Full Details for Lot 402

Sale 09ROCK Lot 402

Jim Hendrix's Fender Stratocaster Body
This 1966 sunburst Fender Stratocaster body was originally given by Jimi Hendrix to friend and fellow guitarist, Velvert Turner, in 1969. Soon after, Turner traded the Stratocaster body to bass player Roland Robinson. In Robinson's affidavit of authenticity from 1993, he states in part: "...Velvert was staying with us at Woodstock in the attic room at the farm house. One day Velvert came in with a roadie named Vick who worked for Buddy Miles and had worked on some of Jimi's guitars. They had a sunburst Stratocaster body that Jimi had given Velvert...I asked Velvert what he was going to do with the Hendrix guitar body. He said I will trade it to you for one of your bass guitars and I said no. Velvert was looking to buy some marijuana. I told Velvert I would trade him one lid of pot...Velvert agreed...When I left the Buddy Miles Express and moved back to Memphis, I brought this Hendrix Stratocaster body home with me...he eventually moved to Memphis and played in my band, Quo Junior. One day at my house Velvert squirted lighter fluid on this guitar body and set it on fire. In the early 1970's I sold this guitar body to a repairman at Strings and Things Music Store in Memphis..." Hendrix's association with Turner and Robinson is well documented in numerous books and documentaries. Robinson first recorded and jammed with Hendrix at The Record Plant in New York City in April 1969 and again in November 1969. Besides Robinson's affidavit, another from Brad Webb in 1998, a member of Quo Junior, confirms that he was present "...when Velvert Turner poured lighter fluid on this guitar body at Roland Robinson's house..." A 2000 condition report from Rod's Guitar's in Memphis further states that "the body paint is completely original except for the burn marks on the finish. The electronics, pots, pick-ups, pick guard; switch-tip, pick-up covers, wiring, and hardware are original 1966. The strap button has been moved to the opposite horn...to accommodate a left-handed guitar player." Also included are three additional letters from friends of Turner and Robinson confirming the origin of the guitar body as well as two photos of Robinson and Turner as members of Quo Junior.
Estimate $ 40,000-60,000