My newest aquisition is a 1988 Fritz Brothers Roy Buchanan Bluesmaster Telecaster. This model was prototyped for Roy and only 50 were made. Roy requested the last one for himself #50. This is # 50 and was aquired through a private sale from one of Roys long time associates who initially aquired the guitar after Roy's death in August 1988. George Harrison and Susanna Hoffs also owned one of the guitars in the limited run, No. 1 and No. 2 respectively. Below are Videos and photos of Roy with the protype guitar and a video of George ( and Eric Clapton )live in Japan (1991) playing his. Notice that Georges had a tortoise shell pickguard and a brighter sunburst finish. Each guitar in the 50 run had the body custom finished by order.
The Fritz Brothers did a very nice job on this beauty. The fit, trim and finish is outstanding. In my opinion, much higher quality than a custom shop Tele. The biggest differences between A Fender Tele and this model?? This one has three active EMGs controlled through a pearl capped 5 way selector with a covered battery rout on the backside. Sperzel locking tuners. Custom set neck configuration and custom burst finish that is beautifully bound. It also has a stainless steel nut which adds some sharpness to the tone. Very well made and finished. I know that some people put their noses up with regards to EMG's because they tend to be a little bit more "in your face" and seem to lack that "warmer growl tone" but it comes down to this: Eric Clapton, David Gilmour, and Roy had no problem creating their own individual tones with them. I personally like them too, especially in Fenders. God rest your soul Mr. Bluesmaster.
From Vintage Guitar Magazine Interview with Susanna Hoffs 10/10/06
At that time, you also played the Fritz Brothers’ Roy Buchanan Bluesmaster guitar. How did that come about?
"They contacted me and said Roy wanted me to have the guitar. He made the number one model for George Harrison. Mine came with a number two on it, and my name on the little engraved tag on the back. I was really honored. I have no idea how he knew about me or anything. But apparently he requested that I have that guitar. It’s an orange one. Vicki got a blue 12-string shortly after I got mine."
2 comments:
Gorgeous! I'll mow your lawn all summer for it:) Roy was incredible.
Last show I saw him play, Fall of 1987, he was playing a twin EMG probable T-200 and THROUGH A JC-120.
Guitars are just tools. Some work better than others for some people. I have EMG guitars from that specific era (teles at that) and I have vintage, new, and a bunch of vintage modded and new build stuff with Lollars/Bardens/Duncans and some stuff that even is MIDI.
Sound is in the fingers, cool guitar. People that whine about the EMGs or his dabbling with solid state amps must not have been at ALL the shows I was where he sounded exactly like Roy every single time. Gear was sorta irrelevant to what hit your ears.
Sometimes drunk Roy, Sometimes sober Roy, always sounded like Roy.
Cool guitar. Have fun with it.
-Some Austin/San Antone Picker
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