Mexico and a US made counterpart in sonic blue for those who want the pre-paintjob version.
I just got a new Gibson 335 satin, you should check one out, super happy with it, then buffed into gloss like you did with the lp. The new cases are great too, love the latches
Not sure where that's coming from ? I bought one from andertons and they were sold out in a couple of hours, and they had more of them than anyone (between 6 and 8 I believe). If you know of any still sitting in a shop somewhere in the UK unsold, then please let me know and I'll go scoop it/them up today.
@@mordokch oh of course they all sold eventually - super low numbers. Just a lot of the guitar community seemed quite critical of them, especially the pricing. My main concern is people artificially inflating prices for no reason other than to profit for being an investor.
But it won't be a rocky lol. I mean one can play that game all day long, but if you want a rocky and you don't have 35 plus grand to spend, then this is it.
@@mordokch I just dont get it. haha If Gibson came out with a 35K signature Les Paul custom for Randy Rhoads I still wouldnt buy it. Same Goes for the 55k Green/Moore Les Paul.
I bought one 10 mins after it was released from GC. I even got 15% off msrp. Best strat neck I have played in a long time. Pickups really sound nice and have a nice quack in position 2.
a $2k MIM Fender was a bit hard to swallow and shocked to see Custom Shop prices in the secondary market. I scooped up a used 2016 Masterbuilt Fender VI for $1200 less than the secondary knuckleheads selling Rocky. Hope a 2nd run can drive down these prices. Think about this; you can get a a lightly used Rickenbacker 360 (made in California) for the msrp of this MIM Fender....
You are totally right but if you're a real Beatles fan and always wanted to have one, you will pay the 2000$ for it lol. Call me crazy but I couldn't resist plus if you want to get a pro to paint it like that it will cost you a lot more than the 2000$.
Austin. Gibson Murphy Lab just updated the Greeny LP is now on reverb. Btw, you should do the Rosewood Telecaster 2022. it was the best Fender Telecaster other than Jason Isbell Telecaster for artist signature. the sound just amazing. i work at guitar store so yeah got the chance to play some guitar.
I'm a big fan of MIM Fenders with wacky finishes. My Wayne Kramer Strat looks so killer. $2K is a lot for any Strat IMO though. There's better stuff out there for the money.
You should do a video on the resell market on the 2017 MIM Jimi Hendrix Monterey Pop Stratocaster. I’ve been watching the used prices on it and most people are asking over $2k for a $899 guitar. I bought one at the end of’17 along with a lefty PRS SE, but I canceled the PRS order.
It's a guitar with a lot of history, but it looks like a complete mess to me. Fender should bring out a tribute version of his mystery white strat from the concert for bangladesh.
Just the fact that we're talking about a guitar made in Mexico and a case made in China and the price point is higher than $800 makes me cringe. I bought an American-made Strat (with a gig bag - no case) in 2014 for $899. That was regular sale price not a discount. I know that 2014 was a while back but not long enough that MIM Strats should have gone from $499 being the absolute top end to $2,000+. Wow. This might be a nice guitar but it isn't worth half that price. I guess Fender is just laughing at us now. :-)
Lowest priced American Fenders in 2014 were $999, and there were already Mexican Fenders in between the lowest priced American Fender and the Mid Tier American Fender.
Hf I love it, I like it better than the expensive one, obviously the expensive one is superior. Only things I don't like is the tone knob and the pickgaurd screws not being painted.
Congrats Scott (A.K.A. Goldfinger) 😉 Hope your weekend is going well. Myself, I've been on the work-end of a snow shovel most the day. Free Exercise, gotta love it.
That particular guitar definitely boosted the status of the Mexican built fenders. I bought one of the first ones that came out. Of course I don't have it anymore. It was a great guitar. Pretty sure he was the first signature guitar made in Mexico. Kudos for him for thinking about us poor people.
I am a Fender guy and the Mexican line has been absolutely incredible for quite a while now. The quality, feel and playability is on par with most American made ones. If they stopped putting the black plastic piece in the truss rod hole, no one would ever know it’s Mexican made.
This is true, but only really held water when the Mexis were a great value. Still remember when a MIM standard was $400 at Guitar Center! Now, they're very expensive in their own right.
How are you supposed to install the backplate cover if there are no holes drilled? The CS version has the holes predrilled. I wonder if it's a miss for the Mex version or a feature...
I bought one, ar the fi🎉rst sight😍 and believe it or not- it‘s my favorite strat, more resonante as my pro II, easier to bend strings and not to forget the Pikups sounds huge. Common afficionados, forget about the mexican vs american sh%t, they did a great job on this one, miles away from the usual mass produced axes, I am 60 yo, I think I am allowed to be proud., owning my personal Rocky, ❤ love and peace for all, Robero
They did a great job on this one. I hate aged guitars, I prefer to "age" them myself and if I'm paying top dollar for a guitar, I want it in mint or brand-new condition.The tones are decent, too. Though It seems to be crying to be played with a wah pedal.
It’s the same stupid pricing like they have on Mexican artist signature guitars…LOL…has anyone else seen the U-Tube video where the paint is removed with a heat gun on a Mexican Strat? The painted finish is on the 1st coat of Poly and the body remains untouched, unfinished..no paint, no stain, just guitar body blank..
I’m sure the cost of labor for a Master Builder is extremely high. Honestly, I would really love to know how they paid. Are straight salaried? Do they get a salary plus commission based on the price of their instruments?
@@charlesbolton8471 Yeah, I'm curious. Also, I keep hearing that labor cost is the main reason for making products in Mexico. What is the wage difference of doing the exact same work in either country?
Modder's can have the best of both worlds on a Fender. Seymour Duncan has a mini humbucker, the SL59-1, 4 wire for coil splitting and comes in kits for 2 or 3 pickup guitars
Indeed I agree, such a great talent and good person. It was because of Mr. Harrison I got myself an all rosewood Tele (not as flashing as this Rocky Stratocaster 🙄) I do hope all is well with you this fine Saturday evening.
Back in the year 2000 I paid $2200 for a Designer Edition American Deluxe Strat. I've been playing it regularly since 2000 with zero problems. Every time I open the case and play it I feel it was money well spent.
Andertons told me (or us I suppose) that it was american lol - I almost cancelled my order when I realised they were (lets be kind) 'in error' but I was talked out of it on the grounds that they would double in price over night, which they did. As it happens I lucked out and got a very low serial number, which collectors love of course and makes mine slightly even more valuable, so I'm glad I didn't cancel now. But - it plays like crap and sounds like a glary lol - a nice display piece for sure, but not something I'd ever play. Having said that, it lives in it's case, so ...... yeha lol
@@mordokch Congrats on the low serial number, very cool. I’d display it on the wall with an LED BlackLight (UV) shining on it. Love it or hate, it it’s most certainly an attention-getter.
@@hkguitar1984 I'm not keen on shining a constant light on it for obvious reasons lol, but yeha that would be the best thing to do with it. You'll laugh, but I'd totally forgotten I had it till this vid popped up - it's in it's case and the case is in the shipping carton. Best place for it :)
Nice review. However, I find it extremely hard to believe that any MIM instrument is worth 2,000 dollars. You could buy TWO used USA strats for that kind of coin & probably still have some beer money left over.
Does Mike Pacelli have one? Well, by George, the Mexican is certainly more vibrant that the CS model. All us guitar dorks went through painting our guitars in those times, some just using water colors so the artscape could be easily changed depending on mood or level of intoxication. Just wash it off and start over. The Clapton portrait on the headstock is what he looked like to George during one of those 'experimental mental' stimulation events that were popular with artists at the time. The vivid colors thickly painted will surely stay bright and shiny over time. I'd buy the Mexico version. Thanks T, great job!!
So in Australia these are being listed for around $3900. I picked up a used custom shop 64 strat for a little more then 4K. I can’t see anyone paying what they’re asking for these. I like made in Mexico guitars and still have one but come on Fender.
George Harrison is one of my all time favorite guitarists . I don't think enough people realize how good he was. The Rocky is cool but is not one of the guitars I'd like to have . One I have on order which is a Casino the other briefly went on sale and sold out which was George's Rosewood Telecaster.
Hey there Clark, YES, George Harrison exemplifies understated excellence (IMHO). I don't have the Harrison Edition, but an older all rosewood Tele. Let me know what you think of it when you finally get one (you won't be disappointed).
@@hkguitar1984 that could be awhile unless Fender does another run of them or I happen to be lucky enough to come across one that someone has no choice but to part with. I do have an American Special that I bought around 2014 and subsequently bought a Mustang IV amp soon after. I love it. But lately I've mostly been playing the Greenburst Studio that Austin pondered over on an episode. Its extremely inspiring. It was listed as an 82 and I checked the serial number which confirmed it was built in 82.
@@clarkbabin9799 It will be worth the wait (Rosewood Tele). Being inspired and staying inspired are the main reasons I purchase new/different gear. Also, a inspired individual is most usually a happy individual. 👍😉
@@markbaum9615 Case made in China............. A couple years ago I was wanting to purchase one of the Surf Green Fender HSC. After inspecting one in-person I scrapped the idea, the cases were poorly made.
@@hkguitar1984 its unfortunate...... Big Guitar doesn't have enough pride to provide a decent case nowAdays Ive been in the same spot..so i opted For a good used TKL...
As a huge fan of George Harrison he was incredible, probably one of the best musicians of all time. he was the youngest but most experienced member of the fab four. he really liked the Rocky Strat. and the Rickenbacker guitars that he had. but his all time favorite guitars were his Gretsch guitars. and it's true that when he would go, or when he would someone to the music stores, to purchase guitars. he would often get two guitars and he would hand the second guitar to John Lennon too see how he liked them. if you ever notice the footage of the Beatles? you will often see them playing the same or very similar guitars. especially the early footage of them. he was very close friends with Eric Clapton, so close in fact; when Eric ended up with Patty Boyd; George's wife. George knew that it wasn't worth making a big deal about it. besides George knew he could have any woman he wanted. a person has remember that George Harrison was highly intelligent. and he thought that making a big deal out of something like that was too petty. I always get a laugh out of it. when in interviews they would ask George about that, and George would simply say. yeah we shared a wife!! LOL!! and George and Eric's friendship was so close, that Eric Clapton is the only one to be considered the fifth Beatle. because George wanted him to do the guitar work on "While My Guitar Gently Weeps". because he knew that Eric Clapton was the only one that could do it justice. and it's no fluke that he was one of the greatest musicians of all time. because he went on to have a fantastic solo career. and he and Roy Orbison were the founders of the super group The Travelling Wilbury.' there's no doubt that there will never be another George Harrison and he is very very missed.
@@stupud818 I'm not a yank and I most definitely do 'do sarcasm' lol. Pretty sure I have a squier somewhere though lol, and don't worry - lots of people misspell that :)
Now, the other Big Question your probably all wondering: Why did Harrison name it “Rocky” ? Yes, I am that ignorant of Pop Culture history, and no, I don’t want to look it up. If you do know, please don’t respond. I’d rather learn the answer from a highly trained professional. Let’s leave it to the Trogmeister himself to correct the omission from the Custom Shop History. Thank you.
Prize - Wow ! Thank you Trogly ! I’m just overwhelmed by your response ! But a Gibson Custom Shop “Monkey” SG, signed by Tony Icmmi, is FAR too generous, I just could never accept that, I just wouldn’t feel right about it - specially for such a simple oversight. A daily dose of Guitaria, served up in a “leave no back-plate or truss-rod cover un-turned” format, is itself a prize already enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of Electric Cave Dwellers. I count myself among those so richly informed and entertained. Now, ‘bout that mysterious Rocky, I won’t read any other responses - please, do tell. I play right-handed, by the way.
, being the owner of '' a few Charvels'' i can appreciate a quality mexican rig, i have a mex strat, and tele ,both are in the same price range, the tele is a standard player the strat is a tex mex i swapped to h/s/s emg , and a modified jackson js32 neck, because honestly just never felt rite, hated the neck, and felt too light felt kinda cheap. The tele is completely different, weight fit finish, inside and out is amazing, great neck and still all original with exception of the bare knuckle ('' boot camp ''' i believe?) in the bridge. thats my go to workhorse.3 dog home friendly truck friendly in a gig bag bomb proof telecaster , i love it ,Mex Teles are the AK47 of guitars.
Charvel's put Strat's to shame any day, especially vintage Charvel guitars. much better guitars for less money. and this is coming from a vintage Charvel owner.
I just got mine that I ordered after they all were supposedly sold out Apparently I was very late to the party too because I got serial number 1055! Guess they over sold - over produced this edition too
I’m a human. Not AI. I feel many negative human emotions about broken instruments, necropants, and nazis! Would you like me to prove it by using ‘Human’ in an English sentence?
Also, you mentioned one minute in this video, my human critical thinking skills says that is exactly sixty (60) earth seconds, or 60,000,000,000 (60B) human nano seconds.
@@Wilco1972 because it’s ripping people off you must like paying scalpers prices for a guitar that cost 2000 new it’s technically a used guitar it’s been taken apart it’s not original or new after all this 1500 is the going rate on used guitars of that price range
@@markgalicic7218 Not for something that’s limited edition. $3500 is fair. There will be some for more, some for less. But if you use the “US Artist Series” GH Rosewood tele as an example, those went for 2.5x retail about 2 years after the initial 1000 were gone. These MIM Rockys will do the same. Then they’ll do a second run of another 1000 in 2027 for the 60th anniversary of Magical Mystery Tour. 😉
Gosh, I hesitate to even write this but I DO envy companies like Fender and Gibson... Just HOW they could possibly EVER get anywhere even CLOSE to considering Chapter-13 is WAY beyond me; especially because they can, as-close-to-it-&-it-still-be-legal-without- ACTUALLY-doing-it, ...essentially print dollar bills! However, one aspect that I DON'T wish for myself, is the "proverbial printing of dollar bills".... that are supposed to be "limited-edition-bills"... leading people to believe that a certain initial run in a particular and specified limited quantity should and ought to be all there are going to be... at least for a good, long while (...give it a decade, at least, fellas and ladies...), then, changing some small detail or value-range and doubling or tripling that quantity in a single year's time!
The “art work” done on his guitar by George Harrison isn’t art school level by any means! It’s certainly not up to Clapton’s “The Fool” SG level! So it wouldn’t be to difficult to do one of these yourself! There’s plenty of hi def pics of these guitars online to give you a blueprint.
when will gender offer a guitar without the center pickup ? I have to remove the one on my HSS have it rewired , order a custom scratch plate like Eddie Vanhalen was forced to do on his guitars . they shoud offer a fender H , HS, HSS, and single coils in any configuration as well.
I just received my 2nd Rocky. I had an order that I thought was canceled because 8 months ago I was told they were sold out. It didn’t bother me because I had found one at Sweatwater. Well to my surprise that order that I thought was canceled arrived at my door last week. Haven’t even unboxed it.
Dude, I need this axe! Is it true bypass? Peavey compatible? Gig friendly? Are the knobs frequency competent? Can it get me the beloved EVH "negro sound?" Asking for a friend
