Fender Custom Shop 1992 Bill Carson Limited Edition Stratocaster. Lowest serial number seen in recent memory: #19 of 100
This is a "Black Swan" and you may never see another!! Won't last long: I purchased this early serial number 1992 from a private collection many years ago and have had it tucked away ever since. I'm selling my collection now because an accident has left me paralyzed on half my body. So, its time to let someone else enjoy this beautiful, museum quality guitar! It is fully original and in mint condition. Ships from North America. Buy with confidence and avoid the risk of scams and other complications from other parts of the world.
About Bill Carson:Bill Carson was an American guitarist dubbed the 'test pilot of the Stratocaster. Bill worked closely with Leo Fender in practically every capacity at Fender, from builder to lead foreman, plant manager, director of marketing, artist relations and customer service. In the early 1950's as prototype Fender Stratocasters were built, Carson would test each one on the bandstand, then return it to Leo and Fender's chief engineer-designer Freddie Taveres to correct any perceived problems. When this process and the guitar were finished, it became known as the Stratocaster and was put into production in October 1954. The design has withstood the test of time and become a true classic. Undisputedly the most copied solid body electric guitar ever made.
The Bill Carson Strat:
In July 1991, Don Schwartz, owner of Music Trader in Panama City Florida contacted John Grunder at the Fender Custom Shop to inquire about the design and construction of the "Bill Carson Stratocaster". Mr Grunder was intrigued by the idea and after speaking to Mr. Carson and receiving confirmation from Fender senior management, started working on the exact design of the guitar. The Bill Carson Stratocaster was designed based on the year Bill Carson officially came onto the Fender payroll as a full-time employee in 1957. The guitar is built to U.S. 57 Reissue specs with a highly figured specially shaped bird's eye maple neck and features Bill Carson's signature engraved on the neck plate and as a decal adjacent to the headstock logo. MT 019 was one of only 100 guitars planned to be issued.
In 1992-1993 Fender made 100 of these Limited Edition Strats. As it turned out, only 41 of the original 100 Carson Strats destined for Music Trader were ever actually shipped to MT, forty right-handed models, serial numbers MT 000 through MT 039 and a single left-handed model, serial number MT 100. This is due to the fact that the bank providing the financing for the project was taken over by federal regulators in early 1992 resulting in the bank cancelling its financing for the project. Music Trader tried to continue with their own funds but this was not acceptable to Fender and Fender subsequently stopped the project in July 1992 halting and denying any further involvement in the Carson Strat by Music Trader. The initials MT on the back plates stand for Music Trader. Guitars from numbers 40 through 99 do not contain all documents (included with MT 019), especially the one from Music Trader that is signed by Donald Schwartz stating the origin of the guitar and the history of the color of the guitar.
MT 019 is a very rare and highly collectible piece of Fender history. This is one of the most sought after and limited run custom shop Stratocasters ever, perhaps except for the 1993 Playboy Marilyn Monroe 40th Anniversary (175 made) - Harley Davidson 90th Anniversary (109 made) and Monterey Hendrix Strat (210 made) All three of which typically sell for from $20 - $50 thousand US$
The Custom shop made this one very special. It features a 57 Style body in the unique color Cimarron red, only used once for this Limited Edition. This handmade guitar comes with remarkable attention to detail, from the first screw to the unique color, the finish and the wiring. Everything is done most perfectly. The Alder body in Cimarron red, named for the Cimarron Ball room where Leon McAuliffe, long time player for the famous Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys used to play.
"Cimarron" is said to be the Cheyenne word for "Wild" or 'Wild one'. The Tremolo bar is included with the guitar along with the Certificate of Authenticity (dated 1-13-1992), Donald Schwartz signed certificates and other original"case candy" Comes with Fender Tweed case (with scuff mark as shown in photos) .
Message from recent Purchaser:
Hi Terry,
Your guitar just arrived and first off I must say that it is as beautiful as you represented it!!! You took very good care of this guitar!!! Second, you packed the guitar incredibly well, fantastic as a matter of fact, I’ve ordered custom made guitars stateside and they fail in comparison !!
I want to thank you as this was my only transaction with Reverb to date and you knocked it out of the park!!
All the best,
D.D
Very professional. Packages were absolutely perfect. Thank you very much! Probably the best seller in Reverb! G.D.
Fine instrument and very good communication. Terry is a joy to deal with and his instruments are impeccable. K.D.
Great guy, great communications, fast service and a super nice guitar. Exactly as described. P. W.
