For Sale: 2016 James Trussart Deluxe SteelCaster Rust-O-Matic Custom Pinstripe

This is a museum-grade, essentially unplayed 2016 James Trussart Deluxe SteelCaster featuring a stunning Rust-O-Matic finish with rare hand-applied custom pinstriping. It is one of the finest, most original examples of Trussart’s work to ever reach the private market.

Acquired new directly from James Trussart in 2016 and immediately enshrined in the internationally acclaimed Richard Davis Collection — one of the world’s largest and most historically significant private guitar collections — this instrument has never left the museum. It has seen only a handful of very brief, light playing sessions and remains in absolute as-new, pristine condition. No scratches, no wear, no modifications. It is a time-capsule piece.

Key Specifications

• Model: Deluxe SteelCaster
• Body: Hollow Steel with iconic Rust-O-Matic finish + Custom Pinstripes
• Neck: Maple with Recessed Steel Head Cap (Bolt-On), Trussart ’62 profile (.820" @ 1st fret, .875" @ 12th fret)
• Fingerboard: Rosewood, 9" radius, 25.5" scale, 6105 narrow-tall frets
• Hardware: Kluson tuners, Custom Modified B16 Bigsby, Rust SteelCaster pickguard
• Pickups: TV Jones Classic (neck) + Arcane Inc. Tele (bridge)
• Weight: 8 lbs 6.5 oz
• Case: Premium G&G Hard Case included

Why This Guitar Matters to Discerning Collectors

James Trussart is the undisputed master of modern steel-bodied guitars. His hollow steel instruments deliver vintage Tele-inspired visuals with extraordinary sustain, resonance, and harmonic complexity that players and collectors crave. The legendary Rust-O-Matic finish — a technique named by Billy Gibbons — creates an authentic, battle-worn appearance that looks like it survived decades on the road, yet this example is factory-fresh.

Trussart guitars are owned and played by rock royalty including Billy Gibbons, Keith Richards, Eric Clapton, James Hetfield, Jack White, and many others. Custom examples with unique detailing like these pinstripes are exceptionally scarce.

Provenance is everything. Coming directly from the Richard Davis Collection, this guitar carries elite documentation and collector prestige that significantly elevates its long-term value and desirability.

In today’s red-hot market for high-end, historically significant instruments, this is a standout investment-grade piece — a modern classic that will only become more coveted with time.

Provenance Statement for Sales Listings

From the Richard Davis Collection This instrument originates from the Richard Davis Super Collection, one of the world’s largest and most respected private assemblages of vintage and custom guitars (1,200+ instruments, 175 brands, 26+ years of purposeful curation).

Instruments from this collection carry a significant provenance premium. In today’s post-Irsay market, guitars with documented single-owner history from a major, scholarly-curated collection routinely sell for 40% to 100%+ more than comparable pieces without such provenance. Each guitar is accompanied by a formal Certificate of Authenticity and a transferable title from the International Musical Instrument Registry (IMIR), providing clear chain-of-custody and institutional-grade documentation.

This added value is one of the strongest assets of the Richard Davis Collection when selling or positioning for serious collectors and investors.