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From: Robert
Date: December 17, 2002
Welcome to the Discussion Group Dennis.
Bob and the Texas Playboys were close friends with Leo Fender in California beginning in the 1940's. Up to that time his rhythm guitar player, Eldon Shamblin had been playing a Gibson Super 400. When the band was in the L.A. area Leo Fender himself used to come to where the band was playing and service their amps. The band really liked the Fender equipment. On a trip in 1954 to the Fender factory, Leo showed Eldon an unusual new model guitar saying "Hey, we're coming out with something. Why don't you take this? Just take it and try it. If you don't like it you can bring it back." Leo also gave Eldon the first Fender tweed amplifiers. The guitar was a gold-finish 1954 Stratocaster that Shamblin used until he sold it in the early 1990's. He sold it because there were many attempts to steal it. Guitarist Daniel McBride of Tulsa was the new owner. Leo Fender later sold the Fender company to CBS. Leo Fender later came up with another prototype guitar, a G+L that had a gold pigment in the paint. Leo Fender gave Eldon one of these as well. It was a one of a kind. Later, the Fender company custom made a Stratocaster for Eldon, attempting to copy his original.
Eldon Shamblin was described by Rolling Stone magazine as "the best rhythm guitar player in history" and his instrument of choice was the Fender Stratocaster.