Description
The Fender Japan Hank Marvin Stratocaster in Fiesta Red finish was commissioned in 1996 by UK distributor Ivor Arbiter as part of Fender's 50th anniversary. Intended for sale in the UK and European Union and built for Fender Japan by FujiGen Gakki, this model recreates Hank Marvin's famous guitar. It follows many original specifications, including a light Ash body, Fiesta Red finish, single ply pickguard, and soft-V maple neck.
The Shadows featuring Hank Marvin on lead guitar were extremely influential in the rise of modern UK guitar-related music. Functioning both on their own and as Cliff Richard's backup band, they created many hit records and were wildly popular. Their success led the way for many other aspiring guitarists who soon came to dominate the British Invasion.
This example is from the initial run of 500 instruments and is in very good, clean and all original condition. It plays well, the soft-V neck and weight are quite comfortable. It is quite close to early 1959 specification - by the middle of that year, the spec moved away from Maple fingerboards to Brazilian Rosewood. Perhaps unfortunately, the adherence to specifications also brings some of the few shortcomings, specifically the tendency of the single-layer pickguard to warp. Here, the edge of the pickguard is lifting slightly on the bass side above the bridge pickup.
The original molded hard shell case is included; this is not historically accurate, but is a practical improvement!
Ivor Arbiter and Hank Marvin Reissues
Ivor Arbiter was the original UK importer and distributor for Fender instruments, and has been responsible for virtually all of the reissue and reproduction lines. For these, as the Fender Custom Shop was too busy, Arbiter directly approached Fender Japan and in 1991 a line of Marvin endorsed Korean-made Squier models was built to go with a method book. In 1992, an 'Artist' Squier version was built by FujiGen. Also in 1992, the Fender (USA) Custom Shop built up to 500 Hank Marvin Stratocasters. In 1996, Arbiter again commissioned Fender Japan and FujiGen make two runs of 500 closely accurate reproductions for export to the United Kingdom and European Union. The first batch included the gold 50th anniversary decal seen on the back of this guitar's headstock. In 1998, Arbiter sourced these guitars from the Fender plant in Ensenada, Mexico. Then, for 1998 and 1999, the Fender Custom Shop built 40th Anniversary Hank Marvin Signature Stratocasters, and finally in 2009 a 50th Anniversary Dealer Select version was offered, based on Marvin's personal instrument.
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There are no refunds or returns on used items unless authorized in advance by a Twelfth Fret Sales Associate at time of sale. View Our Full Terms Here |
DETAILS:
- Instrument Model: Hank Marvin Stratocaster
- Instrument Manufacturer: Fender (Japan)
- Instrument year: 1996
- Instrument Finish: Fiesta Red
- Instrument Class: Solidbody Electric Guitars
- Instrument serial number: V026578, built during 1996 by FujiGen at Matsumoto, Nagano for Fender Japan and commissioned for export to UK and EU
- Country of Origin: Japan
- Instrument Condition: Very Good
- Right-handed
- Instrument Weight Imperial: 7.304 lbs
- Instrument Weight Metric: 3.32 kgs
- Scale Length Imperial: 25.5 in
- Scale Length Metric: 647.7 mm
- Nut Width Imperial: 1.664 in
- Nut Width Metric: 42.26 mm
- CITIES Documentation Required: No
- Case included: Yes
- Case original: Yes
- Items in Case: Trem Arm, Strap
- Case Type: Molded Hard Shell
- Consignment: Yes
- Product ID: 191110
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There are no refunds or returns on used items unless authorized in advance by a Twelfth Fret Sales Associate at time of sale. View Our Full Terms Here |