SRV “Lenny” Stratocaster

SRV “Lenny” Stratocaster^® Guitar Replica to Launch Dec. 12
Limited edition Custom Shop guitar to become available exclusively through Guitar Center® ...

In a historic collaboration among Fender, Guitar Center® and the Stevie Ray Vaughan estate, the famous Stevie Ray Vaughan “Lenny” Stratocaster® guitar has been commissioned by Guitar Center to be reproduced in a limited edition by the Fender Custom Shop. As part of Fender’s Tribute Series of guitars, “Lenny” will be produced in a limited quantity, with 185 guitars offered for sale in the United States, made available exclusively through Guitar Center. Guitar Center stores throughout the United States will introduce the guitar on Dec. 12, 2007, and will offer them to customers for $17,000 (U.S.).

The original “Lenny” guitar was one of Vaughan’s favorite instruments; a birthday gift from his wife, Lenora (Lenny) during the lean years before he achieved stardom. Vaughan nicknamed the guitar for his wife and composed his namesake instrumental piece on it for her. Guitar Center bought the original guitar for $623,500 at a 2004 Christie’s auction in New York.

“Guitar Center is both thrilled and privileged to be able to offer Stevie Ray Vaughan’s ‘Lenny’ Fender Stratocaster to the world,” said Keith Brawley, Guitar Center vice president of merchandising for guitars and amplifiers. “Stevie Ray Vaughan’s fans are among the most loyal and passionate guitar lovers in the world. The ‘Lenny’ Stratocaster, Stevie’s main instrument for his love songs, is a truly fascinating guitar that has, as part of its DNA, a tender, personal love story and an incredibly colorful and touching history.”

This very special addition to the Custom Shop Tribute Series features an intricate reproduction of “Lenny” down to the smallest detail—from the customized neck (the original was a gift from ZZ Top’s Billy F Gibbons) to the reflective “SRV” stickers on the body to the battered headstock, the autograph that Stevie himself etched into the neck plate, and even an autograph from baseball great Mickey Mantle.

"This guitar had very special meaning to Stevie,” said Mike Eldred, Fender Custom Division sales and marketing director. “He had it throughout his career; he took it everywhere, and during each show, he stopped, sat down on the stage, and played that song, on that guitar. It's like he was holding on to that very special time before he was a star, and just didn’t want to let that part of his life go."