Among the first converts to Leo Fender's solidbody guitars were the country musicians of southern California, who preferred the cutting sound of a Fender Telecaster or Stratocaster over the deeper sound of a hollowbody electric guitar. By the early 1960s, Buck Owens and his guitarist Don Rich had developed a signature sound with their Telecasters that would emerge as a new style of country music, called the Bakersfield Sound. In gratitude, Fender presented Owens and Rich with two special Telecasters, adorned with a gold sparkle finish on the body and the peghead front that was made from crushed mirrors. The body was bound in a checkered pattern on the front and back. A third guitar -- this one -- was made, and it stayed in the possession of Fender employee George Fullerton. It is documented in Richard Smith's Fender book in a photo on page 191.
This guitar (inv. #EF6677) was made in 1964 and has an L-series number. It is in near mint condition with hard case (SOLD).
For further enjoyment...
Close of body
Pickguard area
Fingerboard
Headstock
Full back view
Back of body
